The Longest Day

Whew! I kid you not, the last seven days have felt like one very very very very long day. We did, of course, have the longest day of the year on Thursday (yeah summer solstice)! Last Sunday, my friend Jeffrey (a fellow dancer from graduate school) arrived from New Orleans to help me all week in the new work I am creating. We had a very productive and creative time together, although by the time I put him on the train this morning, we were entirely spent. It was a frenzied blur of the dance classes, rehearsals, showings, feedback sessions, lectures, discussions, and socializing (including the Manayunk Arts Festival, Karaoke with neighbors, and a stage reading of a new musical).The residency with Hellmut Gottschild ended on Friday, following a very inspiring lecture about his aesthetic development, including the impact of Nationalist Germany to his identity – he was born in Berlin during the opening ceremonies of the 1936 Olympics. His story is profound, poignant, and powerful. He shared with us video excerpts from his body of choreographic work - it was incredible to see the deep ways in which he has made meaning out of a very complex world through art. It was one of the most honest moments I have ever experienced. I continue to be grateful for the people I encounter through my creative endeavors.

Michael’s report from ADF is also full of very creative events. He is enjoying much success, composing original works for choreographers, playing class, connecting with other artists, and holding his own workshop today. He performed his score live on Friday night for a dance created by Lisa Race. Michael said the piece was about family and was very moving. He also performed a version of “How High the Moon” last week for the ADF Musician’s Concert (dedicating it to Eddy Alexander). Michael says he received wonderful feedback about his performance. I will have to wait to watch the video of the concert, but can imagine it was a powerful performance. Odin and I are counting the days (six!) until Michael and Samantha return to the Commonwealth, and we are looking forward to celebrating America’s birth in its birthplace!