Jelly Belly Week

Another week has begun in a rash of activity that is as varied as a bag of Jelly Belly's.

Brett and I continue to edit and tweak our film in preparation for our October 28th premiere. We've been focusing intently on the color enhancement and correction of each scene, and it is turning out beautifully. Our colors are popping, and I can see an end to our process in sight. For the premiere event, I have been researching party activities from the 50's so that our reception party will be historically accurate. Mr. Potato Head was a hot toy, but apparently, didn't come with the plastic potato when it first came into being...just parts for real potatoes. I LOVE it! I know it's a children's game, but I think it would be appropriate for a just-about-Halloween time-dress up-50's party. And a Hula Hoop contest. I am struck by how simple the toys and activities from the 50's were. It seems in many ways, that the 50's were, at least on the surface, a simple time to exist in. Children could be amused by low-cost toys that forced them to stretch their imaginations, men went back to work, women were back in the kitchen and so on, and so forth. Things seemed cut and dry. However, it is obvious that the simplicity wore on the nerves of many, as the 60's saw some of the most acute change our culture has ever seen.

In other news this week, I have been given the OK to make my curatorial debut in putting together an evening of dance films at the a/perture theater, and independent theater here in Winston. So my job over the next two weeks is to put out a call for submissions, come up with a title for the event, and decide how the evening should go, so I can begin the process of imagining the evening. I'm so excited to officially introduce my community to the art of dance film through showing the films of other artists who have different approaches and view points than my own.

In regards to "Common Threads," the project Laura and I have been collaborating on, I am working on a new song. I have gotten about half way through the song, but am stuck on a lyric, and cannot bring myself to continue writing the rest of the song until I am happy with this solitary line of melody. I hope I can finish the song before next Monday when I see Laura for the start of our residency at NC State U, so I can share it with her.

AS for my studio practice, I have been making some progress with the dances I am to contribute to Laura's Bach and Beatles concert next month. I am a little worried about the lack of time I have to finish the choreography, as this residency will eat up a huge chunk of my time this month. Laura's concert is October 9th, and I want to make sure what I have made is well-rehearsed! In addition to worrying about Laura's concert, I have been working to make sure I am prepared for my classes at High Point University. Especially the tap class, since it is so huge. I'm glad to say that our second week of classes together has begun well. I am waiting to hear if we can have a formal concert near the end of this semester...the first formal dance concert HPU will have had since I have been employed there! I am looking forward to helping expand the presence of movement arts at HPU, and a formal concert will be a first step!

Well, it is late. I don't have to get up early tomorrow, but I would like to try to get some good sleep tonight. It (sleep) seems to have eluded me for the past few days, and I think this night would be as good a night as any to try to catch up a bit before the craziness that will befall me in the next two weeks with the NCSU residency.

Buenas Noches.

~Cara