wind in the leaves collective’s first full-length work

On April 4th, 2024 the collective premiered “Searching for Eastman”, a work based on the music of minimalistic composer Julius Eastman and the choreo-poem of the same title written by wind in the leaves AD, Charles C. Smith. The work is inspired by Black, queer and minimalist composer Julius Eastman (1940-1990). Eastman was known to be a provocative and outspoken character whose remarkable compositions were heavily infused with his religious beliefs and social identity. Searching for Eastman reveals the complexities of this extraordinary artist and his art through music, poetry, theatre, dance, and projections.
2024 Canadian Stage Premiere
Searching for Eastman had a run of 4 nights, April 4th – 7th, 2024 for Canadian Stage’s Festival of New Theatre, 26 Berkely St Theatre. The work began in the fall of 2019 and was created by many talented Toronto dance artists with current and past wind in the leaves collective members.

…
Special thanks to Mike Kerwin from Frontier Sound and Light. BoucharDanse for the leasing of their projection panels, Rachel Forbes for her support with costumes, the National Arts Centre Creation Fund, the Toronto Festival of Authors, Atlantic Ballet, Laurence Lemieux/Citadel+Compagnie and our funders: Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, the Community One Foundation Rainbow Grants and Buddies in Bad Times Theatre recommender grant.

Who was Julius Eastman?
…
For the 44th Annual Dora Moore Awards wind in the leaves based on the music of Julius Eastman was nominated for Outstanding Original Sound Composition.

Composed by Julius Eastman
Presented under license from Music Sales Corporation, copyright owners. G.SCHIRMER, INC. & Associated Music Publishers, Inc.
Evil Nigger
Prelude to the Holy Presence of Joan d’Arc
Stay On It
Gay Guerrilla

Artists Involved

