So it’s Day 2 of a week of Cazadero Performing Arts Family Camp, and already I’m in bliss.
I’m taking songwriting from Danny Carnahan, even though I’ve never written a song, don’t play an instrument, and don’t really understand basic things like keys. He makes it easy, magical, like poetry only with more rhythm.
Next up is “Swing from Mambo to Tango”, which showcases all 3 dance forms (swing, mambo and tango) and their relationships, in a way no one has ever explained to me before. Andrea is a fully embodied human, and she articulates–both showing and telling– all the ways we move so clearly. I already know the 3 dances, but starting with the basics is revelatory.
Then comes lunch and quiet hour, then free time, when I usually go to Open Mic, because that’s where the newest, freshest, rawest performances happen. I’ve been telling the Queen of Serpents from the Arabian Nights in 5 minute chunks each day, which is so much fun. Even wiggly 4 year olds have been captivated.
Finally, at 4:00, I take Cartooning with Ryan Alexander-Tanner, who can both draw and teach drawing. He started us with the basics of shape and shading, and has been dazzling me ever since. You can see his work at http://ohyesverynice.com/comics/ and it’s really rich and poignant and funny. Ask me how to draw a face looking up and to the side, and thanks to Ryan, I can show you how.
The rest of the time is taken up with schmoozing, making new friends, and staring up at the sunbeams filtering through the redwoods. Sublime!! Also, great food!