In the dog days of summer, there has to be a reason to want to be in the heat! Last Thursday night, August 4th, in New London, CT, was ACD’s reason to kick up their heels in the blazing sun and join the masses in their sweat and enthusiasm for dance! CT Ballet was celebrating their 30th year and we were invited to open the bill for them. With a cascading fountain and the downtown waterfront as a backdrop, the dancers turned up the heat with my new piece, “Itty Bitty Nitty Gritty,” a comedic trio inspired by three children’s chairs. The loud horns from the ships occasionally wafted by… a nice reminder of where we were!

James, Milan, and new to ACD, Catherine Borrone, used every trick in the book to get a chuckle and put a new twist on a“another chair piece.” Has modern dance seen the last of them? I think not!

I was so excited the night before at the Baryshnikov Arts Center when we finally finished the piece. My assistant and understudy, Sarah, came through for me, handling all the nitty grityy details, that I was too busy to take care of myself. Everyone needs a Sarah!!

As is typical with us, we made another Jiffy Mix-dance, “just add water,” and off we went. It was really great using a piece of music from my childhood from an obscure band, The Audience. It was dream come true, finally using this music that I longed to use for so many years! In a suite of three pieces of music, this was the one that was like a steam roller — get out of the way!! The dancers danced it with ease and commitment, which was no easy task!

The itty bitty things we often overlook are the smiles on the faces of children when they’re at play. This dance made my inner five-year-old smile with three children’s chairs in use in high style. I still hear the playground sounds and the bell ringing — it’s time for milk and cookies — thanks for the fantasy, dancers!

It’s not every day that your niece asks you to choreograph her first dance for her wedding! Without hesitation, I answered with a resounding, “yes!” Barrie White’s, “My Everything, ” was the chosen song, and the basement of Diamond Hill Church in Cos Cob was my rehearsal studio. You’d be surprised how much can get done in a short time, in a  small space, just outside the bathrooms of a church. Dori and Dave, the dancers of this romantic, theatrical duet, were eager and on their game each time we met.

Suited in simulated wedding attire, with an added prop of a hat, donned by Dave, the two lovers whirled and dipped their way into the dance, as if auditioning for “So You Think You Can Dance!”  I had to put in some quirky, Barrie White moments, “hey baby…love ya baby…you’re my one and only…” but directed in such a way that characterized a dignified, sophisticated conquest of a couple in love—NOT!! We pulled out all the stops, and on May 14th, the fever broke, and the crowd went nuts over the gorgeous girl in white and the dude with the hat! I give these two an A+ for technique, character, and a job well done! Kudos to photographer, Dustin Herlich for getting these terrific shots!

My mother lived to a ripe young age of 62. I found solace in choreographing this solo, now 13 years ago. It had taken me four years after her death to get around to my real feelings, I guess, as she died in 1994. I recall the night well when I performed this solo at the Cunningham Dance Studio, in NYC.

My mother recalled a dream to me before her death that had to do with seeing me in a chair. I told her that I had had a dream that she died. She said to me, “Sometimes dreams about death are not always about the person dying.” In the text I wrote for the piece, I replied to that by saying, “… but sometimes they are.” As dreams are the window to our soul, I’ll dedicate this Mother’s Day to the souls of all mothers who have passed.

On Friday, April 1st, the New London Dance Initiative presents  its 1st Annual “New London Dance LIVE” Benefit.  As invited guests, Adams Company Dance will be performing “Heart Song,”  danced by Ryan Schmidt & James A Pierce III. Proceeds support dance scholarships for New London youth… a worthy cause, indeed!

Muscle memory kicked in, as James and Ryan got the piece back in their bodies in one short rehearsal. There’s no fooling that this will be a fantastic evening of dance! It’s really happening… no joke!

I support local farmers and film festivals!!! There is a best kept secret called the Mystic Independent Theater in the bucolic little town of Mystic on the Stonington side of the river. They are really cool folks who have a passion for the arts, artists, and film culture. Their film festival will screen Ben Moss’s and my documentary, “Except At Night: The Making Of A Dance,” next Sunday, December 12th.  Read the below paragraph for more details!

This short documentary reveals my process; whereby, I assigned myself the challenging task of choreographing a 10-minute dance in 3 hours time. Using eight dancers, this film highlights the craft of choreography and the process behind its creation.  It’s a first of its kind film, and it is my hope, that  I will be able to allocate its use for educational purposes. The documentary was shot at the Massey Theater at Greenwich Academy in Greenwich, CT by Benjamin Moss, Master’s candidate in the Film Program at Hunter College, NYC. “Except At Night: The Making Of A Dance” was first screened at Ailey Citigroup Theater, NYC, in 2009.

Locally grown and ready to be sown, this documentary is for all to enjoy! Hope to see you there!