Like a Fine Wine

At 35 years of age, I am the kind of dancer who says things like, "I don't work in fifth anymore". I make choices that feel right, a sensation I was taught to ignore while conditioning my young body to do as it was told.  And so dancing for another choreographer presents interesting challenges. But when a friend asked if I would like to dance in Jan Van Dyke's work for the November Moving Collective concert, I excitedly accepted. It had been years since I danced for someone else. Could I still do it?

I learned I would be working with a group of experienced professionals. These women knew how to rehearse, how to collaborate, how to prepare and follow through. It was one of the most rewarding dance experiences I've had. So it was easy to confide in them that an old injury had returned. "Yes, I will be responsible for lifting/not dropping you. And I'm injured. But don't worry." They understood.  It was exciting to push each other to reach Jan's stated goals. We could offer critiques to each other, eager to improve our parts.  This is the kind of performance experience that comes just every once in a while, one that seems to define the kind of dance community Louisville hosts.

I hope that those who attended the last MC concert could see this spirit of support and collaboration revealed on the stage. And although I won't be participating in February's show, I wouldn't be surprised if the cast creates something genuine for its audience to view/be a part of. This seems to be the gift of this city's order of modern dance.

Check out MC with Bourbon Baroque in February, 2011. (Keep an eye out for more info here.)