I am consistently impressed by the savvy with which these two performers bring these genres to the general public. I’m not an expert in either of these forms, but I feel that I learn a little more each time I see one of their performances, which are always stunningly well-rehearsed and executed with a deft sense of musicality. I’ve seen less of Loompa’s work, and this presentation offered her ample opportunities as a performer to wow the audience with spectacular turns, punctuated by twists of wrists and fingers that seemed to gouge new cardinal directions into the very air in which she revolved.

That same weekend, I’d also caught another 801 Salon at the Vis eyeglasses studio, produced by local choreographer Roxanne Gray. The evening featured short pieces by five choreographers. I was particularly impressed by a solo by Rebekah Guerra and a duet but Sam Stone. Stone and her partner seemed to be exploring a charged space somewhere between contact improvisation and choreographed stillness, somewhat reminiscent of the recent trend toward using sculpture and figurative monuments as inspiration or provocation. Guerra’s study, One Step in Time, which mostly consisted of her crawling slowly on her elbows and knees, was physically discomfiting to watch, but also mesmerizingly beautiful.

I hope to see more from all four of these talented women here in Salt Lake City in the years to come.