A Present: From Me to You

One more thing (I know I'm on a caffeine buzz with the posts tonight) ... I found something really special yesterday (finally) on Youtube.com ... Mia Michaels choreographed an absolutely breathtaking "angels" number to Celine Dion's Ave Maria. I so want to share it with you.

It makes me cry. It makes the hair on my arms stand up. It is, without a doubt, the best number I've ever seen on So You Think You Can Dance. It sums up my love for God ... and dance ... and why art is such a gift. (Don't miss the finale tomorrow night on Fox.)

Revelation

It was my sophomore year of college and I was living at home, commuting. I’d shunned the sorority route, tired of the cliques of high school. I was an island. I was taking a full schedule of classes, then making the daily drive home. I was on auto-pilot. Winter quarter found me in “An Introduction to the History of Dance.” I thought it would be a light elective in my otherwise heavy class load. I expected lots of reading and exams. I never thought it would jump-start a passion. I met Martha Graham, Twyla Tharp and modern dance. But it was a video performance of “Revelations” by the Alvin Ailey Dance Company that changed my life.

The magnificent choreography told a story, rich in history, angst, courage, pride, strength, culture, community and love. Without words, it communicated something that volumes of history books never could. It moved something deep inside me—bringing tears to my eyes and longing to my soul. Who would have ever guessed that a dance number by a primarily African American Dance Company from New York could impact a little white Midwestern girl who’d (up until then) never taken a dance class? The deeply moving spiritual music and expressive, emotional movement were etched on my heart.

I remembered that experience last night as three male Ailey Company dancers performed an excerpt from Revelations on “So You Think You Can Dance.” For a moment, I flashed back to that university auditorium seeing the amazing lines of Judith Jamison for the first time. I’ve seen Revelations performed live by the Ailey Company twice since my college days—once when I was teaching dance and once after I’d moved on to a career in PR. The reaction is always the same—goosebumps.

You Make Me Feel Like Dancin'

I don't really watch TV. If I'm on vacation, at Mom's house or someplace where there is cable, I'll watch HGTV. (But the commercials make me nuts.) However, there are two shows that I rarely miss. The first (and this is not something that I'm proud of, here) is American Idol. I just like it for the raw talent. Can't stand the critical nature of it all, though. I think Simon is going to have some serious 'splainin' to do at the pearly gates.

The other show that I'm absolutely passionate about is So You Think You Can Dance. This is a summer-only show, so we're now getting warmed up. Ahhh... how do I love this? Let me count the ways: (1) I love to watch those amazing, super-human kids leap and spin at heights and frequencies that I (literally) dream about (2) It sparks some great kinesthetic memories in my body. (I taught dance professionally during my first two years out of college.) (3) It introduces me to new music, recording artists and choreographers (4) It creates a feeling of exhilaration within me, and finally, (5) it completely fills up my creative senses.

Here's a link to my fav performance (and couple) from last summer's show. (Note: if modern dance isn't your thing, try this one or this one with Sabra, the winner of last season.)So, if you try to call or email me on any summer Wednesday evening, you probably won't be able to reach me. But, if this kind of performance gives you goose bumps, too, tune in (and "turn out") and we'll meet as kindred spirits!