Aerial dancer Michelle Rivera of Vancouver admits it can be tough to explain what she does to others.
“I ask them if they’ve seen Cirque du Soleil,” she said. “That’s basically what we do.”
Rivera, a member of the A-WOL Dance Collective in Portland, dances on a trapeze about 5 feet off the ground but sometimes reaches heights of 25 feet during performances.
Her passion for dancing was ignited while she was a student at the Vancouver School of Arts and Academics. Rivera, 27, had taken gymnastics as a child but never blended the two skills until she was approached by A-WOL’s artistic director Jen Harbaugh in mid-2008. Harbaugh convinced her to audition in October of that year; Rivera apprenticed in 2009 and is now a full-fledged company member.
She was drawn to aerial dancing because of the unique skill set it demands. “You don’t see aerial dancers every day, and it’s completely different,” she said. “It feels different. It’s original.”
Rivera and her fellow company members are preparing for their upcoming show, “Zip Zam Zoom.” The group’s show follows the conflict between three sisters and is influenced by comic strips. Visit http://a-woldance.org for more information.
Rivera was initially skeptical about auditioning for A-WOL but is glad she did. “I’ve always kind of dreamed of being in a dance company, and I had given up on that before I joined A-WOL,” she said. “I’m actually living a dream.”
Camas organizing expert plans to tackle, kick cancer
Krista Colvin keeps on top of her medical appointments, as one would expect an organizing maven to do. Colvin, a 43-year-old Camas resident, runs a company called Organize the Whole Shebang. She makes sure to schedule her physicals, dental appointments and mammograms on the recommended timetables.
Yet she found a lump in her breast by accident after a bath. Doctors have confirmed that it’s cancer. Now Colvin is in the midst of testing and will begin chemotherapy later this month.
“There’s a sense of calm I have. I’m not really scared, and I wonder if it’s just that the calmness is preparing me for battle,” Colvin said.
Meantime, the former Hudson’s Bay High School marketing teacher is coping with the diagnosis through a blog: http://www.puttingonmybiggirlpanties.com — as in, she’s putting on her big girl panties to kick breast cancer.
“Once I get the plan, I can tackle it,” she said. “I know the hard part is yet to come.”
Restaurant owner shares gift
Since opening Harwoods Martini Bar and Restaurant in Camas in December, co-owner Dan Harmic has spent more time mixing it up with the public.
When there’s time, he visits with diners at their tables and he’s often working the bar.
On occasion, he’ll even sing “Happy Birthday To You” if a customer makes that request on their special day.
The spotlight is not new for the 47-year-old Harmic, who lives in Washougal.
Harmic has been a part of the Oregon Repertory Singers for more than two decades. He will perform as a soloist for the group’s upcoming concerts on April 17 and 18.
Singing has long been a part of Harmic’s life, but owning a restaurant is a new adventure.
Harmic started Harwoods with Charles Woods, 53, of east Vancouver, after he was laid off from his job in commercial trucking. The two men got to know each other coaching softball for Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Vancouver.
Bits ’n’ Pieces appears Mondays and Fridays. If you have a story you’d like to share, call Features Editor Elisa Williams, 360-735-4561, or e-mail elisa.williams@columbian.com.
