The Gayest of 2003

Returning to queer roots as the year ends

It takes a lot to make me go out on a Sunday night—it’s hard, after all, to compete with “The Simpsons”—and I went out to see this again, unplanned, on a Sunday night. The opening of the second half still stirs my soul. And what a gay intermission!

After devoting so much time in the pages of Gay City News this past year to dance without regard for its sexual orientation, it is appropriate at this time of New Year’s resolutions to reaffirm our commitment to providing the gayest dance coverage in the U.S.A.

Our community has fought long and hard to achieve basic rights, lest we forget. Still, we would never disparage or exclude gay dances made by non-gay peoples (NGPs), recognizing that they are just as much a part of the fabric of our culture as are the many non-gay dances made by gay choreographers. In fact many of our honorees are a part of this subculture.

Looking back on 2003, the year I got married in Canada, it was hard to remember much before that gay historic date. Everything is relative. And in fairness to everyone, I didn’t get to see everything this year—not all the things I wanted to see nor even every gay thing there was to be seen. But I did my best to get out and see work I hadn’t seen before, and the goal for the New Year is to do more of the same, with a commitment to go to at least one gay performance every week.

But enough editorial prologue – here’s my list of the nine gayest dances of 2003, in order of emotional attachment:

ANNE THERESE DE KEERSMAEKER: Rain

Brooklyn Academy of Music

From the moment this thing began, I was energized, vibrating, ready to spring to my feet in applause. Glorious dancing, donning gay apparel. Best episode ever.

……………………………………………………………..

CHRIS YON: Teardrop Terror

Ur, Williamsburg

This is the car crash, the descent I’ve been careening toward all year. Nice to see it unfold on stage so maybe I can get out and walk before it happens to me. Brilliant, and gay in that “South Park” way.