Photo Essay: Upwardly Mobile

I am convinced one can live in a City one's entire life, and still discover the unexpected. I had heard about Trolley Dances for the past few years, but had never actually made it to an event. Organized by Kim Epifano (Epiphany Productions) and now in its fifth incarnation, the concept is simple: you buy a $1.50 trolley ticket, hop on a trolley (a new line is selected each year) and are provided a two hour guided "tour" of a part of the city. The twist is, the stops are for site specific dance performances by emerging local talent. (Trolley Dances were held for 2 days this weekend, with several tours each day.)

This year's event began in the new SoMA (South of Market district) where I delighted in the new yuppie condo residences that appear to have sprung up overnight. I charged myself with "Ether" - a dark roast coffee at a local coffee shop that had more than a few anesthesia - named blends (I wonder why - I should hope that coffee would be the antithesis of soporific).

This year's chosen line was the "T" line - and after two brief performances, we hopped on the (extremely crowded) trolley and headed on a 20 minute ride to Bayview -Hunter's Point. I had only heard about Hunter's Point - and all I remember hearing is that it is an inner city crime-riddled neighborhood. I tried to locate it on my map of San Francisco, and it wasn't even included. I was not alone - one of the other participants in the tour asked if we were still in San Francisco!

On arrival at our destination, we were greeted by an Afro-American quartet singing a soulful rendition of Love Train, and guided to the Bayview Opera House (built 1888). There we were treated to "rEvolution" (a fast paced production by the Zaccho Dance theatre), and a demonstration of African Capoeira. I was so glad I came - I would never have ventured out here otherwise, and it was heart-warming seeing these kids perform.

Back on the T, we headed to UCSF's gleaming new campus in Mission Bay. The San Diego Dance Theatre greeted us with "Open Minds" - using the benches as props.

The climax was Kim Epifano's "And the Stars Above", performed by her Sonic Dance Theater. It was surprising to see dancers in togas - and later lab coats - but when they settled on the steps of the (biomed research building) Genentech Hall, it all made sense. The choreography was truly stunning and in my opinion the day's best integration of site and dance. The performance referenced discovery (in the back, scientists went about their jobs business as usual). At one point, a dancer scaled the building's exterior wall. Upon its conclusion, one felt as if one was at the birth place of Knowledge itself.

The entire time, I kept imagining how beautifully chaotic it would be to stage an event like this in my home City of Mumbai, India. It would be a win-win deal: a novel way to check out unexpected neighborhoods, an opportunity to support local talent and perhaps involve underpriveleged children, and an attempt to promote the avant garde in India.

I envisioned comandeering one of Mumbai's double deckers (a #1 Ltd perhaps?). We would begin with a performance on Bandra Reclamation, then stop at the unexpected location of Dharavi; children of prostitutes would dance in the Red Light District.

And it would all end with a Big Bollywood number on the steps of Victoria Terminus.