Kairos Dance Theater
Sunday, July 23rd

In all probability, Maria Genne should be declared a national treasure. She is the Artistic Director of the Kairos Dance Theatre and it was in that role that I saw her Sunday night, leading the dancers in ensemble and in solo presentations.

At other times I have seen her in other roles, leading processions of dancers, or engaging them in spiritual journeys. One particular memory includes several hundred people at St. Catherine's College at a workshop on intuition. The second day began with Maria Genne leading us in dance. In a diaphanous gown, standing straight and tall like a goddess, she led us, individually, in dyads, in triads, in mirror imaging. Through dance, we touched our own spirituality.

This Sunday night, she leads the Kairos Dance Theatre presentation of CELEBRATION with a group of exuberant, graceful practitioners. They ranged in age from their teens to men and women from their forties to seventies and it was impossible to know which age was whose. On occasion, the dancers were joined by a one and two year old, tow headed boy and girl who executed the turns, wildly joyous at being part of the twirling forms -- sure of their complete acceptance.

The Kairos Dance Theatre has been in existence since autumn of 1999 and since their inception have appeared for a wide variety of organizations and causes. Their purpose is "to celebrate the moment and the time when human intention can be aligned with cosmic rhythm." They share a belief that "everyone has the capacity to celebrate the open moment -- the Kairos."

Aligned or unaligned, the dancers were glorious. With varying levels of training, elegance and grace--they danced. The Kairos Dance Theater members include Parker Anderson-Genne, Kathleen Baecker, Sean Baecker Teresa Riley-Baecker, McKensie Erickson, Maria Genne, Linda Goldbert, Ira Gordon, Aletta Jervey, Kakia Johnson, Louann Lanning, Julie Martinez, Georgiana Polulke, Peter Podulke, Mavis Rise and Donovan Tracy. The repertoire presented Sunday night at St. Joan of Arc included:

• Sagittarius performed by the entire company.
• Tea for Two - a sensuous solo performed by Genne
• Joy Spring - choreographed and performed by the entire company
• Man/Moon - choreographed and danced by Ira Gordon and Peter Podulke
• Bird Women - choreographed by Maria and Dancers and performed by Parker, Maria, Kakia and Julie
• Travelers' Dance - choreographed and performed by the entire Company

Ronnie Angelus says: "There are three things that make my life work: Talking to my daughter who opens vistas to me and makes me laugh; being in the circle of the Divas, my writing group, who shout "go girl" and give me standing ovations with their smiles and tears; sitting next to Mary and Claude Paradis during Sunday Mass at St. Joan of Arc, which is as close to pure goodness as I will know in this lifetime."

When you see that the Kairos Dance troupe is performing for a community organization or presenting a workshop, do yourself a favor. Restore your faith. Go and see them.

Ronnie B. Angelus