Vermont agriculture to be showcased in Farm to Ballet
By Diego Flammini, Farms.com
Of all the interests and industries to cross paths, agriculture and ballet probably wouldn’t be at the top of very many lists.
However, a production called Farm to Ballet is doing just that.
The production reinterprets ballet to tell the story of a Vermont farm from Spring to Fall. It begins with geese returning for the Spring and the farmer planning out the farm for the upcoming season.
The production documents planting, irrigating, tending, harvesting, the interactions between the farmer and the livestock and the interactions between farmers and customers.
One of the more unique features of the performances is that they take place on farms across Vermont.
“Now that I’ve seen the dancers, in a farm environment, I realize this is how I’ve always wanted to see ballet,” said Chatch Pregger, a Vermont native and former professional dancer who came up with the idea. “In its grittiness, its reality-on nature’s perfect stage.”
Sam Dixon, the dairy farm manager at Shelburne Farms in Shelburne, Vermont said the production is a unique way to educate people about their food.
“It’s not going to recruit farmers to be ballet dancers, but I do think getting people out to a farm will help make that connection between the food they eat and where it comes from,” he said.
Upcoming Performances:
Saturday, August 15th
Philo Ridge Farm - Charlotte, Vermont.
Doors open at 4pm
Show beings at 6pm
Sunday, August 16th
Green Mountain College - Poultney, Vermont
Show beings at 6pm
Saturday, August 22nd
Feast & Field Market – Barnard, Vermont
Doors open at 4pm
Show begins at 6pm
Sunday, August 23rd
Von Gal Farm – Essex Junction, Vermont
Doors open at 5pm
Show begins at 6pm