November 26, 2013

Day 325: Eleven.TwentySix.13

A plan to have dinner with a friend and her family, many times rescheduled, turned instead into a collective feast amongst many friends. Hosted by our respective organizations, ReSourceArts and Contradiction Dance, we created an eventbrite and invited our facebook friends. For a donation of $5 apiece, our amazingly talented friend cooked the main course, and everyone else pitched in, potluck-style, to bring beverages, appetizers, sides, desserts… The result was a completely casual and comforting celebration between friends, new and old.

As we move into this holiday season, it was a wonderful way to remember what we have to be so thankful for:

A chance to connect with REAL people in REAL life, savoring the delicious smells coming from the kitchen, tasting craft beers (one of which, we concurred tasted like Pine Sol), listening to good music that just makes you want to move, passing adorable babies from to one arm to another… For life, connected.

It’s these types of events I’m so happy to be creating these days.

Here’s to another day of creativity…

Posted in cookings, eventings
Tagged community art, Contradiction Dance, food, LIVING, musings, ReSourceArts, Washington DC, writing, yummy
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September 28, 2013

Day 266: Nine.TwentyEight.13

I am to perform a solo in front of the waterfall at the FDR Memorial today. Originally set to ‘Brother Can You Spare A Dime?’ but performed today, with no music. The theme is that of struggle – what we face as artists. What we give up, sacrifice, are willing to do to be fulfilled by the ability to move, dance, create.

I will dance anywhere, anytime, to any music.

But it has suddenly occurred to me that I am afraid to perform this piece.

It’s almost certain we will be stopped.

I’m afraid to upset people, disrupt the serenity of this place.

Our intentions are pure – we wish to share a bit of joy and beauty and art with passersby. We mean no ill will. It’s part of a larger collection of movement and dance throughout the city, called #danceaboutdc. Such a great idea – you purchase a ticket and then are emailed instructions on where to go to ‘find’ the dancing. We all love a secret location. This is fun. Happy-making.

And yet, I feel afraid.

What does this make me, then? If I am not willing to risk a little bit of personal discomfort for my art form?

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We were indeed stopped. The compromise was us moving to a public piece of land outside of the memorial. Not the same effect, but safe and upstanding and non-fear-inducing.

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I won’t ever be the kind of person who fights. It’s just not in my nature. But I do hope the brave pieces of me continue to develop. Today, maybe, I partially succeeded in this.

Here’s to another day of creativity…