Dear Ones,
My Spring has definitely Sprung! I am chuffed to announce that I have been named a 2017 Fellow of the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation. Many bows to all those who have kept the faith, championed my work, and continue to accompany me along the way. Who knew, that dancing about bees, longing, catastrophic events, boredom, sincerity, crawling, superheroes, donning a wire-hanger as a crown, and squishing yourself into a fridge for an iPhone photo for your concert flyer (don't try this at home) would illuminate so much! What else? What else, is there, I ask?
Here's what! KGD will premiere a new evening-length work, Perfect Piranha at The Chocolate Factory in December. Following a sold-out season at CF in 2013, we are delighted with this new commission and are looking forward to returning to one of our favorite venues. The seed for the work was sown a while ago, when I was looking at a vase of flowers in the place where I practice meditation. The flowers were faded, formerly bright hues turning brown and grimy petals falling apart. I felt repulsed, and curious about why the dying flowers had not yet been replaced with fresh ones. At that moment, the abbot of the Zendo passed by, and glancing at the flowers, sighed aloud, “How beautiful!” Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Behold, Perfect Piranha a dance bluntly staring into the sharp edginess and imperfection of things.
You can support the creation and performance of Perfect Piranha with a tax-deductible contribution in any amount HERE AND NOW! This headgear ain't cheap!
Piranha Sunday
In May, I will be back in California finishing up my residency with The Wooden Floor, a stellar non-profit arts organization for under-served youth. The residency culminates in the premiere of FOLK DANCE IN GOLD at the Irvine Barclay Theater, in June. The piece features 36 young dancers with skin in the game, close-knit and firmly established in the conviction of mutual support. Shored-up with music by my son, Cyrus Ra. All have hearts of gold!
Rehearsal with the young dancers of The Wooden Floor
Onto July when I will again be offering a First Degree Reiki Training, this time at Hudson Yoga Project/HYP in Hoboken, NJ. Space is limited so we can cultivate an in-depth experience of Reiki practice together, and gain confidence in understanding and working with this vital healing energy. Here is what one recent participant had to say:
“Again, thank you so much for such an incredible experience. I originally signed up just for a new and fun life experience but left the training feeling inspired and ready to incorporate reiki into my life both personally and professionally. You made an often misunderstood and mysterious practice feel grounded and accessible.”
- Courtney D, Therapist
Stones