Anu LOVE 6

On November 19, 2008, I went to the Roundhouse to see Anu LOVE 6 dress rehearsal. I felt so lucky I was able to photograph the performance during the rehearsal and experience this multi-disciplinary performance. Anu LOVE comprised of music, dance, storytelling and art beautifully melded together into a visually stunning performance. The sound of the guitar, violin, piano, percussions and custom-made instruments accompanied the artists, dancers and one lone lovely lady swinging from the ceiling as they start to tell a myriad of stories. To me, the performance seems to tell the story of birth, lovers, jealousy, anguish, motherhood and rebirth. A beautiful spirit seem to drift in and out, through the performers sometimes giving the recipient joy and other times strapping them down in an entanglement. At times, the spirit seems to give the individual what the person is looking for or needing. Everyone will take with them a piece of their own interpretation subject to their own experiences. I was happy I got to see Kokoro dancers: Jay Hirabayashi, Barbara Bourget and Espirito Santo Mauricio participate. They delivered a powerful performance using their body to convey their emotions, moods and different shades of love to the audience. Love for family, friends, lovers, neighbours and strangers seem to seep in and out of the darkness as the spotlight travelled around the circle of artists. Anu LOVE 6 brought the beauty of love out immersing me into a much needed sensory awareness.