Stand Up- A solo

I am raising funds for the development of a new project called Stand Up, a solo project- my last solo.   I am in the early stages of development and have actually been putting it off as I have been focusing primarily on (Re)current Unrest which will begin touring in 2020.  Stand-Up will premiere in 2021, the year I turn 50 years old.  The last true solo I created on myself was in 2007.  I am creating this solo because I am lucky enough to still be able to move and I need to honor that.  I am looking at resilience and joy in the face of pain...This is uncharted territory for me and I am asking for your support.

As I reflect on the past 25 years of my professional career I have noticed some patterns and habits- some that have been productive and others self-sabotaging.  The pattern that has inspired this work is around my ability to stay resilient and tenacious in this field of dance and in life in general...I have noticed that I have been able to bounce back, get knocked on my ass and get back up, show up in the face of defeat and rejection...until recently...The past few years I have noticed it has become increasingly difficult to get back up...if I were to be completely honest, in the past 5 years there has been a marked increase in the times when I just want to lie down not seeing the point in getting up anymore.  As difficult and perhaps inappropriate it is to admit-I am in one of those moments right now...But in doing so it allows me to notice other habits.  When I can't stand up for myself, I will stand up for others.  When I can't stand up for myself, I will see the remarkable generosity and courage of those around me.  When I can't stand up for myself, I will get up for dance.  In this I am not unique- it is the human spirit.  It is the experience of Black folks.  

So, as I continue work on (Re)current Unrest (check that out on www.charlesoanderson.me), I am going to begin this new project as an act of self-preservation and an attempt to dust myself off once more.  More specifically, I am going to explore.  Specifically I am raising funds to travel to Cartagena, Colombia one of the largest Spanish slave ports in the Americas.  I am also applying for funds to finally visit Salvador, Bahia Brazil and for my long overdue James Baldwin pilgrimage to France and Turkey.  I am on leave this fall from UT and I am hoping to book my first trip by my birthday of August 4.  

I am asking for your support as part of my process to stand up for myself.  I am struggling and I need your help.  I am feeling stuck and I need to change, I need to dance.  I realize that after 25 years there are many who I have taught, engaged, mentored and supported. I hope I can count of you to help me to meet my August 4 deadline to start finding a reason to stand up again...to start moving again. Thank you.