Olivia Shaffer: Senescence
Kelly McInnes: Blue Space 

Themes of hope in the face of mourning are at the heart of this mixed-program of contemporary dance featuring new creations by local choreographers and dancers, Olivia Shaffer and Kelly McInnes.

“Senescence” is a daughter’s personal reflection into caregiving for her father and his struggle with Parkinson’s disease and dementia. Olivia Shaffer dives into movement, text, and music, in collaboration with composer Alex Mah, to confront the inevitable failures in planning for our own mortality.

In “Blue Space” Kelly McInnes explores our intrinsic connection as humans to water – the water that makes up our bodies and the planet we inhabit. “Blue Space” explores tensions between the healing and the exploitation involved in our relationship to this essential aspect of our existence.