The Other Gardeners

What happens to (y)our gardens when we can no longer tend to them? When do the things and thoughts we leave behind become burdens, and when are they gifts? Can we both be refreshing fountains of reprieve for others, while we remember to pour into ourselves? What to do when our cup runneth over, and what to do when she's dryyyyyy ... we don't know, help us find out?

The Other Gardeners is a multidisciplinary dance theatre performance created collaboratively by Very Good Dance Theatre by and for Black artists and those from African lineage. This work premiered as part of Cannonball's Miniball festival in April 2023 and returns to Cannonball this fall as a BIPOC New Work Track recipient. Gardeners playfully (re)imagines what remains of Eden after its more popular residents (Adam & Eve) have moved on, and reminds us that paradise cannot be destroyed, only lost. This project explores questions around lineage, diaspora(s), liberation, and asks all those in its midst to grapple with which burdens have been placed on them, by who, and how we can one another shoulder them. The Other Gardeners is a Black queering of our origin stories, both a prequel and a sequel, and a conjuring of all the auto-biographies that never came to be. ... or at least not yet?

Expect sobbing and laughing, remembering and visioning, dreaming and forgetting, and loving and loving and loving. Come to learn, come to share, come to mourn, come alone (or not), leave together - connected - nurtured, just as gardens should be.
This production of The Other Gardeners is made possible due to the generous support of the Dallas Office of Arts & Culture.

PLEASE NOTE:

This performance contains sections of full nudity, may contain mentions of anti-Black and transphobia, reference to mental illness, and may include moments of optional audience interaction.
This event is standing room with limited seating, if you require a seat and/or additional accomodations please reach out to us on instagram (@verygooddt) or email us directly at [email protected].

Host or Publisher Very Good Dance Theatre