INDIAN DANCE, VIJA’S FIRST LOVE
PHOTOS: CHRISTOPHER SCALZI/DISTILLED STUDIOS / MU REGINA HARRIS
I have been stumped on how to introduce the most Glorious one — Vija Vētra. But now I must. Yes, she has been shown in snippets on our IG and TT. And now I have known her for over three years.
Here’s a bit about her …
Vija is 101-years-old.
And is quite the international star — a choreographer who has danced with the likes of Martha Graham, Nureyev — and Mister Rogers — my personal fave – which makes Vija’s eyes roll.
Each year, she gives a solo performance in her native country, Latvia, where she is celebrated for the icon that she is.
An icon. And a Diva.
Her first goal when I met her was to hit that 100-year-old mark.
Done.
Next goal, 103.
GLORIOUS PROFESSION: Dancer, Choreographer, Teacher, Lecturer, Indian and Modern Dance
GLORIOUS PERSONA: Legend
GLORIOUS QUALITIES: Best storyteller. Ever. Relentless. Survivor. Thriver.
GLORIOUS PHILOSOPHY:
“I have been here many times. So I am ancient. Antique? Maybe I am antique also. Old I don’t like. Old are only things. Things are old.”
Now, at 101, she moves a little more slowly. The body. Never the mind.
Our time together — our conversations — are so vast — so profound — often leaving me with mouth agape. She is the teller of tales. Often an education for me. I have not lived through a war. I have not been a refugee. I have not lost my entire family or had them sent to Siberia. I have not started over again and again in country after country.
And that’s just the beginning…
So, instead of being overwhelmed with the task of a huge interview and long ass rehash of Vija — ‘cause you can find films about her, books about her — articles — countless documentation — I have chosen snippets of our illuminating and often hysterical chats — always recorded — starting with …
WHEN I “PICKED HER UP” ON 8TH AVENUE AND 11TH AND ASKED IF I COULD INTERVIEW HER AS A FELLOW “GLORIOUS BROAD.” HER RESPONSE:
“I am not a GLORIOUS BROAD.
I don’t like the word BROADS.
You have to change that.
If you call me that — I won’t work with you.
A BROAD to me is a fast woman. A broad is not intelligent. A broad is not educated.
A broad has sex with strangers.
I don’t like that.
Why did you choose that?
But GLORIOUS is good. Very good.
Instead of broads, use WARRIORS.
Because that is what I am — A GLORIOUS WARRIOR.
Women are warriors.
Women are the stronger sex.
Men are weak.
Very weak.
They have to be LED by us.
They have to be TOLD by us.
Promise me you will do this.
If you change the name, I will be part of your Glorious Warriors.”
GB: Ummm, as you can see, Vija does not mince words. Maybe this was the reason I have not published ‘till now. ‘Cause she would chase my tail down if she was not happy. I feel confident, however, that I’ve covered my ass by calling her immédiatement a Glorious Warrior. Non?
WE NOW MEET AT A JOINT CALLED THE BUS STOP CAFÉ. SHE LOVES IT. I’M OVER IT. SHE ALWAYS ORDERS THE SAME THING: BROILED SALMON, BEETS, HEAPS OF BROCCOLI ON THE SIDE. NO BREAD. NO POTATOES. BUT ALWAYS A MARGARITA. WHY SHE IS 101. I ALWAYS TAPE. SHE LOVES THE AUDIENCE — MOI — AND SHE’S OFF. I EAT IT UP:
Owning it.
“I am a refugee from Latvia.
And I miss my home every day.
I am a dancer.
And just gave an overseas performance in Europe. Two hours on stage — in my native country. I go there every June for this festival.
Two hours!
I am the oldest dancer in the world. I think.
I will claim it. I am. I AM.”
Joy.
“I try to emanate joy — but I have been through a lot. All the dangers to my life. I was buried alive in Vienna under a building. In mid-day the first bombs came down – then more — then more — a building where we studied dance – I was in the cellar with the others — great panic — and I was sure I would die. No air to breathe – the walls crumbling — and I was shoveled out.
But here I am — there must have been a reason why I lived on. And reached the age of 101.
I cannot dance for frivolous reasons — for decoration — I dance about the layers of life. I have to.”
“I am the oldest dancer in the world. I think. I will claim it. I am. I AM.”
Mister Rogers.
“Life as a refugee was misery. But after being shuffled around from country to country, cot to cot, I was relocated to Australia — for 16 years after the war.
I had my own dance company, my own channel on Australian TV. Danced for Queen Elizabeth, danced for — everyone.
And now, I am here in New York, for the last 47 years.
I’ve had my own school — danced with Martha Graham, Nureyev.
And what do people know me for here?
I was a regular for him. He was a nice man.
But still…”
Money.
“I had a manager for a while — but — they want things.
I could have made more money but — I’d rather make less money and do whatever I want.
That is the way I lived. And live.
I gave up my passport to Australia. Though a birthday citation from the Queen for my 100th birthday would have been special.
President Biden sent me a 100th Birthday card. But they forgot to put my name on it. Then, they sent the birthday card again. With no name again.
That’s America.
But. I need the social security here.”
Glorious Warrior.
“It’s not easy to be an artist.
But a life without dance — completely impossible.
I have been thinking about the performance I want to choreograph and dance for the festival in Latvia this summer.
Migrating birds are on my mind.
I would sit — alone — in the center — the dancers would fly around me. The leader — being left behind.
To me, that is the cruel joke of reaching 101. You are stronger than ever as a dancer — your mind — your ideas — but you are hurt.
You are the wounded bird. The wounded warrior.
GB: Vija was happy with the choreography but, for the first time ever, was unhappy with her dancing. But the piece slays me. It represents all that she wanted it to be. However, she claims this may have been her last dance. We’ll see about that …
Next.
Oh yeah. You better believe there’s a sequel in the works for Vija Vetra…
She is relentless — has more ambition, more drive, more UMPH. She is a national treasure in Latvia, but here? Let’s just say at 101, she is still wanting the big break.
She may be bitching with me about her back and her feet and her knees — but the moment she hits a podium or a stage — she rises, like the Phoenix she is.
Glorious Broads is a force, but I was unable to give her the individual help, time and care she needs to thrive. Nor do I understand the workings of the art world — and how to create career movements in the lives of these older Glorious Broad artists. And so …
I’m thrilled to announce Vija will be the next artist represented by Two by Two Media, founded by Gigi Stoll. Two by Two is dedicated to providing women artists in New York City over 70 with the technical, digital and marketing savvy they need to kick some further ass. Vija will have her own Instagram, website. I’m not sure Vija gets the importance of all that — but she sure likes the idea of seeing herself on the cover of The New York Times style section. PRINT! TV!
Most important for Vija — and for me — her legacy will be preserved in both Latvia and here, her home for the last umpteen years.
Why I needed to get this Glorious Warrior up now — passing Vija’s future on and celebrating what we hope to be her 103rd birthday with Two by Two Media, Gigi, me — and the whole damn planet.
Vija will very soon be up at twobytwomedia at IG @twobytwomedia. She’s omnipresent all over the internet. And she checks it daily!