Final Performances

On Saturday, 5 December, Lenka and I set out for Pissignano Alto, in Campello sul Clitunno, where we would set up for a performance in a beautiful old church, the ex Chiesa di San Benedetto. Our contact for this show was an American woman named Ann Wood, who moved to Italy in the 70s with her husband, bought the church in 1977, was a teacher here for decades, then upon retirement (I think) founded an organization called La Fortezza. She hosts music, films, dance, and other lovely events in her church, high up in the old village.

Ann is a beautiful woman.

The set-up for this performance was challenging, to say the least. We could only drive about half-way up to the church, then we had to walk over rough cobblestone paths and stairs the final bit - carrying equipment. Because this was not even close to a conventional theatre, we had to bring everything: lights, cables, curtains, dance floor, etc. It was difficult, but worth it. I love performing in non-traditional spaces. I especially love performing in old churches. I am not religious in any conventional way, but I can absolutely appreciate the feeling of a place that has housed the prayers of many for so long. The quality of the air is tangible, the walls have a different sense of permanence, and the sense of sacred becomes very real for me.

It reminds me that dancing is my prayer, my offering.

So we had to build everything from scratch.

Once we installed our makeshift batten (pipe to hold our curtains) and used the tallest ladder to support the center, Gianpaulo (oh right, Cesare and Luca are both working on a show in Bologna, Gianpaulo - I liked to call him Gianpaulo Secondo (in my head, of course) - was working with us for our final two performances) rigged two ladders together with some rope, and with the help of Luca, Ann's daughter's boyfriend, we were able to hang the curtains.

Ann made us lunch, so we took a little break to eat some pasta, spinach quiche, and salad. I love these moments, the meals together. My friend Amy always talks about how important it is to eat together, and I agree completely. Sharing food, passing plates, talking - in Italian - I think back to my meal at Marina and Marco's after the grape harvest, and being so lost in the language. But now, I could follow, and even participate a bit in the conversations. Wow.

After lunch, we finished up the preparations, turned on the heaters (it was so very very cold), and mopped the floor. It took forever for the floor to dry, so I had to make a rehearsal on a wet floor in my socks. I would not recommend this. But in the end, like always, everything worked out beautifully, and we had a lovely show.

Afterwards, Ann's friends made sausages and bruschetta with fresh-pressed olive oil, and we washed it all down with wine. Fantastic.

The next day, we drove to Spello for the past performance of the tour.

For this show, we were in the Teatro Subasio, so our set-up was a picnic compared to the day before.

This was another traditional Italian theatre, so again we had the beautiful boxes, and house, and thankfully the rake of the stage wasn't too steep.

We set-up in record time, had time to rehearse, and I even had a moment to close my eyes for a little rest before the show began. Simone has been working in Tuoro with two dancers, a composer, and a video artist from Cagliari (Sardegna), so they all, with Virginia Spallarossa (she works with Simone) made the trip out to see the performance.

When I walked out on stage for my introduction monologue, I saw a woman waving at me from the audience. Before I could even think about it, I waved back, then began talking. It turns out that the lady was la nonna di Simone (grandmother), and she had me confused for a moment with Lenka. Of course Lenka is Czech and blond, but we're both tall, and la nonna is quite old - it was sweet.

We finished it all off with dinner together (certo!) after the show, and I was able to meet la nonna, Simone's aunt, uncle, and two beautiful cousins, Sara e Stephanie. Stephanie is a professional water polo player with perhaps the biggest shoulders I have ever seen. Her mother was telling stories of how vicious the players are, pulling off each other's swimsuits, biting and kicking underneath the water - yikes. All I have to say is that I wouldn't ever willingly take on Stephanie... that lady is TOUGH.

It was a late late night, but we finally made it home, and I climbed in bed for my final night in Tuoro. And thus ends my Italian tour....

On Monday I packed all of my stuff - really? that's mine? that too? and took a train to Rome, so that I could spend the night at my friend Barbara's apt, drop off my big bagaglo, and get to the airport on Tuesday to fly to Amsterdam and then catch a train to Bruges. I'll be in Bruges for a few days watching some dance performances at the December Dance 09 Festival, then head to Amsterdam to meet my friend Jose and go see some more dance before I head back to ATX next week. Fun!!