It's interesting to see the variety of reactions. I've been thinking about an idea for some very controversial art - it's made me realize how much everyone views an art piece, or and act, through their own filters, their own life experiences. If I were to see you dancing on the street corner, I would try to observe whether or not it was joyful, or if you were having a psychotic break and could also turn violent, as both of these things are in my life experience. We can study semiotics, but we each have our own particular brand - and your film shows exactly that. It IS sad that someone would be threatened by dancing, but I find it quite understandable, and wouldn't judge them for feeling that way. As artists, we can't assume the viewer/experiencer can understand our intent.

RT has it wrong. Its all about JOY. Pure, uninhibited, laugh out loud, happy in your skin JOY! I love it. Blessings to the dancing trio. We need more people like you in the world.

cheers,

Anu

I just loved your story on dancing on street corners! I was feeling rather down today, discouraged about my own creative endeavors. Your story and your comment "just use what you got" were exactly what I needed. Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you. And keep dancing!!

Yes, keep on dancing....great post :)

And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.  ~Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

rt
- maybe you need to step and think outside your New York City box!!

i think dancing is a joyful way to express your spirit! Good for you for having the bravery to do so in such a public place!

you rock and so does dancing!

Love,
Violette

. . . kind of an odd question but: do you guys interact with the passerby? try to get them to join in? close your eyes and just groove internally with yourself/life/energy? I reallyreallyreally want to do this and any time I've even ventured close to it there has been an edge of exhibitionism that ruined the pure vibe of it. . . make sense?

I preface my comment by saying that if dancing on a street corner makes you happy, then by all means, dance on a street corner. Personally, if the music source is a pair of headphones, the fact that you chose a street corner to dance seems to mean that there is something that you enjoy about having other people watch you dance. I don't know. To me, it seems like a lot of vanity on your part, like you want to send the message: look at me world, I am happy and alternative and liberated because I can dance on a street corner, and to all of you who look at me with scorn or look at me like I am crazy, well, you are obviously square and close-minded and uninspired, because if you weren't, you would be dancing just like me. If that is truly your thought process, consciously or otherwise (and I could very easily be wrong), it suggests to me that you are dancing on a street corner as a way of feeling superior to others, or as a way of seeking validation about your lofty opinion of yourself.

In a sense I agree with the comments of RT; that the dancing on street corners shouldn’t be groundbreaking enough to, “warrant such interest or admiration.” The fact that it does is precisely the point we are making… It speaks directly to the walls that exist for a reason that deserves examination. Personally, and socially constructed boundaries… boundaries that on some level keep us from connecting to our creativity and passion. The Winter of The Dance isn’t really about dancing. There are far better dancers. The film isn’t about cinematic beauty. There are farm better looking films. The Winter of the Dance is about acceptance and allowing humans escape the limitations of social rolls and behave with heart depending on the needs of each situation. Intellectuals can be jesters and adults can act like children. One of the things I’ve learned from Keri is that there is tremendous beauty in contrast. Bright red on faded mustard. Black and white. This film is about escaping the grey.

Sounds like Palm Springs could use a few more fools...

I want to go out and dance - I'm going to! I used to dance in my grandparent's garden at night when I was little and it made me feel so free. Go Keri, Jeff and Mike!

Will the film come to London anytime? I'd love to see it.

x

I normally enjoy Keri's work but I have to say I don't get what is so novel or so exciting about dancing on a street corner. I understand that this project is attempting to make a statement about what is or isn't acceptable public behavior and about pushing your own personal boundaries but I don't think the concept is groundbreaking enough to warrant such interest or admiration. Perhaps this is because I am a new yorker and these sorts of displays are commonplace-yesterday I passed by a man who was howling like a dog on the street corner and nobody cared less. Doing stuff you normally wouldn't do in public doesn't faze people here, nor does it impress them. Personally most of the people I know young and old, dancers and non-dancers alike, would have no time and no interest in dancing on the street during the middle of the day -this isn't because they are repressed souls, or because society shuns dancing out of its normal context, but because they wouldn't have a desire to. As far I can tell the only grand social experiment going on here is the level of hype that can be generated for this type of project.

Keri - how amazing!! I'm so excited for you guys. It really is inspiring. I love when you said that you need to use what you got - begin at what you have. That is very inspiring!! Fantastic!!

keri - what an amazing story!

i'd love to watch the film someday. do you know if it will ever be posted on a site?

"it just goes to show that if you are passionate about what you are doing, tell your story as directly as you can, the world will respond to it.

it also brings up my favorite saying, "Use what you got." don't wait until your situation is perfect (until you have the right space, the right equipment, enough money.) Begin now."

As usual, I stop by here every few days for inspiration and I find it! Your words cover so many creative areas. Thank you!

I live in Palm Springs and have been keeping an eye out for the 3 of you, unfortunately I haven't spotted you yet :-( My husband & I have been doing a daily drive by in the village to see if we can spot the "Dancing Trio"... Hope to see you out there doing your thing before you leave. I'll have my camera ready ! Lol...

I suspect she does, too. Isn't it astounding what FEARFUL REactions people can display in the face of something as innocent and innocuous as dancing?! :) Oh, please, please, PLEASE tell me you're going to come home to Davis and have a showing here! It would do this uptight university town some good. 'They' like to think they're very progressive here, but they're really not...ha! Meanwhile, we'll be here in Davis tonight listening to Dave Chappelle lay down god knows WHAT on the UC Davis campus. I can hardly believe our good fortune that we're getting to see him perform a few blocks from home. I agree with Swirly--this should inspire everyone to pick up their digital cameras and just shoot whatever inspires them. What a great and delightful story the film is creating...post-production, so to speak. :)

Can we set up dancing support outposts? I want to dance on the corner of Damen & Milwaukee in Chicago. Do you guys stay out for a set period of time? Are you all on iPods or have a boombox?

Only yesterday I had decided I needed to dance more often.

Thanks!!

S

YOU ARE MY HERO!

I would never dare. Perhaps because I'm not comfortable dancing in the best of circumstances.

Course I get stupid comments because I read while walking on the street (I have a real good radar I guess). And that's just walking and reading at the same time!

Hats off to you for taking people out of their comfort zone, for shaking up their complacency.

Oh, what an interesting twist to this intriguing story of your dancing. I told my husband about the dancing and he finds it weird and said, why would you want to dance on street corners? And I said, why not?

I have never been a confident dancer, despite spending my teenage years (70s) in discos. The thought of dancing on a street corner would terrify me. I don't mind making a fool of myself doing something I love, but doing something I don't feel confident about ... ?

As a self conscious dancer I would probably, initially, feel a little alianted watching people dance in public like this. And maybe that's what happened to this woman, she was reminded of something that she doesn't feel comfortable doing herself. If we think that someone is making a fool of themselves it's usually because we feel our privacy invaded by their actions. It's like you're knocking on someone's invisible space bubble, asking them to be let in.

And that's what makes your project so interesting; it challenges people's comfort zones by doing something as simple, and natural, and joyful, as dancing.

I think it's great and that you are right, you are onto something here. Good luck with the festival!

Take care, Kerstin

You make me feel like dancing!

How wonderful that you are dancing!!! To just dance. What a fun adventure you are.. and sorta brave, too, because when you dance on a street corner and not on a dance floor, one can feel a bit bashful.

You two make me laugh and make me want to push myself further into doing something fun that bursts out at the streams.

Hold on. You're in for a fun, wild, adventurous wide!!!!

This all sounds extremely good, funny and exciting...
Good luck!

So the land of free speech...how about freedom to move your body to the music in a public space no less...the fear of 'different/difference' (at least as this lady percieved it) is being played out on the streets.
Why do people want to crush that which 'they' cant understand?

I think we are seeing this in many situations in the world today

I love what you are doing..congrats

Michal

I can't wait to see your film! It would be great if you could post a short clip on the dancing site. Happy dancing!

I see people once in a while dancing to their own music in their headphones... part of me thinks they're weird, part of me wants to know what they're listening to, and part of me wants to join them, but my fear is always holding me back to do either of those. I've never been very outgoing, I've always had a bit of a shell around me, but within the past few years I've been slowly growing out of it. This is a very inspirational story & I'd love to see the movie sometime. I'll have to think about it the next time I'm feeling inhibitions in my modern dance class.

the chick that called the cops....she
danced in front of her full length
mirror tonight [guaranteed]

she is probably very happy and content
now

dance on!

Check out blackmariafilmfestival.org. I think the entry deadline is Nov. 23 and the entry fee is $35.00. This festival travels to different locations nationwide from Feb. - June and winners receive a cash award and screening honorarium. This might be a good match for this film. Keep dancing!

SHIT! I laughed my head off reading this entry. How AMAZING that something as fun, innocent and lighthearted as DANCING can actually upset and disturb people. You are right, this is truly fascinating. I feel like I am on a bit of a wild ride with you, and it is actually totally inspiring me to quit pondering all of my dozens of ideas for short films and just go do them. LOVING this whole crazy journey you're on...

I am just in awe of you guys. This is amazing. And that poor, poor woman who called the cops on you -- how sad a person must she be to harbour that much bitterness against people having innocent fun? I actually sort of feel sorry for her.

Rock on. You guys are my newest personal heroes.

I am just in awe of you guys. This is amazing. And that poor, poor woman who called the cops on you -- how sad a person must she be to harbour that much bitterness against people having innocent fun? I actually sort of feel sorry for her.

Rock on. You guys are my newest personal heroes.

Ohhhhh Keri...
I'm intrigued....this woman who has probably called the cops/says you are making fools of yourselves....I agree...she would dance in a heartbeat if invited with a smile and a twinkle in the eye.....

so...

are you going to extend your hand and an invitation???

hehehe....

continue with lighting up the world

you guys rock!
good on you for having the guts to do what you can with what you have

Love this story. I can't imagine how people would react to this situation in Toronto. Geez, I thought people in California were supposed to be laid back.

Next time, invite that lady to dance with you.

Love the proverb, too.

I love it! I can just picture the confused cop trying to remain professional even though it was obvious that there was not a real problem. He probably told some friends and family about his encounter of the day...

Oh, how funny...You're "making fools of yourselves in Palm Springs?" As in, it would be acceptable somewhere else, but not Palm Springs? Good grief. You go, girl. And yes, I think you're right--she wants to join in.

I live in Vancouver, BC - where can I see this film?
Keep on dancing!!!

thanks for the words today. dance on...