SALTY SHOULDER

One piece which left audience members noticeably engrossed was Salty Shoulder, choreographed by Da’Shown Rawl and performed by Maya Fedorenko and Cordelia Roberts of RawArts Dance Company. Throughout this piece, Fedorenko and Roberts visited and revisited a convulsing movement. The piece ended with a dramatic and unexpected halt as Roberts seemingly traded her concerned expression for one of apathy and victory. To say that Salty Shoulder was unlike anything I had seen before would not do this piece justice. The combination of altered contemporary dance technique and spasmodic organic movement provided a unique and refreshing take on the contemporary pieces to which audiences are accustomed. However, the aspect of this piece which truly captivated the audience, was the concerning and mind-boggling storyline. Both dancers executed sporadic movement, but Roberts’ character always appeared to be more in control than that of Fedorenko. Perhaps this implies that both characters are participating in a dangerous activity, though one can handle it and the other can not. Roberts’ initial concern for her partner, followed by a victorious expression at the piece’s end suggests that she intended for Fedorenko character to get hurt. Such a storyline, if accurate, is a shocking concept.