Past DiRT & Glitter Programs & Events
We are thrilled to announce the launch of an ongoing Youth Art & Adventure Program funded by the Yurok Tribe's Klamath Promise Neighborhood Initiative. Check out some of our recent offerings below.
Want to join us for upcoming DiRT & Glitter offerings? Please fill out our general interest form here!
Redwood Roots
A FREE celebration of our old growth forests & how they thrive in community, featuring the DiRT & Glitter Youth Performance Company & youth visual artists
Photo by Firefly Mizera
On July 26, 2026, the members of the DiRT & Glitter Youth Performance Company (a paid internship for local youth ages 14-24) put on two performances featuring original works they created alongside mentorship from professional performers.
Local youth artists contributed installation art to the production, pieces which were created through several months of visual art classes from local artist Jessica Cherry.
The production was free and open to the community, thanks to the generous support of the Yurok Tribe’s Klamath Neighborhood Promise Initiative.
Redwood Roots Production Team
Director: Lauren Godla
Visual art: Jessica Cherry
Live original music: David Sedgwick
Costuming: Nicole Casado
Production lead: Holly Hilgenberg
Thank you for the supporting this production:
Klamath Promise Neighborhood Initiative
Parents of the performers & artists
Yarrow Zogg & Adam Spencer
Redwood Roots Performances
Disfruto, Choreographed and performed by Isabel Alvarez, Mentored by Kriss Rulifson, Music by Carla Morrison, song “Disfruto”
Osteo, Choreographed and performed by Valeria Velazquez Lopez, Mentored by Nicole Casado, Music by Elliot Moss, song “Slip”
K'ooy’, Choreographed and performed by Athena Juliet Silos, Elle Jacot, and Evan Mattz-Charles, Mentored by Lauren Godla, Original music written, recorded and performed by Elle Jacot, song “Forest and the Trees”
For the Sister Tree, Choreographed and performed by Molly and Adele Tregilgas, Mentored by Kara Starkweather, Music by Arvo Pärt, Angèle Dubeau, La Pietà, song “Spiegel im spiegel”
‘Nooyohl, Choreographed by Andrea Toh-sha Halia Escalera, Performed by Andrea Toh-sha Halia Escalera, Jordan key-get Mendoza-Bates, Eva Alanis Ali Coffer, Fullmoon Hli Nda Lor, Yue Pheng Abraham Lor, Jaslene Arianna Serrano-Ramirez, Mentored by Nicole Casado, Music by Tia Woods, song “Dirt Roads”
Redwood Roots Visual Art
Mobile hanging pieces
Local Fish, Artists: Brayden Wakefield, Brielle Marrufo, Aiden Sandersen, Nellie McQuillen, Ekor Tiedman-Bates, Malaki Marrufo, Tristen McQuillen, Declan Lopez, Rowen Richards, Mason Wakefield, Logan Tubbs, Aiden Campbell, Adelia Finley, Curren Cochran, Onyx Woosley, Zylynn Moore
Mobile Birds, Artists: Anna Luo, Sophia Aguirre, Ceasar Berghagen, Nellie McQuillen, Remi Allard, Coral Huff, Miller Samples, Willow Parker- Smith, Evyrlee Kennedy, Evelyn Westbrook, Mason Wakefield, Atreyu Moore
Bees & Butterflies, Artists: Daleyza Perez, Aaliyah Perez, Adelia Finley, Shylah LaBrasca, Angelique Sanchez, Evyrlee Kennedy
Installation Art
Garden Snail: Sophia Aguirre & Amiya Gamez / Fairy Frog: Onyx Woosley / Pill Bug: Miller Samples / Mushroom Buddies: Declan Lopez & Daleyza Perez / Forest Bunny: Aaliyah Perez / Butterfly: Brooklyn Griffin / Moth: Chase & Evelyn Westbrook / Disco Snail: Sophia Aguirre & Amiya Gamez
Mushroom Fairy House Mural: Klamath Boys and Girls Club
Artist Statements
The following are two of the youth performers’ artist statements, sharing what inspired their pieces:
Osteo : To me, this piece is a meaning of rebirth, but more of a phase in life. A phase in my life where I overcame the biggest obstacle in my life, domestic violence. During this phase of life, I had a community that upheld me in their arms. I had seen this obstacle in my community and changed my vision of the effects it had, but more importantly, how we can come together for one another.—Valeria Velazquez Lopez
‘Nooyohl is about a young woman carrying two worlds in her heart. One tells her to fit in, the other reminds her where she came from. She was raised in a culture that taught her to value family, community, tradition, and the land. Sometimes she wonders if taking out her braids would make life easier, but she knows her culture was never meant to be hidden- it was meant to be carried with pride. She watches people chasing their dreams and quietly asks herself, “Am I good enough?” Her dad reminds her she is capable of anything, but even still there are days when she feels so small compared to the world. Every day she is torn between leaving and staying home. The dirt roads she grew up on still call her back, reminding her of her family, her community and the place that shaped her.—Andrea Toh-sha Halia Escalera
Breathing Bridges 2025
Breathing Bridges is DiRT & Glitter’s annual site specific arts adventure celebration of the Nii~-li~ (Smith River). This year’s Breathing Bridges took place August 31, 2025 on Tolowa Dee-ni' lands in Del Norte County, CA. Performances and art installations along the river included:
Welcome poem by Yarrow Zogg
“Floating Memory” offering by Holly Hilgenberg of Stained Ghost, with poem by Colleen Kam Siu
Live painting from Jessica Cherry & Bailey Hurley
Land acknowledgment by Chvski Jones-Scott
“Watch This: Welcoming Forgotten Selves to Play” performance art installation by Julie Smiley with surprise guests
“Coil” vertical dance duet by Madeline Lawder & Kara Starkweather
Vertical dance solo by Haylee Mattz-Charles, DiRT & Glitter Youth Company dancer
Original song by Co Conway
“Casting Love Spells on a Mountain of Broken Hearts” dance solo by Kriss Rulifson
“River Reflection” art installation by Julie Smiley
Choir piece directed by Preston Swirnoff, with singing by Yarrow Zogg, Lauren Szabo, Hannah Gartland, Paloma Hacker, Lavorra Suverly, Cindy Delmue, Bob Lappin, Honi Matson, Holly Jean Montoya, Holly Carter, Jazz Buechner
“Pouring Windows” vertical dance trio by Lauren Godla, Madeline Lawder & Kriss Rulifson
Community rafts & kayaks provided by Redwood Rides
A welcome poem from Yarrow Zogg greeted visitors at Breathing Bridges 2025
Check out more Breathing Bridges coverage on our community events page here!
Youth Art & Adventure Program:
Roots & Wings
Dance Camp
The Roots & Wings Dance Camp provided youth with the chance to train with four professional dancers in contemporary floorwork and vertical dance in the redwoods. This free camp for local youth ages 14-24 took place March 31- April 2, 2025.
Youth Art & Adventure Program:
Earth Right Spring Adventure Camp
This free adventure camp provided local youth the opportunity to explore our beautiful public lands through rafting, kayaking, biking, hiking and surfing adventures in early April 2025.
Youth Art & Adventure Program:
Redwood Dance Exchange
In the summer of 2025, youth dancers from Del Norte and Mendocino County in Northern California participated in the Redwood Dance Exchange. In this week-long exchange, they learned vertical dance among the redwoods, working together to create a final performance.
The Redwood Dance Exchange was part of DiRT & Glitter's Youth Art and Adventure Program, in collaboration with the Mendocino Dance Project.
Learn more about the Redwood Dance Exchange in the video above!
Music by Elle Jacot / Film by Frej Barty
Video gallery
Check out more videos from recent DiRT & Glitter events in Del Norte County!
Above: A youth participant shows off vertical dance skills learned in the Roots & Wings Dance Camp in the redwoods of Del Norte County.
Above: Youth participants in the Earth Right Summer Adventure Camp raft along the Smith River in Del Norte County, CA.
Above: Coverage of Breathing Bridges 2024, a site-specific art celebration of the Smith River in Del Norte County, CA, from Redwood Voice
Press Coverage
Check out the KFUG coverage of our Roots & Wings Dance Camp above* and read the full article here!
*please note that there are some inaccuracies in the KFUG video, including that Lauren did not dance with Bandaloop at Yosemite and that the footage accompanying that point was from when she was significantly younger than her time dancing with the company
Everything we’ve done since the kick off of our Youth Art & Adventure Program, funded by the Yurok Tribe's Klamath Promise Neighborhood Initiative, beginning in March 2025
2025:
DiRT & Glitter Open House (Saturday March 29th):
A chance for the community to meet some of our instructors, ask questions and learn more about the programs we are offering.
Roots & Wings Dance Camp (March 31- April 2):
Provided youth with the chance to train with four professional dancers in contemporary floorwork and vertical dance in the redwoods
Earth Right Spring Adventure Camp (April 1-4):
This free adventure camp provided local youth the opportunity to explore our beautiful public lands through rafting, kayaking, biking, hiking and surfing adventures
Try Flying (April 3):
An intro to vertical dance workshop for the whole community
Kayak Guide School (May 9-11):
A free weekend-long school that taught local youth the skills they need to not just kayak, but to work as a guide!
Youth Art Class: Birdhouse painting (June 16):
Visual artist Jessica Cherry of Wild & Free Art kicked off the first of three monthly summer art classes for youth ages 7+
Earth Right Summit to Sea Adventure Camp (June 23-26):
Camping and adventure beginners had the chance to learn skills and explore all aspects of the area outdoors in this overnight camp
How Did We Get Here? Radio Play & Documentary Sound Design Course (started June 30):
KFUG/Redwood Voice facilitated this 10-week course where local youth learned audio and video editing and sound design
Choreography Workshop (July 14-16):
Dance students learned the art of choreography from Iu-Hui Chua, acclaimed Professor of Dance at UC Berkeley
Klamath Boys & Girls Club weekly visual art classes (July 16-August 13):
Participants at the Boys & Girls Club enjoyed weekly art projects from Jessica Cherry of Wild & Free Art
Redwood Dance Exchange Program (July 20-26):
Youth dancers from Del Norte and Mendocino worked together to create a professional dance performance with the support of Lauren Godla, Director for DiRT & Glitter and Kara Starkweather, Director for the Mendocino Dance Project
Earth Right Summit to Sea Intermediate Adventure Camp (July 21-24):
This intermediate-level camp with Redwood Rides allowed youth to experience camping, hiking, kayaking, mountain biking and surfing
Youth Art Class: Mask Painting (July 25):
Jessica Cherry of Wild & Free Art offered mask painting as part of her monthly youth art classes for ages 7+
Vertical Dance Camp (July 29-Aug 1):
Participants learned vertical dance skills from experienced dancers Lauren Godla, Kara Starkweather and Madeline Lawder
Community Movement Class Series (weekly July 30-Aug 20):
This all level 4-part Yoga Series with Lauren Godla was offered to the community at the A.W.C. Community Center in Klamath
Breathing Bridges (Aug 31):
Our annual community art adventure celebrating the Nii~-li~ (Smith River) included performance art, art installations, a community choir, vertical dance and solo performances taken in by paddling up the south fork of the river
Contemporary Dance Master Classes (Sept 2):
Dance 2&3 students from the Del Norte High School Dance Departments learned about improvisation, floor work and professional practices from dancer Kriss Rulifson
Weekly Community Movement Classes (Oct-Dec):
Local yoga teacher Erica Silver offered free movement classes to the community in Klamath at the AWC Community Center for the last three months of the year
Youth Art Classes (Ongoing):
Throughout the school year, Jessica Cherry of Wild & Free Art is offering a variety of weekly art classes to students at Castle Rock Charter School
Family & Youth New Years Celebration (Dec. 31):
DiRT & Glitter joined other KPN partners in hosting a free family friendly event at Del Norte High School to celebrate the New Year
2026
Weekly Community Yoga Classes (Ongoing):
Since January, free yoga classes led by local yoga teachers have been offered to Yurok Tribal Staff and community members at the AWC Community Center in Klamath
Movement & Making (Ongoing):
A free community gathering at the AWC Community Center in Klamath open to all that includes a new movement session and visual art project each month
Youth Art Classes (Ongoing):
Throughout the school year, Jessica Cherry of Wild & Free Art is offering a variety of weekly art classes to students at Castle Rock Charter School
Youth Drill Dance Classes (Weekly in March):
DiRT & Glitter Youth Company member Haylee Mattz-Charles is offering weekly drill dance classes at the AWC for youth ages 7+, in partnership with the Klamath Boys & Girls Club
Bike the Redwoods Parkway (March 7):
Local high school youth and parents joined Redwood Rides for on a bike ride through the old growth redwoods of Prairie Creek State Park
innerWILD Creative Retreat (March 28):
Community members experienced a day of movement and creating in the heart of the redwoods at Howland Hill Outdoor School
Spring Break Earth Right Adventure Camp (March 30-April 3):
Local youth in 7th to 12th grade enjoyed five days of exploring with Redwood Rides over spring break
Salvaging Abundance: a four-part permaculture workshop series (April & May):
Community members learned permaculture skills to tend to the land and build a more resilient community with Old Growth Edible Landscape’s Ben Zumeta
Adventure Club (Winter & Spring):
High school youth experienced our local wilderness with Redwood Roots through a variety of outdoor experiences
Youth Art Classes (May-July):
Youth ages 7-18 worked with local artist Jessica Cherry to create 3-d art projects that were on display at our Redwood Roots July community event
Mending/Reworking (June 11-July 16):
A free open studio at the DiRT & Glitter Studio in Gasquet, for community members to work on sewing/mending projects
Redwood Roots (July 26):
Our FREE community celebration featuring the work of youth artists and the DiRT & Glitter Youth Performance Company (an paid internship program for local youth ages 14-24), who worked with professional mentors to current an original performance
In July 2025, Del Norte dance students learned the art of choreography from UC Berkeley dance professor Iu-Hui Chua!
Participants move through a yoga session during the February Movement & Making community gathering in AWC Community Center in Klamath
Participants create mobiles of their creative gardens during the innerWILD Creative Retreat at Howland Hill Outdoor School in an exercise led by local visual artist & arts educator Julie Smiley
More Past DiRT & Glitter Events
Stay in the know to be part of upcoming DiRT & Glitter offerings!