As a creative woman, I have been developing my skills and passions since I was a child. I grew up not only making art but also playing alto saxophone and participating in stage productions of musicals and plays. I began ballet when I was 16, thoroughly enjoying being on stage. Now in my mid 30s, performing may not seem to be a top priority nor as accessible. Think again! Here in Crested Butte there is a bounty of opportunity to foster and develop creativity through dance and movement!

I am approaching my sixth season of participating with Move the Butte. It is a community developed dance showcase that sells out four nights of shows every winter. This production was first created 17 years ago. Through the Crested Butte Community Dance Collective and the School of Dance- 19 choreographers and 140 dancers- the most entertaining and moving show lights up the cold winter months. I will be choreographing for the fourth time. It does bring back memories of making up dances with my friends at sleep overs and taping them on VHS. The 90s still hold a very dear place in my heart.

I call this post “Cross Pollination” because I hope to bring my fine art to the performing arts sector. This Move the Butte season I will be dancing in a contemporary/lyrical trio. The song is called “Affair with the Moon” by Lidia Solomon. It is an acoustic narrative that sings of the sun confronting the storyteller for having an affair with the moon and the night sky. It is playful and emotional. I heard this song three years ago and I have been visualizing a way to bring it to the stage ever since. I am currently designing masks for the sun and the moon. Imagine street theatre style with the celestial whimsy of tarot cards. These masks will be held by the dancer using a wooden dowel, moving and posing with the masks in different shapes and moments. I have been living in two different art worlds and it is time to marry them. I am so excited to bring my fine art and painting skills to a new setting. This is my winter project, where I will be hibernating in movement magic and medicine. ❤