October 20, 2002

Julia Taffe’s vertical dance troupe will present the world premiere performance of On Earth at the Banff Mountain Summit next week. The dance performance is part of Extreme Landscape – A Celebration in Word and Dance taking place at
8 p.m. on Monday, October 28 in the Eric Harvie Theatre at The Banff Centre.

Created by British Columbia choreographer and climber Julia Taffe, On Earth originates in the wildness of the mountains and honours the natural spirit of our planet. On Earth reflects a new direction for twenty-first century dance – combining the discipline of modern dance with the technical repertoire of mountain climbing. Their leaps and bounds magnified by ropes, the performers transcend gravity to make vertical space their stage.

On Earth began as a dream to celebrate the declaration of 2002 as International Year of Mountains. Julia Taffe joined forces with Mountain Culture at the Banff Centre to create the performance for the Banff Mountain Summit.

On Earth is presented in collaboration with Cité des Arts du Cirque in Montreal. The work is made possible through the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, the British Columbia Arts Council, The Dance Centre in Vancouver and Esprit Ropes.

In addition to On Earth, the October 28 event will also include readings by authors Gretel Ehrlich and Dermot Somers and a performance by singer and poet Sid Marty. Tickets to the evening are $18 and can be purchased from the Banff Centre Box Office at 1-800-413-8368, 1-403-762-6301. Tickets are also available at Rude Boys, Rude Girls and Outabounds in downtown Banff.

Banff Mountain Summit 2002 takes place October 27 to 29 at The Banff Centre. The Summit celebrates the inspiration of extreme environments and the challenges to these environments through three days of performances, exhibitions, presentations and conversations. Featured speakers and performers include Reinhold Messner, Yvon Chouinard, Gretel Ehrlich, Rick Ridgeway, Wade Davis, Will Gadd, Alex Wells, and many others.

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Downloadable photos of festival speakers are available at: www.banffmountainfestivals.ca/media/ftp