As my first official blog post I thought it only appropriate to pull from something I was thinking about right at this second. Listening to Bing Crosby sing Dancing in the DarkI was reminded of the importance of teamwork and perseverance within the dance community during this time of economic uncertainty for the arts and more specifically, dance. Cuts are happening and have been happening country wide for what seem like eons, however those of us who are artists out of necessity (like we might be institutionalized if we didn’t create) have held strong and continued to blaze ahead with ever evolving ideas and solutions to new road blocks. We must continue, we must unite and we must not let the stereotype of the competitiveness of dance define our relationships with one another. Step back away from your own projects and go see someone else’s, teach a free class, understand how to advocate. I am not saying this as an outsider who does not rely on my bread and butter from this difficult profession, but as one who has had to make sacrafices (as we all have) to maintain a role in this field and still be able to pay my bills.
I have recently moved back to the Washington, DC area after five years of absence. There has been a change to this city and its dance community. After having talked with various colleagues and friends here, they confirm that what was once a continuously challanging and growing dance community with spreading pockets of collaborations and information sharing has morphed into a clique ridden island of resource stockpiling. Now to say I can’t blame a dancer for holding fast to their job, opportunity, and/or sources for fear of competition and losing what they have worked so hard to obtain. But there is room for rationing and sharing the wealth (or what little is left of it for us here in this city right now). Oh don’t get me wrong, collaborations are happening, and there are some amazing studios and people we have to thank for what they have built here and their ongoing effort to embrace and nurture this dance community, but just because there are people already helping does not mean that gets the rest of us off the hook. Lets make our own opportunities instead of complaining that there aren’t enough provided for us and see where that takes us…after all even if it feels like we are “Dancing in the dark…time hurries by, we’re here and gone…we can face the music together; dancing in the dark…” Suggestions are welcome for collaborative ideas, new ways to approach issues facing the dance communities around the country and what you think might help. How would you strengthen your relationships in your dance community?
Dance Chose Me 