Dance Performance Difficulties
Saturday, October 3rd, 2009Last night, Lauren and I attended “Causeway: A Concert Dance Performance” hosted by UW’s Dance Department. It featured performances by some very talented dancers. But we were disappointed when, right before intermission, we were told that the piece “Mi Kumba Tete” could not be performed by dancer Chris Walker due to “technical difficulties.” So, what were these technical difficulties? Our speculations:
1. Mr. Walker forgot the steps.
2. The piece featured music by Bruno Wax and Dafaq. Mr. Walker got a last minute call from Dafaq: “Dude, I told you there is no WAY you can use ‘Algiers’ for your dance. You bastard, you know I refuse my music be associated with modern dance. Abstract movement, are you kidding me? You can suck it, Walker; there is no way I will be a part of your schlock.”
3. Choreographer Honore Van Ommeren realized the leap in beat 129 wouldn’t translate on such a small stage.
4. Audience too riled up after previous performance’s use of ambient Brian Eno track.
5. Backstage electrical surge left Mr. Walker with no rhythm.
6. Show coordinators forgot to remove all red M&Ms from dressing room bowls, as per performers’ explicit instructions.
7. All building fire extinguishers had been used up in the previous night’s performance.
8. Budget cuts.
9. Protests from animal rights activists, even though it was just a squirrel.