Sudden Partnering: Palomas Peak Interviews Vol 2

This brief clip hints at new views on partnering, including the wind and a couple of butterflys that literally flew in during one of the interviews.

Thanks to Jim Dennis for his friendship and support. Early in my climbing career he spent endless hours climbing with me on the classic alpine routes in the Sandia Mountains. His generosity and patience directly influenced my alpine interests and continue to do so today. Jim is a man of great courage. Shortly, after filming him, he donated a kidney to his son.

Thanks also go out to Dave Wheeler for all the times we climbed together and for making Sugarloaf's "Chickenhead Ranch" pitch so much fun. Many years ago, Dave and his comrades were the third team to successfully summit Mt Blackburn. His stories always make me laugh and I continue to be inspired by his accomplishments both in the mountains and in the chemistry lab.

Special thanks to Karen Schmeige for always opening her home to an endless traveler, sharing her wisdom, and always being there…where ever there is. Cheers, ~jilly

Sudden Partnering: Hans Florine Interview

Hans Florine was gracious enough to round out another 16-hour day on his tour by granting me an interview.

Without a doubt he is “Mr High-Energy”! We enjoyed swapping stories about our public speaking gigs as well as aerial dancing. After spending some time with him, it’s easy to understand why he is the king of speed....going fast is always on his mind.

Sudden Partnering: Palomas Peak Interviews Vol 1

In October 2005 I traveled to New Mexico for a short series of interviews. Learning by trail and error, I hung out at Palomas Peak with many friends, climbing, and also video taping conversations and interviews. Here is a short clip of Carla Rachkowski and Cristina Radu talking about "Sudden Partnering".

Poi Fire Dancers: Sudden Partnering

About two years ago, I began to take interest in film making again. At that time, many themes were converging in my life and the topic of partnering captured my attention.



Climbing and dancing are activities that I thoroughly enjoy, each requiring partners. Whenever I have a great day out climbing or fun swishing across the dance floor there is a certain essence within me. That feeling is “sudden partnering” it is as if all things are aligned properly and my full being becomes a breathe of air.

It is as if I am light as a feather and joyful……as if I have reached full nirvana. And so I became curious as to what others experience when they partner.

I have interviewed many dancers and climbers on this topic. Today is the first time my work is shared online. What do you think about it?

Over the course of two years, I have become a skillful interviewer. These earlier interviews make me cringe when I see them and the manner in which I was working with my subjects…..my film making partners.

The following link shows Poi Fire Dancers, Kris and Amy Kurey. I hung out with them on the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder.

Interview: Person-to-Person with Joanne Bradbury

Two years ago I began a still unfinished film that explores the roles and qualities of dance partners and climbing partners.

“Sudden Partnering” is my ongoing project that explores the various dimensions of partnering. To date, most of my interview subjects have been climbers, mountaineers, and dancers. But, that list is rapidly expanding.

The project has taken on a life of its own and beginning today, I’ll begin to publish interviews and film clips on this blog.

So here it is, the first in a series of Person-to-Person “Sudden Partnering” interviews. Thanks to my friend Joanne Bradbury for agreeing to be interviewed.

Q: Based on your highly acclaimed career and years of dance, what is the thing you like most about dance?

A: “The thing I like most about dance I would say is the complete freedom of mind and body to let go of everything in the outside world and be 'me', expressing all my inner feelings through interpretation of dance movements. Being able to interpret rhythm and movement in different styles of music and telling a story with my body and letting go of any stress or problems and enjoying the freedom of movement and the passion inside of me. It doesn't matter who we are in day to day life, you can just let go and become someone completely different loosing all inhibitions and setting yourself free.”

Q: Do you think dance is a mere form of physical expression, or something more?

A: “Dance is definitely more than physical, once you set yourself free and let yourself go it all comes from within, then you are really dancing. A true smile does not start from your face but from deep in your heart! A true dancer does not start by just moving her/his arms or legs but from a burning passion from deep within.”

Q: Given that your husband is an athlete - do you find similarities between your dance teaching and his guiding?

A: “I think that there are similarities between teaching dance and guiding as we are both giving to our students an ability to better their chosen activity. They always feel great afterwards and we both feel rewarded in doing so. You form a special bond, it is not like a teacher at school where you are forced to go, it is a choice and therefore you are fulfilling a dream somehow and helping them move forward in their chosen path.”

Q: I understand that you climb in addition to dance. Do you have any opinions on the qualities of a good climbing partner compared with the qualities of a good dance partner?

A: “A good climbing partner is someone you trust as they have your life in their hands some how. It is a partnership of encouragement and support and complete trust. As for dance the forms of dance I do, I don't need a partner I can just put on a piece of music and let my body move to the rhythm. It is always good to have a group of dancers and watch and admire the different ways in which people interpret the music is you can learn so much from just watching and growing your passion.”

To contact Joanne directly you can email her at Joanne@starflowerdance.com or visit her web site at http://www.starflowerdance.com