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Something To Dance About

By Natica Angilly

Our conscious goals as defined in religion, philosophy, scientific systems, pursuit of the arts and culture, and in ordinary life, are in our quest to find unifying order in our world. The motivation toward art and art appreciation is an accepted practice for integration and unity. Intense aesthetic experience, and the rich possibilities of moving emotion, become sought after elements that can lead to the unity, "audible awe," and the transformation that is hoped for in the greater aesthetic experience. That encounter may influence, impel, stir or light the way to our own path toward self understanding. Profound responses to art suggest that fusion and integration are contributing factors in the richness, aesthetic value and significance of the arts. The quest for wholeness increases the impact and serves as a symbol of the conscious goal of humanity.

Historically, poetry has always offered motivation to dance and other art forms: "We were so touched by the event that we were dancing about it"; "We found the experience very moving"; "It was poetry in motion." These are quotes we all hear and long to continue hearing. Dance is defined in the dictionary as: to move lightly about, caper; to be stirred into movement; to cause to dance or move. Move is defined as: to arouse or stir the emotions, passions, or sympathies; to touch the feelings; to live or to be active; to make great progress, advance, or to be set in motion.

The art of poetry has been defined as a set of words that is pleasing to the ear. Poets and public have always relied on poetry to define and reveal states of mind, emotion, sense of place and beauty, set a standard of current thought, and give voice to new and independent thought. The "job" of the poet as well as the dancer includes enlivening every emotion and feeling, and carries the possibilities for even more awesome and moving public performance. We join together in additional collaborative opportunities and contribute to the enrichment of the poetic experience. Sharing the words of poetry in a profusion of movement and color gives the poets, the public, dancers, visual and technical artists literally something to dance about.

Artists have continually sought means and methods of exploration, discovery and involvement with form and feeling to broaden and enrich cultural reality and share in the wealth of culture. The annual Dancing Poetry Festival features twelve different dancing poetry performances provided by dance companies who have embraced the art of poetry as motivation for movement. Ballet, Modern, Flamenco, Belly, Tap, Hawiian, Balinese, East Indian, African, Folk, and Poetic dance are but a few that have been fused with poetry and poetic intent over the past sixteen years of the festival established by Artists Embassy International and the Natica & Richard Angilly's Poetic Dance Theater Company.

The Dancing Poetry Festival continues the tradition of this integration of poetry and dance, and also the mission of our non-profit arts organization to further understanding through the universal language of the arts. Local and international poetry and dance artists are strongly dedicated to the integration of the dancing poetry stage performances. Anticipation of latest in the field of poetics that may motivate and activate dancers and dance, and poets and poetry, are very much appreciated as they light the stage in collaborations and creations of something to dance about.

EXUBERANCE:
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