'Murmur: Winged Belonging' alights in Sebastopol
The Oakland-based Sarah Bush Dance Project fluttered into Sebastopol on Sunday and filled Ragle Park with a new kind of bird song
Astute Sebastopol birdwatchers may have noticed an unusual flock gathered at Ragle Ranch Regional Park on Sunday afternoon. In fact, the flock, part of the Sarah Bush Dance Project (SBDP), migrated north from Oakland for the day to perform a dance called Murmur: Winged Belonging.
Murmer’s dance troupe usually consists of nine birds, but Sunday’s flock consisted of seven. They were: Western Meadowlark, Olivia Eng; Dark-Eyed Junco, Jetta Grace Martin; Cedar Waxwing, Hannah Westbrook; Black Crow, Richelle Donihan; Snowy Egret, Sue Li Jue; Nuttall’s Woodpecker, KJ Dallas; and Red-Shouldered Hawk, Sarah Bush.
Each performed wholly unique dance moves during an hour-long performance that flowed fluidly through the Lion’s Grove picnic area, drawing the crowd of 100-plus attendees along with it. It was a moving performance with deeply socio-political/ecological undertones.
As a part of the experience, Weaving Earth, a Graton-based nature-education nonprofit, preceded Murmur with a free, 45-minute Bird Language Practice workshop, hosted by Weaving Earth founders Lauren and Dave Hage. The relaxed, conversational workshop included a talk about birds, complete with live bird calls, after which the “students” set out individually to listen to nature, particularly birds, in the surrounding landscape for 20 long minutes. By the time everyone reconvened to discuss their experiences, the number of participants in the class had swelled to more than 60.
The performance in Ragle was part of Murmur’s statewide tour, which was funded by an Arts in California Parks grant. The tour included performances at Oakland’s Lake Merritt, Richmond’s Wildcat Canyon, and the Gold Country town of Coulterville. After their performance in Sebastopol, they’ll be flying north to Weed.
Before the performance, Murmur dance artist KJ Dahlaw took time to address the landscape of the redwood grove with the sound technician and support crew and to structure the day’s dance performance around it.
“The performance we adapt each time because every park is different and has unique features that we’re interacting with,” KJ said. “I came up just two days ago to map out the trajectory of the performance. It’s going to travel a bit.”
During the performance, the “birds” danced individually, sometimes moving through the standing crowd, among the trees, and between — even over — picnic tables. The crowd followed in their wake. At times, multiple dancers swooped in and out of each other’s orbits, and the show ended with all seven dancing around a central “nest” for a lengthy, fluttering finale.
The earliest rendition of the work now known as Murmur was first performed in the Bay Area in 2021. In time, the dance morphed into this tour’s adaptation with a new, unique sound score. SBDP worked closely with queer, Black independent record label 7000COILS to produce the soundtrack, which was by turns rhythmic, uplifting and energetic, and included moving philosophic/poetic content spoken by the birds themselves.
Critically acclaimed SBDP Artistic Director Sarah Bush is the creative force behind the Bay Area repertory and numerous nature-based shows, including Murmur. Her website describes the evolution of Murmur:
“Grounded in mindful, place-based practices, we embarked on a journey of relationship-building with local birds and ecosystems. Over two years, nine dedicated dancers immersed themselves in the study of a beloved bird species, deepening their awareness and forging a profound connection to the avian and terrestrial landscapes they inhabit.”
“Dance is the vehicle through which I move in the world,” reads Bush’s artist statement. “It is the language I use to explore ideas, express emotions and tell stories. Dance is the tool-kit with which I am equipped to honor, celebrate, inspire, educate, entertain, and enhance lives and to positively impact society. I create dances that show strong, emotional, well-rounded women—dances that inspire all women to feel better about our place in the world.”
The crowd responded to Murmur’s finale with multiple ovations, after which the birds mingled with attendees. No one seemed in a hurry to leave, and the overall mood was elevated and appreciative.
Jeff Ritterman and Vivien Feyer, who frequently take bird walks together, drove up from Point Richmond to attend the event. “The idea of mixing the learning with more about birds and dance was very attractive to both of us,” Ritterman said.
“It was absolutely perfect,” said Sonoma County resident Erika Pineda. “It was educational; it was moving. There was so much spiritual and emotional connection in the performance. I literally got moved to tears.”
“We are heartened by how beautifully this weekend’s event unfolded, with over 100 participants coming together,” Weaving Earth co-founders/directors Lauren and Dave Hage wrote to the Sebastopol Times. “Many shared afterward how the awareness practice of Bird Language, paired with the witnessing of the dance performance, opened something deep within them — a powerful combination that invited reflection, connection, and emotion. We are grateful for the meaningful conversations that followed and for everyone who helped bring this experience to life.”
Those who missed Sunday’s moving live performance still have the chance to see Murmur at its next and last stop on this tour, in Weed, this coming Sunday, May 4, from 1 pm to 3 pm. Weaving Earth will again offer a 45-minute Bird Language Practice workshop in advance of the performance. All shows are free and open to the public. RSVP on Eventbrite to reserve your spot.
Learn more about Murmur at sarahbushdance.org. Also, Weaving Earth hosts a free Bird Language and Earth Intimacy group that meets the second Wednesday of every month from 5 pm to 6:30 pm (times change seasonally) at the “Peace Garden” at Ragle Ranch. All are welcome.
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