Join Rochester-based artist Sydney Swanson for a special opportunity to view a series of dance films created by Minnesota-based dance artists across the Driftless area of Minnesota. DDFT will feature dance films by: Sarah Abdel-Jelil, Leila Awadallah, Erin Drummond, Brianna Rae Johnson, Erinn Liebhard, Sharon Mansur, and Sydney Swanson. Each film features a unique approach to creating dance films with varying styles of movement as well as storytelling that will leave you curious and inspired. After the screenings, audiences will have the opportunity to learn more during an artist Q&A with two of the filmmakers. This tour kicks off September 14th at Pop’s Art Theater in Rochester, MN, and aims to increase awareness of dance film as a vibrant and captivating genre. Driftless Dance Film Tour Curator Sydney Swanson: “I specifically chose dance films that covered a wide range of approaches to the genre. You don’t have to be a dancer to appreciate dance films! Anyone can watch these films and enjoy the movement, storyline, and other visuals.”
WHAT: Driftless Dance Film Tour 2024-2025
Curated by Sydney Swanson, featuring dance films by Sarah Abdel-Jelil, Leila Awadallah, Erin Drummond, Brienna Johnson, Erinn Liebhard, Sharon Mansur, and Sydney Swanson.
Each event will feature the same films, and will run roughly two hours with 75 minutes between eight films and a 20-30 minute Q&A.
WHEN & WHERE: All events start at 7pm
9/14/24 at Pop’s Art Theater in Rochester, MN
10/12/24 at the happiness at Lark Toys in Kellogg, MN
11/9/24 at Mainspring in Caledonia, MN
12/7/24 at Winona Arts Center in Winona, MN
1/11/25 at St. Mane Theatre in Lanesboro, MN
2/8/25 at Tower View Barn at the Anderson Center in Red Wing, MN
ADMISSION: Adults $10, Children 16 and under $5
MORE INFO & TICKETS: www.insiteartsandhealing.com/driftlessdancefilmtour
See for film descriptions, artist bios and purchasing tickets.
ACCESSIBILITY: All venues have ADA access.
For accommodation requests, general inquiries, and potential online viewing options. please contact: swansonphotodance@gmail.com.
CURATOR BIO:
Sydney Swanson has been using her photographic eye and desire to explore to create site-specific dance films for nearly a decade. She has a background in modern dance and a love of finding unique spaces to move in. Sydney received a SEMAC grant in 2023 to create a new site-specific film called “Elemental Body” which will screen among seven other films she curated for the Driftless Dance Film Tour. Her goal with this series is to bring more awareness to dance film as a genre while partnering with Minnesota-based artists and arts spaces in Southeast Minnesota. She is a dancer, photographer, videographer, site-specific dance filmmaker, drone photographer/videographer, advanced reiki practitioner, certified craniosacral practitioner, and cowry shell diviner. These disciplines meld together and inform the lens through which she views the world. Sydney’s work as a dance filmmaker juxtaposes her creative impetus with the sites she inhabits, combining improvisational movement with the energy of the space/nature, innovative editing, and unique framing to create unexpected dance film worlds.
SUPPORT
Sydney Swanson is a fiscal year 2024 recipient of a Creative Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.