Trolley Dancin' from Barrio Logan to Fault Line Park

This year's Trolley Dances returned to Barrio Logan but with new twists and outbound visits to the Museum of Contemporary Art downtown and then on to Fault Line Park.  The Trolley Dances continues the emerging San Diego culture - a thank you is owed to Jean Isaacs and the San Diego Dance Theater.

What always fascinates me is thinking about dance and the variety of spaces in which they are performed.  This is not your usual theater performance and not simply outdoors.  There is a connection between the choreographer's concept, the musical framing of the dance, and how the dancers engage with each other and the venue. 

I've included two short videos that provide a bridge from these still images and the performance itself. 

Hopefully you find the time to explore these dances as well as the re-invigorated Barrio Logan community and travel with them to the Museum of Contemporary Art as well as to the lesser known (to me) Fault Line Park.

Me and My Car, choreographer Jean Isaacs with Minaqua McPherson and JT Magee

The choreographer's concept:  "Ever think how much people resemble their cars? .  .  .  My car has 214,000 miles on it and runs great despite its many scratches and dents - just like me. We are dancing in and on our cars on the 4th level of the parking structure .  .  .  . "

Me and My Car

Video excerpt from Me and My Car

Follow Us Here, Choreographer Jess Humphrey

The choreographer's concept:  "Behold, follow, leave, or find any dancer or dance you wish throughout this site-sensitive performance."

When: October 1 and 2, 2016 Tour Times: 10:00, 10:45, 11:30, 12:15, 1:00, 1:45 Where: Begins at San Diego Continuing Education César E. Chávez Campus Parking Garage 1902 National Avenue, corner of Cesar Chavez Parkway  Trolley Dances brings original site-specific dances to the MTS Blue Line starting in the historic Barrio Logan and winding through the heart of San Diego ending at Fault Line Park, all led by trained tour guides. A stellar team of choreographers are on board to create newwork that is sure to delight and engage.   Site locations:  César E. Chávez Campus Parking Garage Lobby of the SD Continuing Education César E. Chávez Campus Museum of Contemporary Art Walkway across from MOCA Fault Line Park

Follow Us Here

attempts to define, Choreographer Zaquia Mahler Salinas, in collaboration with the dancers

The choreographer's concept:  "This dance is inspired by the beauty in individual expression of identity and history. Art is a radical expression of humanity that lies at the root of the Chicano art displayed in this space and at the heart of this dance."

[Note: I am reminded of my long ago documenting and exploring the notion of Chicano identity: “Some Notes on Chicano Music as a Pathway to Community Identity,” in New Scholar 5,1:73-93. (1975)]

attempts to define

Finding Center, Choreographer Bill Shannon

The choreographer's concept:  "Inhabiting a square anywhere in the world involves the same basic patterns of physical behavior as my practice defines it: To claim the center of a given square one need first define its edges. Working with non-verbal relationships relating to human patterns I might choose to define my edges as counter to the sociological constructs that predetermine the definition of a place. I might submit to or contest the power of architecture. Even the shadow cast from a building carries a different mood than the shadows cast from a tree. This dance is a question with no right answers."

Up a Creek with Ten Paddles, Choreographer Jean Isaacs, with input from the dancers

The choreographer's concept: "Inspired by a television ad for an insurance company in which a man rows on escalators, lawns and in canoes, this piece was created for the northwest corner of Fault Line Park and is extremely site-specific, meaning we could never perform it anywhere else without major reconstruction."

Tonight's Game, Choreographer Monica Bill Barnes

The choreographer's concept: "There are a few things that you may not know about this dance, this lawn is one of the most popular dog parks in the city and therefore full of dog poop so please watch your step. Also, there are small black flies that bite the dancers' ankles, even through their socks. A few of the dancers are allergic to grass. . . ."

 

Tonight's Game

Reflective Globe at Fault Line Park