Art and Science Combine in Pair of UtahPresents Events

Salt Lake City, UT – Sept 29, 2017 – As part of the UtahPresents 2017-18 Season, a unique pairing of science and performing arts will be featured in two events in late October. First on Oct 20, biodiversity scholar Dr. Vandana Shiva will give a lecture on issues of climate change and species extinction. Then, on Oct 28, Ananya Dance Theatre will perform Shyamali, inspired in part by Dr. Shiva’s work.

Vandana Shiva, October 20 at Libby Gardner Concert Hall. Tickets: $12 general public, $5 U of U students, and $10 for all other students.

Ananya Dance Theatre, October 28 at the Tanner Dance Black Box Theatre. Tickets: $20 general public, $5 U of U students, and $10 for all other students.

Tickets for both events are available at utahpresents.org or by calling 801-581-7100.

Dr. Vandana Shiva combines sharp intellectual enquiry with courageous activism, and her work spans teaching at universities worldwide to working with peasants in rural India. Time Magazine identified Dr. Shiva as an environmental ‘hero’ in 2003, and Asia Week has called her one of the five most powerful communicators in Asia. In November 2010, Forbes Magazine identified Dr. Shiva as one of the Seven Most Powerful Women on the Globe. Dr. Shiva’s lecture is titled “Earth Democracy: Cultivating Hope and Freedom” and will address the interconnected issues of climate change, species extinction including the extinction of the human species, and the crisis of democracy.

 A contemporary Indian American dance company comprised of women artists of color, Ananya Dance Theatre is made up of cultural activists working through dance and artistic processes to engage audiences, build community, and move towards justice and beauty. Inspired by the work of Dr. Shiva and other women activists of color, Ananya Dance Theatre will perform Shyamali: Sprouting Words. Shyamali is a Bengali word that means dark green and invokes the resilience of grass, ground cover, and moss as a metaphor for the courage of women who speak up to create resilient and sustainable communities. The piece was recently named one of the twelve shows to see this year by Dance Magazine.

High-resolution photos are available here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/44kbh13ymwa7z55/AADddwNukSKs3qQjpzZ-0Ivba?dl=0

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About UtahPresents
For the curious who want to experience artistic creativity pushed beyond the stage, UtahPresents ignites dialogue, explores issues and ideas, catalyzes innovation, and connects us.  Creativity Connected. View the full season at utahpresents.org.