DanceDownRiver was filmed on the Colorado River in Grand Canyon in October 2007. Sixteen artists took part in the project, seven dancers, two cinematographers, several musicians, photographers, a painter and a poet.

A dream of mine since I first came to Grand Canyon and ran the River in 1988 was to dance in some of the incredible natural amphitheatres and side canyons of the Colorado, with my  friends from Human Nature Dance Theatre and to film those dances. I also wanted to include some of my artist friends as well as my fine artist sister Sara Lee, her journalist and film maker partner Vin Ray and their gorgeous talented children Olivia & Theo Lee Ray.

A deep heartfelt thank you to all who took part in this expedition. This was a volunteer collaborative project, we all played several roles of boatman, dancer, photographer, cinematographer, musician and all assisted in making meals, tending the fire, singing songs, loading and unloading the boats, setting up and breaking down camp. Special thanks to Norm Shrewsbury whose expertise in all things to do with cameras was crucial to the success of this project. He managed to shoot beautiful still and moving images, row a boat and keep the batteries charged. Huge thanks also to Darshan Singh Bhuller who masterfully edited the twenty hours of footage into a thirty minute film, and to Barry Guy and Maya Homburg who so generously allowed us to use their wonderful music.

We are all grateful to Grand Canyon and the Colorado River, who let us ride on her glossy spine for 18 days, 225 miles from Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek. She let us camp on her beaches, cradled us at night under a rich bed of stars and kindly let us through her awe inspiring rapids, teaching us a few lessons along the way. Her waters carried us down, sometimes gently, sometimes with fierce impatience. With turmoil and tranquility she led us through the rock layers. She let us dance in her beautiful side canyons, North Canyon, Redwall Cavern, Little Colorado River, Unkar, Bass’s Camp, Elves Chasm, In the Vishnu Schist at Upper Blacktail, in Blacktail Canyon, Matkatamiba Canyon, Havasu Canyon and National Canyon.

This band of artists who travelled together on this adventure, continue to allow the River and her Canyon to speak through our work. We have learned something of the ways of water and rock, of collaboration and of our beloved planet earth. 

We offer this film as a prayer for the River and all wild places and wild things.

For more information email jayne@humannature.ws