From the outside
I just had the pleasure of performing at the 7th annual goose route dance festival in Shepherdstown West Virginia. On the bill was Next Reflex Dance Collective (Fairfax), Laura Peterson (New York) and Meghan Durham/Merge Dance (Philadelphia). They are all artists who are on to something. Check them out.
What I wanted to mention, was the perception of the DC dance community from the outside. When dancers are thinking about moving here, they look at the dance metro dc website - which looks quite impressive - lots going on, must be a supportive - closely knit community - etc. That was intense to hear. From looking at the Dance Metro DC website, people may feel compelled to move here to pursue dance. What an honor, and dare I say, responsibility. It also makes me wonder about how local companies view the idea of auditioning. It seems to be mostly who you know and guessing who might show up at an audition, but - maybe the net can be casted wider.
I sat in on a conversation between leaders in the dc dance community last year, and they were discussing a joint marketing campaign to get people moving to dc to take dance class - anyone to take dance class, dance to loose weight - marketing to the beginner dancers. But why aren’t we aware of our appeal to the advanced, professional dancers?
Merge Dance on the top
Laura Peterson on the bottom