Editorial
& CommentaryMarch
2010
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Editorial
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March
2010
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notes
from the publisher/founder
Dancing. Remember dancing at your wedding (or someone’s wedding)? Your first dance in high school? Dancing a slow romantic dance? Dancing alone to rock n’ roll while you clean the house? Dancing outdoors on the grass at a concert? Dancing with your girlfriends in a bar because the guys just sat there? Dance has captivated and inspired us for generations. Sometimes we partake but often we just watch and enjoy. I mention this because I think we forget what a great artistic exploit dance can be even while we watch ice skaters at the Olympics superbly dancing on the ice. I mention this following an attendance of the Central Oregon Dance Showcase sponsored by Carolyn Brant’s Terpsichorean Dance Studio’s Performing Company. Local dance companies wowed us with various forms of dance from hip hop and ballet to belly dance and ballroom. The performance also featured Bali Ram, internationally acclaimed Classical South Indian dancer. Some of the dancers from these groups were professional material, already experts at their craft, many were not. But the amazing thing about their performance was that they did it. Young, old and in between just got up there on the stage without any shame or trepidation and tapped, pointed, swirled, gyrated, twirled and stepped to the music of their choice. I don’t want people who want to dance, I want people who have to dance, said George Balanchine (regarded as the foremost contemporary choreographer in the world of ballet). Numerous extraordinary dancers have graced dance floors with their talents. Over the years we’ve had the pleasure of watching these dancers show us the extent of their love and devotion to their gift. Perhaps the most famous ballet dancer is Mikhail Baryshnikov, a Russian dancer who not only starred in films but was in the last season of Sex and the City. It is said that he was inspired by another famous Russian Ballet dancer, Anna Pavlova, best known for changing the ideals for ballet dancers, as she was small and thin, not the preferred body of a ballerina during her time. Of course our favorite pop star with an amazing talent for rhythm and dance, Michael Jackson, wowed audiences with eye-popping dance moves, notably the “moonwalk.” If you’re old enough you’ll remember Sammy Davis Jr. or Gregory Hines, known for their outstanding tap dancing abilities. The pioneer of modern dance was Martha Graham, who dared to introduce new, modern dance long before it became acceptable. Not long ago I mentioned Fred Astaire to one of our young interns. She said: who is that? Just one of the most famous American film and Broadway dancers who starred with Ginger Rogers in numerous musicals. They are joined by Gene Kelly remembered fondly for his performance in Singin’ in the Rain. We adore John Travolta in high chase action movies, comedies and drama. But lest we forget that he became famous first for his slick dance moves in Saturday Night Fever and Grease. And, of course, Patrick Swayze, fondly remembered for his sexy, appealing moves in Dirty Dancing. As they danced throughout their lives I am confident they would all recommend we take note of a Japanese proverb: We’re fools whether we dance or not, so we might as well dance. The next time you’re down in the dumps or mad at the world, try dancing, perhaps expressing what might be too deep to find words for or just making you laugh at your own boldness. |
Publication Pamela
Hulse Andrews
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There
is a bit of insanity in dancing that does everybody a great deal of good.
~ Edwin Denby (American poet, novelist, dance critic)