iMove 2.0: iCandy

Genevieve Bernard invited me to stop in and sketch some Voci Dance rehearsals. The first rehearsal I sketched was at a dance studio in Baldwin Park right near Colonial Drive. As often happens, I had trouble finding the place. I actually pulled right into the parking lot, but the door said it was an art gallery so I left and searched for another building. I finally returned and opened the gallery door. The art gallery was dark. In the far back corner of the gallery I saw a bright light coming from a back room and I noticed mirrors and realized I was at the right place.
When I walked in, dancers were still stretching in the back room of the art gallery. Since rehearsal hadn’t started yet for these dancers, I decided to sketch them as they warmed up.
The first dance routine they started rehearsing involved the dancers sitting in chairs in a large circle. I was still finishing up the first sketch when Amanda Oost Bradberry asked if she could use the chair I was sitting in and she offered me a cushioned folding chair as a replacement. I was glad to oblige. I rushed the gallery sketch so I could get into the dance studio and see what they were doing. I often find myself struggling to finish my art as life plows forward.
The chair routine was graceful and a joy to watch. I liked seeing how the dancer’s backs arched and their arms flowed in serpentine patterns. In a part of the routine the dancers ran their fingers through their hair as if they were sensually washing it.
The dance studio had one mirrored wall and it resembled a stage even having curtain dividers going back stage. A large black garage door could be opened to join two studio spaces making one large space if needed. There was a playful experimental quality to the whole rehearsal. There was a constant high energy as these women pushed the limits of what was physically possible in dance. I grew exhausted just watching them work and stretch themselves, yet I could not convince myself to leave. I constantly felt the next moment would hold yet another great sketch opportunity.
iMove_2.0: iCandy will be performed February 5th and 6th at 7:30 PM at the Say it Loud Warehouse (1121 North Mills Avenue, Orlando). The building is bright orange on the corner of Highland Avenue and you can not miss it. The first 50 tickets each night are free from the United Arts web site. Otherwise, $10 at the door. There is parking on Mills and all the side streets. This promises to be an amazing event. More posts to come…