Spirit - A Journey in Dance, Drums and Song (1999)

Weaving Native American mythology, music, dance, and rituals into a stage presentation augmented for television and home video, Spirit: A Journey in Dance, Drums, and Song suggests a New World counterpart to Riverdance, aimed at the same audience that made Bill Whelan's Celtic extravaganza a programming staple for PBS fund drives and a perennial seller in music and home video.

Both projects also share substantial links to New Age music and mysticism. Buffett, who has focused on such a fusion in prior music, video, and multimedia projects, uses his core ensemble of synthesizers and conventional rhythm section to provide orchestral drama and sweep to the largely minor-keyed score. Native American flutes, percussion, and chant provide the music's evocative sense of identity, while Chief Hawk Pope's narration underlines the production's yearning for a simpler age of harmony with nature, while framing the dance sequences with various tribal legends.

As directed and choreographed by Wayne Cilento, the pieces pointedly begin with an "Urban Overture" in which members of the troupe, dressed in suits, evoke the regimentation and discord of the modern world, punctuated with chirping cell phones, car horns, and mechanical rhythms. Gradually, group and lead dancers loosen up both visually and stylistically to convey more fluid movement. In addition to those members combining ballet and jazz movements with elements of tribal dance, Cilento employs vividly costumed Native American dancers, much as Buffett strategically deploys costumed native musicians and chorus. Extensive use of montage allows natural symbols and scenes to be grafted over the stage-bound elements of the 75-minute performance. Ethnomusicologists may regard this as something of a pastiche, but that's probably the point--Spirit is designed as a romantic, pan-tribal evocation of the continent's pre-European culture and beliefs. --Sam Sutherland Amazon.com

HELP!

EXCELLENT production. Does anyone know how I can obtain a copy of this production on audio CD? Please contact me at lholmes@vernoncollege.edu. Please help me if you can. January 5, 2009

Original Cast Member of World Premiere

I was in this original production taped in Green Bay, Wisconsin. I am a former member of the Green Bay Girl Choir who is the featured choir in this production. It was an amazing experience to work on this type of production as a 14 year old. Peter Buffet was world class and Robert Mirabal was so kind to us and helped us all be comfortable while filming. It was such a pleasure to be in the company of such great musicians and dancers at such a young age. If you haven't heard of this production or seen it - you need to check it out, the fusion of different dance styles and the story that unfolds is very powerful and beautifully artistic. March 24, 2008

Spirit a journey in dance drums and song

I saw this on PBS and also was amazed. Next to Robert Mirabals " Music from a Painted Cave " also on PBS ,which is where I originally discovered "Mirabal", this was a most awesome concept for the stage!! I am praying that this will be available soon on DVD. Same goes for Painted Cave. These aired a few years ago and I'm still hoping for the DVD's. December 24, 2007

For Future Generations

This project MUST be placed on DVD format for future generations to enjoy. As a matter of information, I know for a fact that I and others would have preferred it on DVD as well. I would still re-purchase this work on DVD once it becomes available. September 17, 2007

outstanding

this is one of the best viedo`s I ve seen and this review does it no justice, its out standing,and fabulous.........right up there with the best musicals ever February 24, 2007

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