And so, we begin!

A wonderful first day at Dance Base with Steinvor, Steve and Bill. I was greeted by the Dance Base staff, taken to the Green Room and then to Studio 4, where we will work for the next two weeks.

Steinvor Palsson in the studio

Steinvor came in with a list of synonyms for displacement and dislocation - and definitions for each word. She had made a brief series of movements, which we soon changed and then turned around and then ... she also had brought in a toy globe (which spins!) and a poem based on here and there.  We worked/played with all of these elements, making several phrases. I will be speaking the text, with and without moving - and also spinning the globe while moving. Steve and Bill watched much of the time, Steve trying some ditties on his saxophone. Bill shot some video - mostly of the floor and the reflection that bounced off it, thanks to the sunlight.

Steve Kettley and Bill Thompson in the Grassmarket

We worked all morning with the first two movement phrases and the globe, took a lunch break at a little café across the Grassmarket, then continued with more movement and text. My brain is reeling. Jet lag doesn't help this process: memorization, balancing and dizziness are challenging! I hope to be a little more acclimated tomorrow.

Edinburgh is beautiful, as always. We have had unexpectedly glorious weather for the past few days, which is supposed to continue for a few more. I feel so at home here, and so welcome at Dance Base. The staff and the dance community have greeted me warmly. It is a joy to be back here.

View of Arthur's Seat (right) from North Bridge, Sunday

I am eager to see how this week progresses, what Steinvor winds up creating for me, what Steve composes for this part of Here, There and Everywhere, and Bill's contribution to this part of the project. More tomorrow!