Lidia Solomon’s “Affair with the Moon” was first shared with me about four years ago. I was celebrating my best friend’s wedding on Orcas Island. The morning after the festivities there was a full Strawberry Moon setting on the Puget Sound. It was my new friend, Jess, who sent me Lidia’s masterpiece. It is such a simple acoustic experience. A soft piano accompanying the most beautiful and moving tale. The story goes, the singer is confronted one morning by the sun. The sun knows she’s having an affair with the moon. The sun can’t seem to understand why…”I give you my rays and baby blue skies!” It is a moving tale of a love triangle, full of whimsy and emotion. This song gives permission to the listener to choose for themselves and not what is expected of them. “Reminds me that life is mine to see.” I was already in love with the moon, but this narrative deepened my reverence for the entire night sky. Since that weekend in the PNW, every time I hear that song, it gives me goosebumps and fills me with visions of curious celestial faces.
Now comes a convergence of my winter sport the past six years, dancing.
In my previous blog, I wrote about the community dance showcase, Move the Butte. This season I took on the bold task of choreographing, participating in four pieces, and building artful props for my piece to “Affair with the Moon.” I can tell you I was never once bored this winter. I am positive most artists follow a similar path when working through a vision project. There is so much inspiration and therefore lofty expectations. I would freeze in my progress out of fear of not meeting my exact vision. Not only the vision of the dance but the fine art I was cross-pollinating within the song.
I planned and brainstormed for practically a year before I actually put paint to a surface. I surveyed so many iterations of how to build out the two characters, the sun and the moon. I finally allowed myself to simplify; cardboard and acrylic paint. These materials are surprisingly durable and accessible. The lightweight cardboard made dancing with a prop a breeze. I cut wooden dowels for handles, attached them with zip ties, and anchored them with one of the best craft glues in the biz, E6000. Then, there was the task of creating art that can be viewed from a distance. Faces to be recognized from the stage to the back of the theatre, which holds over 350 seats. I painted prototypes and found that creating space between facial features and softening colors made for a successful prop. Big shout out to my dear friend and fellow dancer/artist, Kara Chambers, for the assist. Once I began painting it was a snowball effect. I hadn’t painted with acrylic since 2013. Returning to that medium was like riding a bike. I enjoyed every moment of blending colors and swirling cheeks. Then I got to sit back and admire what I had made. I had indeed exceeded my expectations in such an indescribable way. I was oozing with pride. I don’t experience that feeling in any other way, it is due to creativity alone.
Last weekend 150 dancers performed, sharing their art on the Center for the Arts stage for four sold out shows. It was an absolute sensation. Leading up to our performances, one of my choreographers, Corinne McKeever, shared some profound insight with me. “Mistakes come and go. That is what is so beautiful about dance. It is living and breathing art in the moment and can never be replicated the same way. There is no perfection. Just you being the best version of you.” I closed out showweek feeling utterly fulfilled and satisfied. I believe it was due to my absence on social media and abstaining from drinking alcohol. All of the above helped me be most present and aware. I wasn’t wasting my energy on being comparative or trying to come off a certain way. I was in my most realized artistic moment.
Affair with the Moon was a standout piece for many reasons. There were three of us on the stage. Myself, playing the part of the sun. Kara Chambers as the storyteller. Hadley Gallen as the moon. The song itself was a softening palette cleanser contrasting the many fast paced and larger cast numbers. The feedback we received was more than validating. It was a crowd favorite. There was a quiet that came over the audience, even tears in some eyes. I am thrilled that how I felt could be emulated to hundreds of people.
A full hearted thank you to: KT Folz for creating and directing such a wonderful event for the past 17 years. ABG for being the best stage manager and making us all look so good. Lydia and T of Mountain Magic Media for lending breathtaking photography services.
Check out my gallery “Affair with the Moon.”
I have included links to Lidia’s song, the Move Butte official website, and Mountain Magic Media’s website.
