Mikhail Baryshnikov (Misha) and Twyla Tharp are my heroes.  Both successful "cross over" artists, they have brought contemporary dance to a broad audience - from balletomanes to Broadway to couch potatos everywhere.  More importantly, they have fueled the careers of a generation of artists who will succeed them.  Their legacy is large.  I think of Lucy Guerin and Jodi Melnick, in particular.

Guerin's choreography was last seen in Portland in Chunky Move's Two Faced Bastard.  I was first wowed by her work in NYC many moons ago, including once at The Kitchen when the unassuming Misha, who us "downtown dancers" loved to see at "our" shows, sat next to me!  (Fortunately, he and his date moved to seats closer to the stage, leaving me to breath normally and focus on the performance - which blew me away.)  Shortly after, Misha commissioned a work from Guerin for himself and a gorgeous dancer whose name I sadly can't recall right now.  She had short, dark hair.  Anyone know her name?  Today, when Misha takes the White Bird stage, Guerin's work "Structures and Sadness" opens in New York (http://www.dancetheaterworkshop.org/lucyguerin).

Melnick, who dazzled audiences in Twyla Tharp's work for years, danced with Misha in Donna Uchizono's piece at PICA's TBA Festival not too long ago.  She too presented her own powerful work recently (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/21/arts/dance/21fanf.html).  Both of these fierce females have made names for themselves, creating choreography of substance and performances that stay in your mind forever.  I know that Misha and Twyla aren't responsible for the success of these two singular voices or the thousands of other professional dance artists whose lives they have touched, but you know Misha and Twyla.  Now lets get to know the Lucys and Jodis.