I have not worn my flamenco shoes since March 14. As I sit at my desk, day in and day out, they remain perched on a closet shelf, staring at me with grim disappointment. They join me in watching countless YouTube, Instagram and TikTok videos of dancers taking barre in their living rooms, or performing choreography in their kitchens. It feels like everyone in the dance world is playing, and I am watching their fun through a screen.
This experience, unfortunately, has been the grim reality for many percussive dancers around the country during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because many of our practices hinge on bodily sound-making and the use of hard-soled shoes, they can easily become a nuisance to neighbors and a vandal for polished wood floors.
Read More at Dance Magazine HERE.