COMMON GROUND: Performance & Fiesta
Celebrating the politics and poetry of agriculture past, present and future

In the tradition of artists like Steinbeck, who left a legacy in the local community and the world through championing the cause of marginalized populations, there is a responsibility for artists to reflect on the aspects of the culture that are less frequently represented. In the 1930s, Steinbeck’s poignant words spoke to the prejudices, inequality, struggles and desires impacting the “Okie” farm workers of the Salinas Valley. Common Ground looks at the current tensions in agriculture, including immigration, land development, environmental issues, and new realities of competing in a world market. Beyond divergent perspectives, Common Ground also focuses on the shared values of the earth including the universal passion for farming, the fundamental need to prosper and provide, and the importance of respecting the earth and one another. Common Ground aims to expand perceptions and possibilities, and celebrate the beauty and abundance of our local harvests.

Common Ground will also be the springboard for new on-site outreach programs in local schools. This project invites young audiences to experience the power of dance and addresses the need for greater understanding about the history and importance of agriculture in our community.

Common Ground will also be the first step toward a new program of cultural exchange with Mexico. In our local community, we are rarely exposed to the richness and sophistication of contemporary art from Mexico. This project aims to open doors and nurture the dynamic potential for exchange between Mexico and the United States. This innovative partnership invites new artistic experiences, new understanding between cultures and opportunities to develop new audiences for dance and the arts.

Common Ground is conceived, choreographed and directed by Fran Spector Atkins, also the Artistic Director of SpectorDance and Founder of Monterey Dance Fest. Her mission is to heighten awareness of contemporary dance through outreach, education and performance. She promotes this mission though a variety of programs including the SpectorDance School, Outreach Programs, Creative Projects, Monterey Dance Fest, and SpectorDance Studio as a performance venue for the community. Essential to Spector Atkins' choreography is her collaboration with media artist, William Roden, owner of New Dawn Media Studio. Since 1996, they have developed a process of blending dance with digital media. Roden and Spector Atkins believe in the power of dance/media to comment on social issues in both performance and in educational workshops. Through her work as teacher, choreographer, and presenter, the vision of Fran Spector Atkins is to establish Monterey County as a new West Coast Center for contemporary dance.

ALISAL CENTER FOR THE FINE ARTS has been serving the East Salinas Community with free arts workshops since 1986. Under director Orlando Castro, ACFA's mission is to celebrate and promote the arts and cultural diversity and encourage pride through participation in the arts including Ramon Silva’s Folkloric Dance Company, Tonatiuh del Quinto Sol, Armando Sarabia's music program, Jose Ortiz’s mural and visual arts work with Hijos del Sol and much more.

Common Ground is funded in part by Communities Advancing the Arts, the Community Foundation for Monterey County: Arts Initiative, and the James Irvine Foundation New Connections Fund.

View article from Monterey County Herald

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