July 26, 2008:  Peninsula Park 1pm-10pm

Sentinel News Service

On July 26, the Water in the Desert festival is celebrating another year of free experimental experiences through cultural expressions. Mizu Desierto, executive/artistic director, is back in charge again and ready to kick off with a new theme and a returning fabulous scheduled event.

From their website, http://www.waterinthedesertfestival.org: “This year’s themes are Ecopsychology & Climate Change. Participating artists will develop projects that address the relationships between our personal, family and cultural well-being, and the general health of our ecosystems.  We will also encourage work that addresses the contemporary concerns of climate change, and more specifically, how this affects our global waters.” This forward thinking mind-set is what catapults this yearly adventure forward. With global environmental changes on the global-mind, it’s no surprise what spurred this theme. With more attention paid, the more informed people become and the more effort the community can put forth. Water in the Desert attempts, and succeeds, at this through many mediums.

It is the mission of Water in the Desert  “to create an annual, multi-media, participatory event that is site-specific, free to the public, and that both integrates & celebrates the power of Art, Ritual, Performance, & Ecology” according to their website. This free integration may cause young and old folk to become more aware of their natural place in the world. They explain, “Our intention is to produce a festival of creations that are in dialogue with our natural resources & rhythms, highlighting revolving contemporary social and ecological topics, with a consistent emphasis on the essential element of water.” Between the natural resources, and natural existence – you’ll feel naturally at home.

By being a part of this human experience, by visualizing and participating in this event, one becomes more closely tied to one's fellow man. It seems an unspoken effect that this event creates – the inevitable bonding and expanding of one’s mind and spirit. And with no cost to you.

Some performers:
Harupin-Ha (Japan/San Francisco)
Internationally touring artists of Butoh, Harupin-Ha creators (Koichi & Hiroko Tamano) were dancers in the first company of Tatsumi Hijikata (one of the founders of Butoh).
http://www.harupin-ha.org
 
Adam Hurst
Adam Hurst is a cellist blending Middle Eastern, Indian, and Gypsy traditions with Western classical music in haunting, seamlessly flowing compositions.
http://www.adamhurststudio.com
 
World's Greatest Ghosts
The epic brooding magic of World's Greatest Ghosts is stirred in cauldrons by young wizards of the form. What's the recipe? Mix in a dash of lightning quick guitars, throbbing bass, galloping drums and soaring synthesizers. The bewitched folks at WGG's crowded shows will tell you the spell has already been cast.
http://www.myspace.com/worldsgreatestghosts
 
tEEth
Described as “evocative and incomprehensible” by the Seattle Weekly, Portland based contemporary dance/performance art company tEEth continues to explore work that defies convention and comfort.
http://www.rubberteeth.com

Morphed Productions
Once again Morphed Productions will compsoe an original score for the evening theatre... only time is against us, the masses, the individual up against the fence to tear away barriers by established predefined destiny. Rules which are meant to be torn from your face to reveal your heart. Follow for now...lead yourself into nothing.
http://www.morphedproductions.com

M.One
PDX multi-media artiste M.ONE brings vocalization and elevation 2 the stage of our time & age...a microphone sage, performing tracks from his debut solo release :: choose.ur.weapon :: he combines spoken word, trip hop, and electronic vibes into one...a mixx of conscious words, meditative beats and thought-provoking invitations 4 change and peaceful compassion...with peace.luv.&.hope.
 
Miriam Burke
Miriam is captivated by the subtle complexities and indescribable beauty of Javanese gamelan music and plays with the Venerable Showers of Beauty Gamelan in Portland to get her fix. She recently returned from 9 months in Solo, Jawa Tengah, where she deepened her understanding of the movement and rhythms of this ancient tradition, seeking the dance at its source.
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It’s funky, but it’s absolutely fresh. You’ll get a breath of fresh air, which you might just choke on in eye-opening inspiration. From strange performances to beautifully eerie musicians, you’ll have a fantastic outing and for free. It’s in your own neighborhood, so get out of your home. 
Come in, the water’s fine!

http://www.waterinthedesertfestival.org, July 26, 2008:  Peninsula Park 1pm-10pm