Vertical Dance at Vedauwoo – The Rainbow Snake and the Red Desert

The University of Wyoming’s 2011 Snowy Range Summer Theatre and Dance Festival concludes on August 20^th and 21^st with “Vertical Dance at Vedauwoo: Rainbow Snake and the Red Desert.”

Performances will be at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm each day, and will be presented in the Box Canyon area of the Vedauwoo Recreation area, 16 miles east of Laramie, WY, just off of I-80.

“Vertical Dance at Vedauwoo: Rainbow Snake and the Red Desert” features vertical dance, live music and storytelling by award-winning Aussie performing artist Paul Taylor.  Vertical dance is a unique blend of modern dance and rappelling that allows free-flowing aerial movement. The performances go panoramic from East to West and back again. Some dancers are close to the viewers and some are very fare away all moving to the story and music it's an experience you must see in person.

The Snowy Range Theatre and Dance Festival will also welcome back vertical dance at Vedauwoo to bring to a close the summer season. According the Associate Professor Margaret Wilson, vertical dance at UW was originally conceived as a way to explore from an artistic perspective this dance form, which derives from a circus tradition of acrobatics and trapeze performance. While many dance schools offer vertical dance study using buildings, the unique location of Laramie allows nature to be a backdrop for the movements of the performers.

“We are trying to create an environment where performers can put to use what they’ve learned in dance class in a different venue,” Wilson said. Now in its 13th year, the performances draw large audiences and attract performers from around the country. The week before there will be at Vedauwoo doing a dress rehearsal the first time some of the performers will be introduced to the outdoor venue.

___________________________________________________________________________________

The Rainbow Snake Story:

Each new concert at Vedauwoo introduces a theme or storyline.  In 2009, featured artist Paul Taylor presented his original aboriginal story “Vedauwoo: A Dreamtime Tale,” in which he introduced Rainbow Serpent, Sky Boss, and the Turtle Lady as he described the creation of Vedauwoo.  The tale is continued in this year’s performance, as Rainbow travels across Wyoming, stopping at Arlington, the Red Desert, Yellowstone, and the Grand Tetons, and then back to the Red Desert via the Wind River Range.  Audience members of all ages will delight in this imaginative tale that reminds us to take care of our environment.

Paul’s tale will be interwoven with live music performed by Marty Camino, Rod Garnett, Peter Queal, Mark Rabideau, David Romtvedt and Peter Shive.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Ticket Information:

Tickets are $7.00 ($6.50 + .50 handling fee), general admission for all ages, including dogs. Patrons are advised to get tickets in advance by calling 307-766-6666, going online to www.uwyo.edu/finearts, or by visiting the Fine Arts Box Office weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Only a limited number of tickets will be available for sale at the performance area.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Directions:

Getting to the “Vertical Dance at Vedauwoo” performances will take additional time, so audience members are advised to leave Laramie at least 70 minutes before the performance they are scheduled to see.

The Vedauwoo recreation area is 16 miles East of Laramie on I-80.  After taking the Vedauwoo exit, patrons will park their cars and take a bus ride to the Box Canyon parking lot.  From this drop-off point, there is a 10-minute walk up a gravel path to the performance area.

The last bus from the parking area will depart 10 minutes prior to the performance.  The trail up to the performance area is a gradual incline and there are loose rocks and low tree limbs along the way.  Ushers will be on the trail to help patrons find the seating area.  The seating area is first-come, first-served, with seating mainly on the ground.  The performance lasts approximately an hour in an area with little or no shade, and is at about 8600’ ft above sea-level.  Bright sun and warm temperatures are likely to be balanced with occasional showers.  Patrons are advised to plan accordingly.

Vedauwoo is a natural recreation area and can be challenging terrain.  ADA accommodations are available, and patrons should contact the box office as soon as possible for further information, or to place requests for assistance.