A dance by Holly Bright and Celestine Aleck
Genevieve Johnson, Nicole Jackson
The Sun and the Moon is a dance work by Holly Bright based on a contemporary creation story by Snuneymuxw author, Celestine Aleck, and created with the talented and magical input of dance artists, Genevieve Johnson and Nicola Jackson.
It is a creation story. A story about how the Sun and the Moon are in relationship. A story of love, the arc it paints in the sky, and not without love’s sacrifice.
When next you witness a sunrise, sunset, an eclipse, a meeting of these two beings, remember that the Sun and the Moon are pulled toward eachother through the power of love and the love for the creatures of this planet whom they birthed into being.
Wayne Lavallee of Métis descent created the score. Costume design and visioning is by extraordinarily talented Graham McMonagle and by the passionate and generous, Mary Downes with input by Holly Bright. Construction is by Graham McMonagle, Mary Downes, Crystal Hanson, and Joann Swain. Lighting Design is in creation by an artist of particular innovation, John Carter. Video Design by an extraordinary group of IBPOC video artists based in Canada, Chimerik.com.
“Working with these artists and this design team is awe-inspiring. They are talented and generous. Celestine is at rehearsals, guiding, inputting, witnessing. The invitation by her to create this work has been a gift that has brought joy, healing, laughter and that deep, sweaty, fulfilling creative process to each of us. ‘i’ cun ci:t Shqwalawun. I am grateful from my heart for this project.” Holly Bright
The Sun and the Moon
A story by Celestine Aleck
and brought to life by Holly Bright and collaborators/performers, Genevieve Johnson and Nicola Jackson
Original score composed by Wayne Lavallee
Song and whispered story by Celestine Aleck
Costume evolution and construction by Graham McMonagle, Mary Downes, Crystal Hanson
Lighting Design by John Carter
Video Design by Chimerik
Drawings by Cole Melvin Good
Produced with the support of the BC Arts Council, Canada Council for the Arts, Hamber Foundation.
Special thanks to Snuneymxuw elders, Lorraine Good and Melvin Good, Fine Balance Studio, dramaturgical contributors: Jo Leslie, Lynda Adams and exploratory contributors: Chiara Ackerman, Samantha Letourneau and Myriam Verzat.
Photo by Cara McKenna, Digital Treatment by Sofina Johnson