In the Midst of Movement
Dear Reader,
I am sitting under an ancient quilt in Maine, delighted by the leaves on the trees, trusting that when I return to Michigan they will have emerged.
I am here for the week at Subcircle Residency working on dances, quilts, writing, and the great act of paying attention.
Much is on my mind today. I am finally caught up after months of being behind. Behind on school, my book edits, my work, my self care. Everything is turned in and no loose ends are getting tangled in the under side.
It is my girlfriend’s birthday today. I hate to not be next to her being annoying and waking her up before she is ready. And yet there is no where else I’d rather be, in a barn with my friends making dances. I am so honored to be tethered to a love so true, and feel the security of it even when I am away. For this anxiously attached guy this is a miracle.
Dance is the center of my life and everything I do, and yet it is currently what I do the least of in my creative practice. I used to say I wanted this to change, which is why I started Personal Practice ten years ago. I can’t believe it has been a decade of making tiny movement videos for the public eye. When I think of dance I think yes, I just want to be doing that.
Yesterday morning I taught Tristan and James a mat pilates warm up for the day. I felt very nervous as it was my first time teaching outside of my training program. I am reminded how uncomfortable it is to be a beginner.
Later in the day I taught them both how to make patchwork. Me and Tristan sewed in a way only two geminis with three sewing machines can. Fast and furious and with great precision. We amassed many quilt tops to spread out in the studio.
I met Tristan when I was in my last year of my dance degree at a college dance festival. The second I met him I thought he was the coolest boy I had ever met. (I still think this) We have been improvising together and staying in the web for the last seventeen years. As I age I notice these friendships that withstand the tides, and how grateful I am as they ebb and flow and we find our way back to each other.
Tristan has a way of seeing people’s creative efforts and encouraging their expansion. Just in one day of being at this residency I see my movement changing, my choice of material shifting, and my attention sharpening.
The importance of leaving home and the responsibilities of the day to day behind leaves so much room for newness that I can’t find in my own studio walls.
In other news, Christina at the township told me that while I could have a roadside stand, it only can sell flowers and vegetables. I told her what Tim told me - which is I could have anything I make with my hands in my roadside stand : quilts, pottery, baked goods. Christina said this is not true. I feel crushed, I’d been dreaming of this project for over two years and feel frustrated. I also know when god is telling me I have too many pots on the stove and that its time to shift.
I continue to master the art of pivoting, often when I least want to but when it is most needed. Other pivots are showing themselves in this time and I try to take the road of least resistance.
I notice since I have found a deeper commitment to Pilates the quality of my movement has changed as I dance. More control, less wobble, more flexibility. This is true in my dancing life, but it spills into the stillness as well.
I watch the tape back and think : yes, you’re doing it.
Things of Note :
MULTIFAITH PRAYER CIRCLE : Sunday May 18 2-3:30pm EST a virtual multi-faith gathering to ground, grieve, pray, and connect in the face of crises, collapse, genocide and global authoritarianism.
Thursday May 15 at Leland River Studio
NYC friends : School of Poetic Computation is hiring
Join me in redistributing to National Bail Out this day after mother’s day : a Black-led and Black-centered collective of abolitionist organizers, lawyers, and activists building a community-based movement to support our folks in abolishing pretrial detention systems and dismantling the prison industrial complex.
Good memes from Queer Body Pilates
NEXT WEEKEND! A few spots left : this is a small and intimate class and going to be so special. Come make a quilt in a weekend :) And let me know if you need help visioning housing!
CLASSIFIEDS : Witching Hour is a monthly writing workshop for people in recovery. The word recovery is a broad and roomy here -- we welcome people at all stages, including the curious. BIPOC & Trans people are welcome to join for free! I build pretty websites and I want to make you one! 🌀 Now booking June-Dec. Freelancers, artists, small biz, rad orgs: let’s make your work shine ✨
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