I am a dancer. I have dance bursting out of me, but it doesn’t show much these days. Physical limitations mean that I can’t do modern dance again, still hope to get back to contra dancing, international folk dance is mostly feasible. If I watch a dance performance where I could imagine myself as one of the dancers, it hurts my heart. I withdraw. But when I see a dance company that is fabulously, astoundingly beyond anything this body could have ever done, my heart soars!!!

Such was last night. “Black Grace” is an all male company (well, with female guest dancers) from New Zealand. This is the vision of Neil Ieremia, the sole choreographer, and Artistic Director, who also appears to be a sweet man. He introduced each piece, telling stories. Great smile. And love his accent.

The write up says it is an “explosive mix of rhythm, spirit and energy.” I sat with my mouth hanging open (we had great seats). The movements were precise, of rhythm and pattern, with stomping and slapping, but then superimpose grace and fluidity. Power: such power! As I try to write about this I realize that words really fail. So…. here is a clip from YouTube. The chanting in this piece is based on one of Neil’s chidhood songs, and listen for the bit of Sesame Street thrown in! It works!