For the second time this year I am overwhelmed by a group of people with an undying love and appreciation for dance. It is easy to feel that our audience is an endangered species and we are desperately fighting for their survival. Even when you get an audience they may not know how to respond or they may be jaded and hard to please. This past weekend the love was unconditional. I was lucky enough to visit the lovely island of Martha’s Vineyard to participate in the 15th annual Built on Stilts Dance Festival.
I love dance festivals in general. It is easy to get wrapped up in your own little dance world. Festivals give you a chance to meet new people and see what they are doing. While B.O.S. attracts performers from all over it is really a community event involving local students and professionals in all genres of dance. It is easy in a small town for different schools or styles of dance to butt heads. I don’t think these dance communities can really afford this. United they are more likely to build and educate audiences. I was only there a few days but MV seems to be doing something right.
I love dance festivals in general. It is easy to get wrapped up in your own little dance world. Festivals give you a chance to meet new people and see what they are doing. While B.O.S. attracts performers from all over it is really a community event involving local students and professionals in all genres of dance. It is easy in a small town for different schools or styles of dance to butt heads. I don’t think these dance communities can really afford this. United they are more likely to build and educate audiences. I was only there a few days but MV seems to be doing something right.
Christy Williams of XT Danscollective
In an event that involves so many people from different backgrounds it would be easy for there to be caous. Directer Abby Bender does a fantastic job of keeping everyone on the same page creating a pleasant, professional, organized environment for everyone. There is a quick run through of the show before each performance and then the space is cleared until the doors open. The festival takes place in a quaint little church where the seats wrap around the performance area. As the audience floods in to reserve seats they are greated by a drum circle in the middle of the room. Dancers then trickle in one by one and begin warming up around the circle. When most of the dancers are present a group warm up begins giving everyone a chance to contribute movement for the group to do. The drummers bring the music to a climax while the dancers close in on them waving their arms in the air to finish. I imagine this is as exciting to watch as it was to be a part of and I can't help but think, "what a fantastic energy to start a show with!" The audience cheers with genuine excitement at the end of each piece, which carries through to the end of the performance. This is such a great event and I hope that I can be a part of it in years to come. Thank you MV! You have left me inspired and high on life!
For more information on Built on Stilts go to
http://www.builtonstilts.org/works.htm
For more information on Built on Stilts go to
http://www.builtonstilts.org/works.htm
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