The Mabee Farm is proud to present a new choreography by Cecilia Whalen, a performance that is touring New York State in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal. This dance piece is inspired by the movement that is inherent to the canal, including surveying of the land, clearing of the land, digging of the land, releasing of the water, and towing of boats. The movement is stylized, with a modern and postmodern sensibility as well as influences from Irish step dance. It is performed by seven dancers, including former Martha Graham Dance Company 2 members and a world champion Irish step dancer.

In its Schenectady iteration, The Erie Canal Project will feature an additional dancer, special guest Chris Thomas, Smoke Dancer of the Onondaga Haudenosaunee. The performance will take place in the beautiful and rustic Dutch Barn at the Mabee Farm.