Forces of Nature Dance Theater Company for Earth Day in Central Park

Forces of Nature during rehearsals in Central Park's Bandshell

"Rock the Bike" provided power to the sound system for the event

Some members of the FORCES OF NATURE DANCE THEATER COMPANY performed earlier this afternoon in Central Park's Bandshell as part of the EARTH DAY festivities. I made these images during their rehearsal. The day’s activities included live performances, planting and mulching projects, tree-care and composting demonstrations, environmental education, and crafts with recycled materials. In addition to Forcs of Nature, kids entertainer Billy B., the Puppeteers’ Cooperative’s Rites of Spring, and spoken-word artist Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai performed. The sound system used for the day’s performances was powered by Rock the Bike, which uses energy produced by bike pedaling to run its PA. 



From Forces of Nature's website:

Executive Artistic Director/Choreographer Abdel R. Salaam and Executive Managing Director Olabamidele Husbands co-founded the Forces of Nature Dance Theater Company in 1981.Along with founding company member Dyane Harvey, Forces has produced high quality ballets, conducted dance classes and presented concerts and educational programs in New York City ,the United States, and throughout the world for over 23 years.

Forces of Nature’s cultural matrix is centered in an African and an American intelligence that is global and ecological. Its aesthetic has been critically acclaimed as visceral, thought provoking and creatively brilliant. Forces of Nature utilizes a unique blend of performing arts, which includes contemporary modern dance, traditional West African dance, ballet, house and hip-hop forms as well as live and recorded music and the martial arts.

FORCES OF NATURE 'S MISSION IS THREEFOLD:

1)To develop a choreographic "language" that educates as well as empowers the viewer with a synthesis of images of the African diaspora and American culture;

2)To stress through the creative arts the importance of living with respect and in harmony with nature;

3)To utilize arts and culture as tools for enhancing human services and social reform.