Vital Grace

Book excerpt: Affirming the vital power of male dance, this collection of portraits by Joanne Savio, choreographed by Duane Cyrus, focuses on aspects often disregarded in views of the classical male dancer. Dance is a vital part of most cultures. History is passed down, courting is done, and people are healed through dance ceremonies in which men take part. Much of this tradition has been lost in Western culture. And there are many misconceptions about the male dancer. His strength and discipline are too often disregarded, lost in the folds of cultural and gender cliches, The artistic vision of Vital Grace is to inspire the viewer to appreciate the classic athletic agility of the male dancer. His mental discipline and physical strength are indeed masculine and lie at the very core of his art.