I attended the book launch of Unveiling Motion and Emotion by Anabella Lenzu at the Argentine Consulate. Ms. Lenzu's book, printed in both English and Spanish, was made possible by a successful Kickstarter campaign.

The book launch included Ms. Lenzu's impassioned reading from her book, several live performances by a member of her dance company, and photographs from the book projected on a screen behind her. I thought Ms. Lenzu was an excellent speaker, and as such will be an asset to the field of dance and dance criticism (we originally met at a Dance Critics Association conference).

The staff of the Argentine Consulate were very welcoming and hosted a reception that featured some excellent Argentine wines.

One of the works performed used a table cloth that amplified the motion of the dancer's body. It was a simple object used to good effect. Taken together, the works showed that Ms. Lenzu's choreography has quite a wide range, including influences from modern, folk and tango styles of dance. I was intrigued and will do my best to be there the next time she stages a full show.

I bought a copy of Unveiling Motion and Emotion at the launch. I have been reading passages, and like the performances, it intrigues me. Ms. Lenzu has a deep and broad background in dance, and a joy in a life of dance, that comes across clearly. My one suggestion so far is to find a way to put the English and Spanish text side by side, maybe in an iPad app, so that the book could be used to learn some Spanish (or English). Maybe for Ms. Lenzu's next Kickstarter campaign.

You can purchase the book here: http://www.anabellalenzu.com/book/.

Anabella Lenzu reads from "Unveiling Motion and Emotion" Photo © & courtesy of Todd Carroll

Anabella Lenzu reads from "Unveiling Motion and Emotion" Photo © & courtesy of Todd Carroll

"Around the Altar" danced by Lauren Ohmer at the "Unveiling Motion and Emotion" book launch Photo © & courtesy of Todd Carroll

A work, "We are the people", based on a traditional Argentine folk dance style danced by Lauren Ohmer at the "Unveiling Motion and Emotion" book launch Photo © & courtesy of Todd Carroll

The reception at the "Unveiling Motion and Emotion" book launch Photo © & courtesy of Todd Carroll