Of the many iconic moments Charlie shared with me during our all-too-brief time working together, the most memorable was when he spoke of modern dance. 

If I asked, “What do you love most about dance?” his entire countenance changed. This man of unbridled passion, drive, and determination would deliberately slow down, breathe deep, and stare wistfully as the magnificent choreography he’d experienced danced in front of his face. 

He said to me several times, “Dance just takes my breath away. The choreography, the choreographers, and the dancers.”

In a world so frequently impatient, bored, desensitized, and jaded, awe is magic. To slow down and savor being awe-struck might be impulsive and unintentional, but also can be a conscious choice.

Dancers from across the modern dance ecosystem who were influenced and supported by Charlie flew in from around the globe to honor him. Shen Wei improvised a new piece to “Nature Boy” accompanied by Charlie’s daughter (and 4A Arts Board Member) Ariane Reinhart on the microphone and her husband, Laurence Hobgood, on the piano. Martha Clarke’s legendary piece, Nocturne, enraptured all. 

Two original pieces were shared by the legendary duo Eiko & Koma and Paul Taylor resident choreographer Robert Battle. The performance ended with Paul Taylor Dance Company’s “Company B,” which, according to Ms. Reinhart’s eulogy, Charlie considered the “quintessential piece by Paul Taylor.”

Each performance filled the entire audience with awe, just as Charlie would have hoped.

Before the Celebration of Life at the Joyce, 4A Arts held its own tribute to Charlie’s vision for arts advocacy across the street from the Joyce. Board members Luis Cancel, Paula Lawrence, Joy Javits, Marc Lemberg, and Ruby Shang hosted dozens of arts advocates.