Borrowed is a site-specific dance performance and immersive experience that invites audiences to reflect on the deep connections between environmental exploitation and the displacement of Black communities. A sequel to its initial rendition in the Morongo Basin, this version draws direct parallels between the ongoing climate crisis and the historical and current experiences of Black San Franciscans, especially around themes of gentrification, systemic failure, and cultural erasure. This project features two distinct versions of the performance, each offering a unique immersive experience with overlapping themes, choreography, and inquiries. We encourage audiences to attend both to experience the full arc of the work and deepen their engagement with its interwoven narratives. Through movement, sound, and facilitated dialogue, Borrowed explores how society has “borrowed time” from both the planet and its most impacted people. The performance aims to cultivate collective reflection, ignite conversation, and inspire action toward justice and sustainability. This outdoor experience will unfold over the course of several hours. Please dress appropriately for the weather and plan for some light movement or standing. Chairs and accessible seating will be available on-site. Tickets are available for free for everyone who needs one—we are committed to equitable access. However, we do welcome donations to help fund the documentation of this performance so that we can continue to offer and share this work with wider audiences in the future.
Audience Role
Observer.
Ages: All ages
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Years on EI
About Connie McKenzie
CONNI MCKENZIE, a Bay Area-based producer, is a multidisciplinary artist with a primary focus in dance theater, video production, mixed-media, and photography. She released her first film, “Set Me Free,” in 2021. The dance film was featured in the San Francisco Dance Film Festival and other festivals globally. That same year, she co-directed "Lungs of the Earth," a short film showcased in the Bay Area Shorts Festival and the 'All that you touch' exhibit at Thatcher Gallery. In 2023, Conni directed "Flow," an immersive experience exploring flow states and environmental connection, culminating in a multi-room exhibition and dance performance as part of the Dresher Ensemble Artist Residency (DEAR) with New Performance Traditions. Earlier this year, Conni coordinated the inaugural ABUNDANCE workshop series during her BASE residency with PUSH Dance Company. This pilot project combined embodiment and community engagement, welcoming five BIPOC artists to challenge the scarcity mindset perpetuated by capitalism. It culminated in a performance featuring personal storytelling and diaspora dances from her ancestral lineage, with plans underway for a second iteration. Her latest project, “Borrowed,” is a site-specific dance performance and nature immersion experience prompting audiences to examine humanity's use of Earth’s resources. This project, funded by the CAC Impact Grant, premiered in Joshua Tree, California in May 2024, and is designed for replication in various locations across the United States. Currently, she is producing the second chapter of “Borrowed” in San Francisco with funding from the San Francisco Arts Commission.