Oregon Origins Project VIII: Echoes of Eruption - Echoes of Eruption

Oregon Origins Project presents a multifaceted exploration of Newberry Volcano in central Oregon, the largest volcano in the Cascade Range. The June 25-26, 2026 program includes a new work for contemporary dance inspired by the caldera, an evening of Northern Paiute legends and stories, and an exhibition exploring geology and transformation.

On Friday, June 26, Oregon Origins Project presents Echoes of Eruption, a new contemporary dance work commissioned by Oregon Origins Project from choreographer/composer Samuel Hobbs and performed by Hobbs’ innovative dance company push/FOLD. This substantial new work will take audiences into the molten heart of Newberry, layering and folding bodies in a sculptural exploration of churning magma, with a musical soundscape evocative of the glassy textures of the nearby Big Obsidian Flow.

Following the performance, University of Oregon geologist and Bend resident Daniele McKay will offer a multimedia guided tour of the caldera’s past, present, and future, illuminating the remarkable variety of volcanic features at Newberry and how it has shaped and continues to shape central Oregon. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A with the creative team.

Join us the previous evening on Thursday, June 25, for Stories of the Northern Paiute, a special gathering with tribal spiritual leader Wilson Wewa as he shares oral histories and legends related to the Northern Paiute. Also, don’t miss Visual Echoes, a companion exhibition of visual artworks at the Scalehouse Collaborative for the Arts Annex between May 1-June 26, 2026.

Oregon Origins Project VIII: Echoes of Eruption is supported by the Ronni S. Lacroute Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation, Clabough Foundation, Tower Theatre Foundation, Waypoint Hotel, Reed College Master of Arts in Liberal Studies Program, Brooks Resources, and the Central Oregon Geoscience Society.

About Oregon Origins Project

Founded in 2022, Oregon Origins Project is an innovative arts and culture nonprofit which explores the ancient origins of the state of Oregon through creative expression. The project provides a platform for Indigenous artists and culture bearers to share their living traditions and artistic work, and offers an opportunity for artists of all disciplines and backgrounds to create new work inspired by the state’s origins. Oregon Origins Project is headquartered in Portland and active across the state of Oregon, with an emphasis on reaching audiences in smaller communities with arts and culture events relevant to them. Visit oregonorigins.org and connect with the project on Facebook and Instagram.