Let’s talk about dance in a way that’s not too technical and complicated. Getting people out there, moving to the music, shaking, jumping and rocking, is no small feat. Some teachers have the exceptional ability to do much more than instruct students to dance. These teachers possess an intangible something extra that inspires people to move like they have never moved before. A musical force of nature to behold, Trinh Le is that kind of teacher. A human dynamo! Wow! How does she do it?
The key to understanding people and the world around us begins with education. One way to learn about the world is by developing a love of books. Each month, we profile a library. Large, small, urban, rural, post-modern, quaint or neo-classic; do you have a library that you love? Tell us about it. This month, Patricia Vaccarino writes about the North Tillamook Library at Manzanita – Manzanita, Oregon
When Holly Powell opened her first bra shop in Portland, Oregon in 2011, she wanted a name that was pronounceable and memorable. “Lots of women’s lingerie stores have French names that people can’t pronounce. I wanted something that said very clearly to the world, ‘we do big boobs.’”
A recent article in the New York Times asserted that dance is the new kale. But for those of us who have made a commitment to dance, viewing this exhilarating art form as simply another trend is missing the point. Being a dancer takes time, focus and practice. For me and for many of the dancers I know, we are not engaging in a passing fancy. We’re dedicated to the artistry and the physicality of movement.
Remember Billy Mitchell? He was the General in charge of American air combat units toward the end of World War I. He warned the military leadership that if they did not invest in air power, eventually enemy air raids would sink our battleships. At the time, when American air power was in its infancy, it was unthinkable that bombers could destroy battleships. But Billy Mitchell persisted in telling all who would listen, including the public and the media, the time would come when air power would soon become a dominant force of war. He ran a series of successful bombing “test” runs to prove his point.
Perverse as it may seem, the greatest threat that we may face is each other, and a regression into tribalism. Indeed, violent warfare has been one of the major themes in human history, going back as far as we can see. Peace has often seemed like it’s only a brief intermission. We are facing the very real prospect of an era of “climate wars.” Or worse.