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The first dance of the evening started out interesting enough. Unfortunately for me it did not ever transform into what I expected. I tried to remove any preconceived ideas about what I imagined interpretative dancing to be. This art form, while not unknown to me, has been a rare event in my life. I found myself caring for the dancer as she explored her environment, reflective on one side and clear on the other. She did not seem to acknowledge the clear side at first so I was unsure if this window into her world was only for the audience benefit or not. Only later when she seemed to reject what she experienced did she peer out, briefly, before closing herself off. I appreciated the movement well enough, but the tempo was slow and I struggled to stay enthused.

photos by Mathew Pokoik

I had been looking forward to what would happen in the space the second dance was performed in since I entered the space. The hanging strings and scattered ferns brought to mind a nature inspired world. The dance began with raindrops falling, which I loved, but the movements, in both performances for that matter, never transpired into what I appreciate as dance. Was I misinformed to expect dancing as I think of it or do I just have narrow thoughts of what I consider dance? The whole thing was extremely slow, and when the dancers started flailing themselves on the floor it was both physically and mentally painful. All I could think about was Chevy Chase and how he suffered in later years after throwing himself about on SNL. I couldn't find any way to justify what I was seeing and the strings and ferns didn't help. As an artist myself, I dislike criticism because of personal taste. I admit I just didn't get this one.

Mary Herrmann is a resident of the Shandaken hamlet of Pine Hill, NY. She is a mother, grandmother, wife, artist and gardener. She is currently employed by the Town of Shandaken as Director of the Shandaken Historical Museum in Pine Hill.