Bayou’s State, an original aerial dance/theater piece reflecting on Louisiana’s coastal land- loss as it relates to the local culture and environment, makes its Milwaukee debut April 16 and 17. Andrea explores her Cajun heritage as she travels through the declining Louisiana coastline, and it’s swamps and marshlands via an aerial net, bungee cords, and trapeze.
 
Surrounded by the development off the Milwaukee River, Andrea begins the evening with she and her Cajun father cooking and serving everyone a traditional Southern Louisiana dinner of homemade gumbo, red beans and rice, greens, and cornbread. Fresh seasonal ingredients are provided by local farmers. Throughout the room where dinner is held will be photographs by Eddee Daniel of the Kinnickinnic River, one of the top 10 most endangered rivers in the nation.

The dinner will be followed by a 50 minute performance event which will include aerial work, dance, theater, more of Eddee Daniel's images, and personal story. Inspired by her own travels and readings, including Mike Tidwell’s book, “Bayou Farewell: the Rich Life and Tragic Death of Louisiana’s Cajun Coast”, Andrea navigates the issues of rising coastal waters, disappearing marshland and barrier islands, increasing water salinity, decreasing water quality, and resulting cultural shifts.

After the performance, the audience and performer stay in each other's company, with light dessert and coffee and time to talk with Andrea and Eddee about their research, artistic processes, and local water issues affecting us.

Ticket price :$40 Includes dinner and wine, performance, dessert and post performance discussion. Tickets must be purchased in advance (so we make enough food for everyone!)

Tickets may be purchased through Danceworks' box office.