The internationally acclaimed dance company MOMIX will bring its visually spectacular production, "Botanica," to Appalachian State University’s Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 7:30pm. The performance, presented by the university’s Appalachian Arts series, invites audiences of all ages into a surreal world where dance, illusion, and imagination converge to transform the natural world.
"Botanica" is a 90-minute, multisensory journey through the rhythms of the seasons and the changing imagery of nature. Created and directed by MOMIX Artistic Director Moses Pendleton, the production features the company’s celebrated dancer-illusionists transforming the human body into a remarkable array of natural forms and fantastical creatures through 20 short vignettes. Flowers bloom, birds take flight, and the natural world appears to defy gravity throughout the show.
Combining extraordinary athleticism with inventive props, cinematic projections, elaborate costumes, and an atmospheric score—ranging from birdsong to Vivaldi—"Botanica" blurs the line between the real and the imagined. Dancers emerge as blooming flowers, humming insects, and fantastical animal forms, while glowing limbs, neon-lit shapes, and mirrored reflections create mesmerizing visual illusions. Among the production’s striking images are marigolds that bloom from oversized orange skirts, sunflower petals formed by sweeping yellow-feathered fans, and a towering ocean-inspired tail that sways against projections accompanied by the sound of waves.
From whimsical puppetry and gravity-defying movement to intricate visual effects and ever-changing stage pictures, "Botanica" showcases MOMIX’s "signature blend of physical precision and theatrical ingenuity." The result is an imaginative celebration of the natural world designed to appeal to both seasoned dance enthusiasts and first-time audiences.
Allison West, director of marketing for App State’s Office of Arts Engagement and Cultural Resources, commented on the company's unique approach, stating, “MOMIX has a remarkable ability to transform familiar elements of the natural world into something unexpected and extraordinary.” She added that the performance sparks the imagination and serves as a reminder of the power of a live arts experience.
Audience members should be aware that the performance contains strobe lighting effects, which will occur approximately 3–4 minutes into Act II, following intermission, and last for about five minutes.
MOMIX is an internationally renowned dance and visual illusion company, under the direction of Moses Pendleton, that has been presenting work of exceptional inventiveness and physical beauty for more than 45 years. Based in Washington, Connecticut, the company has cultivated a devoted international following through its distinctive blend of movement, illusion, athleticism, and visual poetry. Beyond live stage performances worldwide, MOMIX has collaborated extensively in film, television, and corporate advertising, including national commercials for Hanes and Target, and special presentations for Mercedes-Benz, Fiat, and Pirelli. The company has also appeared in large-scale global events, such as the 2014 Sochi Olympic Closing Ceremony and the 2017 Dubai National Day celebrations. MOMIX performances have been featured on PBS’s Dance in America series, France’s Antenne II, and Italian RAI television, with broadcasts reaching audiences in 55 countries. A film of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, featuring MOMIX with the Montreal Symphony, received an International Emmy for Best Performing Arts Special, highlighting the company's innovative use of light, shadow, fabric, props, and the human body to astonish and delight.
The Appalachian Arts performing arts series, which presents this event, offers campus and community audiences a diverse array of music, dance, and theatre programming. The series aims to enrich the cultural landscape of the university and surrounding area by creating memorable performance experiences and related educational and outreach activities. It promotes the power and excitement of live performance, provides a "window on the world" through nationally and internationally renowned artists, and showcases some of the finest artists from the nation and region. Its musical events span from symphony orchestra and chamber music to jazz, folk, traditional, international, and popular artists, while theatre productions range from serious drama to musical comedy, and dance performances cover ballet, modern dance, and international companies.
Tickets for "Botanica" are priced at $10 for students and children, and $25-$45 for the general public. Appalachian State University faculty and staff on both the Boone and Hickory campuses receive a $5 discount on ticket prices. Tickets can be purchased at the Schaefer Center Box Office, located at 733 Rivers St., or by calling 828-262-4046.
The Appalachian Arts 2026/2027 season, which includes this MOMIX performance, features a variety of other events. These include a live recording of the public radio show Mountain Stage with Host Kathy Mattea, Grammy-winning pop instrumentalist Chris Botti, the acrobatics of Cirque Mechanics in TILT!, the psych-funk-soul of St. Paul & The Broken Bones, and a free concert of Classical Favorites by the North Carolina Symphony with the Appalachian State University’s Appalachian Symphony Orchestra. The series is supported by numerous sponsors, including the App State Campus Store, Explore Boone, Mast General Store, Courtyard by Marriott, Mountain Times and Watauga Democrat, PBS North Carolina, and several local radio stations.
