Process Beginnings: Many Possibilities

I met with both Shawn and Michelle this week to discuss some options and possibilities for this piece.

The audience is asked to meet at the Chinese pagoda. Shows are thought to be 1:30 and 4:30 daily on June 24,25,26 and July 3,4,5 (*to be reconfirmed with the Works)

The piece is set to be a walking score of 35-45 minutes. We still must decide if people will progress as a group or not- or say with maps alone- and if we take them to the beginning point at the end or not. The plan is to walk the route (from pagoda, across the bridge and back) to see how long it takes and what natural features are present. Such as "Futch Emonton" carved into the bridge...

It is a progression, a journey, a soundwalk, and should be magical. We should allow for the divisiveness of the river (such as audience picking North or South to begin, and having different tone of events on opposite sides)

Since the river is formidable and dangerous, involvement has limits, but still desired (throwing stones, message in bottle, paper, bread, flowers, leading to some transformation) (*research and drop videos on site here to see what river rituals are out there- Ganges, etc)

River in history: industrial brickyard area, ice blocks, barges, ferries, and more 'integrated' into the city's reality. Route to Hudson's Bay...

Things found in river: tires, shopping carts, old shoes, and ancient fish with beards. Cold, muddy water, pollution and sewage, gold in small amounts, beaver fever, shifting river silt, and rocks thrown by small children.

Fishing or fake fishing

Boats: canoes, kayaks, gondolas, barges, Edmonton queen, dragon boat with scripted 'leader'

Wishes: pennies, paper tied to wishing tree

Whimsical and fun is desired. Not too 'hippyish' or generalized ritual.

Christo would turn the whole river pink. Wash some clothes

Koi nobori kites across the river? Play the bridge like an instrument? Aim rocks at a river target? (George Bush haha)

Instruments: cheesy folk guitar, little audience sounds, rock marimba, strings, etc

French fiddling river songs

Deer in the woods (antlers made of sticks), hunting, games: orienteering, treasure hunt, tag, hide n seek, Survivorman spoof, etc

Tents

Stone oven and bannock (Michelle wants berries)

Puppets large and small (Public Dreams)