Omer 15: Dance in a Dark World

This year, I had the opportunity to be in a dance film that is now on exhibit at the Museum of the City of New York in Urban Stomp: Dreams and Defiance on the Dance Floor (see more from the curator here, and the New York Times review here). The filming took place in November, and has brought me so much light, happiness, and movement in the time since. During difficult days in our world, the stubborn joy and invitation of dance breaks through even when I am feeling the most down.

Much like the exhibition, dance in all forms calls for individuals to reach outside themselves, even in solo performances. Learning, adapting, mixing, and evolving require reaches across divides to other people, other cultures, and other spaces. In these connections, punctures appear across the darkness of the world, bringing positive interactions and ongoing partnerships.

The opportunity to be a part of this dance exhibit also drew me back to my early days in ballet, after which I learned many ballroom dances, Latin dance, and now have added Yiddish dancing to the mix. I have found new relationships, challenges, and music during the last few months as part of this experience, and am encouraged to keep dancing every day!