Battle of the Sexes II

The era of philanthropism is not behind us just yet, and supporting evidence of my claim came in form of my newfound friend Diana at the Orlando Ballet Saturday night for the presentation of Battle of the Sexes II. On a whim I had decided to attend the ballet, and thirty minutes before the start of the performance I found myself parked illegally in a poorly illuminated backstreet lot and standing in an extensive line praying for any stray remaining tickets.
I met Diana when she approached me and offered me one of the season tickets she had purchased with her friend, who was ill and unable to redeem her seat for the show. Naturally I leapt at the chance to accept her altruistic proposal and she ushered me inside to the orchestra pit, where we discussed art, school and personal interests until the curtain rose on a sensually rich display of light, color and movement.
Diana truly came to my rescue, because knowing now what I would have sacrificed by foregoing the ballet that evening, I am certain I have advanced my understanding of the mastery of the art by watching the dancers perform.
The control in which several few exemplary dancers commanded their every movement aroused a visceral awe in me. In some moments it was as if the laws of physics materialized into unseen pegs in the contemporary musical beat from which the dancers leapt, propelling themselves into extraordinary inversions that seemed to depart from the natural realm of somatic capability.
The wire of energy between the dancers was taut, and inspired an increasingly centripetal pattern of movement in the exchange of their actions. The tenor of the interactions changed discursively in response to the amalgamation of different couplings, and was coaxed by the distinguished hues of the stage lighting and the tonality of the driving musical composition. Through the unity in motion of the dancers, the audience was lured into an investigation of gender roles by virtue of both the differentiation and duality of the partners on stage.
The Orlando ballet doesn’t amount the sizable audience of which it is deserving, and after witnessing the sheer talent offered in Battle of the Sexes II, I was forced to question the validity of this reality. The unaddressed dejection in Diana’s voice when we discussed the matter was one that resonated. Here was a woman that took the greatest pleasure in sitting in front of a stage before a ballet recital, outwardly expressing her concern for the neglect of her cherished performance art.
Where is the rest of the culture in Orlando that feels as emphatically passionate about art? The success of ArtsFest is indisputable evidence that a niche of sophisticates exists, but where do they go during the rest of the year? Why is there not a resurgence of this mutual identity of Orlando residents on more than just one ten-day annual festival? Why can’t the ArtsFest rush be expanded into a steady flow of artisanship that flourishes daily?
Orlando is one of the fastest growing cities in the state of Florida, and accompanied by this knowledge I raise the question contemplating the future of our city. In the infantile stages of development in the academic region of East Orlando at the University of Central Florida, and in a constant state of growth in the business district, the downtown and Colonialtown, at what point will Orlando make The Arts a priority?
A movement is afoot through the efforts of UnitedArts of Central Florida, but the participation of the enthusiasts of art is integral to the ultimate success of establishing Orlando as a city not characterized by business and tourism alone, but additionally as a cradle for artists and those of us who love and support them.
The arts underpin our society in Central Florida, regardless of whether or not this truth is immediately apparent. What remains to be seen is how we as residents take on the responsibility of entrepreneurs and curators and performers and connoisseurs, and begin expanding the reaches of the budding artistic faction in our area. The Arts of Central Florida are not of an idle nature, nor should we be, and with all of the facets of artistry at our disposal and yearning for recognition, it is incumbent of us, as devoted members of Central Florida, to promote and encourage the enhancement of appreciation of The Arts at home.


A very special thanks to Diana, who made attending this event possible for me.