Extinction Rituals

CONTEMPORARY DANCE | WORK-IN-PROGRESS

Friday, June 9, 7:30 pm—Followed by a conversation with Jennifer E. Cuffee-Wilson, Extinction: Beyond Flora and Fauna*  – SOLD OUT
Saturday, June 10, 7:30 pm–Followed by an artist Q&A – SOLD OUT

Prepare to be transported to a world of mesmerizing images and powerful sensorial tapestries with Extinction Rituals, the latest project from the Brooklyn-based multifaceted artist duo Ximena Garnica & Shige Moriya. Movement, light, music and song converge in this work-in-progress dance opera inspired by acts of remembrance and celebrations of life and loss. With their unique blend of directorial, choreographic and design craft, Garnica and Moriya shape a poetic tribute to collapsing environments, animals, plants and humans from their places of origin, Japan and Colombia, and their current home, New York.

Extinction Ritual‘s score includes original music by Oscar-nominated composer and instrumentalist Kaoru Watanabe, and Colombian composer and singer Carolina Oliveros. Watch as the two composers’ live performance resonates with the butoh-rooted work of the LEIMAY Ensemble, including dancers Masanori Asahara, Akane Little, Damontae Hack, Peggy Gould and Yusuke Mori.

Following the shows, Garnica and Moriya sit down for a Q&A with guest speakers, collaborators and the audience to elaborate on the international and local exchanges behind this timely and profoundly collaborative piece.

* Extinction: Beyond Flora and Fauna: LEIMAY Co-Director Ximena Garnica and Shinnecock and Montauk elder Jennifer E. Cuffee-Wilson lead a conversation reflecting on the attempted extermination of indigenous people in the United States. They will reflect on genocide as a form of extinction and perpetuation of indigenous knowledges, cultures, languages, ways of being and believing, as well as stewardship of the earth and its flora and fauna as a call for human beings. 

Tickets: $20 / $16 members

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Images: Extinction Rituals © Jeremy Tressler; Ximena Garnica & Shige Moriya © Brandon Perdomo; Kaoru Watanabe © Max Whittaker; Carolina Oliveros © Los Herederos.

Extinction Rituals is made possible, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and The Harkness Foundation for Dance.

Extinction Rituals is produced by LEIMAY and supported, in part, by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, Creative Capital, Japan Foundation, and the New York State Council for the Arts. LEIMAY’s home season, programs, and projects, including Extinction Rituals, are supported, in part, by the City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, Mertz Gilmore Foundation, The Alliance of Resident Theatres/New York (A.R.T./New York’s NYC Small Theatre Fund made possible with support from the Howard Gilman Foundation), and many generous contributions from individual donors and community members.

2022-23 Performing Arts Season Support
Lead Sponsor

The season is made possible, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

Major support is generously provided by the Howard Gilman Foundation and Doug and Teresa Peterson. Endowment support is provided by the Lila Wallace-Reader’s Digest Endowment Fund and the Endowment for the Performing Arts, established with a leadership gift from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.

Additional support is provided by The Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation, Dr. and Mrs. Carl F. Taeusch II, Dr. Jeanette C. Takamura, Estate of Alan M. Suhonen, and Friends of the Performing Arts. Transportation assistance is provided by All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. Yamaha is the official piano provider of Japan Society. MetLife Meet-the-Artists Reception is provided by MetLife Foundation.

Japan Society programs are made possible by leadership support from Booth Ferris Foundation and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.