Friday, May 18, 2007
MERCE
Merce Cunningham's playful experiments
I remember going to see the Cunningham dancers in Boston.
They never told you what you were going to see.
They had a good show. It was always challenging to stay with the action. You had to concentrate.
Then, the last dance.
The stage empty except for Cunningham himself. Red tights, white top. Totally still.
Then slight movement.
Finally an incredible slow motion dance with legs in the air for very long moments.
Riveting.
I cannot describe the surge of energy that came over me.
At this time he was probably in his late 70s. He is now 88.
The concert described here took place in three locations in the same theater complex and included the audience. Each person brought his or her iPod and set it on shuffle.
The dancers danced to the music.
Only Merce.
I will never forget that moment when he appeared on stage in Boston.
