For my first visit to the Luli Creative House space, I arrived extra early to make sure to find parking and get up to the space in the elevator and find a seat. Greeted at the door by a friendly person telling me where to go was greatly appreciated. Entering the fourth floor was a bit mysterious as you are not yet in the Luli space but a gorgeous raw warehouse room where things are stored and people are buzzing around in a corner getting ready. It may have helped to have a couple more friendly faces to guide you all the way in to the room and explain where to sit, but it was also a nonthreatening adventure.
I stopped in the restroom, which had fun full lengths doors, a nice touch I always like to see. Then in the space, I took in the colors and beauty of the light and two main seating areas. Asking someone where to sit, they explained it really could be anywhere and the dancers would either dance on you or move you as needed. I took a spot on the end of a long couch with tons of pillows – my favorite so you can arrange them according to how your back feels at the moment. People were friendly and talking to each other and it was a warm comfortable environment in general. Music was eventually turned on so that could have been set up a little more in advance but not too noticeable. It seemed like there was extra time built in at the beginning and the end for late comers, getting settled, and conversation, which was helpful but also made me wonder when it would begin. I liked the casual tone of the introductions and welcome, and though a bit more polish may have been expected, I don’t think that is the tbd style and I don’t know about the Luli style yet. Megan Siebe was set up to do a solo set on cello before the dance, though I don’t think that was clear in all of the social media or other explanations I saw (unless I just missed it). She began playing a mesmerizing set of unique melodies and songs and atmosphere, created, she mentioned half through, with the help of a new effects pedal. Something about the sound of a cello pulls directly on my own heart strings and I teared up a bit. The calm, bright, sunny, warm friendly room and the delicious resonant sounds all caused me to breathe deeper and appreciate just being there. There was a short break and then the dancers took places around the room, causing you to look all around to discover who was moving first. Two people began what became a complex, layered, gentle but tough performance all around the room. Incorporating the furniture, fabric, fans, the windows, a mirror, and the viewers, a magical half hour ensued. With the title “Overlap”, it seemed to refer to the layers of people and fabric and interactions with the space. The description referred to the dancers engaging with the architecture, the light, and the colors of the space and that was evident in the fabrics, climbing up to windowsills, and the costumes with fringe matching two of the chairs. A few times the people who had to sit on the floor near my feet had to shift and move out of the way, causing backs to lean on legs and other close quarters interaction, but it was friendly and warm and added to the experience for me, which was frankly surprising. What I read into the performance may be totally off base, but it also has to do with what I know about the space, the creators and the events that happen there. Luli House was established by women and is often used by women owned businesses and the events often seem to focus on women. What I saw in the dance movements was women supporting each other, stretching each other, pushing each other, but gently and supportively. The dancers used the space in many different ways, which is what happens each week there. They played with fabric and created scenes but also flow. They watched out for each other and brought new members into the group. They tried different combinations and reacted to the stunning soundtrack – also created by Megan along with her husband. The end was the older dancers gathering up a newer group and wrapping them in a cocoon of fabric on the floor. I have to make a side note about these musicians and the group of other musicians they are friends with who all play together in different combinations and are, as I tried to explain to them tonight, like an amazing cauldron of talent that keeps recombining in fascinating ways. Head down to Grapefruit records and you will find at least one of them to tell you more. This brings me to the part where I rave about the talent in Omaha. I often feel like I do not fit in here in Omaha and like I am watching the cool kids from outside a window (or a screen), and that is generally ok with me. From the musicians in this and other groups, to the writers, several of whom where also there, to the organizers and other doers who put this on or were also attending, to filmmakers, artists, and marketing gurus, Omaha really is filled with top notch under appreciated creators. One of my many dreams since I was a teenager has been to have a venue to present all of this talent to the world, especially to the youth of Omaha, so they can find hope and creative expression, and support. I had a version of it for a minute at Holy Family Community Center (RIP), but am totally in limbo and lost right now, looking for a version of what I experienced tonight. Events like these give me hope and excitement and make me want to get out more and expose my kiddo to it all. I seem to especially struggle with connecting with women at times, but tonight’s performance featuring so many women literally leaning on each other in a women run space was a beautiful depiction of what women working together creatively can look like. I really do hope to find my tribe of women to support me and that I can in turn support. And who knows maybe a space even half as lovely as the Luli Creative House. Thank you to everyone involved for an amazing afternoon of art.
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