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Are You Still Immersed In The Process? How Content Culture Can Cap The Artist

 It felt so good to move, undulate, and slide into a deep second position to recoil into a contorted contraction. It truly felt like breathing. Surely, I adore codified technique. However, taking a contemporary class last night taught me way more than I bargained for. Get out of your headspace, get out of the mirror, ditch the "content concept" and just dance. I reckon that is my honest thesis. I felt like Jodie (without my Cooper) as I whisked across the floor. Throughout class I thought about the likes and wisdom of dancers like Robert Battle and Matthew Rushing. While dancing, I recalled both of their sentiments that included abandon and connection (to the floor, to the movement, to the work...) while dancing. Truly, I felt that. Suddenly, I am met with a challenge. Maybe it's culture or maybe its Maybeli — nope! It's definitely culture.  For about one minute, I wrestled with walking off of the floor, grabbing my phone, finding a proper angle to record, propping...
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How Flower Film Revived The State of Dance

 If you have been reading the Artist Impression for any amount time you are familiar with my stance on the current state of dance. Today's article is a different angle as I take you on a quick journey of how the independently produced short film FLOWER has, in my opinion, begun to dig a well of dance revolution.

On July 21, 2023 I had the honor of hosting a virtual screening of FLOWER! Produced by Misty Copeland and Leyla Fayyaz, this beautifully constructed story received feedback of pleasant surprises and bold inspirations from different viewers. I echo their sentiment. Like others, I had this idea that I'd be watching a series of petit battements, pirouettes and everything else I enjoy about classical ballet. However, the film gave me so much more.

I share on my instagram story sometime last week that each time I watch great dance I feel like that giddy 6th grade dancer all over again. FLOWER gave me all of the feels and all of the depth I believe is necessary to have an impactful career. To dance is one thing. To carry understanding within the craft is another. This film showcases, even amidst other concepts that can show up in life, the creative power of persistence as well as the power of music in the bodies of amazing dancers. The film is a breath of fresh "dance air". It helped to revive my hope in the strength of dance at large. It made me hopeful that there are still artists who believe in the integrity, simplicity and honor of the craft of dance. I felt proud to watch Misty Copeland burst forth in her artistry on the big screen. This makes me think of the time Raven Wilkinson expressed to me how watching Misty dance on stage, she always stood out because she made you feel and that she connected through her dancing with the audience. 

Misty, Babatunji Johnson, Christina Johnson, Algerion "Krow Bryant, Alonzo King, Richmond Talauega and Burwood Music Group all did a phenomenal job bringing this art to life. Legends on legends and stellar music, FLOWER is a certainly a "what's taking you so long to" see. 




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