Nashville’s Chatterbird Ensemble to Present an Innovative Intersection of Aerial and Contemporary Ballet Exploring Chronic Pain Experience

Nashville’s Innovative Intersection of Aerial and Contemporary Ballet

In an exciting fusion of aerial and contemporary ballet, Nashville-based ensemble chatterbird is set to delight audiences with their latest collaboration, ‘A Bending of Its Own Kind: Aspiration’. The performance will display an extraordinary showcase of talent and creativity in conjunction with the innovative ballet company FALL.

This dynamic presentation, scheduled for May 19 at the historic Emerson Hall in Nashville, promises a unique dance performance piece. Tickets are currently available on an affordable pay-what-you-can scale.

A Dance Narrative of Living with Chronic Pain

A Bending of Its Own Kind takes its inspiration from the experiences of chronic pain as Ivied by FALL Artistic Director Rebekah Hampton Barger who lives with severe scoliosis. Since its inception in 2017, the project has evolved to incorporate the stories of other individuals grappling with chronic pain, and strives to create a communal space of shared experience and resources.

In association with chatterbird, FALL has further expanded this project with Aspiration, seeking to explore the intricate connections between hope, breath, and the daily triumphs of living with a chronic condition.

A Celebration of Collaborative Artistry

Barger spoke enthusiastically about this new collaboration, expressing her joy at performing with the exceptional musicians of chatterbird and her anticipation for the upcoming performance. This unique concert experience will include music and choreography developed separately, each based on a discussion between five individuals with hypermobility disorders.

During the concert, composers will perform structured improvisation with the dancers, capturing the performance live to be integrated into a full-length performance of A Bending Of Its Own Kind on June 1 and 2 in Knoxville, TN, at the Dragonfly Aerial Arts and Circus Studio.

Revisiting a Decade-Long Partnership

Celine Thackston, Founder and Artistic Director of chatterbird, spoke about the excitement of working with FALL and their shared history dating back to chatterbird’s inaugural show in 2014. This reunion of sorts is a fitting celebration for chatterbird as they embark on their 10th year of programming.

Ultimately, ‘A Bending of Its Own Kind: Aspiration’ promises an inspiring journey of resilience and beauty, innovation, and connection, set against a dazzling backdrop of contemporary ballet and music.