WHAT DOES A COMMUNITY ARTIST NEED?: THE WRITER’S PERSONAL VIEWS
WHAT DOES A COMMUNITY ARTIST NEED?: THE WRITER’S PERSONAL VIEWS
Most individuals, predominantly speaking of my own local community, support their friends enormously in relevance to taking class, attending performances, or simply watching, liking, or commenting on artwork posted via internet, however, scarcely support those who are not in their friend circle or individual team environment. In most cases it is simply because many are not aware that community goes beyond the team environment. One reason I try my best to support members in and outside of my team environment and friend circle is because I believe that without proper and an abundance of community support the community’s bond will break and lose its unity. Lately, I have been asking myself and others, “Why are there less people showing up to classes?” At first I thought it was because classes are so frequent and students think, “Oh, I will go next week.” But week after week nothing changed. Even in classes that usually have 40+ students now down to 12 students max. It frightened me not seeing people in class and frightened me even more not knowing why many people were not taking class. When I first started dancing workshops were all that gave me life! I cared less if I make select group and more about being there and seeing the many faces and people enjoying class while working hard to grasp the choreography. Where are the hungry and enthused students? Where did they go? The day that really caught the community’s attention is when only a couple people showed up to Mr. Wiggles class. Even though that was not the only instance where I was surprised and disappointed it was the immense and pivotal moment when I realized that this is much worse than I thought. Most of us are excellent at supporting our community verbally but are not as good at being there physically. In the past even I have given lame excuses to miss an event because of being exhausted or simply not wanting to attend an event for no apparent reason. NO MORE! For me it is time for a change! Although, I will not be able to make every class I hereby commit myself to making every class that I am accessible to attend. I will attempt to attend all shows, competition, and showcase events that I am accessible to attend. I will go more than out of my way to supporting the new and/or the upcoming artist in my community. Our youth are a strong and courageous collection of individuals that are in need of our support and guidance. There have been a few classes where a new or spotlighted choreographer that has never taught in our local community and/or is the first time teaching and no one attended their class. That is not healthy for the artist who taught neither the individuals who missed the class. You can learn from EVERY individual in the community whether the person be greatly experience or have just recently learned the difference from the left and right foot. It is also unfortunate to see a member outside of our region/state come to teach and no one shows up. It is very troublesome to only see many people in class only when they hear the choreography is from California. We have AMAZING choreographers in our own area! Even just a 30min train ride to NYC! Knowledge there for the taking but no hands are reaching to obtain it. I many faces in our community, new and old, filled with love, hope, happiness, and care but rarely is it shared to the entire community. Let your light shine! We, the New Jersey dance scene, have so much to offer! This year is our year, next year is our year, the year after is our year, and EVERY YEAR AFTER THAT IS OUR YEAR as long as we take the opportunities given to us. It honestly does not even matter what community you are in. Wake up! Smell the coffee and the love and make anew! This community is your community. This dance life is your dance life. This story is your story! Make sure that it has a happy ending. Support yourself and support your community.
By: Ricardo “HOODWAACK” Genard Davis
