Mom & Me: Ruth & Eric
dNaga's PEACE Project; finding peace while living with Parkinson's disease.
This dance was filmed in the Fall of 2019 with intentions to present the work as part of an evening length work entitled “Mom and Me.” The shelter in place order due to COVID-19 prevented us from finishing the work. We want to thank Ruth and Eric for their time, energy, and flexibility.
Performed by Ruth Tavlin and Eric Kupers
Choreography by Claudine Naganuma and the dancers
Mandolin melody played by Eric Kupers,
Video editing by Ellie Kerwin
Filmed at Danspace in Oakland, CA
I am deeply grateful to my Mom, Claudine, dNaga, and all the Parkinsons and Elder Dance Communities that my Mom worked with. Even though my Mom's last few years were challenging in many ways, the opportunities she had to move together with many of you, and the chance she and I had to work on a dance/theater duet are invaluable. I love getting to visit with this joyfully playful part of her spirit now that she is no longer in physical form. I am reminded of what an important role she played in my development as a dance artist throughout my life, and how her warmth touched so many people.
May this dance video bring you joy and connection.
Blessings,
Eric Kupers
In memory of Ruth Tavlin
June 21, 1941 – September 17, 2022
Ruth Tavlin always loved acting, and for three years she has been took acting classes and performed in showcases at Stagebridge, an expressive arts program for adults 55 and older located in Oakland for the past 25 years. The first professional production Ruth participated in was the Elders Project, which was the first year that elders were included in a Destiny Arts production. She was also in a community theater group connected to a secular Jewish community organization in Los Angeles called the Sholom Players. During her time there, she took part in putting on a series of five plays chronicling the history of the Jewish people. Ruth also enjoyed doing volunteer work for the Fountain Theatre in Los Angeles where she worked with high school students to introduce them to community theater. In addition, Ruth wass passionate in being a part of community organizations committed to social justice, peace, empowerment of young people, and equality.
Eric Kupers has co-directed, choreographed, and performed with Dandelion since its inception, creating numerous works that have been presented throughout California, nationally, and internationally. He is deeply influenced by his work as a performer in the companies of Della Davidson and Margaret Jenkins, as well as by important teachers Charles Edmondson, Bella Lewitzky and her company, Mel Wong, Silvia Martins, Ellie Klopp and Joe Goode. Eric is an Associate Professor of Dance at Cal State University East Bay and is heading up the development of an Inclusive Interdisciplinary Performance program at the university. Eric is the director of Bandelion, an ensemble of dance, music, theater and visual artists committed to ongoing interdisciplinary research, as well as the CSUEB Inclusive Interdisciplinary Ensemble, which brings together students, alumni, community members and professional performers with and without disabilities and from diverse cultures to create original performance works. Eric has created commissioned works for AXIS Dance Company (supported by a Princess Grace Award for Choreography), Big Moves, Cal State University East Bay, California Choreographers Festival, Dancing in the Streets/NYC, and choreography for projects by John Killacky, California Shakespeare Festival, and Highland Summer Theatre. He has been a resident artist at the Baryshnikov Arts Center, CELLspace, Jon Sims Center for the Arts, and ODC Theater.