“Water in the Kettle”
February 3, 2023
Rhythmic Cultural Works, Alameda, CA
Evie Ladin, Artistic Director of “Water in the Kettle”, tells us in a program note that the production was 5 years in the making. The MoToR group started with a 3-part work and “Water in the Kettle” is now a full evening event. The ‘lockdown’ years have nevertheless produced a dynamic, exciting work for the group of seven (plus two) dancers and two musicians. They are an unbelievable ensemble.
Ms. Ladin explains that her training included Appalachian cultural arts, percussive dance, harmony singing, string band music and social dance…and contemporary performance. All of these are presented as the group moves from one event to another, each featuring a teapot…an object that acts to unify the scenes and the messages. These, the messages, the statements, the presentations, are essentially about women – their actions, their pleasures, their cares and their abilities.
In one section, a woman stands on stage and the others decorate her with long bands of white cloth (perhaps representing a wedding veil?). The audience is handed the ends of the bands… they too are part of the ceremony. We hear the leader’s spoken words., e.g. “My mother said you could marry a rich man…or a poor one…but it’s good to have money” Such aphorisms present sentences and advice given to women year after year, assuming that “mother knows best.” Today’s women (mostly) protest and defy such statements, although they still echo in women’s essential knowledge. Ladin points to the fact that thematically “Water in the Kettle” gives attention to women who are “capable, skilled, experienced and suddenly overlooked or denied opportunity.” These women in this ensemble, “ain’t!” (Or if they are, they are speaking out about it!)
All the various numbers demonstrate the superb skill of the dancers as a dynamic ensemble, singing, clapping and moving in unison or in varying group patterns. Accompanied by musicians Amber Hines and Lisa German, their voices and percussive use of hands clapping and on the body is truly amazing. It is great ensemble work!
…and there is ‘tongue in cheek humor’ and real pleasure. Humor resounds throughout!
The dancers are: Keira Armstrong, Heather Arnett, Tammy Chang, Kirsten DeAmicis, Valerie Gutwirth, Evie Ladin, Sydney Lozier…with Linda Carr, JJ Hansen, and Cynthia Mah. Congratulations to all!