Martita Goshen's Earthworks to Premiere TURNING HOME at Mark Morris Dance Center, 4/18-20

Martita Goshen's Earthworks - 9 dancers joined by female equestrian and jockey Janice Blake Baeza - will premiere her "Turning Home," a tribute in dance and film to the greatness and goodness of American thoroughbred racehorses Barbaro and the brilliant Ruffian, who both died tragically and too soon. The one-hour work has original music by Art Baron of the Duke's Men, and Grammy Award-winning cellist/composer David Darling, and video by Peter Richards. Three performances, April 18-20, at the Mark Morris Dance Center, 3 Lafayette Avenue in Brooklyn.

The expression "turning home" refers to the time in a race when the horse and jockey come around to the final turn. It is a dramatic and defining moment in which it is apparent if there is heart in both the horse and jockey, and whether they are in true partnership.

Six years ago, choreographer/dancer Martita Goshen became interested in horses and thoroughbred racing. Never one to pursue her passions half-heartedly, Martita delved into that world, researching the backstretch lives and paths to the derby and triple crown of the magnificent animals. Martita observed the grooms, jockeys, trainers and owners, as well as the horses in racetracks and barns along the Eastern seaboard, studying the landscapes that made and trained these supreme athletes.

Those experiences are reflected in both the film and dances of "Turning Home." The work is also influenced by Goshen's childhood upbringing with the indigenous peoples of Uruguay and Brazil, as the daughter of a U.S. diplomat. There she absorbed the dance and music that were part of village life, as well as the people's love and reverence for nature.

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Martita Goshen's Earthworks Premieres TURNING HOME at Mark Morris Dance Center, Now thru 4/20 April 18, 2013

Martita Goshen's Earthworks to Premiere TURNING HOME at Mark Morris Dance Center, 4/18-20 March 19, 2013