Cross-posted from the Davis Enterprise

Cool Davis will present awards to Eco-Heroes

Local residents can enter a wolf’s world at an Earth Day presentation of “Call of the Wolf,” featuring a performance of “Journey,” the story of a lone wolf that crossed into California as told in original poetry, dance and music.

Professional storyteller Tom Wade will accompany the performance, presented by Cool Davis, with “Stories from the Wolf’s Den.” The event, which is suitable for ages 9 and older, will run from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, April 27, at the Veterans’ Memorial Theater, 203 E. 14th St.

A donation of $10 adults and $5 for children is suggested.

Learn more
What: “Call of the Wolf”: an Earth Day celebration
When: 2:30-4:30 p.m. Sunday, April 27
Where: Veterans’ Memorial Theater, 203 E. 14th St., Davis
Admission: $10 adults, $5 children
Preregister here: Online booking
Info: info@cooldavis.org

With Yolo County Supervisor Don Saylor as the master of ceremonies, the Earth Day gathering also includes the presentation of the Cool Davis 2014 Eco-Hero and Climate Solution Awards to individuals and groups that have made significant efforts to reduce their carbon footprints in the areas of transportation, consumption or building efficiency. City Council members Rochelle Swanson and Lucas Frerichs will present the awards. A reception will follow.

Jim Zanetto sets his expectations high when it comes to Cool Davis events. He says, “Last year I really enjoyed Stan Robinson’s Earth Day presentation on the life of John Muir, pointing out Muir’s techniques for effective environmental advocacy. This April, I’m looking forward to another great program, this time on the grey wolf, and hoping to come away with new insights on our relationship to the natural world.”

People who spend time with wolves often are impressed by their friendliness and playfulness. Wade brings this side of wolves to life, sharing tales of their generosity, intelligence and uncanny intuition.

The Ecokinesis Dance Company and Crane Culture Theater offer the compelling story of a young male Oregon wolf, dubbed OR-7, who won worldwide fame while trekking across mountains, deserts and highways looking for a mate.

I want the audience to feel as if they are the wolf.”

Author and producer Bruce Forman explains his vision of the work: “While the poem chronicles the challenging journey of OR-7 into California, it seeks to shift attitudes, and inspire compassion and advocacy. As a performance, the weave of dance and music elevates the intimacy and drama of this wolf’s life. I want the audience to feel as if they are the wolf.”

Sonja Brodt choreographed the dance in which Brodt (OR-7) and Lindsay Rubin (everyone else the wolf encounters) perform to the haunting percussion and flute music of Meri Superak.

While Forman narrates the story, their dance captures the experience of the wolf with all the grace, cunning, exuberance, weariness, loneliness and triumph of a solitary wolf making his way in the wild. The audience is lifted to a new understanding of survival.

“I wanted to capture what I imagine it is like to be a wild animal, especially an apex predator like a wolf,” Brodt says. “I wanted to show both the natural confidence and grace of an animal in its element, and the apprehension and fear it might feel in threatening situations. We also made a conscious effort to portray human influences on wolves in California.”

2013 Eco-Hero Diane Swann helped select this year’s award winners.

“The nice thing about receiving an Eco-Hero award is that it lends visibility to your cause,” she said. “People listen to you and momentum builds.

“My award was for intercity bicycling to Sacramento, and the recognition helped me raise awareness for the need to improve the route. This year I enjoyed selecting new recipients. … The variety and extent of people’s efforts is something in which our community should take pride.”

Given his commitment to biking and his concerns about climate change, John Swann is unabashedly enthusiastic about the awards.

“The Cool Davis Awards is a great event that recognizes people who are making a difference by their actions,” he said. “These people deserve our admiration and support and I appreciate Cool Davis for providing this opportunity to honor those who are setting a good example for all of us.”

 “No one on this planet will be untouched by climate change.”

Judy Moores, Cool Davis president, urges all to listen to the warning words from Rajendra Pachauri, chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change upon the release of its April 1 report: “No one on this planet will be untouched by climate change.”

Moores adds, “Earth Day is more important each year. Consider Chief Seattle’s words, ‘The Earth does not belong to us. We belong to the Earth.’ How we choose to live impacts our own health, the lives of all living things, and the climate and life systems of our planet. Earth Day reminds us to count our blessings and take time to re-evaluate our relationship with our planet.”

Guests are invited to a reception in honor of both the performers and the award recipients. There will be opportunities to sign up as a Cool Home, or browse the action tables for ways to address climate change.

Guests who walk, bike or ride the bus earn a chance to win a cool prize.