“Ode to Jane” Aerial Dance on Walls of SF’s Historic Cadillac Hotel (Oct. 4 – 12)

Oct. 4 – 12: Oct. 4, 5, 10, 11, 12 at 7:30pm; three additional performances at 8:30pm on Oct. 5, 11, and 12

Ode to Jane is a new work of aerial dance inspired by the covert abortion network named “Jane” that operated in the years before abortion was legalized in 1973. The work explores what the resistance movement looks like today in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, overthrowing a constitutional right to an abortion. Presented in partnership with the Tenderloin Museum, Ode to Jane takes place on the fire escapes and walls of the historic Cadillac Hotel, October 4 – 12.

A total of eight performances are scheduled over the course of the run: October 4, 5, 10, 11 and 12 at 7:30 p.m., with additional 8:30 p.m. showings on October 5, 11 and 12. All performances are free with no reservation required.

More than a year in the making, Ode to Jane is the product of Flyaway Artistic Director Jo Kreiter’s time working with a support group for women led by Nina “Peaches” Foster, a former case manager at Code Tenderloin specializing in permanent and transitional housing placements for individuals and families.

“Over the past year, my work with Peaches’ group has been as an ally, teaching artist and community member,” said Kreiter, “and I have been moved by how the group advocates for women. In the pre-Roe v. Wade era, a ‘Jane’ was someone who stood up for women. Peaches is a ‘Jane’ for our times. She finds women housing, and she understands how the housing and drug crises are inextricably connected to a woman’s bodily autonomy.”

Ode to Jane features a cast of seven dancers including Ai Yin Adelski, Laura Elaine Ellis, Sonsheree Giles, MaryStarr Hope, Jhia Jackson, Megan Lowe and Saharla Vetsch, and an original sound score by Xoa Asa. Additional collaborators include set designer Sean Riley, lighting designer Jack Beuttler, rigging designer Dave Freitag and costume designer Jamielyn Duggan.

Presented by Flyaway Productions