Go to Water 

9•9•17

Through an investigation of water divinities and healing ceremonies involving water in cultural practices of Cuba, Brazil, Ecuador, West Africa, and Durham, NC, and in researching enslaved Africans connected to the Eno River, IYG created Go to Water, an evening-length work presented on September 9, 2017. GTW was presented at Fews Ford on the Eno River in Durham, NC. 

​The event honored the legacy of two local residents, mid-wife Fannie Breeze and Baba Chuck Davis, individuals who moved outside of societal boundaries.  GTW was intentionally scheduled for the Saturday immediately following the celebratory days of the Yoruba water divinities, Yemaya and Oshun.   ​

Co-sponsored by the Duke Dance Program and conceived by Vinesett and Almy-Pagán, the cast included set designs by Jessica Almy-Pagán, Cici Stevens, and Sidy Touré; costumes by Gail Rouse, musicians Richard J. Vinesett, Domingo B. Vinesett, and Ava LaVonne Vinesett; siren, Kamara Thomas; dancers CC Croxton, Medina  Johnson, Najla McClain, Amoke Ocean, Tria Smothers, and Oesa SaVionne Vinesett; flag bearers Kathy Murphy and Anna Katz.  Sidy Toure constructed the “shelter” for performers to change, and choreography by Ava LaVonne Vinesett. 
 
During July of 2017, IYG partnered with Luís Bran (General Manager and Producer for Sendero Music/and El Almacén) and Basha Alperin (founder of ZEYBRAH) to study with members of Afro-Cuba de Matanzas and with project director Yoelkis Cruz of El Callejón de las Tradiciones Matanzas (a comprehensive community development project which includes artists working with marginalized youth to revive El Barrio de Pueblo Nuevo) for a Heal the Healing Waters campaign-focusing on Arts/Humanities/and Biodiversity. ​