The Concert

What happened here tonight?

Excellent question. People came, the chairs filled. Mostly after the show started, por que a formal start time is a suggestion for arrival, much like lines in the road. Everyone knows this, so it’s ok. (My Middlebury ushers would be appalled—Sam and Nick would be beside themselves.) The Company begins to dance. In this small theater, in this tiny courtyard, in this crazybeautiful city, in the now. They are gorgeous and perfect. They are consummate professionals and perform immaculately. The suite is received with some giggles in the front row from a group of girls that have been brought by folks from Julia Alvarez’ foundation. Christian is doing his solo and they are wildly giggling into their fists. His movement is quick and calculated, gyrating and linear. He’s having a good time, he’s drawing them in. Sofie says later that it’s amazing to perform in front of children because you get a completely honest reaction. True that. There is a break, then the improvisation. While Jenn throws toggle switches and that handy power strip switch which is dangling in front of her, they begin their process. The audience seems rapt, with just a few cell phones going off, not bad. Things begin to happen on stage. Sarah and Jeremy end up in a duet, slowly curving. Liz flies, never quite out of her skin. Beautiful Cat watches and explores. Sofie walks across the stage, in contemplation. Christian writhes, Alex drops and rolls, stop. Phillipe flexes and straightens, creating a different musical graph. It’s not the easiest to explain, you know? Michael and Arthur play, following then leading, playing companion with the dancers. After 30 minutes, it draws to a close.

Last, the KIDZ/NINOZ dance. I love this piece. In their overalls and striped t-shirts, they present an idea, memory of childhood. There is a small purple chair that Alex clutches at the beginning. Sofie and Liz run on stage, looping, then leaping past the edge. Cat and Jeremy enter. Jeremy’s agile capoiera skills come in and out of the movement. Cat, her hair in pigtails, puts on her best face and becomes the leader, hips twitching and swaying. The piece moves through, whispering following and leading. Kareem Khalifa’s music weaving and talking to us, childrens’ voices sing-song in their games. The piece moves to conclusion, Alex’s heartworn face suddenly covered by whispering faces. The audience erupts into applause. Yoheves as already come to the window and given Jenn the thumbs up sign twice. People are standing and whistling. Well done. Penny does the meet and greet and is told people here never get to see anything like this, it all happens in the South. Why isn’t she here all the time? How long have they rehearsed? These are students? You should be performing this in the National Theater in Santiago. Wao.

On lovely clouds of accomplishment and starvation, we float down the road to Skina for dinner. The Company seems pleased, they should be. Penny is pleased, Arthur and Michael are happy. Jenn is that and relieved. Nic and I are good, if slightly exhausted.

We beat feet home early and have a slumber party picnic in Jenn and Nic’s room where I tell my life story. Bed at 1:30am.