Catching My First Show in Uruguay - Alice by MOMIX

Actually I was feeling quite sad about missing multiple performances (Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars, Drum Tao, Aaron Kwok etc etc) playing in Singapore and that region. In comparison, Uruguay does not feel like a preferred destination for world-class performances as most acts would perform in nearby Argentina or Brazil. (Though Paul McCartney and Lenny Kravitz are some upcoming concerts in Uruguay.) But after catching this MOMIX production in an undeniably top-notch auditorium, I stand corrected. 

First time purchasing tickets for a show in Uruguay, it was quite an experience. It appears that tickets can only be purchased online which actually is advantageous for me as I could slowly Google Translate everything to make sure I am not making mistakes during the process. And thank goodness we already have our local identity cards as that was required! Though I got a little concerned that the online transaction did not include a Two-Factor Authentication (so used to that in Singapore!) or any kind of security measures. And since the postal service here is so unreliable, my only other option is to print the e-ticket myself.

 

Honestly thought the first show I would catch here would be at the famous Teatro Solis which looked modern enough but this show was held at an unfamiliar auditorium. A quick check of the map reveals that it is located near the Airbnb where we stayed for a month in Montevideo. Based on the condition of the surrounding area, I was not sure what to expect of this auditorium. I wondered if it would be at least comparable with the Drama Centre Theatre of Singapore which is located within a library building. But I overworried. Auditorio Nacional Adela Reta looked really impressive and inviting as we drove through some really run-down roads to arrive at its entrance.

 

As neither my companion nor I had any idea of the quality of the show or venue, our budget for the tickets was not high. We booked the lowest tier tickets which naturally were not stall seats. The printed tickets were of course in Spanish and we could not really make sense of where to find our seats. I expected to climb stairs but did not expect to be sent upwards so many times; my video of us finding our seats was one of us getting rejected at multiple entrances! 

 

When we finally found our seats, I was actually quite satisfied. Usually, I prefer to have a frontal view of the stage but beggars can't be choosers and I liked the proximity to the stage. We noticed that the hall was quite empty and was concerned that the show would not start on time. It was actually a good thing because when the lights dimmed, all (really all) the other audience who bought the same tickets as us moved to the better front-viewing seats! Of course we followed suit! So we kind of got a free upgrade of seats. Judging from the fact that this happened under the eyes of the usher who brought us to our seats and the way the other audience were all standing around instead of getting comfortable in their allocated seats, this is a common and accepted behavior. Wow..

Although Facebook can really be a time-waster, I am so thankful for it because I would not had discovered MOMIX without it. The production is exceptional. From the very first act, I was captivated. Such grace, ingenuity, and seamless integration of dancers, props, lighting and music. It reminded me of my Synergy days where my idol dance instructor Fan Laoshi created similar productions with not-as-talented student dancers. The more I watched, a little spark in me got reignited. If anyone asked me, "What is your dream?"... my dream is to be a d.a.n.c.e.r. Truly, there is nothing I want more but perhaps that is precisely why it is called a dream. It is feeling further than ever. I miss the days when I was dancing more, from contemporary to pole to silks, when I was known as "the dancer" among my friends. Must find some clases de baile aqui!

 

There exist such incredible performing groups who deserved to be world famous but would remain unknown in other parts of the world. I would never had heard of MOMIX if I was not here in Uruguay. They got a new fan in me! And if they ever go to a theatre near you, do not miss it!!

#momix #alicebymomix #dreamofbeingadancer

#worldclass #worldclassperformance #worldclassauditorium #auditorionacionaladelareta

a bucket list item that i can never tick off

I don't actually upkeep a physical copy but I do have a bucket list. Many items are quite typical and I am proud to say I have ticked off quite a few "riskier" ones - skydiving!!

This particular item on the list was not exactly difficult to achieve. Pre-Covid, the husband had even alluded to the possibility of making this dream of mine a reality. Although it requires neither guts nor strength, it will take planning, time, money and lots of luck too..

There was one particular period years ago when weekdays 5pm was sacred to me. I did not want to be anywhere else other than in front of the TV. It was one hour for me to escape. My me-time when no matter how the earlier work day had been, I got to let my hair down, dance, laugh, cry and recharge for another day. 

At some point, I told myself "I want to, I got to watch this live". 

As it was not as easy as taking a bus to Caldecott Hill, for the longest time I made do with the recorded, (overly-censored) and televised versions and became quite the fan. 

Case in point: blue had always been my least favourite colour but I began to take a liking to the blue associated with the show.

 

When work made it impossible to catch the show regularly, I binge-watched it on YouTube or wherever and whenever I can. I gushed over it and her a lot. So much so that two different friends bought her book for me separately.

When the possible plan of watching the show live got dashed with the pandemic, I indulged myself with her signature gift box as a 40th birthday gift to myself. It was a real indulgence when I found out the postage cost.

I was still hopeful about ticking off this item on the bucket list when I was unboxing my present. 

But the last episode had been filmed and aired. The end of a season, forever.

Feeling incredibly sad. Not just because I am now unable to tick off this item. Also what had led to this end. How my faith in my most favourite person in the world had wavered. How I had thought Ellen could be anything more than human. 

I still love you. Be kind to one another. Right back at you.

Devotion

 I fell in love with the concept of combining yoga and dance the first time I watched this video more than a year ago. Two movements close to my heart seamlessly intertwined together and flawlessly performed by the instructor. I had resolved there and then to master it when I was sharing the video and regretfully did nothing for a year.

 So Facebook reminded me of it recently and I was mesmerized all over again. This time I meticulously watched and rewatched it and penned down the sequence of the poses. The song is beautiful. Then I practised it multiple times before I finally remembered to apply the basic 8 counts for dance choreography. Ha! The whole sequence is barely 4 minutes but by the time I could do one time without referring to the video, I was sweating buckets! It felt so good.

 Today after 45 minutes worth of sun salutations, I decided to end off with this 舞极流 instead of savasana. Actually I have never forgotten my love for dancing but that has definitely taken a back seat now that yoga feels so much more accessible. As I watched myself performing it, trying to ignore all the wobbling, unpointed toes and wrinkled forehead, one word came through to me.

 Last month, I wrote down a Sadhguru's quote on devotion. Somehow it called to me when I chanced upon it even though I did not fully understand it. It just felt like something that I need, something I will benefit from. Precisely because I had never understood it or accepted it, or the idea of faith which is a close synonym to devotion.

I had rejected religion. That of the older generation. Another of a few of my ex-es. I have no problem seeing the goodness in religions but that aspect of pure faith or total devotion just does not gel with the logical me. Yet, I am not an atheist. I consider myself spiritual. But even spirituality seems to require faith and devotion. That I struggle with...

 

Devotion
Lustful looks of one who lacks love.
Loving touch of a heart that is soaked in the infinite will.
The tenderness of heartless devotion.
Vast beyond the measure of an ocean.
Barrenness of one who knows not the grace of love and devotion.
All this and more are the ways of the creature called human.
Choose my beloved to be an ocean of devotion.
~Sadhguru

 

However, watching myself doing what I love.... I am starting to get a glimpse. 

Perhaps devotion to me is movement.