Nov.4 Performance will be on Forbidden Drive just south of the Mt. Airy Ave Bridge

The 2nd in the series of 16 performances in my One-year Wissahickon Park Project will take plave on Sunday Nov 4, at 10:30 AM. The site is Forbidden Drive, just south of the Mt. Airy Avenue Bridge. If you are driving, the closest entrance is on Mt. Airy Ave — take Wissahickon Ave to Mt Airy Ave, go one block west on Mt Airy Ave to the end of the road. There’s parking on the street. Walk down the path, cross the bridge and turn left (south) onto Forbidden Drive. We will be a couple minutes walk from there.

Collaborating with me on this performance are dancers Shavon Norris, Jumatatu Poe, Olive Prince, and Noemí Segarra. Toshi Makihara and Danielle Kinne will join us again in December. The performance is free and open to the public. It will run for approximately 45 minutes, rain or shine. Cancellation only in extreme weather. When in doubt check the blog.

Please be advised that this is not a performance in the traditional sense; there are no “seats”. Because the performance is along Forbidden Drive, it is designed to be seen in passing. Audiences are asked to be mindful not to block the Drive.


Thanks again to all who emailed me photos of the performance on Oct 7. Those of us who were down by the creek may have missed Juamatu on the Drive. Denise Larabee sent the photo at the top.

These two are from Ronald Rothman. That's Shavon below and Noemí and Olive on the right.

Pictures Wanted!

Thanks to everyone who went out yesterday. It was wonderful to be able to share the moment and space with such warm and sensitive audience.

A special thanks to those of you that have emailed feedback and comments. Your feedback is most welcome especially since this is a creative research project. Karen Bond emailed me the following exchange overheard at the performance:




4-year old girl: They're not r-e-a-l!
Dad: Yes, they are real.
Girl: But, but, they're not r-e-a-l.
Dad: Well, they ARE real.
Girl: What are they DOing?
Dad: They're...practicing.







Ron sent the following feedback:

"I really enjoyed this morning's performance! I saw a meditation on strength, suffering, static balance, dynamic balance and peace, through which the central character mastered the forces which oppressed her (represented by the branch) and moved from near bondage to freedom and mastery. I will definitely come again, with friends and family."

On another note: I was unable to photograph yesterday's performance so I am now seeking photos of the event. I saw lots of cameras there. If anyone has photos they can give me I would greatly appreciate it! I will publish them on the blog with your permission only. You can email me at msoto@temple.edu.

These pictures were shot by Karen Bond. That's Toshi Makihara and audiences on the left and me below.

Clarifying Directions to Performance Site

Thanks to everyone who has emailed me with questions as to directions. Unfortunately I will probably spend the first part of the project refining directions; the maps I have found are not thorough. I appreciate your feedback on this.

The easiest way to get to the site of Sunday's performance is entering the park at Valley Green and walking south on Forbidden Drive. The site will be to your left. I think some people call the site the waterfall at Livezy Lane, the site of a former mill.

From Wissahickon Ave you turn west on to Mt. Airy Avenue. Mt. Airy Ave dead ends onto the entrance of the park. Go down the hill, cross the bridge to Forbidden Drive. Walk north on Forbidden Drive (right). The site is on the right. It will be easy to spot as one of the dancers will be on Forbidden Drive, marking the site.

From Henry Ave enter and park at Pachella Field just across Livezy Ave. Follow the path into the park. Go north (left on Forbidden Drive. The site will be to your right.