Note: Chinese New Year will begin on Thursday, Feb. 19. We originally hoped to run former state Poet Laureate Tom Sexton's poem, printed here with the author's permission, on Jan. 1. But other events intervened. However, it seems that the start of the Year of the Goat is an even more appropriate for this poem given the characteristics associated with the year and those born in it: gentleness, stability, sympathy, inclined toward delicate thoughts, strong creativity, a desire to avoid being the center of attention but instead to experience the world as an integral part of it and spending much time in thoughtfulness. Happy new year.
-- Mike Dunham
Clearing After Snow Over Mountains and River
By Tom Sexton
After a night of restless sleep, Wang Wei
prepares his brushes and waits for the day
to begin. Not a sound. Not a breath of wind.
The mist rising from his pond will thin
and he will see the heavy snow that fell
on the peaks and silenced the temple's bell,
but for now he sits without a thought
waiting for what will appear and what will not.
(From "I Think Again of Those Ancient Chinese Poets," UA Press, 2011)
Modern fairy tale
Disney's "Cinderella" has a live-action remake that will hit movie theaters this March, but fans of the fairy tale won't have to wait that long to get their fix of wicked stepsisters, magical makeovers and fancy footwork.
This weekend, Anchorage's Pulse Dance Company will premiere their version. "It's by far the largest, most colorful production we've done," said Stephanie Wonchala, artistic director of the company, which is now celebrating its fifth anniversary.
The show will mix Pulse's troupe with other dancers and artists from the Anchorage area. Ruby Kennell designed the set and projections. Alice Bassler Sullivan, Niki Maple and Becky Kendall contributed choreography, and there will be numbers by Multi-Verse b-boy crew and Turkish Romani belly dancer Rabia Duddy.
The result is a blend of ballet, modern dance and hip-hop, set to Sergei Prokofiev's classic score.
It's a big production with a lot of dance, but doesn't take itself too seriously. "Even if (audience members) are not interested in dance or ballet, the show is so hilarious they'll be delighted with the show by the time they leave," Wonchala said.
Performances are Feb. 13-15 at Wendy Williamson Auditorium. See pulsedancecompany.org or call 907-677-8573 for more.