Visionaries represented through dance

The Windfall Dancers' performance of "Visions" Saturday evening brought audiences a view of the contributions of the great artistic visionaries of the past and present at the John Waldron Arts Center. The performance showed the great minds' strengths and how their ideas made an impact on the world throughout history. Some examples of the visionaries represented were Serge Diaghilev, Aldous Huxley Merce Cunningham, Thelonious Monk, women visionaries and advocates, and many more. \nBetween each representation and each piece of choreography, there were five interludes presenting historical facts of the visionaries that were represented through dance or through spoken word. The messages were communicated clearly throughout the performance, but the performance itself had wavering moments. Still, there were a few pieces of choreography that really brought to life the image of what dancing really represents: an expression through movement. The solo performances showed off the company's strongest performers and were the strongest aspects of the performance. \nLaura A. McCain performed the most memorable solo. Her movements were very sensual and in tune with her body; her stage presence was attractive; and her performance was impeccable. \nAs for the group pieces, they were definitely not the strongest aspect of the performance, because within those pieces were only systematic movements. There was no form of expression from some of the dancers. The intent of the choreography seemed as if it was more reared to the steps themselves, than to the message the dancers were trying to present to the audience. \nHowever, there was one group piece that really proved to be the highlight of the performance and that was "Eleven." Through the presentation of this piece, the audience could see the best of Cunningham's work. \nAlthough the performance was good overall and had a receptive crowd, some felt it lacked many members of the Bloomington community. \n"It was too bad that most of the audience is made up of family and friends rather than students or people of the community, because they do not know what they are missing out on," said junior Margaret Miley. \nAndrea Martin, choreographer of the Windfall performance, said she thought the enthusiasm of the audience fed the dancers' energy. Martin, who also choreographed the piece "26 Dreams," said "Visions" was particularly different because she paid close attention to her dreams and to moments within her dreams.\nRachel Beyer, a Windfall company member, said they started rehearsing for the performance in November and it had a lasting impact on the audience. \n"I believe 'Visions' was an appropriate title for this performance and it has potential to have real significance on others," Beyer said. \nThe dancers looked committed to representation of the theme and committed to the performance. The organization of the performance and its quality displayed the effort and the time the dancers put into the performance. The message within the performance really gave audiences an intriguing perspective on the history of those influential people that impacted the world.\n-- Contact Staff Writer Rose Mary Forte at rforte@indiana.edu.