DCDanceBlog

i like this photo of ed and i miss him. speaking still of improvisation, he was someone who took improv extremely seriously and was very deeply involved in the process that creates powerful images and movements in performance. i think many of us could learn from that, from the idea that what appears in front of an audience is only the product of what’s come before it, what the dancers have created together and how the concepts have evolved. i think we could all take our improv performances and processes much deeper.

there’s a great tribute to ed in this issue of rob bettmann’s bourgeon, on page 55 of the journal featured at the top of the page.

the ny times had an interesting article this weekend on sites for modern dance and the exasperation many choreographers have with large proscenium stages. it’s very fitting after the improv fest and all those outdoor performances. on a bigger scale, i wonder if seeing modern dance close up, or in unusual places, is one key to bringing in more diverse audiences. it certainly adds a number of intriguing spacial elements.

personally, i’m committing myself to moving outdoors for as long as the weather allows. it’s a new vow i’ve made to myself. this may not be universal among movers, but i find dancing outdoors to be much more inspiring than being inside a studio, and i love the feeling of being in the world and among the public.

tonight i took a walk just to get some air and exercise, and wound up somewhere south of logan circle. i suddenly had a strong urge to dance, so i did for awhile, right there in front of a shishi condo building. i got over my self-consciousness in about 2 minutes, thanks (i think) to having rehearsed and performed outdoors all weekend. people looked, but only one stopped to ask me what i was doing. it felt amazing! i’m going to try to do it a few times a week.