Velocity Dance Center's So You Think It's Dance? Poses the Rhetorical Question
Under new executive director Tonya Lockyer, Velocity Dance has been reaching out to Seattle in interesting ways. One of Ms. Lockyer's goals is to foment more actual discussion about dance in Seattle, not just among the critics and the "in-crowd." To this aim, Velocity Dance Center has created a new forum called the "Speakeasy Series," in which artists host a series of panel discussions, show and tell, lectures and so forth that bring the greater issues of substance to the public. Aesthetics of course are always up for debate, but also philosphical, social and moral matters that are of interest to anyone interested in the place of modern arts in a modern society.
Today's "So You Think It's Dance?" is the first of Velocity's Speakeasy Series. Touted as a behind the scenes show-and-tell, it gathers an incredibly talented group of artists and critics - and Brendan Kiley. Presumably the public will be treated to a discussion of cross-disciplinary art and ideas meant to challenge, but even more to expand, audiences' somewhat hidebound thinking about the limits of movement performance and dance.
The highlight of the afternoon will certainly be Maile Martinez showing her recent film of The Cherdonna and Lou Show: The Movie. Ms. Martinez is a Reel Grrl through and through and brings a sophisticated eye to the long-running comic show. The Cherdonna & Lou Show duo themselves will be in attendance and if the audience is anything like last February, the pot will stir for sure.
In addition, local artists Jessica Jobaris, Waxie Moon and Douglas Ridings will be on hand to discuss their creative processes with the Weekly's Sandra Kurtz and City Arts' Leah Baltus and patiently answering questions about that old canard "Is that dance?" Seattlest readers of course know where our staff stands on that position but others may find it amusing to debate. At the very least they will be among extremely talented artists and learn something about how dances are conceived and staged, and why dancers and choreographers do what they do. In our disposable art society, a little understanding can go quite a long way.
Saturday October 22, 3pm // Velocity Dance Center's Founders Theater, 1621 12th Avenue // Tickets are pay-what-you-can
Filed in Arts & Events