José Limón and the Best Ever Two-Word Description of Labanotation

Today I received the most recent issue of the DNB's Library News (if it wasn't in your mailbox, you can read it here). It includes an article about choreographer José Limón, whose 100th birthday would be this year. The article is written by former Limón dancer Lucy Venable, who details the 12 Limón dances that are preserved in Labanotation scores. She also mentions that Limón's centennial was celebrated in November at the CORD Conference at Barnard College; for curious readers, here's a summary of the conference events. (Even more curious readers might want to read the Limón Foundation's e-news or some issues of the Limón Journal.)

But here, to me, is the best part of the article: "From time to time he would inquire how our current 'Navajo rug' was coming along..."

What a brilliant way to describe the look of Labanotation! For starters, it's pretty accurate. See for yourself -- does this rug not look remarkably like Labanotation?!

Photo by Glen Belbeck
http://www.flickr.com/photos/outofsocks/2162873288/
(click photo or Flickr link for larger version)

Moreover, just about everybody has a mental image of a Navajo rug. And not a lot of people have a mental image of Labanotation. Next time somebody asks me what Labanotation looks like, I'm not going to say, "Well, it's sort of like a music score, but there are columns and geometric symbols, and..." Nope. I'm going to say, "It looks a bit like a Navajo rug."

(And it's just two words. Two words! Hooray for saying much while saving breath!)

José Limón and the Post Office

Here's a great idea from the José Limón Dance Foundation: let's convince the U.S. Postal Service to issue a José Limón commemorative stamp. There have been stamps for George Balanchine, Martha Graham, Alvin Ailey, Agnes de Mille (and perhaps others?) . . . and José Limón belongs among them! Now's definitely the time to petition the U.S.P.S., as January 12, 2008 would be Limón's 100th birthday (he died in 1972).

If you too would like to see a Limón stamp, send a note to the U.S.P.S. encouraging it to create a commemorative stamp in honor of Limón's 100th birthday. Here's a sample letter provided by the José Limón Dance Foundation:

Jacqueline Padron
United States Postal Service
475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Rm. 3821
Washington, DC 20260-3821

Dear Ms. Padron:

On January 12, 2008 José Limón, one of the American founders of modern dance, turns 100 years old. The Limón Dance Company, is the living legacy of the movement technique and philosophy of theater developed by José and his mentors, Doris Humphrey and Charles Weidman, whose innovative works have been recognized as great masterworks of American dance.

In recognition of his achievements, I request that the United States Postal Service issue a commemorative stamp in José's honor.

Thank you for considering my request.

[Your name and address here.]