Creativity in Covid

This summer looked far different than what we expected. We had a full calendar of retreats lined up; every week with a new group coming to gather. Our team was lining up details: booking specialists, designing menus, and curating experiences. We love to provide our groups an experiential stay that is above and beyond. Of course, as we were detailing out our summer season, COVID-19 had different plans. Everything came to a staggering halt in April. Our full calendar suddenly was empty.

After letting the dust settle, we came together to figure out how to keep the spirit alive. We wanted to provide a safe space for people to get out of their homes and reconnected with one another and nature. Though our worlds seemed to stop spinning for a minute, the beauty of nature never stopped. Mother Gaia continued to blossom all around us. For those of us in Montana, the gratitude for the spring sunshine and wide open spaces kept our hearts happy. We knew we had to provide a safe haven for others to share in our gratitude.

It was during this reinvention time that Leslie Yancey, founder of Yancey Dance Theater, called with an idea. She too wanted to provide an outlet for those stuck at home. So after putting our minds together, it was decided that Leslie would offer drop-in Afrofusion dance classes outside at the ranch every Saturday with live drumming. The classes took place in the Village Area next to the pond and under the trees. Dancers moved their bodies under the sun to the beat of the drums as their bare-feet pranced upon the green grass. A covid outlet was created; yet, Leslie was dreaming of more.

Visions of a performance on the grounds started to fill Leslie’s thoughts. So after two months of drop-in classes, a tribe was formed. An additional weekly practice was added to the agenda, and a creative production began to unfold. On August 30th and 31st, “Tritiya” premiered — a performative piece in three parts: Memory of Water, Talking Trees, and Breath - Air. Dancers, all dressed in white, moved to the rhythm of the live music in honor of the earth, and then would lead a procession of spectators from site to site as they moved around the property.

From all of the incredible moments we have witnessed on the ranch, we have never seen the land celebrated with movement. The beauty brought tears to our eyes. We want to send out a big thank-you to Leslie for getting creative during the times of Covid and for bringing something so special and unique to our ranch. Also, thank you to local news broadcaster, K-Pax, for covering the performance at the ranch on their local station. You can view the entire segment here!