Beyond the Grave: Ancestral Healing Ceremony

Join the MAH's new series of multidisciplinary performances at Evergreen Cemetery as artists connect Santa Cruz County's past with the present moment.

Artists and performers introduce new, site-specific work for this series of intimate performances. Inspired by the stories and landscape of the historic Evergreen Cemetery, dancers, spoken word artists, and musicians reimagine the space with new commissions.

• April 10th & 11th | Musical Performances
  
• April 24th & 25th | Spoken Word Performances
  
• May 15th & 16th | Ancestral Healing Ceremony

"Beyond the Grave ceremony will acknowledge the ancestors that exist on the other side of the universe, on the other side of our reality. The ceremony will honor London Nelson’s legacy and reconnect his spirit to his African ancestral heritage."

- Vivien Bassouamina

May 15th - 16th | Ancestral Healing Ceremony

When visiting Evergreen Cemetery, traditional Congolese dancer, Vivien Bassouamina and community healer, Luna Leo, were pulled and inspired by the story of London Nelson. Called to find out more about those buried at Evergreen, in their research they learned there are multiple Black people are buried in the plot surrounding London. For the third commission of Beyond the Grave, these artists have decided to honor these ancestors with traditional funerary practices through interactive storytelling and dance.

This event was created and funded in part by the Tannery World Dance and Cultural Center (TWDCC), as it supports their Black Health Matters Initiative and Diaspora Performance Project. TWDCC facilitates a working home for the professional world & contemporary dance artists while providing dance education that is committed to access, equity, and excellence. Black Health Matters is a community initiative that promotes equity through a network of community trust, advocacy, and collaboration to improve the quality of life for black residents in Santa Cruz County. Diaspora Performance Project gives professional support to 5 selected cultural artists. This program seeks to support the thriving community of artists of the African Diaspora and provide opportunities for the development of new work, a deep and meaningful connection to our community, and performance opportunity.