Bountiful a fantastic Teachers Journey to ART with a PURPOSE...
Today is the last day of another production I get to direct.... there are no words, TRULY, to describe what I feel....
When I think about R.Evolución Latina I think about the amount of lives that are empowered not just by our organization but by the many other art related non-profits who truly dare to go beyond. I think of the people who service with love and compassion, sharing the best of themselves to support the everlasting necessity of a better world. I feel the same of all leaders, whether they are company owners or the good intentioned politicians (which are rare), leaders who care to find ways to better the lives of those around them. But most importantly our teachers, the unsung hero's of society come to mind.
Many times during the show I thought of my teacher, the man who changed my life for the better, and I also saw how all 9 + 2 choreographers of BOUNTIFUL had been doing that for our amazing 50 dancers during the process. I thought of my Titi Sandra, who is a teacher today and met many teachers who came to see the show that felt connected and identified with the journey we are sharing. Teachers, GOOD TEACHERS are everyday heroes who we don't always see in action.
We all have a part to play in the contribution to our society, whether we do it with an awareness or just simply because that is the work we do.
Passion is something you can’t buy, learn or reenact, it comes from within, it makes us BOUNTIFUL! This reminds me of Elizabeth Maria Walsh, who we have dedicated this show to, and who I see onstage at every single performance in all of the dancers.
I see their passion each night and know they are really graduating to better versions of their own selves with this experience and experiences like this all around the world. THE UNIVERSE AND LIFE ITSELF IS OUR BEST TEACHER! Are we paying attention?
At the present time (I THINK) we collectively need to pay more attention, be more aware of each other and our surroundings and of the LIFE around us. I see and experience, first hand how sometimes our professional desires, social media and other distractions allow us to get lost in things that are "important" in today’s world but are not essential to our soul, to our spirit to our human evolution.
Time runs by…. It does not come back and I wonder how many times did we not pay attention to an individual in need that was right next to us because at the moment the Rolex ad was so much more exciting.
Every single night the piece created by my friend Rickey Tripp reminds me of that!!! During rehearsals there were days I would be directing with my son in my arms, this precious reminder of how crucial life is would bring me to tears. Dance has such a universal language and it speaks directly to the soul. I love directing stories told "simply" through DANCE. I wonder each night what the audience takes... I sit there and stay on the edge.
I've try never to allow my work to be to political but I had no choice this time. "I am scared". How many times did we (perhaps out of ignorance) make a comment or support an idea that ended up hurting someone else. We only live once and WHAT DO WE LEAVE BEHIND? Through the journey of our lead character, Santiago these questions are
asked, as he is affected by the realities of the current social /
political issues and the needs of his students. The present time makes us really have to reflect on this so the question of building a wall was very relevant, as relevant as looking at the faces of each and every individual on our stage. Their faces really are the faces of "What an American looks like".
Each of our students needed something from Santiago (the teacher) in order to go forward in life. As our work at RL has shown us, when we give something we always learn something. We have to be open to the process and the present time, and not get stuck in the past or thinking of a future that might not come. LOVING NOW, SUPPORTING NOW, DOING NOW and BEING BETTER NOW is all we can do, one day at a time.
Now I honor a few words from a few audience members that have voice their passion for the work:
"It’s such a gorgeous creation. I have no idea how you managed all the logistics. Housing dancers from Peru, rehearsing 50 performers, costumes, and the list goes on. It’s astonishing, really. And the work is just so beautiful. Those performers should be very, very proud of the work they’re doing. I wish you could get even more press for the show. This should be a pick of the week in Time Out NY. " - Mark Irish
"I was very moved by the Bountiful Revolution that R.Evolución Latina
has brought together, young dancers from all over Latin America and the
U.S paired with some of the finest choreographers to create an
entertaining, powerful and meaningful evening of dance. What a heroic
undertaking by Luis Salgado and his team. Bravo!!!!" - Sergio Trujillo
"Words can't even begin to describe how beautiful this performance was." - Becky Anderson
Last but not least the very wonderful words of a dear friend Rebecca Thomas, choreographer and Artistic Director of A Palo Seco Flamenco Company:
During this time that we spend together NOW, in this theater we have laugh, we have cried, we have hug, we have fought, we have been everything that being human is, and I can only hope to see so many more of their dreams and stories manifest to fullest capacity and rejoice in their joy every single year. I certainly hope that you experience the feeling of being Bountiful at any given point in life, especially when not expecting it. And
that the sharing of this piece or simply of this blog, inspires YOU as much as the process of
creating it has empowered us!
In summery I feel so...
Well....
http://thejourneytoartwithapurpose.com
 |
| Photo by Jason River |
 |
| Ari Romero Photography |
Many times during the show I thought of my teacher, the man who changed my life for the better, and I also saw how all 9 + 2 choreographers of BOUNTIFUL had been doing that for our amazing 50 dancers during the process. I thought of my Titi Sandra, who is a teacher today and met many teachers who came to see the show that felt connected and identified with the journey we are sharing. Teachers, GOOD TEACHERS are everyday heroes who we don't always see in action.
We all have a part to play in the contribution to our society, whether we do it with an awareness or just simply because that is the work we do.
 |
| Ari Romero Photography |
"… And just
like that, after a long journey, a day like any other my kids are graduating…." this is the line I wrote for the opening scene.
"They have
conquered their fear and now seek new opportunity to be happy. They have dared
to go beyond and
regardless
of the limitations surrounding them, they have gotten up and realized that just
like them, "Every warrior of the light
has been afraid to enter a combat at some point". They have been afraid, and have asked "Who am I to be brilliant,
gorgeous, talented, fabulous?" But they have also learned to ask “who am I not to be?”
"Look at them now, they are
the future."
 |
| Ari Romero Photography |
I see their passion each night and know they are really graduating to better versions of their own selves with this experience and experiences like this all around the world. THE UNIVERSE AND LIFE ITSELF IS OUR BEST TEACHER! Are we paying attention?
 |
| Photo by Jason River |
 |
| Photo by Jason River |
Every single night the piece created by my friend Rickey Tripp reminds me of that!!! During rehearsals there were days I would be directing with my son in my arms, this precious reminder of how crucial life is would bring me to tears. Dance has such a universal language and it speaks directly to the soul. I love directing stories told "simply" through DANCE. I wonder each night what the audience takes... I sit there and stay on the edge.
"On The Edge"
We stand on the edge of this world and fear nothing
We feel the wind whip around us like the wings of a bird
Yet we fear nothing not death or life
Not of loneliness or any thing
For we are not alone
We do not die forever
We stand on the edge of this world and feel life coursing through us
We feel the wind empowering us
We fear nothing and feel everything
 |
| Ari Romero Photography |
"There's a voice from the future and it’s calling your name,
Forging a road for you and staking your claim
Keep your eyes on the prize.... and your
back to the wind
In your heart beats the rhythm and the songs of the past,
Holding all of the answers to whatever you ask
Keep your eyes on the prize, let your heart be your guide......
And your back to the wind
When I think of you I see sunshine
And the words that you speak are uplifting and strong
In your eyes lie the hopes of tomorrow
You're a winner,..... winner
You’re a winner,..... winner"
Forging a road for you and staking your claim
Keep your eyes on the prize.... and your
back to the wind
In your heart beats the rhythm and the songs of the past,
Holding all of the answers to whatever you ask
Keep your eyes on the prize, let your heart be your guide......
And your back to the wind
When I think of you I see sunshine
And the words that you speak are uplifting and strong
In your eyes lie the hopes of tomorrow
You're a winner,..... winner
You’re a winner,..... winner"
 |
| Photo by Jason River |
Now I honor a few words from a few audience members that have voice their passion for the work:
"It’s such a gorgeous creation. I have no idea how you managed all the logistics. Housing dancers from Peru, rehearsing 50 performers, costumes, and the list goes on. It’s astonishing, really. And the work is just so beautiful. Those performers should be very, very proud of the work they’re doing. I wish you could get even more press for the show. This should be a pick of the week in Time Out NY. " - Mark Irish
 |
| Ari Romero Photography |
"Words can't even begin to describe how beautiful this performance was." - Becky Anderson
 |
| Photo by Jason River |
Last but not least the very wonderful words of a dear friend Rebecca Thomas, choreographer and Artistic Director of A Palo Seco Flamenco Company:
"It is only with the true work of genius, brilliance, talent, art,
vision, heart, love, and under generosity that a process and production
like R.Evolucion Latina's BOUNTIFUL could have been crated, developed,
and performed with such passion, grace, talent and love. It
is incredible that nine different choreographers from different
countries, languages, backgrounds, technical modalities, and ways of
seeing the world and creating their work could come together and create
such an amazingly awe-inspiring production... And that over 50 dancers-
also from different countries, languages, backgrounds, technical
modalities, and ways of seeing the world and doing their work could join
together in a single performance and touch the lives of so so so many
people.
 |
| Ari Romero Photography |
It takes a truly unique and special group of
people to do all of this, and touch so many people through art, move so
many people, and create such an amazing and loving family whose sole
purpose is to connect and change people through the arts, by daring to
go Beyond every single day. This is R.Evolución Latina, and I could not
be more honored and thrilled to be a part of this family. I
LOVE YOU LUIS SALGADO!!!! Congratulations on creating something so
amazing and special."
Thank you to every choreographer, thank you to every dancer, thank you to every crew, creative and sponsor. Thank you to all the people who supported us get to the goal and thank you to every audience member for your present passion and love.
 |
| Ari Romero Photography |
In summery I feel so...
Well....
BOUNTIFUL !
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