Justice Dance Performance Project

Moving for Change Since 1989.

On May 7, we completed the seasonal cycle of In the Presence of Trees, developing four incarnations of the piece inspired by the trees in Bushnell Park; Farmington River Park in Bloomfield; Keney Park; and returning for the concluding segment in Bushnell Park celebrating spring.

The making and performing process went a full circle, a completion in a time begun in the pandemic that was graced by the spirit of the trees and the creative energy they catalyzed, then shared with audiences to communicate their wisdom and model of community, and to advocate for the importance of nurturing and cherishing them and growing their abundance, especially in tree-scarce urban areas.

Trees are healing, trees are beautiful, and trees make an irreplaceable contribution to the environment. This experience of creating inspired by trees opened my eyes and heart in so many unexpected and beautiful ways. I thought I knew and appreciated trees only to realize how much I had to learn.

Trees cannot cry out about the urgent necessity to preserve them—at least not in ways that people readily understand. But we can. And we can learn to be caring communities in the ways that trees already are. The turbulence in our country right now is a testament to how much we have yet to learn.

Full cycles don’t have to mean endings. Cycles multiply, they rejuvenate, they repeat in new ways, they start fresh. Let’s see this closing cycle for In the Presence of Trees as a new beginning—for ourselves and our communities. Let’s not just say we enjoy trees—let’s work together for their preservation growth.

Check out these organizations for ways that you can help: