| Screen capture near the end of the film Dancing Lives by BJ Bullert. |
If we could get world leaders to learn to dance — and corporate leaders — to be open, and dance with everyone…the world would be a radically different place. —Walter Dill
A whirlwind of memories erupted today as I happened upon the short film “Dancing Lives“ by B.J. Bullert (published May 18, 2013 on the Seattle Channel). Seeing a number of my dancing mentors and friends, as they appeared thirteen years ago, is delightful, and witnessing those no longer with us — very much alive and flowing with movement — felt both sorrowful and sweet.
Some of my very first teachers are either in the film or mentioned, such as Walter Dill, Jodi Fleischman, Richard Powers, MaryLee Lykes and Don Morgan. And seeing all those people I grew up dancing with, the extraordinary Seattle community I’ve been part of for 30 years now, recalls the untold joy and connection we’ve shared. And to think, this is just one of numerous communities in our region.
As Richard Powers mentions, only a small percentage, perhaps 5%, of people find the courage and wherewithal to dare to dance. How remarkable to be among those immersed in the magic! It’s impossible to imagine my life, now, without dance and all those lessons learned. Richard emphasizes how dance opens us to greater possibilities, to learning compassion and acceptance. “At the end of your life,” he says, “you think, alright, yeah I got a lot of it because I didn’t push it away. And I learned that dancing.”
Congratulations on being in the 5%! Get out there and continue opening yourself to opportunities for learning with classes and dances listed online at the Dance Calendar.
See you on the dance floor —Sean Donovan