From Historical Pageant to Zooming T’ai Chi!

By Harriet Lynn, Carmel, California, U.S.

It has been a surreal experience during these last few months, and upon reflection, it also
seems like it was meant to be. I was moving full tilt in one direction, and surprise! I learned I must
immediately surrender to a new reality. And with recent protests and violence, whatever was
going on before seems to have vanished. Safe distancing? Wearing masks? Out the window
overnight, it seems. But this is my story within the din and cry of the at-times terrifying news
that seems so removed,when I look at nature surrounding me, just going about its business with
its blossoms and greenery, despite the fervor and torment screaming from a distance.

In the Spring of 2019, I was commissioned by the City of Monterey to direct and write a script
for a large community event celebrating the 250th anniversary of Monterey, California. The date of the
event: June 3, 2020– Monterey’s Founder Day. I drew inspiration from a well-known tile
mural depicting the passage of history in Monterey, which originally served as the capital
under both Spanish and Mexican rule. Much time and effort was put forth from not only me,
but many others from various groups and individuals. Descendants, both young
and old, from the ancient Rumsen Carmel tribe, were eager to share their culture through
ceremonial dancing and singing. The Carmel Mission Choir were to sing the very same chants recorded by Father Serra on June 3, 1770. Groups proudly sharing their traditional songs and
dances from Mexico, Italy, Spain, China, and more were to perform. Living history characters
depicting individuals of note from various Monterey eras were to interact with the public. And
the audience was invited to dress as their favorite characters or era. Even a “Flash Mob” was to
break out, with dancing to iconic songs of the ‘60’s, to pay homage to the famous Monterey Jazz
Festival. All in all, it was to be a joyous time of celebration, bringing today’s community
together with its past.

But with the advent of the coronavirus, all things such as large gatherings were cancelled.
Shelter-in-place, safe distancing, and wearing masks became our world almost overnight. Our
Monterey 250 Mosaic Community Celebration was stunted in its tracks. Perhaps it may happen
in 2021 as a kind of coming out party for Monterey, but only time will tell.

As a coda to my COVID-19 saga: one door closes; another opens. Enter Zoom! My ongoing teaching of t’ai chi came to a halt when the Monterey Sports Center’s door closed. So instead
of being immersed in an outdoor historical celebration, I am now teaching Zoom t’ai chi to
people from around the country. Who knew? COVID-19 has its way of pushing us in directions
we did not know existed. So leaping from an outdoor history event to an in-door use of modern
technology is where I have landed. Who knows where and what the future will hold?