00244 Sun 21Oct18 . 2112p >>> 29Sep18 - Detroit Michigan >>> I made a pilgrimage to pay my respect to “Grandfather Maple”, a patriarchal tree that anchors the grounds of #burnsidefarmdetroit with a performance entitled “Remember our Ancestral Tree”. I was inspired by a photo of Grandpa Maple that was shared with me by my dear friend Kate who runs Burnside. The photo depicted Grandpa Maple’s presence and how he cared for the land in the midst of the fallen house in the foreground.
The performance engaged with the Burnside community on a meditative journey of remembering our ancestors. The evening began with storytelling intwined with a film screening entitled “Flower Remember Year” to contextualize a collective performance of simple gestures in offering food to Grandpa Maple and wrapping a hand-dyed discarded fabric around the sacred tree. In the spirit of healing, the performance concluded with a communal meal that I’d prepared to honor the tree, the ancestors of this land and our personal ancestors.