My people, my people..

There’s so much to say about how I got “here” but let me just tell you I’m having a full circle moment.

Everybody knows I love dance. But I haven’t really been dancing in a while. It all started in June 2009 when my back went out (when I had just started teaching a “Poetry for Dancers” class at the Hill Dance Academy Theatre, wherein we were to write and perform. *sigh*).

We Dance. We Write. We Dance.

And, I mean, my back went OUT. AND my doctor was out of town. AND I didn’t have full health insurance. Yeah… As I lay there crying in week two, I was thinking of all of the opportunities I had to take dance classes, attend dance conferences and didn’t because of one work-related task or another. Always on the grind, missing doing what I love the most. You don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone! I prayed that it was not gone for me. It wasn’t.

Anyway, I did get better, even after another bout of the back in December 2009, so by April 2010, I was thrilled to be performing before one thousand persons (and I do mean 1,000+) at the National CASA Conference in Atlanta. Unbeknownst to me, they would have the perfect setting! My artwork focuses upon the taboo subjects that make us uncomfortable, the violation of children, especially young girls, and our perpetual promise and possibility. Naturally, I cried when I saw the set…

Performing at the National CASA Conference, Atlanta, GA

Well, I thoroughly enjoyed that conference and the room was filled with so many people who care about children, especially abused, neglected, “forgotten” children, that I got choked up in the middle of reciting my customized poem for CASA. Nobody seemed to mind.

Fast forward to Facebook and I catch a “Be a Superhero 5K” wherein I see pictures of Wonder Woman and Spider Man running a 5K for Pittsburgh’s CASA with the invitation to “Be a superhero for a child”! I loved the idea and spread the word, mentioning that I performed for National CASA. Well, Daren Ellerbee had no idea but when she asked around the office, she heard everybody loved my performance. Did I mention that it was at 7am? Oh. Yeah… still, the audience was PACKED (wouldn’t've been me) and they are a dedicated crowd!

Soon after, Daren asked me to come up with a creative idea for Pittsburgh CASA’s Rally for Children (and the Forgotten Child) and I agreed. I knew I wanted to incorporate dance, somehow, so I decided upon a flash mob dance in front of the City County building, to Katy Perry’s “Firework.” Every time I hear that song, I get a little weepy, so I knew it was perfect for a rally for children.

The catch is that I needed to create a dance that anyone can do but still make it fabulous enough to have my name on it. I’m known for having the gift of teaching almost ANYBODY how to dance. With a touch of fabulosity…

I Keep It Uber-Dramatic. Once a Dancer, Always a Dancer!

Welp, here’s our first rehearsal and we’re far from done.

Starburst!

Real Men Flash Mob Dance! Get it, Fella/s!

Lil' Mama is a Trip! WERK!

Give It to 'Em! Yeeesss!

Make 'Em Say Ah, Ah, Ah!!

Yeah! First Rehearsal Was GREAT!

Join us, why don’tchu? We have a couple of rehearsals left before we go LIVE on May 19 at noon, in front of the City County Building. The Event will last for approximately 30 minutes! Take Your Lunch Hour! REGISTER HERE!

CASTING CALL: What We Need:

1. DANCERS: Persons of ANY AGE who feel they can do what they see in these pictures above and in the video below. It’s easy and fun! We have TWO more rehearsals left on Tuesday, May 10, 5-7pm and on Tuesday, May 17, 5-7pm, DHS Bldg, 1 Smithfield St.

2. NON- DANCERS: Persons who are willing to stand with our cardboard cutouts of our children, like so:

Volunteers CardboardChildren

Holding CardboardChildren

Holding CardboardChildren

REGISTER HERE, Either Way!

Pgh CASA Rally for Children Rehearsal #1 with Dr. Goddess