Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Dancing As Fast As I Can

Barbara: Cheesy title maybe, but hey, a girl’s gotta pun. And also it is very apropos.

I’ve posted here before about my sister’s amazing dance festival. She lives in Guelph, which is a small city about 45 minutes outside Toronto. Catrina’s background was in contemporary dance, a dance form I think you’re probably all at least somewhat familiar with (thanks, in part, to shows like So You Think You Can Dance—my fave guilty pleasure). Before that, she was a dancer-choreographer who traveled the world with some prestigious Montreal dance companies. But she fell in love and married and found herself happily settled in Guelph. Fourteen years ago, she and a friend and fellow dancer decided to found a dance festival that would bring contemporary dance artists from around the country (or the world, for that matter) to the intimate setting of their adopted city. It would be a way to bring dance to the locals, as well as giving performers a chance to work outside a major metropolitan city. They knew it might not be easy; they didn’t care. And so the Guelph Contemporary Dance Festival was born!
Janet and Catrina (how cute are they?)
Catrina and Janet have nurtured and built an amazing celebration of dance. It's been so successful, in fact, that it developed beyond the Festival to a year-round hub of all things dance-related: camps, workshops, fundraisers, one-off performances, etc, etc. But the Festival! Oh, the Festival. It is now four days of some of the best contemporary dance artists in the country performing all over the city: in the natural theatre of the park; in the concrete jungle of City Square; in studios so small you can see the dancers’ sweat; and on the traditional stage. You become immersed in this walking adventure of dance, moving from locale to locale to watch the artistry. 
Karen Kaeja Bird's Eye View. Photo by Anuta Skrypnychenko.

Wants&Needs Danse performing Chorus Two. Photo by Celia Spenard-Ko.

Zata Omm Dance Projects performing Bodhi Tree Duet. Photo by David Hou.

If you’ve experienced performance like this before then you know what I mean when I say it is moving beyond words. The pure expression of emotion—whether angry, sad, twisted, questioning, joyful, serene—plays through you like your own body is up there moving, or as if the energy of the dancer’s body is keyed into your own and powers it from this higher, connected source. I mean, all dance can do this, but there is something about seeing it in a person who is a mere few feet away and who is conveying their story in a way you have probably never seen before. There is something to the surprise of that.

If you’re in the area, I highly recommend checking it out. You can find all the info here.

If you’re not, let me tell you another reason why I’m sharing this story. For the last several months, I have gone outside my comfort zone and taken on the role of the Festival PR. When their usual PR person went on mat leave and in a serendipitous moment wherein I expressed an interest in this kind of work and my sister a need for someone to do it, we just looked at each other and realized that it would be stupid (and kinda rude to Serendipity) to ignore it. After all, it wasn’t a full-time job, it might only be for this year, and it would teach me many invaluable lessons. 

And what an adventure it’s been.

What am I most proud of? Probably the blog that I conceived and started, that I now oversee, organizing the contributors, mostly dancers, giving them a showcase, and inviting them to translate their movement into words (which they do remarkably well!). 

I have absolutely loved being part of this unique and special organization: it is inspired, supportive, curious and creative. I have loved (for the most part) the work that I need to do for them. I have loved seeing a dynamic venture from the inside and bringing my own ideas and thoughts to them.

But—and this is only a mild “but”, a truthful “but”—I am also a perfectionist, especially when it comes to my own work, and there have been many moments along the way of doubt and fear. Doubt that I could do it, fear that I would forget something vital. This is the last week before the weekend of performances, so trust me when I say the heart is pumping and the mind is whirring. I am, on the one hand, confident, on the other, insecure. Angel/Devil are having their way with me. And if I feel like this, I can’t imagine how my sister and her company partner must have felt over the years as they developed a nascent idea into a full-fledged extravaganza.

So I am here to confirm once again that if you want to try something new, go for it, go on that adventure (and tell us about it!), and don’t be held back by stupid insecurities and fears. On Friday I will head down to Guelph, my work mostly done (well, except for the fun meeting of people), and maybe the whirring will slow down a bit and I can soak up the sheer beauty of this magical weekend. That’s when my heart will slow down and fill up the way it always does when I see something truly AWE-some.
My niece! 

Deb: Barbara, you have poured your heart and soul into this and I know what it has meant to you. I also know very well your professional ethic and how goal-oriented you are. But more than that, I am sure of your heart commitment in every single thing you do. I cannot believe I have never experienced this. Next year I am going!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

26 comments:

  1. That is fabulous Barb.....what an amazing weekend! I would absolutely love to go and see all that talent but am leaving town tomorrow and back Monday!! :( And, You, put so much in to this (what a sister and support) I hope you all have a wonderful and joyful experience !!! Your sister and the company must really appreciate all your hard work.

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  2. Oh, Mary-Jo, I am sure you would love it! Maybe next year...

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  3. Well, of course I now must respond to this! Usually I just sit quietly in my room reading all Barb and Deb's blogs and the feel too shy to put in my 2 cents!

    But now I must applaud full heartedly the work that Barb has done for the festival!!! She has been truly, truly incredible and it has been so amazing to watch her work. She is very similar to me in that we both do things fully, and I mean fully from the heart. Passion is the driving force for all the work and when you combine that with a perfectionist personality, how can you go wrong????

    When I spoke to my board about potentially hiring my own brilliant sister, they cautioned that you really need to be wary of working with family....But, I let them know that I was not in the least bit concerned as I really believed that I could speak openly and honestly to Barb and that we could work out any issues if they arrived. Well, I have not had to do any of that as my only comments to her have been Awesome, Great, Yes! Perfect! (yes I do think she has achieved this very ideal goal at times!!!)

    So it has been really perfect working with my own sister and seeing the benefits for our festival from all her passion and expertise. I also know that now the festival means something a little more personal. She is no longer seeing her sister's festival but her own one as well.

    Hopefully some of you middleage bloggers will take the opportunity to come to Guelph this week-end and take it all in. I am sure we can find work for you in the future too.....

    Love you Barb!!!

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    1. Catrina this is such an AWESOME thing you are doing...Being a Dance Geek I LOVVVVE everything about it...but Always wanted to study Contemporary... I am so gonna come to your festival once I get to Canada. It must be SO SO SO AMAZING..!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hats off to you and your partner for starting this amazing festival !!! xoxo

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    2. I feel badly that it took me so long to get back to this post, but at least I've been busy! Cat, this was the sweetest comment ever!!! made my day (and proved to our readers just how fabulous you are and why it's been so easy and natural for us to work together). Love you too!!

      Shalaka, it is SO SO AMAZING!!

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    3. you have an enviable sisterhood. and your work together SOARS. I am thinking of both of you, and all the amazing dancers and wishing I could be there to take it all in. Before I even "knew" you Barb, I had visited the blog you started and was VERY taken by it. I may not be there in body, but I am in Guelph in spirit this weekend.......xo

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  4. The photos look,like everyonr waa havinf a good time. And I love that ahow So You THink You CAn Dance. Its an addcting show

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  5. By the way, I left all the typos and grammatical errors there on purpose so you can edit them. Perhaps after the festival? I need you!!!

    Catrina

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  6. That looks wonderful! Unfortunately I'm about 9 years too late, I spent a few weeks in Guelph in 2003. But if I lived closer that would be something I would love to go to. I'm sure you've done a fabulous job, and I hope it is an amazing success for both of you.
    You and sister look so much alike, she's gorgeous!

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    1. She is gorgeous, Samara. And isn't Guelph sweet too? Too bad we missed each other...

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    2. Guelph was lovely, it reminded me of Perth so it felt a bit like going home. Super friendly people too. I was visiting family that I'd never met before, and it was the first time I'd eaten maple fudge- so I have very fond memories of my visit there! :)

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  7. OMG THIS IS AWESOMME !!!!!! I remember you telling me about working in the festival... OH GOSH I AM SO GOING TOOOOOOOO COME THERE... once I get there.
    BTW And Your sister looks so much like you and so Gorgeous and your niece so beautiful....Her eyes are so Elegant..!
    And Gosh do I love Dancing....everything about it is....and I'm saying it ORGASMIC! That was the first form of art that ever drove me!! And Oh I so remember Dancing..whenever I was on stage It was like I let my soul take over...and it just ran free all around the stage.....!! Just the thought of it makes me feel so alive and enthusiastic!!and you were THERE...you experienced all of those amazing performances.... Gosh it mustve been so so VORTEXY for you (I couldn't think of any other word) IDK what to say anymore... I'm just so in my dance trance.....

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    1. Geeez when I posted this... my internet just stopped working I was so scared that I would have to write it again....But FHEW !

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    2. My internet stopped working today too!! Right after I posted my first few comments this morning...But I do want to say, Shalaka, that the festival is indeed VORTEXY!

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  8. Sounds like a lot of fun! Your niece is adorable, too! When I was a kid, I took ballet, tap, and jazz dance classes. I loved it. I have absolutely no talent now, but I love watching performances. It really does something to you when you watch it. Amazing!!

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    1. And you really don't need "talent" to dance (unless you want to be professional). Moving to music can be so therapeutic and just feel sooo good.

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  9. That looks super awesome!!!!! :D Does it ever make it to the States?

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    1. Sadly, no, it's a you come to it thing, not it goes to you. But it might make a fun trip one year...

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  10. Wow !! what a wonderful idea for a festival! It will get people, in the community as well as new people who come just for the dance, together and having a good time! It seem like you guys are doing a wonderful job with it too : )

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    1. It is all those things. So magical. As I'm only on the promotion end of things, I can't take credit for doing it -- that goes to a bunch of amazing people, my sister and Janet not the least of which.

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  11. That looks and sounds amazing. If I lived any closer I would come. Maybe one day. Working with relatives one thing that I am really iffy about. I am sure not all have as bad experience as I do and some probably prefer working with relatives. Well I am still working for a relative, but this job has some extra perks that I haven't yet found elsewhere. Glad to hear that your cooperation is working out good for both of you.

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    1. As Catrina said in her comment above, obviously it could have been a disaster, but we are so well-suited to work with each other and so honest with each other that it's been only great!

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  12. Too bad I am not there as I would love to see the dance. Have a wonderful time and enjoy your time with your sister at what I am sure will be a fabulous event.

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    1. Oh, I'm sure this is something you would just LOVE, Madge!

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  13. my mind has gone dreaming and I am envisioning the amazing festival this weekend. it looks like divinity in action. congratulations to all. may you fly high and connect to soul..........xo

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