Posted after the fact because of website troubles …
Laurie says:
I went to the Cabrillo College Winter Dance Concert because David King, the artistic director, is part of my family.
I see a lot of dance, and body variety in dance is really rare. Choreographer and MacArthur Fellow Liz Lerman says “Dance is big.” Her philosophy is “there’s room enough for everyone,” and it was really a treat to see that in action.
As a size activist, I was ecstatic over the student dancers. There were frequently ten or more dancers on the stage and the body diversity was terrific. The dancers were short, fat, tall, thin, stocky, large breasted, small breasted. The age range was roughly 17 to 38. I was especially delighted by one fat young woman who danced fabulously, and a stocky Asian man in his 30s who did marvelous work.
If you’re in San Francisco, check out Fellow Travelers Performance Group, who presented a fine excerpt from “Catastrophe Practice” with student dancers. “Shadowplay” featured the adaptive dance class, who appeared to be primarily special-needs students. Choreographer Sharon Took-Zozaya worked brilliantly with these dancers to create charming and powerful dance work.
The overall quality of the choreography and the use of the dancers’ varied bodies and skills was very impressive. I had no idea I would enjoy the evening as much as I did.