Weird world of insects

Oh, no, not another bug post. Yes another bug post, and with no pronunciation. But first a bit of culture. I always love seeing the Bruce Wood Dance Project perform. His choreography is so fresh and different from anything else.  And inspirational.*

My volunteer watermelon is hanging from a tomato cage, but now it has support hose.

The same watermelon plant was the scene of nature in action, straight out of Marlin Perkins and Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom.  This teeny predator stunned a fly and dragged it across the leaf and  to the underside to get away from the camera lady. 

This gorgeous visitor to the school zucchini plant has fuzzy pantaloons AND iridescent wings. He even wears a black cape sometimes. Naturally, he is a bad boy, but wouldn't that be a fabulous dance costume?

Squash vine borer

And two moths had me searching for the "belief in things unseen" quote.

Catocala moths at Oak Point Nature Preserve

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

*Martha Graham, not Bruce Wood.

© 2012 Nancy L. Ruder

Choreographing a swallowtail ballet

Inspiration plus perspiration plus going where angels fear to tread into the thistle meadow in search of the dramatic black swallowtail photograph.  The butterfly always one more giant prickly weed beyond the range of the sun-dazed photographer with her tiny camera. Digital click click click zoom point zoom out of focus tangled on thorns wondering about snakes click click swing zoom. Percussion mostly.  Vertical stripes pink black glaring white yellow greens.  A Seventies disco floor flashing backdrop. Exaggerated prickly prancing silhouetted photographer sharp shadow dancing spiky.

Corps de ballet in pink tutus.  Male corp in shades of green-- vertically striped tights. Photographer frames shots larger and smaller circles. Lighting changes from soft to stark contrast.

Floor a glowing pink light projection.  Back a bokeh of greens and bright whites. Dancers in yellow leotards and tights with black markings, orange and blue spots on the floor.  Legs open close angle point pivot from floor. Small shifts to other pink circles of light.

Solo.  Black swallowtail prince.  Slightly battered.  Short movements between vertical green translucent banners.  Sense of confinement.  Needing nourishment.  Corps returns in front with windy shielding and frustrated photographer.

Sphinx moth interlude.  Low to floor. Two moths with three fading thistle flower dancers.  Hovering with strobe.  Rosy hues and browns.

Color invert dance.  Black light effect.  Sharp wire sculpture wings with pearls and jewels.  Neon edges glowing.  Sphinx moths, dragonflies, damselflies, hornworms, wheelbugs, tiger beetles, orb spiders, weevil, caterpillars, praying mantis.  Grand, triumphant, dark. Sousa meets Pink Floyd.

Brown.  Roly-polies.  Millipedes. Snails--how to leave a sparkling silver slime trail??  Worms slightly pink by comparison. Cicadas. Dark background and floor.

Grand finale starring fabulous black swallowtail male in dances with strong, leaping yellow swallowtail female.  Occasional entrances of small groups of female yellow swallowtails. Prolonged threesome frolic with black swallowtail and two yellows.  Exit into dark woods.

Finale--Black swallowtail emerges from shadows and flies weightlessly toward the glittering crystal sunlight on the creek.  Ode to Joy?

© 2012 Nancy L. Ruder

Wait, wait! Don't wash me.

Sadly today I say goodbye to the ancient Kenmore. Sadly because it handled giant loads and saw me through the heavy tie-dye textile art and sweaty teen son era.  Sad, also $pending money on $omething so grown-up and boring.  Waving goodbye right to left, as the Kenmore lid opened to the left. Body memory must be retrained because the new washer opens front to back.

For way too long sweaters have whispered, "Don't wash me in hot," from deep in the laundry hamper.  The Kenmore refused to fill with cold water no matter the threats or incentives.

W is the letter of the week.  Waiting for washer delivery?  The Home Depot delivery guys were great.  In a 10-2 window they called at 9:40, arrived at 10:02, and were gone by 10:07.  I'd gotten up early to clear a path for them.  The condo is a skinny place with many obstacles.

Wow what filthy floors you have! Red Riding told wolf to trot on over to Albertsons for some Swiffer wets.  There were creepy/fuzzy things under that old washing machine, predating our move into this condo in 2000.



Staying wide awake for Mavs NBA Finals games has been wicked difficult.  Flashbacks to childhood piano lessons were even worse ...  Go down to the levee.  I said to the levee....  Had to sing to myself, "It's simply great, mate, waiting for  the Dirk Nowitzki."
I sang a worse verse about Wiley and the turkey meat treats. Welcome, my new grandpuppy!  Isn't Wiley just the smartest widdle wuzzum?

Wait, wait!  A month ago I walked without a pedestrian green toward the old NPR headquarters.  Did the ATM dispense Morning Edition mugs?

Wonder of wonders, my opera buddy found discount tickets to the Bruce Wood Dance Project performance tomorrow evening.  I'm whirling in anticipation!

Agitating.

Rinsing.

Spinning.

Way cool!

© 2011 Nancy L. Ruder

Emerging, creating, swearing, worrying

This is an early stage in the creation of the triptych backdrop for the spring music festival. It is pre-sea anemone, and completely lacking starfish.

Today the youngest preschoolers reviewed stripes and spots and worked on cutting, except they thought they were making sea anemones. They will be so proud when their efforts show up on the backdrop.  They are intrigued by strawberry sea anemones, and we will have to learn more about these creatures to discuss over lunch.

Only Carmina Burana will do tonight.  The music is full of tension, but also celebrates the return of spring.  It is "profane" and "erotic", and sings of the wheel of life, fortune, wealth, [taxes], and death.  And since I burned my supper, the roasting swan solo fits.

Dad asked me to feed him the slippery cinnamon baked apple slices this evening, and allowed me to spoon in some rice and ground meat.  It was nice to be asked, and good to have him eat much more than usual. 

The impending arrival of a roommate has Dad very anxious.  He had such a bad roommate experience in Nebraska that I fret with him.  We have been lucky to pay for a semi-private room for three months without having to share. 

Dad is expressing his anxiety inappropriately, even asking his 3-11 nurse, "Hey, b----, what do you want?"  She took it personally at first when Dad was obnoxious, but she is learning to celebrate his spunk.  Yesterday he slapped a tater tot clear across the room, and without a pingpong paddle.  Thank heaven my little students didn't observe this bad manner, as they would be sure to imitate!






This photo is from Tuesday morning.  Click on it so you can see the distinctive monarch wings inside the darkening chrysalis.   

The monarch emerged from its chrysalis in the middle of art class. It flailed a bit, but eventually crawled up to the top of the butterfly net to let its wings get stronger.




Nobody saw the actual busting out of the monarch, alas.  We were busy painting starfish for the backdrop.  Even empty, the chrysalis looks like a jewel.

The butterfly is just beginning to straighten its wings after emerging from the chrysalis.  It's not ready to dance.  Go ahead and click the link for some nice video of Carmina by the Tulsa Ballet.






© 2011 Nancy L. Ruder

Modern dance mushroom dirndls

  Encouraging news from the modern dance scene here in Dallas/Fort Worth--Bruce Wood may be back.  Sunday when I spied these fungi growing on a dead tree at Oak Point I was reminded of a Bruce Wood Dance Company production five years ago.  Subdued colors.  Swirling skirts.  Intricate patterns.  How would Bruce have choreographed these mushrooms?  When will I see his work again???

In our junior high 4-H club we learned to sew "dirndls".  These were the simplest possible skirts made with a rectangle of fabric and elastic to gather the waist. 
"Dirndl" is an even stranger word than "drivel". 

Our 4-H efforts were much simpler than this Folkwear pattern: 

I'm hoping that pre-teens still wear their sewing efforts to school, but especially that I'll see some Bruce Wood choreography soon.


© 2010 Nancy L. Ruder

bEEP after Ballet

Once upon a time in fairy tale land a princess pricked her finger on a spindle and slept for one hundred years. When I was a kid we placed our 33 rpm LPs on the spindle of Dad's HiFi record player, and slid the button that activated the needle arm with its diamond stylus. Not even Prince Charming could touch the HiFi without being certified in its use by my parents. I knew bumping the record on the spindle was A VERY BAD THING, but wasn't sure how it could put me to sleep. To a young princess like myself, the words "needle arm with diamond stylus" were every bit as magical as "mirror mirror on the wall", "glass slipper", "let down your hair", and "spin straw into gold".

After Texas Ballet Theater's lovely "Sleeping Beauty," I walked back to the Buick Skylark parked by the Dallas Museum of Art. I started the car, and pushed the power button for the radio. The digital screen lit up with

bEEP

No radio. It wouldn't turn off. It wouldn't play. Sort of freaky, like someone sending a creepy joke. Eventually it played a cd. When I ejected the cd the radio worked. No further messages appeared.

What a relief!

I'm sorry Nancy, I'm afraid I can't do that...

© 2010 Nancy L. Ruder

Ballet Perspective

Little girls in pretty dresses knew what to do in the shallow reflecting water feature at the Winspear Opera House. As they arrived for Texas Ballet Theater's "Sleeping Beauty", they pulled off their shoes and waded out with pointed toes and controlled steps to assume first, second, or third position. Some parents shot photos, and other scolded.

The water is so shallow you can walk out in your shoes. It's just enough to make a silver mirror surface to reflect the building and its great louvered sunshade. It was a day to be grateful:

• I don't have to teach perspective in my art classes, as the kids are mostly way too young.
• I'm lucky to have friends who share their tickets to arts events.
• I can enjoy the billowing clouds over the small triangle park, and retreat quickly to my air-conditioned job.
• I found a free parking spot, which always makes me feel like a lottery winner.

It was a gorgeous production of "Sleeping Beauty", and fun to share it with young dance students. Eddy Tovar was perfect as the prince.

The evening ended with the most memorable scene of all. I walked behind a precious group on Flora Street. Grandma was forging ahead leading two sleepy little girls in Full Tutu. Grandpa was bringing up the rear carrying two tiny pink purses.

© 2010 Nancy L. Ruder

Cedar Brake Loop

"Cedar Brake Loop" suggests a modern dance creation for spring in North Texas. I wonder what became of my favorite choreographer, Bruce Wood. The Cedar Brake Loop trail at the Heard Nature Sanctuary near McKinney, TX calls for percussion musicians and a modern dance choreographer of Wood's abilities.


Any moment I expect Hansel and Gretel to tiptoe along the trail, scattering bread crumbs and imagining a witch's whispers as the cedar bark rustles.



It is cool and shadowy down in the Cedar Brake area of the nature preserve. The trail is primitive compared to the Eagle Scouts' swamp boardwalk project on the Wood Duck Trail. I can't advance far on the mud trail, but it is a sufficient distance to be caught in the wind-blown sounds of stick rattling against stick.


Hansel and Gretel can't get very lost. They are more likely to leave the plastic wrap from their juice box straws on the trail than bread crumbs. Even the most jaded child would have a few moments of Grimm anxiety in the Cedar Brake darkness.

Far overhead the cedars are green. Sunlight quickly reaches my squinted eyes. Down here on the trail it's removed to a black and white woods with tiny hints of spring green.

The branches rattle and clack in waves of percussion. I can't wait to go back!



© 2010 Nancy L. Ruder

Standing O for Alvin Ailey at 50

I'm absolutely delighted to learn that the President and First Lady took Malia and Sasha to the Kennedy Center Friday evening to see the Alvin Ailey Dance Company. How exciting to have a president who appreciates the performing arts, enjoys sharing them with his wife, and wants to expose his daughters to the fabulous cultural opportunities in Washington, D.C. What a role model!

Friday night's program included fiftieth anniversary highlights of the dance company, and a performance of its most famous work, "Revelations". Alvin Ailey created "Revelations" in 1960, but its impact is undiminished in the new millennium.

I wish that Barbie, Midge, and I were in the audience at the Kennedy Center Friday. It's been nearly a quarter century since I saw "Revelations" performed at Omaha's Orpheum Theater, but the experience was memorable.

Mattel introduced the Barbie doll in 1960. Mattel is offering an Alvin Ailey Barbie dressed in the flowing white lace costume of dancers in the "Wade in the Water" segment of "Revelations". The doll honors the vision and talent of Alvin Ailey, Judith Jamison, and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater "to inspire and unite people of all backgrounds through the universal language of dance".

© 2009 Nancy L. Ruder

Von't you be my neighbor?

"Boys and girls," Mr. Rogers would ask, "can you say, 'Vlad the Impaler'?" He would untie his shoes and put on his slip-ons, then tie that black batwing cape around his neck. Slipping the plastic fangs he got trick-or-treating last Halloween into his mouth, Fred would gradually morph into Vincent Price before sprinkling vishvood in the vishtank.

It's a beautiful night in this neighborhood,
A beautiful night for a neighbor,
Vould you be mine?
Could you be mine?

It's a neighborly night in this beautywood,
A neighborly night for a beauty,
Vould you be mine? Could you be mine?
...

Von't you please,
Von't you please,
Please von't you be my neighbor?

Spoken: Hi television neighbor, I'm glad we're together again.... Tonight we are going to play vindow viper, and vipe your vindows!"

Vell, not exactly, but I am looking forward to Texas Ballet Theatre's "Dracula" with crypt-chilling music by Liszt, choreography by Ben Stevenson, and danced in the incredible Bass Hall in Fort Worth. A ballet with sleeping beauties, but no fairy wings sounds qvuite intriguing.

Any vampire vindow viper dancing around here vill have to sleep in the vorm bin, as I have no Transylvanian dirt. I've got a bottle of Vindex ready, though. Next time I read One Fish Two Fish I'll use my vampire voice.







© 2008 Nancy L. Ruder

On Nasher & Dancer & Prancer

Finally made it to the annual Dallas Dance Festival. The festival, sponsored by Dance Council, showcases six area dance troupes, giving them a chance to promote their upcoming seasons. This year it was held at the Nasher Sculpture Center in conjunction with NSC's Saturday Night in the City series.

The dance performances were inside the downstairs Nasher Hall in front of the wall of windows. They could be watched from inside the Hall, or from the slope outside the windows. Seated inside for two pas de deux by Texas Ballet Theater, I could barely see the other audience outside in the dark. The windows created a mirror effect. You remember that mirror effect! It's the reason your parents made you sit with your back to the window during supper so you wouldn't make faces at yourself. Texas Ballet Theater also performed "One" from "A Chorus Line", which was cute, but didn't rock my socks.

For the Bruce Wood Dance Company performance I wanted to be outside on the slope. It seems too little to call the space an amphitheater*. Sitting outside in the dark meant that the indoor audience and dancers seemed to be inside a lighted aquarium. The audience was very visible, and the experience felt a bit like spying.

I'm so much more impressed with the Bruce Wood Dance Company. They performed a duet based on Pablo Neruda poems set to Vivaldi music, and then their fabulous "Lovett" ballet to songs by Lyle Lovett, of course. That filled me with great joy--the ecstatic aesthetic experience. Bruce is an incredibly creative choreographer. His ballets powerfully communicate layers of ideas and emotions. I understand his work as capital A art. I understand classical ballets as costumes and pointy toes with lots of flittering, not that those are bad things.

One thing I don't understand about BWDC is why its web site isn't up to date. I guess it's a money issue, but it makes me frustrated. Nowadays an out-dated web site makes searchers think an arts group no longer exists. It fails to attract donations and ticket sales. When Ed McMahon delivers my million dollar check, I'll send some to Bruce Wood to keep the web site current. Until then, this is the 2006-2007 season at Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth from the flyer I got at the Dance Festival:

Monday, October 9, 2006 "Harmony"

Monday, January 15, 2007 "Hope", featuring singer/songwriter Hal Ketchum, on the theme of fathers and sons.

Wednesday, April 11, 2007 "Happiness"

Thursday, June 21 "Heart"

For tickets, call the company at 817-731-3221. All performances begin at 7:30, and Bruce himself says they're "over so you can be back in Dallas tucked into bed by 11:15, guaranteed."

According to the Dance Council's online performance calendar single tickets are $20-65, and series tickets are $68-221, at 817-212-4280. "Join the Bruce Wood Dance Company enthusiasts who delight in the company's repertoire ranging in expression from ecstasy and spirituality to smart, sexy, and lighthearted." Amen to that!

Try the Nasher at night sometime, and you might be inspired, too:





*amphitheater
1546, from L. amphitheatrum, from Gk. amphitheatron, neut. of amphitheatros "with spectators all around," from amphi- "on both sides" + theatron "theater," from theasthai "watch, look at." Classical theaters were semi-circles, thus two together made an amphitheater.

Turning into my mother-in-law

Yikes! There's a scary thought.



A million years ago we took my in-laws to see Alvin Ailey at Omaha's Orpheum Theater. After a stunning performance that included "Revelations", we settled into the car for the drive home. My mother-in-law announced that the dancers, "must do Jazzercise everyday."

Tonight I watched Mary Preston, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra's resident organist perform the postlude to Leos Janacek's "Glagolitic Mass" in the gorgeous Meyerson Symphony Center. A thought bubble appeared above my head with the words, "That girl's getting an aerobic workout."

Good golly. Maybe Richard Simmons will be the next featured soloist.

Following a fivesome on the green

The Nasher Sculpture Garden's "Saturday Night in the City" event was great fun. The Nasher is a lovely green art oasis in downtown Dallas' Arts District, between the Dallas Museum of Art, the Morton Meyerson Symphony Center, and the Crow Collection of Asian Art. The Nasher was designed by Renzo Piano to showcase the Raymond and Patsy Nasher Collection of contemporary sculpture.

The evening was low-keyed with jazz and wine, people sitting on marble benches, posing for photos by the fountains, and walking around the sculptures as the evening darkened. In some parts of the garden the breeze was pleasant, but in others the humidity portended a thunderstorm.

Contemporary Dance/Fort Worth presented a piece created for the garden. Five female dancers began at Jonathan Borofsky's "Walking to the Sky", then danced to different sculptures with the musicians and audience walking all around with them (an effect similar to following a foursome at a golf tournament). They danced around the George Segal figures, the Maillol and Rodin nudes, the "Schist Furniture Group", over to the Borosky "Hammering Man", around and through the Serra Curves, then the headless Polish crowd, the very large steel sculpture by di Suvero, ending back at "Walking to the Sky". The music was by three musicians with electric guitar, keyboard/synthesizer, and ceramic drum, that was only annoying a few times.

After the dance, I went through the David Smith exhibit, which is excellent. Smith's powerful calligraphic brush drawings give an excellent insight to the sculptor's though process. I am puzzled by his mixing ink with egg white, and have had no luck researching that online. Maybe after I go to the grocery store I can try it. Then back outside to see the sculptures in the garden against a darker sky. I am marking my calendar for the Bruce Wood Dance performance on June fourth.