National WaterDance KC

The second biannual National WaterDance KC will be presented on April 20th at 3 pm along the Blue River at Minor Park (north entrance). This is a free event with 7 professional dancers, 5 youth dancers, and a live cellist. We are accompanied by representatives from Heartland Conservation Alliance and Blue River Forest Experience in considering the life of the Blue River and its needs through reflection, artistic expression, and potential advocacy. This is a national event that is livestreamed as it takes place in approximately 70 cities at 3 pm CST with all dancers uniting around local waterways and specific concerns in each locality: https://nwdprojects.org

Dancers in Kansas City have been engaging with the Blue River throughout its 4 seasons and creating movement in response to their observations. This particular site was part of the Santa Fe Trail crossing, as well as the Potawatami Trail of Death. The dancers work with themes of crossing and journeying, while also considering the river’s fate and constraint as it moves through a cityscape without the needed room to expand.

Speakers from partners with the Heartland Conservation Alliance and Blue River Forest Experience will kick-off the event with context of the river and its history, along with creative ways to engage throughout the immersive performance.