World Aids Day, World Aids Day! What does it mean exactly? Where does it come from in this our 21st century? I know the idea behind World Aids Day, well at least I think I do. What is its intention though? What are we to do? Do we come together as one country, one nation,one world? Well I guess it does say World Aids Day so that must be one world, one universe. If we take it beyond world and universal does it impact us all on this Remembrance Day or do we just change things by calling it Universal Aids Remembrance Day? Is that what we are supposed to do on this day, remember? If that is the intent, I remember my friends who died from this deadly disease called Aids. Some have been dead for 20 years now and when I stop and think of them I remember their smiles, their lives, their living.

But I also remember their deaths, by remembering I can help myself and others from contracting this deadly disease called Aids so that more don’t die in vain. I remember the vigils at their bedside as they slipped away. I remember seeing friends reaching out for my hand, squeezing it and telling me they love me, and me whispering it back to them before they closed their eyes in death.

I remember some of them recovering because of the new medicines that allowed them to get up out of their beds and go home to family, friends and lovers. I remember some of them saying  that they were going to beat this thing called Aids and I know some of them who are still living with what is now referred to as “The Virus!” I am sure that they remember where they once were every morning, afternoon and evening and they must remember to continue to take their medicine or take a chance on not living. I remember those friends of mine who today are contracting the disease even though it is preventable because they feel they can take a chance and not contract this fatal disease. Some wind up with “The Virus” and say well there are medicines? Well there might be, but I still remember those who have died from Aids who if given the chance today would opt for the prevention of this disease.

I remember a song sung by that fabulous diva Ms. Diana Ross – “Reach out and touch somebody’s hand make this world a better place if you can.” The lyrics are so telling and beautiful – “Take a little time from your busy day to give some encouragement to some one whose lost their way and would I be talking so strong if  I asked you to share a problem that’s not your own?”

Aids is a problem for all of us. We should remember that in this World, this Universe the hope lies within us and the price was paid by those who have gone on before us. Let’s remember them and let’s remember only We can prevent the spread of Aids. We, it sounds so good when We come together to remember World Aids Day.

James Pearson

 

 

 

 

Lines, fluidity, motion and organization, I saw and not only did I see this, I felt it bursting from the stage Saturday night at the Joyce theater here in Manhattan. Who was it you ask? Why the Complexions  Contemporary Ballet troupe of course! I say of course very matter of fact because  you should absolutely know that Complexions puts on not only a performance, they give you the Dance, all the Dance and nothing  but the dance.

While sitting out in the audience you are drawn in, caught up by the magic and realism that each dancer gives to you. I stayed mesmerized during the entire performance and not just me. I was there with 7 of my closes friends and each one had looks of captivity in there face and believe me we were very happy captives. I looked to the right of me to see 2 of my friends George and Ty leaning out of there seats, fist resting on their chin’s with looks of “wow how do they move like that?” Certainly questions to be asked of the dancer’s of the Complexion Dance troupe and I can only say that it’s pure talent, discipline and dedication. The dedication being two-fold from the dancer’s themselves and the Artistic Director’s, Choreographer’s and also the Co-Founder’s – Desmond Richardson and Dwight Rhoden.

The music, the lighting along with the dancer’s transports you into a beautifully fantastic world of make-believe and realism that it just simply takes your breath away. I literally had to check and make sure that I was breathing. It took me almost a full minute to realize that I had stopped breathing.

Then disappointment set in as the dancer’s took there bow letting me know the the performance had come to an end. I felt like bowing to them. Saying bravo and encore just did not seem like enough! The 3 curtain calls really let me know that it was over. The night of the dance had ended for us but The Complexions Contemporary Ballet troupe will never be over. They are performing through November 29, 2009. Believe me when I tell you that I am all ready looking at there 2010 schedule and filing a flight plan for where and when I can see one of there next performance’s.

It was truly a wonderful night, that is until I decided to go out dancing in a pair of pointy-toe cowboy boots but that’s for another blog.

James Pearson

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