From April 10 to June 1, Cassie Meador, Artistic Director of the Dance Exchange, set out on a 500 mile walk to trace the sources of energy that power her home in Takoma, DC.

The long-distance, self-powered journey has been a way for Cassie to explore the distances traveled by our resources, and to find greater appreciation for the things we take for granted, like electricity and running water.  Cassie began at the Dance Exchange in Takoma Park (a customer of Clean Currents), and walked through DC, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia.  Cassie was joined by long-distance hiker Matt Mahaney, various members of the Dance Exchange company and staff, members of the USDA Forest Service, and other environmentalists and partners on the trail.

After nearly two months of walking, camping, and living as lightly as possible, Cassie ended in West Virginia at a range of mountains that are no longer standing due to mountaintop removal.  Along the way, she stopped in communities to lead movement and storytelling workshops and has been collecting the stories on 500miles500stories.com.

In the coming months, Cassie will return to the Dance Exchange studios to create a work inspired by this journey and the stories she's found along the way about people's connection to their home, the environment, and their energy sources.

Want to get involved with Cassie and the Dance Exchange's 500 Miles 500 Stories project?  You can contribute your story by going to 500miles500stories.com.  Dance Exchange is also hoping to raise $10,000 by June 22 to offset the costs of this long-distance journey.

To contribute to Dance Exchange's goal, please visit Cassie's 500miles/500stories page.

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