Spiritual Transformation through Dance: dani tirrell and 'Leviticus or Love'
Photos by Susan Fried
Recently on "The Day with Trae," host Trae Holiday was joined by dani tirrell, director, and choreographer of "The Congregation." dani appeared on the show to discuss the upcoming production titled "Leviticus or Love and to Walk Amongst HUMANS! Book 1," scheduled for April 20 and 21 at the Moore Theatre on Second Ave in Seattle, Washington.
The Saturday performance begins at 7:30 pm, while Sunday offers two showtimes, at 3:00 pm and later in the evening. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early on Saturday to catch DJ Somersaults spinning tunes and igniting the pre-show funk, ensuring a lively start to the festivities. Tickets are available for purchase on STG Presents' website, and audiences are advised to secure their spots for an unforgettable evening of entertainment and celebration.
The performance marks the first of three "books" presented by tirrell and dani's dance team. Book 2 is set to premiere in spring 2025 at the Kubota Gardens, with work on Book 3 currently underway.
“Book one is telling the story of what happens when our spirits die when our bodies die, especially if we're looking at our earthly bodies,” tirrell said. “It's that in-between world of saying goodbye to your human form, and transforming into another person.”
The inspiration for the performance originated from a documentary tirrell watched about Aretha Franklin's gospel album from the 1970s, titled "Amazing Grace." This documentary prompted contemplation about dani’s identity as a queer and trans-spectrum individual and dani’s relationship to spirituality, church, and gospel music.
“I started thinking about myself as a queer person,” tirrell said. “As a trans spectrum person, as a black person, and my relationship to spirituality, church, and gospel music, and how difficult it is for queer bodies to be centered in church. And then coming to terms that I am someone that does believe in God.”
The title "Leviticus or Love and to Walk Amongst HUMANS! Book 1" addresses the societal stigmatization faced by marginalized communities, particularly Black, queer, and trans individuals, often condemned by selective biblical interpretations, notably from the Book of Leviticus. tirrell's work emerges as a powerful response to this narrative, rejecting notions of inherent sinfulness and instead celebrating the inherent beauty and worthiness of these often marginalized identities.
tirrell's ultimate goal is for audiences to recognize the shared humanity in everyone, regardless of background or identity. dani’s work is deeply rooted in dani’s personal journey, shaped by a diverse religious upbringing and the exploration of dani’s queer identity amidst conflicting ideologies.
For tirrell, this transformative dance piece stands as a testament to the power of art in reshaping narratives, reclaiming identities, and fostering inclusivity and acceptance.
“I want people to walk away with the understanding that we are all spirits,” tirrell said. “I mean, that's, that's just it, we are all spirit. It's no matter where you come from, I think, to this day, we judge people so harshly, and this work is teaching me how to judge people less than less is teaching me like, if I want you to see my humanity, I have to see your humanity.”
The performance incorporates dance as its primary medium, influenced by tirrell’s lifelong passion for movement. Gospel music plays a significant role, anchoring the emotional and spiritual journey depicted on stage.
“There's something about gospel music,” tirrell said, “That's the thing that anchors us. There's something about gospel music and house music. Both of those musical genres get people moving and thinking and emotional, and so whether you grew up in church or not, it's something about gospel music, that people just immediately move into an emotion. And I think that's no matter who you are.”
The showtimes are at 7:30 pm on Saturday and 3:00 pm and later in the evening on Sunday. Tickets can be purchased at stgpresents.org.
For more stories about local performances putting Seattle on the map, tune into Trae every weekday at 11 a.m. on all Converge Media platforms and The Day With Trae YouTube Channel.
