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editor’s letter Shine a Light Linda James


amaze of buildings, it is channeled through the narrow space. The force and speed of the wind accelerates as it squeezed along its path. The phenomenon is a formof the Venturi


O


effect, named after the 18th-19th Century Italian scientist Giovanni Battista Venturi.


Over ten years ago, on a sweltering hot day, the dance faculty and students at Booker TWashington HSPVA walked south on Ross Avenue through the Dallas Arts District to Fountain Place. Wemade the trek so that we could improvise in the water gar- den. Our goal was to dance between, around and thru the 217 unpredictable water jets erupting in geyser-like fashion beneath our feet.


We knew frompast trips to the fountains that the eventwould be transformative. But what we encountered this day height- ened the extraordinary experience. The wind was blowing! And it was blowing so hard that it could almost knock you over; that is, unless you leaned into it. If you trusted the wind like an unseen partner in contact improvisation and balanced your weight against its force, youwere supported in the action. By workingwith the wind, you were freed to explore amyriad of possibilities. And that we did.


n blustery days peoplewalking down city streets lined with tall buildings often encounter stronger than usual gusts of wind. As wind weaves its course through


Last week I told the currentmembers of Repertory Dance Company II about this amazingmoment in the history of the dance department tomotivate themto work together, to chan- nel their energy and amplify their power. I used the description of the event as ametaphor in the expectation that they would liberated fromtheir fears, sense their brilliance, and shine in performance.


The lesson that I hoped they all walked away with is simple. By trusting each other and working together to achieve a common goal, everyone ismade stronger.


Throughout its forty three years of existence, Dance Council North Texas has been dedicated to ensuring the dynamic pres- ence of dance in our community. DCNTmembers come fromall genres of dance. Eachmember has its own history and individ- ualized aesthetic. By working collaboratively we have created opportunities, increased appreciation, and promoted dance. In 2015, DCNT reached an unprecedented 163,000 people. Dance in North Texas is thriving. Together, we light the light.


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May-July 2016


www.thedancecouncil.org


DANCE!NORTHTEXAS


a publicationof the dance council of northtexas vol. 19 • no. 2


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