In the face of a world pulling apart, we insist on being together. 

Right now how we can be together has changed. However, a crisis was already with us before the pandemic. A crisis precipitated by growing extremism and polarization tearing at the fabric of inter-human and interspecies relations, and our connection to nature.

Grand re Union, co-instigated by Phelps, is a revival and embrace of the spirit of being united in collective thinking, acting, and dancing, conjuring the first horizontal improvisational collective Grand Union, established in 1969 by protagonists of postmodern dance. This project exercises the choreographic traditions and renews the knowledge borne of that time, and folds in related practices flourishing in the field since. In this way, Grand re Union attempts to map a zeitgeist.  

The project, a re-fashioned symposium canceled due to the pandemic, works through micro-commissioning and ongoing documenting to cultivate and transmit relevant knowledge and practices honed in dance, movement, and choreographic reflection and creation. 

Why you ask?

Well, the project instigators believe resistance and sustainable change to the dominant world order is possible. In fact, it is happening before our eyes just now. Choreographic practices provide alternative ways of being human, of being in the world with each other, and being in relationship to nature. 

Choreographing change. Dancing our resistance. Collaborating on connecting.

A group of practitioners, thinkers, writers, and scholars will generate a monthly online magazine with associated live online meetings and off-screen activities. We search out ways to extend existing and create new frameworks to reach beyond the dance field to likely and unlikely collaborators and conspirators.  We welcome the friction that emerges between new acquaintances and new ideas. 

We show up to be changed, and by extension, change the world. Together.  

Learn more at: www.grandreunion.net