Continued from Page 4
She teased that crows are the only com-
mon wildlife observed in her district of cen-
tral Seattle — besides rats. “Everyone has
their ‘crow on a roof’ story.”
She will also speak about her book, “A
Woman Writing,” a collection of columns
previously published in the Seattle Times,
National Public Radio and other media.
Sanelli has published seven collections of
poetry and three nonfi ction books. As the
daughter of European immigrants, her work
has highlighted her family’s experience.
Knute Berger, a longtime Seattle journal-
ist now writing for Crosscut, has admired
her talents. “I especially like her struggle to
understand her adopted city,” he remarked
in a quote that she highlights on her website.
“As an East Coast Italian girl plunked down
in white bread, PC Seattle she has the capac-
ity to see ourselves as others see us.”
A prolifi c columnist, her pieces have
appeared in The Seattle Times, the Queen
Anne-Magnolia News, Art Access and Dance
Teacher. Her fi rst novel, “The Star Struck
Dance Studio (of Yucca Springs),” was pub-
lished this month and she will embark on a
Washington book tour in October.
Dianne Fuller, this year’s coordinator for
Wings Over Willapa, is excited about Sanel-
li’s appearance at the three-day event, which
includes a free dance workshop for children
at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Cranberry
Museum in Ilwaco.
“Mary Lou is certainly very enthusiastic,”
Fuller said, “and will add a very unique com-
ponent to the festival.”
Sanelli is similarly enthused, in part relish-
ing the opportunity to escape her congested
community of 3.9 million neighbors, even for
a short while. “I get out of the city and can
be in the country,” she said, joy in her voice,
even through the telephone. “It’s a really dif-
ferent feeling for your spirit.”
She said she sometimes performs her bird
dance as part of an ensemble, but will be solo
in Ilwaco. “There’s no fl ock behind me!” she
laughed.
Appearing at events offers an opportunity
to entertain — she likes to make her presenta-
tions humorous, knowing that’s what people
remember. But the educational opportunity
that interpretive dance offers is signifi cant.
“As a dancer, it is your body. We do the art
form — it’s not like looking at a painting on
a wall. We are putting our whole life into it,”
she said.
“Fitness plays a a big part, and as a dancer
you want to remind people to keep moving
IF YOU GO
Welcome to Subirdia — Silent auction,
speaker and dance presentation
5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28
Columbia Pacifi c Heritage Museum, 115
Lake St., S.E., Ilwaco, Wash.
Admission $50.
wingsoverwillapa.org
Mary Lou Sanelli is a Seattle-based writer,
choreographer and dance instructor.
‘WE DO WHAT WE
DO BECAUSE WE
HAVE NO CHOICE.’
Mary Lou Sanelli,
describing life as an artist.
after 30. It’s really important in my work,”
Sanelli said. “I dance and people ask ques-
tions about fi tness and food and all those
things that are very important and yet Ameri-
cans don’t practice.”
Sanelli said she enjoys receiving posi-
tive reader feedback for her writing. But she
said her reward is internal knowledge of a
job well done, not what critics might say.
“We do what we do because we have
no choice,” she said, refl ecting on 20 years
as an artist which has taken her around the
world. “I’m the only person in my build-
ing during the day — everyone else works
at Amazon — and any creativity that comes
… it’s all up to me.”
“It’s not about the applause. … The
only critic is the one you have inside you.
You know when you have done your best,”
Sanelli said.
She believes bird enthusiasts will
respond well when “Crow” fl ies into
Ilwaco.
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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2019 // 5