A repeat interview on KUOW with Donald Byrd, artistic director of Spectrum Dance Theatre, made me pause. Byrd arrived at Spectrum at the end of 2002, to mixed feelings and views. There are still many who are unable/unwilling to see past the impression that he does not care for the welfare/health of his dancers inorder that he may implement his vision. Barring the veracity of this information, his goals and ideals for what dance can accomplish are very interesting. In talking about his work with Israeli and Palestinian choreographers, he was musing on how dance can get beyond words when dealing with larger issues such as race and injustice, because dance sucks you into the moment/movement and allows you to feel before you can think and react viscerally.
