Ailey

Although I only stayed for the first piece on the program, it was enough to illustrate the awesome talents of the Ailey dancers. Moreover, the piece, "Love Stories," which ostensibly depicts the history of the company, has a particularly cool section choreographed by Philly native Rennie Harris. The hip-hop and break dancing is quite a bit removed from the typical Ailey vernacular, and they cut loose. It's an awesome, spine tingling combination of moves and performance that is universally accessible--the crowd went wild!

2 questions to always consider....

#1
What is the art trying to accomplish?

#2
Does it succeed?

Keeping the art in mind, you can never go wrong in your reviews. You will avoid the pitfalls: "i didn't like it. it was good. i liked it. it was bad..." blah, blah. The interesting stuff is in the WHYs and the WHATs! Why did it succeed in parts, but not as a whole? What was it (the dance, the play, the painting, the song) trying to accomplish? Did it do more or less? Are you cool with where it went?

And tell us what you think! A little interpretation/a little context (do some research!) is always nice for your readers. Remember to keep them - US, your readers - in mind.... Or, just write for you. I carry a small notebook with me everywhere I go. Writers write. You are all writers because you write. That's the only requirement. :)

Open hearts, open minds.
The most important thing I want you to take away from TRaC is to be open to things foreign to you. Crain your neck, your ears, your brain to understand. Get excited, and bring people along!

Art is communication and communion.
That's what makes this fun....

happy december.
~eric