On Saturday, February 15, 2025, Discovery Green in Houston will host a unique and free event that promises to captivate audiences of all ages.
The Moth Project invites people of all ages to embark on a parallel journey of moths and humans through a mesmerizing blend of music, visuals, and storytelling.
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The brainchild of Peter Kiesewalter, The Moth Project, a Grammy-nominated musician and composer, who found inspiration during the pandemic summer of 2020.
“We were sitting around the campfire watching these moths literally go to the fire,” Kiesewalter said. “I was just starting to figure out, like, is there something here? Is there something I could, like, hang a show off of?”
Kiesewalter reflected on the unexpected inspiration that led to The Moth Project. “I thought there was one kind of moth, basically the brown ugly one that eats your socks,” he admits. “And he started showing me pictures on one night, for instance, how he documented 87 different species of moths from the back door of the cottage.”
The event will feature a diverse musical setlist, ranging from Bach to Joni Mitchell to KISS, with Kiesewalter explaining that the diversity in the musical selections was intentional. He noted that there are approximately 160,000 different species of moths, compared to just 15,000 species of butterflies.
“I wanted to have a wide, eclectic set of music,” Kiesewalter explains. “All the music in it comes from various points of my life.”
Accompanied by stunning macro photography, slow-motion video, and dynamic motion graphics, the visuals will bring moths to life, towering over the musicians and immersing the audience in their world.
“We disappear into the projections,” Kiesewalter describes. “It’s 75 minutes of visuals integrated with the music and storytelling.”
Discussing the talented violinist in The Moth Project, Kiesewalter highlights La Grange’s deep roots in Texas.
“Whitney, the violinist, she’s actually from Texas,” he shared. “Her story is kind of amazing. She kind of comes from football royalty down there.”
Kiesewalter hopes the audience will leave with a renewed sense of wonder for the natural world.
“My main hope is that they walk out of a theater with a sense of awe and wonder for the natural world,” he says. “When we know the names of things, our relationship to that ecosystem changes.”
The Moth Project is not just a show about moths; it weaves together science, mythology, and personal stories, exploring the connections between humans and nature.
“It’s really a story about my parents,” Kiesewalter shares. “It’s a story about anyone’s parents, no matter what species they are.”
Discussing the personal nature of the project, Kiesewalter said, “I was surprised that it was so personal. People who know me came up to me afterwards after seeing this, like, ‘I thought this was a show about moths.’”
He also highlights the immersive visual experience of the performance.
“We disappear into the projections,” he describes. “It’s 75 minutes of visuals integrated with the music and storytelling.”
Kiesewalter shares his hopes for the audience’s takeaway from the event. “My main hope is that they walk out of a theater with a sense of awe and wonder for the natural world,” he says. “When we know the names of things, our relationship to that ecosystem changes.”
Reflecting on his journey and the project’s impact, Kiesewalter notes, “I didn’t know what I was doing when I set out to do this. I was just doing something that sort of came to my head and my heart.”
Join Kiesewalter and La Grange at Discovery Green for an unforgettable evening of music, visuals, and storytelling that will inspire audiences to connect with the world around them. The event begins at 7 p.m. on February 15, and it’s free for all to attend.