I am writing to thank you for the stunning performance that you, your company and your guest artists put on for the 14th Annual Seattle Study Club Symposium's final gala dinner at the Ritz Carlton Naples Beach Resort on January 27, 2007. As you know, my event planners and I were under a great deal of pressure to deliver a "wow" at this event, and you really came through for us. With over 700 "repeat customers" to please, expectations were high and my charge to you early on was that the performance be jaw-dropping and breath-taking. From the moment the performance began, you exceeded my expectations and those of the guests in attendance. The comments I heard included "unbelievable..." "awesome...." "spectacular...." and "you really nailed it this time, Suzanne!" (referring to my having chosen Pendulum Dance Theatre as our final dinner entertainment).

Because I have been in the business of event planning for over 15 years, I am extremely cynical and critical when it comes to convention entertainment. I've seen it all and I've done it all. So when I say that in my opinion, the performance delivered by Pendulum was perfect, you can rest assured that this is not a word I regularly use or utter lightly. As I look back over our almost 6 months of collaboration leading up to the performance, I think there are a number of factors that led to this result (in addition to the skill of the aerial acrobats, of course). First, you took the time to listen, to understand, and to buy-in to my dreams for the evening. You were willing to customize your performance to suit my vision. Second, you worked with me to find music that we both agreed was "just right" for the overall theme and ambiance of the evening. The music was unusual enough that many guests asked me about the artist (Sasha Lazard) and, I'm sure, promptly went out and purchased or downloaded her cd "The Myth of Red." I would not have known of this music had you not introduced me to it. Finally, though it may have taken you outside your comfort zone, you were extremely adaptable to changing conditions and to the element of the unknown where the physical setting of the room and the rigging was concerned. Because of our great distance from the event space, it was impossible for either of us to know exactly how everything would play out until a day or two before the performance. I know this caused you some consternation, but you dealt with each situation as it presented itself, gracefully and with aplomb.

Late last fall I read a review of one of your Portland performances. The reviewer contrasted your artists' performances with those of other more prominent companies such as Cirque Du Soleil. The reviewer said that unlike these other groups, you and your company show a great deal of heart. At the time I read the review I wasn't exactly sure what the reviewer meant by that. But having seen the performance you put on for our group, I now understand. Every one of your artists pours him or herself into the performance. These artists are not just going through the motions but rather giving a gift to the audience, and eagerly awaiting their delighted response. At our event this intimate connection between performer and audience was heightened by the physical proximity of the silks to the dinner tables, but I think it must be this same sense of connection that the reviewer felt in your Portland performance, and referred to as "heart." This was an additional and unexpected aspect of your performance for which I am extremely grateful. It made the evening even more magical for our guests.

As is obvious from this letter, I would heartily recommend Pendulum Dance Theatre and would hire you again in a second should the opportunity arise. You are welcome to use me as a reference in future.
Best regards,
Suzanne Cohen
Seattle Study Club, Inc.

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