Today was a great second day of dance!
I started the day off right with Paul Matteson's class. We worked on our walking meditation sequence as well as our normal tendu and plie combination. Then we worked on our floor combination which was very broken up. I tried to focus on how to connect each step so that the flow of the movement never died. A question Paul addressed was how we could keep the essence of each step and the work in general without losing the integrity of each step, but also to condense it so that it felt more like a phrase instead of a combination with steps within it. I am really enjoying this class. I like the slow progression of the "waking up" rolling that then turns into walking, and then simple tendus and plies, and then eventually to phrase work. I don't know how easy it would be to wake up early to catch a bus and then get to class and do intense work- like a Horton class. That would definitely kill me. A lot of people complain that Paul's class is a little slower than they would like. And although, I somewhat agree with that statement, I think that the fact that it's a slower class- actually benefits my brain into easing into my day and slowing warming up my body, but in a proper way. I think that this is the best flowing class I have had in awhile. Paul really knows how to ease into the progression of a class, something I wish other teachers possessed.
We then moved into African Technique. It was only technically the second day of us having an African, so we were still pretty slow. A special thing happened today however, the famous African Technique Master, Baba Chucj Davis came to observe class today. I got to shake his hand! This guy is in several dance history books- he is definitely an African legend, and you can tell he is a legend based on how everyone reacted when he walked in. He gave us a mini-"talk" basically telling us his views on African dance and drumming. Sherone also brought up the point that "sometimes there are dancers....and sometimes there are some who just simply dance." I thought this statement was extremly powerful. He was basically saying that you can call yourself a dancer, but are you actually feeling what the power of dance is? And are you portraying this energy while you dance. He said that those who simple just "dance" are the ones who are getting the most out of their experience, and can be seen by others as the "true dancers".
Then after lunch, I walked over to Southgate. Today is the last day that we are staying in Southgate for Repertory unfortunately...Next week we move into the Arts Warehouse because Southgate is going to be under construction... and not only is Southgate right next to my dorm, but the Arts Warehouse is a good 15-20 minute walk. Just lovely. Anywho, Ming divided us into groups. I got placed in a duet with Raphael. We spent time making a phrase together where we manipulated each other's movement and mixed it together. It came out successful for the most part, there are a few kinks that we are hoping Ming can help clean up for us.
Then afterwards Emma, Vincent and I got ready and went to the Tobacco City Campus which is right next to DPAC ( Durham Performing Arts Center) and got drinks/appetizers before the Scottish Dance Theatre show. We went to this place called Cuban Revolution. They had 3$ drafts and cuban specialities. We order the appetizer sampler which had all sorts of Cuban specialties, including plantains ( YUM). And we order two rounds of drinks ( not by choice..) But I must say my Blue Moons were quite delicious. However, I guess I was a little more tipsy than I thought I was going to be after two beers. We got to the show and Vincent and I were a little loopy. Thank goodness we were though, because the first piece did not grab my attention right away. It was very long and overdone. It was confusing as to what the subject matter was also. But then. The second piece came on, and my appreciate for Scottish Dance Theatre, grew by about 100% of what it was before. The piece was called Drift and it was a duet done to heavy metal music, and it was incredible. The dancers threw one another across stage and fell on the floor for probably the majority of their time on stage. I swear it was them throwing one another, falling, and rolling..but it was captivating. I wish I could see that duet 100 times more. The elegance and sophistication of the way they handled on another's bodies was inexplainable. Just truly a majestic piece, and I honestly don't know how many times I have ever called a piece, majestic.
Scottish Dance Theatre: Drift Excerpt ( Not good quality, and close up )
I am really enjoying all this exposure to so many different dance companies, professionals, teachers, dancers, types of dance...it is such a blessing to be here. I am going to continue to grow as much as possible, and just DANCE.
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