For some time I’ve been meaning to commit to video the definitive version of the parlor trapeze routine I developed with my teacher during quarantine. Here it is. You may need to turn the volume up all the way to hear the music well. Yes, I’m a monster for taking video in portrait orientation.
The music is “Heroine” by Unwoman.
In the best of all possible worlds I would not have done this on a sticky day in July, but recently I’ve been prioritizing hiking and outdoor recreation, and only a rainy day courtesy of the remnants of Tropical Storm Fay inspired me to finish building the costume and working out a system to film through an open door to get the full height in frame.
I have a love/hate relationship with seeing myself on video. It’s a great tool for refining choreography and transitions, but more often than not all I can see are the flaws— the unbalanced front balance, the hand adjustments, the hesitations, the unpointed feet, and the hair band that falls off my head. I’ve never loved the way my body looks, but I’m delighted by the things it can do, and this very physical performing art walks that line like a tightrope. Nonetheless I’m so grateful to have it in my life partly because it helps me stretch the boundaries of what I believe about myself. Both the physical and the creative processes bring me joy and I embrace my place in a long history of passionate dilettantes!
A thousand thanks to @flyingmolly, my incredibly talented teacher and collaborator. I love nothing more than hearing her say “I don’t know if this is possible, but…”
I am so envious of your grace, flexibility, strength…I know you’ll keep doing this sort of thing and when you’re my age (or Grammie’s) you’ll still be strong and flexible!