This is the Week

After all the planning comes the day

This is the week.

After more than ten years of thinking, a few tests and false starts, and a year of concentrated planning, this is the week that Dark Night comes to life.

What began as a nudge towards endurance performance art has become a way to invite others into an intimate exploration of the dark night of the soul. This is my way of honoring the profound choice we all make to endure our personal dark nights.

There is a lot happening as I prepare for this week, some of which I already wrote about here.

One thing that has come to light about this endeavor is how outside of the norm it really is. I was sharing with a fellow artist how tap dance solos of the 1920s were all roughly three minutes – a wonderfully short shot in the arm for any audience member when executed well. It wasn’t until the 1970s that the form began to expand. Six-to-seven minute pieces and evening length concerts of tap dance began to be acceptable. Savion glover would strecth the soloist form to 45 minutes on the stage. He could’ve gone longer I’m sure, but even at that length he was a first. Still 12 hours is different.

Twelve hours requires a different expectation. In fact it is enough time to change expectations. Visitors to Dark Night will not be treated to a dopamine reliant attraction. They will be invited into a night of contemplation – the dancing moves from central attraction to accompaniment. What is happening the hearts of every visitor is the actual attraction. That’s where the movement is really happening. Twelve hours gives enough space for a change.

I’m actualy expecting a change to happen within me over the course of the night. One I can’t control, nor really prepare for, other than answering the invitation I sensed to bring this project to life. Which we now know I have done.

We know it, because the week is upon us. The Creative Team – a force to be sure – arrives today and tomorrow. We take the venue on Wednesday and begin setup and technical rehearsals. We won’t be running through the entire 12 hours. When Friday arrives, everyone will be experiencing and bearing witness to the night for the first time, together. Live improvised performances are normally like that – but again, 12 hours is different.

In one way Friday will be no different from any other day with this project. I will be answering the invitation to do what is necessary to bring this project to life. Regardless of my physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual state – the call will be there, and folks will look at me to answer it. This time, though the call will ring for 12 hours straight, and whatever my state is will be public. No more behind the scenes. Friday is the day.

I’m sure more will come up as the week goes along, which I will wait until after to process and share. For now, you can be a part of this endeavor by tuning in from anywhere in the world on the live stream.

Register in advance here.

Or visit darknightlive.com on Friday.