Keith V. Goodman, Portland dancer, dies at 54
Update: Walter Jaffe at White Bird Dance has passed along this note from Keith Goodman’s friend Carla Mann: “Dear friends, I wanted to let you know that a gathering to celebrate Keith Goodman will be held this coming Thursday, July 2 from 4-6pm at the Gerding Theater, 128 NW 11th. Please join family and friends in honoring this incredible man. Please also spread the word to others who knew Keith and who we may not be on our contact list. For those who are interested, contributions can be made to the Keith V. Goodman Memorial Fund through the On Point Credit Union.”
Bad news for Portland’s arts scene: Keith Goodman, a contemporary dancer, choreographer and teacher, died today shortly after a performance, apparently of a heart attack. Marty Hughley has the story on Oregon Live.
Goodman was 54. He was known as a gentleman, a graceful spirit, a good friend. He was part of the core of the contemporary dance center Conduit, and had his own company, Dance Gatherer.
Keith was a beautiful man, and not just with the physical beauty of a fine dancer, although he certainly was that: a lean, lithe, graceful, athletic man. People will remember him, I think, for a different sort of beauty — a quiet, contained wholeness that shone on his face; a sweet openness to his smile; a feeling of generosity.
We are all a little lesser today. Keith will be missed.
Godspeed.
June 27th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
A gentleman and a gentle soul. May we all hold his memory tenderly, and may those who did not know Keith come to know him through the stories we tell.
June 27th, 2009 at 10:49 pm
And here is a small story: I first saw Keith dance, not in his own work, but a solo that was included in one of those vast omnibus shows that Judith Catterall used to put on, maybe fifteen years ago, maybe longer. Keith had quite recently arrived in Portland I think, and I don’t remember whose choreography he was performing, but the delicate, meticulous way he moved his body across the stage of the Winningstad was entirely captivating. He seemed boneless moreover, smooth and golden like molasses. Later, he performed his own work at Conduit; I remember a wonderful show for which Habiba, last seen as part of Skinner/Kirk plus Bielemeier, sang, accompanying a piece that incorporated an eclectic and fascinating blend of mythology. He was a man of grace, right to the end, leaving us quite appropriately if much too soon, dancing.
June 29th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
we heard tonight in Nia class, via Vinn Marti, that a member of Portland’s dance community was gone, gracefully upon completion of a dance…
and I saw him on occasion in the elevator on the way to Conduit and knew him as one who came to MLC to teach my children and their classmates about the art of dance…much sorrow on this passing…
June 30th, 2009 at 8:55 am
There will be a memorial for Keith at the Gerding Theater, 128 NW 11th, on Thursday, this Thursday, July 2nd from 4 to 6 pm, I’ve been informed by Carla Mann.
June 30th, 2009 at 8:55 am
Ooops, didn’t read the top of the post, sorry.
July 1st, 2009 at 8:14 am
A personal friend who I had the wonderful opportunity to live above in a ‘community-style’ northwest four-plex for many years. He and Bill fed my soul with their warmth and love and laughter. I will honor Keith for his work and all that he meant to those who knew him. Love.
July 1st, 2009 at 10:40 am
We knew Keith as an amazing father and friend. We wish that we had seen him dance. We were carpool friends who met each morning to deliver our children. We love his family, his beautiful daughter, his wise partner Bill and or course we couldn’t help falling in love with the best dressed man in Portland, Keith. You will dance in our hearts always, our loves goes with you.
Mary and Tamara