Day 1: Sunday, Sept. 14, 7:45pm

We’re here. Our flight from San Francisco landed a few hours ago. We landed a few minutes early in fact, a miracle considering the way travel is today. I just checked into my hotel room, put away my clothes, and am fighting the urge to take a nap. I’m worried it will screw up my jet lag even more if I sleep now.

It’s a little chillier than I anticipated in Chicago. It’s rained here for the past few days and there’s bit of flooding as well. When we were flying into O’Hare we weren’t sure if we were looking at rivers or streets…. I’m happy to report that it’s stopped raining the weather report says it’s supposed to clear up in the next day or so.

Tomorrow is a free day though I plan on taking an optional class provided at the brand new Joffrey Tower. I may even have the energy to rehearse. I’m looking forward to seeing the Joffrey’s new studios; I’ve heard a lot about them.

I heard the hotel has a fabulous gym on the top floor. I think I’ll go check it out, grab a bite and then go to sleep. I have a long day of sightseeing planned for tomorrow.

Day 2; Monday Sept. 15^th, 10:30pm

Today was busy. It was my only real day to see the city so I tried to pack in the sites. I woke up early, took class at The Joffrey studios which lived up to my expectations. The Joffrey is housed in a new high rise along The Loop: the studios and administrative offices take up two floors with retail shops beneath and above are offices and condos. There are seven studios in all with one floor dedicated to the school and the other for the company.

Helgi taught class today and I was happy to find that he was very sympathetic to the fact that our bodies still felt tight and swollen from flying. Flying is one of the worst feelings for a dancer: our calves swell, pre-existing injuries always seem to reappear, and every muscle seems to tighten. We do a variety of things to help these aches and pains ranging from popping a few Advil before boarding or wearing Tubi-grip (elastic socks) around our feet and calves to keep swelling down. I have to say the muscular discomfort most dancers feel the next day is unavoidable.

After class, I met a friend for lunch at Fox & Obel, a gourmet grocery store and café a short walk from the hotel. Then we strolled over to The Art Institute of Chicago which was stunning. I could easily spend another day there perusing every inch of the museum. It was a little upsetting that the Contemporary and Modern wing of the museum was closed but I really enjoyed their collection of American art, impressionism, and postimpressionism.

From the steps of the Art Institute in Chicago.

I found Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks particularly moving. I felt I could empathize with each of the four characters in the late-night diner. I also liked Jackson Pollack’s Greyed Rainbow; I can safely say I have no idea why it appealed to me but I found myself unable to look away for a very long time. The painting its comprised of mostly gray and black with undertones of navy blue, yellow, and red toward the bottom of the canvas. I am always amazed how Pollack can create such perspective and depth in his paintings with what look like arbitrary brush strokes and paint drips.

Jackson Pollack’s Greyed Rainbow

When the museum closed we hopped on the El and headed to Wicker Park. We walked along the shopping streets for a little while and then took the train over to Oak Street to grab a small bite for dinner. I told my friend (who is a Chicago native) I wanted to see as many neighborhoods as possible in one day. I think three was ambitious.

I’m beat! My legs still feel cramped from the flight and the excessive amount of walking I did today. I think I will run a bath and start my new book.

Day 3: Tuesday Sept. 16, 11:12pm

Lily applies makeup in preparation for opening night in Chicago.

I just performed for the first time since the beginning of May and it felt good! We opened at The Harris Theater tonight to a nearly sold-out crowd. I was in the second ballet, Christopher Wheeldon’s Within the Golden Hour dancing the same role I premiered at the end of last season during the New Works Festival. I am always so moved by the added element of having a live audience. There is nothing like it and the first show back is usually surreal especially since we are in a new and unfamiliar theater.

The stage and house are much smaller than The War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco but it was great to be part of an evening showcasing our company to a new audience. The Company hasn’t been to Chicago in over 20 years and judging from the applause, I think that we were received warmly.

We had dress rehearsal earlier today which was less than perfect but dancers (and performance artists alike) always say, “bad dress rehearsal, great performance!” This proved to be true today.

We also premiered two other works tonight, Helgi Tomasson’s The Fifth Season and Jorma Elo’s Double Evil, the latter of which I perform on Saturday. I’m hoping I can find enough rehearsal time during the second half of the week to prepare. We still have three more ballets to premiere plus a Gala this Thursday. There is a lot to be done and barely enough time.

Well, I’d better make time; I want to feel as prepared as possible. In this case it means grabbing my partner, finding a studio, and working on our own. Maybe I can find the time tomorrow.

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