Chief Red Hawk pauses during a performance at Trails and Vistas 2007, Passages. photo by Chris Jennerwein

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Trails and Vistas

Listen to the "Songs of the Earth"

by Kira Yannetta

    When was the last time you listened, really listened, to the songs of the Earth? We who live in heart of the Sierra are blessed to be embraced by nature, yet we often find ourselves caught up in the demands of making ends meet. We rush from bed to job and from job to bank, to market, home, to cook to, to, too, too busy to connect. Too busy to see why Mount Rose earned her moniker. Too busy to stop and listen to the heartbeat of the earth.

    Trails and Vistas is an invitation to take time to celebrate “Songs of the Earth.” “ This interactive experience is our way of sharing with you, our fellow earth walkers, some thoughts on nature and the environment through selections of songs, art, dance and poetry,” said Artistic Director, Nancy Tieken Lopez. The 2.5-mile, two-hour interactive hike is a showcase for Mother Nature and more than thirty other artists who treasure their relationships with the earth and who hope to inspire you to make, or deepen, your own heartfelt connection.

    At the 2005 Trails and Vistas ”Wind over Stone,” I found how healing nature could be for a broken heart. I had been living in Italy, surrounded by capital “A” Art, before I came to Tahoe. I mourned the loss of the glimmering glass-infused frescoes and world-class museums to which I had become accustomed. Local art fairs displayed lithographs of bears in baseball caps; kitschy cabin knick-knacks; and endless photographs of Lake Tahoe. I was in artistic culture shock. When I heard about Trails and Vistas, I bought a ticket and put on my hiking boots.

    I watched an ice sculpture of an eagle drip onto the forest floor and learned about impermanence. A butterfly dancing atop a rock outcropping against a brilliant blue sky promised that I would fly again. The magical notes from a druid’s harp, in a field of mule’s ears, reminded me of ancient connections to the earth. Taiko drummers pounded a beat back into my broken heart.

    The following year, I felt I had to be a part of that which had given me new artistic vision.

    Emmy Award-winning musician Chris Spheeris will present a spontaneous blend of music, poetry and dance with internationally acclaimed belly dancer Eva Flemming, and World musician Eric Zang. When I asked him why he decided to join this year’s Trails and Vistas, he replied, “I find it a tragedy that government funding to schools for art and music has been so tragically truncated. I am happy to support any cause that inspires creativity, especially in children. It’s creativity that is going to save civilization and make life worth living.”

    Returning for a third Trails and Vistas, Chief Red Hawk said, “For every Age of declining spirituality there must be moments of spiritual uplifting to balance the cosmic energy. Only when we learn not to control, only when we understand the Supreme Good, will people all live in peace. Then they will know what it’s like to dance with the world, and their hearts will become like the ‘flight of the hawk.’”

    What began in 2004 as an emergent collaboration between Nancy and Elizabeth Archer (Executive Director of InnerRythms Training Center) and the Truckee Donner Land Trust, has grown into a much anticipated, two-day event with more than 660 tickets on sale. Last year’s shows sold out, and some who were turned away have been clamoring to get tickets for this year.

    Now in its fifth year, with a new non-profit status, Trails and Vistas will help fund workshops for the three producing local non-profit organizations – The Truckee Donner Land Trust, Arts For the Schools, and InnerRhythms Dance Theatre. This year’s sponsors include Truckee Tahoe Community Foundation, the Truckee Donner Chamber of Commerce, Cedar House Sport Hotel, Donner Ski Ranch and For Goodness Sake.

    The Trails and Vistas hike, on September 6 and 7, starts at Donner Ski Ranch on Old Highway 40, and traverses uneven, high-altitude terrain. Wear appropriate clothing, pack water and leave pets and cameras at home. “Little Feet and Leisure Feet” specialty hikes are offered for those needing a shorter hike or slower pace. $25 for adults, and $10 for children 5 to12 years old, with children under 5 free. Tickets cost an additional $10 at the gate. Purchase tickets at the Truckee Chamber of Commerce, 530-587-2439; Riverside Studios in Truckee, 530-587-3789; For Goodness Sake, 530-550-8981; or for ticket/lodging packages, the Cedar House, 530-582-5655. Saturday hikes begin at 3 p.m. and leave every 15 minutes until 4:30. Sunday performances run from 10 a.m. to noon and 3 to 4:30 p.m. trailsandvista.org, 530-587-2757.