Windhover Performing Arts Center has presented dynamic and exciting Quarry Dances at various quarries located throughout the Cape Ann area for the past six years. This year, Windhover teams up with Manship Artists Residency to present Quarry Dance Vll on the grounds of the late renowned American sculptor Paul Manship. This 15+ acre site features two pristine, private quarries, (Canney’s Pit and Butman’s Pit, aka “Manship Quarry”), several studios and a historic 1856 barn.

As in previous years, the Dušan Týnek Dance Theatre will create a site-specific modern dance in and around Canney’s Pit, the larger private quarry on the site that features ledges, cliffs, and stunning views. Continuing the legacy of working artists on Cape Ann, this event will capture movements derived from Paul Manship’s mythic sculptures, which move and flow like Greek sculpture. Images of Manship’s works will be on view, inspiring the dance. Perhaps his best known work is the Prometheus sculpture at the entrance to Rockefeller Center, located by the skating rink. Quarry Dance Vll will open with Sarah Slifer Swift reprising a solo performance of Prometheus, a dance choreographed by the late Ina Hahn. The piece was inspired by Manship’s sculpture of the Titan who brought fire to man.  Ms. Swift is the founder of MAGMA (Movement Arts Gloucester Massachusetts) a dance and performance center located in downtown Gloucester.

Performances of Quarry Dance Vll are free and open to the public. Donations are strongly suggested. No reservations are necessary, however all performances are weather dependent. If there is rain, that performance will be canceled. The duration of each performance is approximately one hour and fifteen minutes.

Parking has been arranged at the Lanesville Community Center at 8 Vulcan Street, Gloucester for all four performances. It is a short walk from the Lanesville Community Center to the Manship (MARS) estate.

There is also parking available at St Paul Lutheran Church at 1123 Washington Street on Friday late afternoon, Saturday late afternoon and Sunday. And the Orthodox Congregational Church at 1120 Washington Street allows parking on Friday late afternoon, Saturday morning and Saturday late afternoon, but not on Sunday.

Volunteers will usher the way for those on foot. Shuttle service will be available 45 minutes before each performance and afterwards for those who do not want to walk, starting and concluding at the Lanesville Community Center.

Seating is on a first-come first-served basis. Chairs will be provided; however you are encouraged to bring blankets and sit on the ground in front of the quarry. Feel free to bring water. Space is limited, and seats cannot be reserved.

For further information, please check the Windhover website and the Manship Artists Residency’s website.

Both organizations are non-profit 501©3 and contributions are tax deductible. Major funding has been made possible for Quarry Dance Vll by Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation, the primary sponsor, plus the Rockport and Gloucester Cultural Councils. For questions, please contact MARS Board President, Rebecca Reynolds, or Windhover’s Executive Director, Lisa Hahn.