What is modern dance or concert dance? You tell many people that you are a dancer and they don't really know what to think. "So you teach?" or "so you are in school?" is the usual response. Once you explain that you get paid to perform their train of thought often goes to Broadway, being a Rockette, or So You Think You Can Dance. I think the whole concept can be a bit intimidating and foreign to some people. The best advice that I can give is to see a few shows. I don't mean your buddies' daughter's dance recital either. I partly blame dance recitals for what can feel like a declining dance audience. Anyone who has sat through a three hour recital packed full of dance blurbs five minutes or less, five year olds stumbling around in a whirlwind of confusion, and enough sequins to make you believe you are actually in Vegas knows what I mean. See a few professional shows and don't try too hard to "get it". I like to compare it to
music or visual art. It can be literal. Maybe you have a song with Lyrics about a lost love, or a still life painting of an apple, or a narrative dance about the slow erosion of ones sanity? You can also have a piece of music with no lyrics, and abstract painting, or dance about nothing in particular. In this case there is still a structure or form that can be analyzed and it can still have an affect on the viewer, even leave a strong emotional impact. For a piece of work that is abstract there is usually something specific that was the inspiration for it's creator. Is it important that you as the viewer get that? I don't think so. Take from it what you will. I think acquiring a taste for any art form can be like acquiring a taste for wine. You don't know what's good until you've had a few glasses. Being at a dance performance can feel like that moment when you're sitting there at a table full of winos talking about how they can taste a hint of birch wood and all you have to add is whether you like it or not. Maybe you'll never be able to taste the hint of birch wood but maybe after a few glasses you'll be able to know whether you prefer a Cabernet from California or a Tempranillo from Chile and why. So don't be scared! Dive in! It's the only way to see if you like it. If you don't want to spend money on something you are not sure you will enjoy, there are plenty of opportunities to see free show too! You just have to know where to look!
Check out this link to an article that was in the TU a little while back on this very subject. I also hope you enjoy the vid below that inspired me to write this at 2am when I should be trying to get back to sleep!
An enterance into
music or visual art. It can be literal. Maybe you have a song with Lyrics about a lost love, or a still life painting of an apple, or a narrative dance about the slow erosion of ones sanity? You can also have a piece of music with no lyrics, and abstract painting, or dance about nothing in particular. In this case there is still a structure or form that can be analyzed and it can still have an affect on the viewer, even leave a strong emotional impact. For a piece of work that is abstract there is usually something specific that was the inspiration for it's creator. Is it important that you as the viewer get that? I don't think so. Take from it what you will. I think acquiring a taste for any art form can be like acquiring a taste for wine. You don't know what's good until you've had a few glasses. Being at a dance performance can feel like that moment when you're sitting there at a table full of winos talking about how they can taste a hint of birch wood and all you have to add is whether you like it or not. Maybe you'll never be able to taste the hint of birch wood but maybe after a few glasses you'll be able to know whether you prefer a Cabernet from California or a Tempranillo from Chile and why. So don't be scared! Dive in! It's the only way to see if you like it. If you don't want to spend money on something you are not sure you will enjoy, there are plenty of opportunities to see free show too! You just have to know where to look!
Check out this link to an article that was in the TU a little while back on this very subject. I also hope you enjoy the vid below that inspired me to write this at 2am when I should be trying to get back to sleep!
An enterance into
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