Lelavision’s latest project, “Indicator Species,” aimed at bringing people together around a large public artwork and featuring performance, science talks and wellness experiences, will take place Aug. 12 through 14, at Mukai Farm & Garden.
Lelavision co-founder and sculptor, Ela Lamblin, has built a 35-foot-tall interactive, kinetic, and musical sculpture of a Plecoptera nymph, commonly known as a stonefly, to center the event. Surrounding the sculpture, event creator Leah Mann has curated presentations featuring Black, Indigenous and presenters of color who will appear during the three-day event.
Dancers, musicians, poets, visual artists, scientists, recovery specialists and wellness professionals will explore the intersections of environmental justice, social justice, and racial justice. And throughout the weekend, there will be a giant bug-making workshop, “Mushi Atsui,” with art made from the workshop remaining on display throughout the summer.
“Indicator Species” kicks off at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12, with a community drum circle facilitated by Sumayya Diop, and the premiere of Lamblin’s interactive sculpture.
From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 13, the event will offer a packed day of free sculpture, performances, presentations, maker spaces and wellness offerings.
At 12:30 and 2 p.m., science teacher Gay Roselle and former McMurray Middle School 6th-graders will give a presentation on stream health indicators via a collaboration between the middle school and Vashon Nature Center.
Therapists of the Dream Keepers will facilitate a daylong “Dreamathon” installation on the neuroscience of hope.
Wellness offerings will include vinyasa and pranayama at 11 a.m. with Leah Mann and Zumba with Claudine Kim Murphy at 12:45 p.m., under shade tents. Free, organic, local fruit popsicles will be offered for the “cool down.” The Puget Sound Zen Center will offer meditation at 2 and 3:30 p.m., including walking meditation on the Mukai grass labyrinth for the latter session.
At 11 a.m., island mental health and education specialist, Betty Peralta, will offer a workshop on Indigenous parenting practices and neuroscience called “Healing Responses To Behaviors That Challenge You.”
At 2:15 p.m., author and activist Merna Ann Hecht will share poems by refugee and immigrant youth on climate justice, migration, war and peace from the new anthology, “The Voice of My Heart: Unforgettable Memories in an Unforgettable Year. Three-time Seattle Youth Speaks Grand Champion and National Women of Poetry Slam finalist, Carlynn Newhouse, will perform at 5:30 p.m.
Music highlights will include JR Rhodes at 12 p.m. and Karinyo at 1:30 p.m. noon. Trio Guadalevin peforms at 3 p.m., followed by Nic Masangkay at 4 p.m. and Seattle Kokon Taiko at 6:15 p.m.
On Saturday, vegan burritos and local organic produce sourced from island growers will be freely offered, while supplies last, in a collaboration with Vashon Island Growers Association, Vashon Unitarian Fellowship, and For All, the operators of the Really (Really) Free Market at Yesler Terrace. Additional fun of the day can be had by taking a quick walk to the nearby tasting room of Dragon’s Head Cider, open from 12 to 5 p.m.
The event concludes at 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 14, with Chef Chantel Jackson leading an evening of karaoke, bubble wand dancing and interactions with the illuminated sculpture before it continues on to Burning Man.
For more information on the sprawling event, visit lelavision.com and facebook.com/lelavision.
