Art in all forms moves us, forces us to see the world in new ways, and connects us to one another in intimate and meaningful ways.  If you want proof of this profound reality, look no further than three friends, Kathleen O’Connor, Eleanor Goudie-Averill and Brandi Green, who built a friendship on the foundations of dance that carried them through time and into their separate journeys across the continent.

“Kathleen and I danced together in Topeka,” said Goudie-Averill.  “We met at Barbara’s Conservatory of Dance seventeen years ago.”  O’Connor’s jaw dropped when she realized the length of their friendship.

“Kathleen and I met Brandi at KU.  We were all in the dance program together,” Goudie-Averill said.

“It was a fast friendship,” said Green.  “We pretty much loved each other right off.  We became family more than friends.  We dreamed of working together forever.”

After their time at KU, the friends, along with a handful of other dancers from KU formed the Bowery Dancers. “We did that for about a year,” said Green.

Soon after, they each followed different life opportunities that spread them across the country, but never diminished the depth of their friendship.  Goudie-Averill is now living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Green has just returned to the Lawrence-Topeka area after living in New York City.  While the dream of dancing together may not have panned out exactly as they anticipated, technology has allowed them the opportunity to collaborate on their upcoming show at Warehouse 414 for the First Friday Art Walk this Friday, May 7.

“The show is called ‘Place, Memory, Here,’” said Goudie-Averill.  “I thought a lot about our friendship, how it’s evolved, and how memory can be placed in our body.  I love to get a chance to dance together.”

“For the show, we choreographed long distance via YouTube,” said Green.  “It was frustrating because we were used to asking questions immediately.”

“And, we interpreted the tempos differently,” said O’Connor.

But the experience was far from negative.  “Watching each other on the computer screen felt like home because we knew each other and could sense what came next,”  said Green.

“I think the internet is a sterile mode of communication, but it felt visceral and personal watching Kathleen and Brandi dance,” said Goudie-Averill.

In addition to the trio’s art through movement, Nicole Donnelly, a friend of Goudie-Averill’s from Philadelphia, will present her art exhibit at Warehouse 414 on the same night.  Donnelly’s exhibit is also entitled “Place, Memory, Here.”

“This is the first time that Warehouse 414 has brought in an out-of-state artist,” said Goudie-Averill.  “Nicole is an artist, papermaker and painter.  She does paper and oil painting and works with natural forms.  Its amazing to bring visual art and dance together.  It has enriched my life immensely.”

In addition, Green’s son, Jackson, will be the Kid’s Corner Artist.  “I’ll make the best art ever,” he said before scurrying away.

The line up for the evening is full and exciting.  It is something not to be missed.

“In Place Memory Here, we’ll each have a solo and parts together,” said Green.

Along with “Place, Memory, Here,” Goudie-Averill will dance her solo, “Banana Dance Machine,” Green and Goudie-Averill will perform a duet entitled “Measuring Stone,” and O’Connor and Goudie-Averill have a yet-to-be named duet to share.

The showcase will be held at Warehouse 414 (414 SE 2nd Street, Topeka) this Friday, May 7 and starts at 7 p.m.  Following the dance performance, there will be a movement class.  It is interactive and open for everyone and anyone.  Throughout the evening, visitors will also have the opportunity to see the trio partake in dance improvisation.

For more information on Eleanor Goudie-Averill’s work you may visit her website at www.stonedepotdancelab.wordpress.com You may also view the artwork of Nicole Donnelly at http://nicole-donnelly.com

[Macie Smith | photos by Adam Koger | April 2010]