Golden orange marigolds reaching up toward the sun with a sharp focus on one redder marigold in the center.
image by LengocHoan via Pixabay
THOUGHTS
Happy Halloween and Día de los Muertos!
This is a time of unfettered joy for children, of dressing up and letting loose for the grown-ups, and of the incredible win from the SF Valkyries, and also a time to reflect on the legacy of our ancestors.
My friend Deborah sent me this poem, “The Raincoat” by Ada Limón, saying it made her think of the work we do at the studio. It isn’t the same as the magic of a lifetime of care from a family member, but we hope the relationships you build with us feel a little like that, as if you’ve been miraculously kept dry this whole time.
Today at Oceánica Ballet
Maddie, Rowan, and Shellie are performing with Oceánica Ballet today.
Viva La Vida is a family-friendly program of story ballets inspired by Halloween and Día de los Muertos. Act One previews two upcoming works, P1N0CCH10 and Carmilla. Act Two is Viva La Vida itself, an original tale of loss and the resilience of love, told through folklórico-infused dance.
You know them from your time in the studio, so it’s a particular pleasure to see them in a new light.
Sunday, November 1 | 1pm & 4pm
College of San Mateo Theatre
1700 W Hillsdale Blvd, San Mateo
WHAT I’M READING
A scuff on your bag, a dent in your mug – and suddenly it feels like time for a new one (The Conversation)
Marketing researchers found that some people feel every flaw in the things they own much more sharply than others, and that it can make them quicker to replace what still works. The authors suggest a scuff can also be read as history, the mark of something you’ve carried hundreds of times because you like it. A good companion to a week of ofrendas.
The NBA star helping protect his opponents’ feet (NBC News)
Damian Lillard co-founded an insoles company after years of foot trouble of his own, and teams around the league now use it, mostly by word of mouth. His point about the right support for different feet applies well beyond basketball.
AMPD staff member helps AGO uncover identity of woman in rare 18th-century portrait (York University)
After six years, the Art Gallery of Ontario has identified the artist and sitter of an 18th-century portrait of a Black woman: Eleonora Susette, an enslaved young woman born in a Dutch colony in present-day Guyana. Archival records gave her name back to her, which feels right for this weekend.
NEW LOCATION UPDATE
This past Wednesday I spent the day collecting stamps toward our permit at SF DBI. Thank you to Hao and Joe for helping me move through the queues so efficiently, and to our new landlord, who spent Thursday morning in line to sign off on the ADA improvements for the studio.
We’re getting closer to opening in our new space. Once the work is complete and we pass final inspection, we’ll be ready. Keep your fingers crossed that there are no surprises!
Thank you for letting us be a small part of how you care for yourself and the people around you. We’re looking forward to seeing you this week.
Warmly,
Harriet
