DCDanceBlog

the folks at earthdance just started a new program. it’s a monthly performance showing, called “you are here” (YAH). here’s their brief description:

YAH! is a performance forum to take place the first Thursday of every month from October 2007 to May 2008 at 7:30pm at Earthdance in Plainfield, Massachusetts.

YAH! is an opportunity for performers, directors and audience to situate themselves in the creation process and to co-create support for its continuation. By witnessing and sharing, our perceptions can’t help but be transformed.

Each evening includes 3 performances and an invitation to the audience for feedback in familiar and not-so-familiar ways . Beginning and seasoned performers and directors are welcomed! Performances may include a variety of media.

Suggested donation for YAH! is $4-10.

i like the idea. i’ve been drawn to the concept of having a low-intensity performance venue where folks can show something they’re still working on, or do a brief improvisation that takes some risks and is fresh, without requiring a lot of planning. in my mind, it’d be something to benefit folks who are really trying out new creative ideas–not just another place to show stale work. but i don’t know if dc is a town that can host that kind of art, that frequently.

what do others think?

one day at earthdance i decided to spend some time moving in one of their gorgeous studios. at first, it didn’t come easily to me, and i wasn’t especially excited about what came out. “just keep going,” i told myself, but i felt stuck. finally i decided to work on choreography, thinking that giving myself a focus might help. it was really slow going, uphill the whole way. nothing flowed, seemed original, looked good. “stick with it,” i told myself. “just create. don’t worry how it looks.”

and then the most amazing thing started to occur. gradually i began to lose myself, my know-it-all consciousness, to the movement and the moment. i let go of my desire to do something that looked wild and fluid and allowed myself to simply do what felt right at that moment. in fact, it looked quite different from what i’d had in mind–was slower, more fleshy and physical, almost sensual. i realized later that i’d been inspired by two beautiful dancers i’d seen at a contact jam the night before.

i liked what i created, but it’s definitely different from what i think of as my style. i wound up spending 2.5 hours in the studio, and by the end the ideas were really flowing–but only b/c i stuck it out, got past the fears and the laziness, and remained present with myself instead of trying to create what i thought i wanted.

i’m beginning to feel increasingly that making art is a lot like loving someone. for me, that is. i have frequently found myself sitting around waiting for inspiration, perfect chemistry–and those are pretty amazing, when they hit. unfortunately, though, it’s not that often. and they don’t always last.

there’s an alternative, which i’m starting to find very attractive–and which is just as magical, in its own way. it’s about staying with what i have, given decent enough conditions, and making an effort to remain present and open, honoring what is in front of me. i think when i do that, often enough something great will come of it, something beautiful and rich and deep.