A Moving Response
I loved the focus on improvisation in this week’s Advocate! I have enjoyed many a visit to Earthdance, and often meet people there who have traveled from around the globe to visit the hills of Plainfield — a testament to the important role that Earthdance has in the worldwide dance/movement community. Many improv movers (including myself) have settled in the Valley mainly because of the rich dance community Earthdance has co-created. They host open classes, jams, workshops, performances, and more, year-round. For improv movers in the Pioneer Valley, there’s also the Greenfield Contact Jam, VIDAM, Dance Spirit, Dance Spree, and Mandala Dance, some featuring like-minded improv musicians. Go move!
Vagina Dialogue, Continued
Thank you, Hunter Styles, for your recent piece about Mt. Holyoke’s cancellation of The Vagina Monologues. I particularly liked when you said “The truth offered by a work of art is simply its unique point of view.” and that “the goal should be to hang your own offering up on the wall, not to take down someone else’s.”
My daughter was in Vassar’s production of the Monologues last year, and they, too struggled with many who felt that it was not representative of all points of view. So much so that my daughter fears that no student will be willing to direct it this year. This is a huge mistake. Eve Ensler’s work is a piece of art. Would we change the smile on the Mona Lisa? I personally have been incredibly moved by each production I have seen of this show, and I am thrilled that my daughter had the opportunity to have life-changing conversations about every subject matter addressed in it. Please, let us include transgendered people, but let’s not throw the baby out with the bath water!
