With this dance, may your wishes for wisdom, balance, creativity, loyalty, peace, persistent love, and longevity be granted.

K. Partridge: Movement Director
Luscinda L. Dickey: Dancer
Carrie Leigh Dickey: Costume and Hair, Cinematographer and Video Editor

The Inspiration:

Once there was a young Rabbit. Each night he would stare longingly at the moon—so far above him! But the Rabbit knew he could fly there if only he had the wings. So, the Rabbit went to all the great birds—the clever ravens and jays, the flocking geese, the calling loons, even the majestic eagles—and he asked them: “Will not one of you take me to the moon?” But they all scoffed at the Rabbit. None of them would agree to fly him to the moon no matter how he reasoned and wheedled. 

And then a bird said: “I will take you!” It was the Crane—a dull grey and white bird with short little legs and a thin, tall neck. “Hold onto my legs tightly,” said the Crane as it opened its wings, “It is a long, long way to the moon, and you mustn’t fall off.”

It was a long way to the moon! The Rabbit clung to the Cranes legs with all his might even though gripping so tightly made his paws raw and bloody. The Crane kept flying, even though the Rabbit was a very heavy burden for it to carry—so heavy, in fact, that the Crane’s legs were stretched longer and longer as the moon grew closer and closer… This is why cranes have long, long legs.

Finally, the Crane set the Rabbit down on the white surface of the moon. Overwhelmed by thankfulness, the Rabbit touched the Crane’s head with his bloody paw leaving a stain of red… This is why cranes have heads crowned with scarlet.

Happy to have fulfilled the dreams of another, the now transformed Crane flew back to Earth leaving the Rabbit. To this day, on a clear, bright night, you can still see the Rabbit riding the moon. — Telling of a Cree Legend 

The Music: 

Amy Beach’s “Dreaming,” Four Sketches, Op. 15, No. 3; arranged by the composer for piano and cello.