A toast for us all

Stunning, brilliant, impeccably produced.

Hey lovers,

I haven't been dancing a ton. Something in me broke after that last video and I got majorly sick for a whole week. The body responds, right? Letting it all be what it is, not stressing about "finishing" the dance-a-thon, but still open to more dances if the spirit moves me. Instead, I've watched this video at least 20 times in the past few days, drooling over what a beautifully produced and executed vision Kanye had.

Anything brilliant or breathtaking come your way lately? Do share. I'd love to watch.
smooches,
rach

PS--For the dance-a-thon, I'd really like to donate to an organization doing information-exposure about FOXCONN or other major factories in China. I wouldn't be able to produce my dance movies without those factories. And the conditions within them majorly suck--despite the arguments made about job creation for workers. We can demand better for the people providing us with the chance for such privileged exchange of information. Anyone know of a good org? I've been searching, but so far, little luck beyond Mike Daisey (who is seriously, majorly awesome, by the way... maybe I'll just donate to him?)

Dance 2 :: White as Diamonds

Here we have it, loves: dance numba two of the Delicious Body Dance-a-Thon. It's never too late to play along. Feel free :)

This time around, I invited half a party of friends to join in! ~ Thanks, cutie pies. I adore you and your moves.



I can already feel the way that doing more than just one song, but a whole album, will stretch me creatively and physically... spiritually, too. (It's challenging to do new moves to similar-sounding songs). ((My friends and I were chuckling at my recurring "left leg lift" move!)). I'm dancing for at least 20 minutes every day (to whatever song comes up on shuffle!). At this point, if I don't, I feel like screaming. You know how it goes. Right?!

To dancing it all out. And friends at parties that do silly things written on paper scrolls. :-D
xo,
rachael

Song 1 :: Dry Grass & Shadows

Friends! Partners-in-expression! Lovahs! ~

Here we have it... The first of many dances in the Delicious Body Dance-a-Thon! To the tune of "Dry Grass & Shadows" by Alela Diane. Track 1 on the album "To Be Still".



I'm having way more fun with this than I ever expected. Feeling expressed, creative, silly, serious, alive, satisfied.

A special, deep, resounding thanks goes out to Jen Lemen for being the ultimate "first follower"; for offering the best kind of creative support any dreamer could ever dream up. And for the constant, enthusiastic Okay! that is as valuable and necessary as water, as sleep, as sex. I love you.

And to Susan, Meg and Leanne for daring to PLAY ALONG! Truly, I cannot wait to see your beautiful expressions! Yes, Yes, YES!

It's not too late to join in. Just pick an album (or 12 songs) that speaks to you these days, turn up the jam & dance! (With the record button ON and a lil post-recording uploading, if you wanna go public). For full details on the experiment, check out the first post. If you decide to play along, be sure to comment / link your site on the magical widget so we can cheer you on!

to dancing & letting it all out,
xo, rach

DELICIOUS BODY DANCE-A-THON

Dear hip-shakin', body-bustin' and/or barely-groovin' humans,

Thanks for even considering showing up here, in this way, for this... mysterious invitation.

Courage is the power to let go of the familiar. ~Raymond Lindquist

You're officially BRAVE.

The goal of this experiment is to embolden your bravery EVEN MORE. To invite your inner expressive diva OUT. To call you into a place of play and imperfection, grace and/or stumbling, poignant and/or uncontrollable [crazy, silly, off-beat, to-your-own-beat] body moves!

YUMMY.

All that said, I'm not an expert dancer, nor am I an expert dance-a-thon facilitator. DANCING ALONE ON VIDEO IS UNFAMILIAR TERRITORY FOR ME. A bit... terrifying. In a good way.

Still, I want to play, I want to go out on a limb, I want to feel the aliveness of expanding my comfort zone. AND... I want playmates, peers, virtual dance partners! The kind of playmates who see this invitation and get butterflies in their stomachs, thinking, holy shit how did she know???

So if that's you, check out the video with the back story of how the idea came about, and a little instruction about where to go from here. Or skip below to the bullet-point details.



The Details, In Summary:

• WHO: You, baby. You, me & anyone else who wants to play.

• WHAT: A month-long, 12-song experiment in dancing. Choose your album. Choose your cause. And dance! -- For your body, your expression, your courage muscles. --And, for a cause, something you believe in, a movement you wanna support! Record yourself dancing. Share your expression with us.

• WHERE: Your kitchen floor, blue bedroom, barren backyard, cool-shadowed shed. Get groovy in a place (or places!) that feel inspiring to you. Then share your experience in your virtual space! Link-love it up below! Tweet with the hashtag #deliciousdance.

• WHEN: Jan 17, 2012 - Feb 17, 2012. I'll be posting my videos every TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY and FRIDAY. Film 'em when you want. I suggest spreading them out, dancing each song on a different day. Give yourself permission to do each song in one-take, letting this be a playful practice, not perfection. (Alas, the final decision on editing, or not, is yours! Incite your creative autonomy, and ultimately, do whatever makes you feel alive alive ALIVE.) ((Who knows... I might even break my own rules. It's been known to happen.)

• WHY: To instigate your body's creative voice. To get your muscles & spirit moving, flexing and stretching at the start of 2012. To be vulnerable and beautiful in community. To play. To let it all OUT via the body. To cleanse. To celebrate our bodies and their wonderful, wondrous capacities!

I can't wait to see what comes of this... Link to your blog below if you plan on joining the grand-masta-experiment in delicious dancing!



For the nervous, intimidated, terrified but leaning in with intrigue:

There is a bit of insanity in dancing that does everybody a great deal of good. -Edwin Denby

All I know is I'm feeling up for the task. If you're feeling motivated to explore this, too, feel free to join. I'll write about my experiences (surely), but won't necessarily be walking people through an emotional process. After all, this is an experiment for me, too! We can learn, explore, discover, uncover...together. Lots of love.