The Birth of Mirrors

One day last year, as I was scrolling on social media, I couldn’t believe it. Aero, da Avatar was dancing on my screen. This was the dancer from my dream! 

Let me explain. I love the arts, and I’m a music “addict.” I daydream regularly about my favorite artists performing my favorite songs. These daydreams are one of my “go-to” forms of escapism. This particular dream started 15 years ago.

A close friend was stunned and disappointed when I confessed I hadn’t yet heard any of Terence Blanchard’s music. It was 2008 when I decided to dive in. He was scheduled to perform at Blues Alley in DC. I wanted to be at least somewhat familiar with the music before I went, so I purchased A Tale of God’s Will (A Requiem for Katrina) and quickly identified my favorites. Near the end of the concert, Terence introduced every musician on the stage; not only their names, but also what they each meant to him. He shared a bit of their bios. He told us what to expect next from them as individual artists. Fabian Almazan was phenomenal on piano and still so young! I promised myself that I would find his music and buy it. I often would daydream of a concert featuring the music from his 2014 album Rhizome where a dancer would accompany the performance. “Espejos” was one of my favorite songs from Rhizome.

Fast forward to the pandemic, during which I would lose myself on the internet, binge searching random topics. This led to my discovery and obsession with Danny Rozin’s interactive art. I bookmarked some of the articles and would return to them when I felt the need to be awe-stricken. I soon connected the dots between his intriguing art serving as a mirror and the meaning of “Espejos” and my dream was transformed to a live performance of “Espejos” with Danny Rozin’s interactive art arranged in a straight line as on-lookers watched the dancer moving from piece to piece... this time not on a stage, but in an art museum.

The 2008 Blues Alley concert was a few months before I moved from the DC area to Richmond. Less than a year later, I had become obsessed with a particular song by the Photosynthesizers. They were scheduled to perform at Hardywood, and I was determined to see them live. It was my first time at Hardywood, and I mistakenly chose to wear 4 inch chunky heels. The moment I decided it was time to give up and leave for the sake of my aching feet, I heard so many people say these words to their friends: “It’s him!” I looked in every direction wondering “It’s who?” and after more loud whispers and gasps, someone said, “I wonder if he’s going to do it.” The curiosity was too much, and I needed to know the answer to, “Who’s he? Do what?” and even if I had to walk barefoot back to the car, I was determined to stay long enough to find out who it was that’s clearly so beloved. Finally, Radio B was introduced as a special guest rapper, and soon he became the next phenomenal addition to my playlist. But it wasn’t until last year that I heard “Too Many Mirrors” for the first time. I stopped everything I was doing to start the song over and over again. Then I began listening to “Espejos” and “Too Many Mirrors” back-to-back. Magic! 

With both songs, the dream now had more contrast and texture. The contrasting styles of music inspired the contrasting styles of dance. In my dream, I would see both the hip-hop dancer and a ballet dancer alternating in front of each piece of interactive art as both songs were performed. 

Recently, my phone warned that I was close to having no storage space left and urged me to delete unnecessary files. I began deleting pics of my struggling garden and random meals when four breathtaking photos of a ballet dancer popped up. Someone captured these images during a ballet performance, and I had used them to create a birthday present for the dancer's grandmother who happens to be my dear cousin/sister/friend. With my cousin Eva as part of the dream, the vision was finally in full focus.

Although my cousin is not able to participate, I am pleased that Mary Puart, with so much kindness, warmth and enthusiasm, has agreed to bring a combination of modern dance and neo-classical ballet to the project. Changing course when the journey you’re on is not aligned with your purpose and identity takes courage, and Mary’s story is an example of this, which makes her a perfect fit. 

But why make the effort to turn this one daydream into something people can see in real life? Introspection. After so much self-reflection in the past year, my simple daydream came to symbolize something much deeper. With this beautiful music, dance and art sharing the same space and time, I am convinced the meaning will shine through and inspire others as deeply as I’ve been inspired.

Treen