NEW YEARS EVE AT PSAW
setting up for party at PSAW. Photo by Deana O'Connor
New Years Eve- Allison Dincecco and Lisa Cadieux took over PSAW to throw a rockin' New Year's Eve Party. Allison was the first person in Burlington to show my art, at her wonderful, innovative contemporary furniture store, Sohome, now defunct, on Flynn Avenue. Alison's mom is Lorna K. Peal, art consultant, past (and wonderful) director of SEABA - Burlington's South End Arts And Business Association.
Allison and Lisa gathered their Salsa-loving community from Salsalina and the classes of David Larson and John Anthony. Friends, relatives, kids, parents, grandparents. Fabulous. I love how Dance, as a social art and activity, always seems to create community. It seems to be true, no matter what the dance tradition. And to have a fabulous party where everyone, no matter their age or dance level feels welcomed and comfortable - well that's the best.
The crew spent the afternoon transforming PSAW into a twinkly vision. DJ New York Raul spun the best music I've heard in ages. Everyone had a blast. Even me, and I'm not much of a party animal.
a brief moment of rest during the dance: Liza Cowan photo
I swear I was the only woman there not wearing high heels and a fabulous outfit. I always wear sensible shoes - I'm like that. Particularly on my unforgiving concrete floors. But how festive everyone looked. And even in my sensible shoes I thoroughly enjoyed a spin on the floor with Lupe (above right) before I left to watch the fireworks with my children.
Dancing at PSAW. Photo by Liza Cowan
I love seeing PSAW transformed by someone else's vision. As I stood there under the twinking lights and red lanterns, my space filled with music, food, and the kindness of strangers, I wondered for a moment if I was hallucinating the whole thing. I wasn't.
Allison and Lisa are venturing into Event Planning. Keep posted for more info on them and their business.
Wish I'd been there, wheelchair and all -- you're right about dance, it creates community across all barriers.
Those heels look like kabobs, how on EARTH do they dance in them?
There used to be a (mostly lesbian) dance group in Austin called Women in Sensible Shoes. They taught steps at every dance they attended, way fun.
The blurry shot of PSAW is gorgeous.
Posted by: Maggie Jochild | January 01, 2008 at 08:06 PM
whoa - Liza - way fun here...
we watched the Thomas Crown Affair and the old folks stayed up chatting until 4:30...
danced a little in L.L. Bean slippers...
the new table is appropriately piled up with projects - got the digi collage to merge and set up the painter X - this is the new fun toy...
love the new header -
see you soon
xox - eb.
Posted by: eb | January 02, 2008 at 01:53 PM
Looks like a wondeful party--love the lights and the red...
Posted by: shadocat | January 02, 2008 at 09:17 PM
It was a beautiful party. I'm very happy that the space is so adaptable. When Bread and Puppet Theater performed there a couple of years ago it was also radically transformed, by the B&P performers, and was equally magical. And very different. It is fascinating for me to witness how different artists transform the space for their own purposes. Temporarily, of course.
The space itself is is almost archetypal so I'm not surprised it adapts so well.
But sitting home watching the Thomas Crown Affair sounds pretty darn appealing too.
Posted by: liza cowan | January 02, 2008 at 11:15 PM
Oh, and hey Shado. Nice to see you here.
Posted by: liza cowan | January 02, 2008 at 11:16 PM