Dance Project Fall 2013

Last Sunday I ventured out to Friendship Heights to visit Joy of Motion for the first time and experience their annual fall showcase, Dance Project.  Nestled in the modest black-box/studio space known as The Jack Guidone Theater, Dance Project featured 13 different choreographers of various styles and talents.

What brought me to the showcase was a particular modern choreographer and a curiosity about the others.  What made me keep my butt in the hard, metal chair was not the level of dancing but the sheer breadth of styles represented.  

As a die-hard contemporary artist with all sorts of flatulent, idealistic notions about "pushing the art form forward" and only displaying "honest and necessary movement", I was slightly horrified by the contest atmosphere set up by Joy of Motion.  Each choreographer was competing for 100 hours of free studio time and 50% off theatre rental (good things).  Winners were to be determined by audience vote (hmmmm, okay, not unheard of in this day-in-age).  But I do not attend competitions, I attend concerts (can you imagine my nose in the air?).

Okay, I could go on about how "the air of competition cheapens an event and audience experience by pitting choreographers against each other who should be collaborating to grow audiences for this least valued of art forms" and how it "damages the quality of piece chosen by the each choreographer" and "throws the audience off track in how they should be viewing and assessing/not assessing live art forms."  Yes, I'm quoting the blog I'm itching but don't have time to write because I have papers to grade...

So I'll say this:
The first part of the concert got off to a rocky start with a mixed bag of styles that did not complement each other.  There were also missing pieces (2-3 choreographers who elected only to perform Saturday night) and a haphazard mentioning of this fact that left about 30 people sitting around for an overly long intermission because they didn't realize that the choreographer listed wasn't about to perform and we were indeed in intermission.  No announcement, no change in lights...nothing.  I suggested someone announce this, but they were more comfortable having 5-8 individuals ask independently of each other and convey the message piece-meal to their friends and family.

I ain't mad at cha, I just want to know when I can pee.

Anyhow, there was also the perennial family members and friends leaving as their groups concluded performing even though 2/3rds of the concert was not yet complete.  Hooo, boy.  If you were my acquaintance, we'd have a talk about theater etiquette.  I could talk about how this is related to the competition nature of the event, but I digress...

(All of this speaks to the casualness and comfort which people obviously feel with the establishment and the concert itself.  This is not necessarily a bad thing, but again, can you picture my concert-going nose in the air?  Just have a chuckle with me.  I'm trying to unwind my tightly-wound sense of decorum here...)

Then the concert really took off and the energy noticeably picked up.  Obviously chosen to perform further down the line-up for their polish and seniority, mentionable groups included RebollarDance and their gritty and ever-so-subtle tongue-in-cheek excerpt of GoodHurt, Delicious Lawn Gnomes and their highly polished mixture of street dance styles and comedy routine, and Piernas Locas Project for their palpable energy and engaging hardcore rap and hip hop styles.

Take-away, I would definitely check this concert out again to keep in touch with the companies that aren't in my normal air-nose concert circuit, but I'd definitely have to have a glass of wine before-hand so I don't mind all the casual comings and goings of this popular event.  

November D.C. Area Dance Performances

November Dance in D.C. and Surrounding Areas

Joy of Motion

Dance Project Fall 2013 

Nov 9-10 (Sat. 8:30pm, Sun. 7pm) in D.C. at The Jack Guidone Theater

“Dance Project is an annual choreography showcase of the best local dance companies. JOMDC created the Dance Project series in order to give rising artists a performance platform. This concert will feature the Audience Favorite Award, where the audience votes for their favorite performance. The winner will receive a handsome package including 100 hours of free rehearsal space or a 50% off theater rental at the Jack Guidone Theater. Don't miss the opportunity to give a local dance company a chance to RISE!”

Performances by:

Nate Bond

Dayo N Dance
Delicious Lawn Gnomes

Rachel Leigh Dolan

Kaution Dance Kru

LoBrace Dance Works

Kjerstin Lysne

Casey Maliszewski

Motion X Dance DC

Piernas Locas Project

RebollarDance

relEASE

The SAPAN Institute (performing Saturday only)

https://joyofmotion.secure.force.com/ticket#details_a0SG000000F4yEqMAJ

The Collective

The Collective and ClancyWorks in Concert

November 16-17, (Sat. 8pm, Sun. 3pm) in Baltimore at The Theatre Project

“This concert highlights the rich history of collaboration between ClancyWorks Dance Company and The Collective as well as both companies' continuing mission to engage the community and ultimately use dance as a catalyst for social change. By returning to Theatre Project for the third consecutive season in a shared performance, both The Collective and ClancyWorks have committed to presenting new, relevant work that is both accessible and engaging. The Collective will present new work from their current season's repetoire as well as share the stage with The Community Project 2013, featuring dancers culminating a six-week rehearsal process as community members learning a modern dance work.” 

http://www.collective-dance.com/performances.html

The Kennedy Center

The Suzanne Farrell Ballet 

Nov. 6-10 in D.C. at The Kennedy Center’s Eisenhower Theatre

“As ‘one of the most courageous projects in ballet today’ (The New York Times), the Kennedy Center's own The Suzanne Farrell Ballet--led by Balanchine's famed muse--returns with two mixed repertory programs.”

http://www.kennedy-center.org/events/?event=BOBSB

Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty - New Adventures

Nov. 12-17th in D.C. at The Kennedy Center’s Opera House

“Renowned British choreographer Matthew Bourne returns with his latest re-imagining of a ballet classic. Danced by his company, this haunting new production is a gothic romance; a supernatural love story that even the passage of time cannot hinder.”

http://www.kennedy-center.org/events/?event=DODSC

Dances Made To Order

Featuring three D.C. dance artists including Erica Rebollar, Boris Willis and Iliana Silverstein 

Nov. 13, online

“Every month, YOU choose the inspiration then sit back as three artists rise to the challenge of creating dance films in just three weeks!

As soon as the films are ready, we put them online for your instant viewing pleasure. It's super convenient and affordable art you

don't even need to leave the couch to enjoy.”

http://dancesmadetoorder.com/collaborators/

Dance Exchange

Master Class with Laura Peterson

Nov 14, 6-7:30pm in M.D. at Dance Exchange

“Dance Exchange is thrilled to offer yet another master class this month! This time we’ll be moving with the immensely talented Laura Peterson, Artistic Director of Laura Peterson Choreography based in NYC. This master class kicks off an exciting collaboration between Dance Exchange and the John F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center Millennium Stage, where Laura will be showing her work \'Forever\' on Friday, November 15 at 6 pm. Throughout the season, the John F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center Millennium Stage and Dance Exchange will work together to bring some exciting master class opportunities with artists from around the country into our community.”

http://danceexchange.org/calendar/

Laura Peterson Choreography 

Nov. 15, 6pm live broadcast

Information is scarce, but here ya go:

Excerpt:

http://www.kennedy-center.org/explorer/live/

Dance Meets Theatre - DX & Single Carrot Theatre’s worshop on Devised Work

Nov. 21, 7-9pm in MD at Dance Exchange

“Dance Exchange has a long history of working with Theater companies to create more meaningful work on stage and in the community. This season, we are partnering with our Baltimore-based theater friends of Single Carrot Theater to host a series of tool sharing workshops, as well as this HOME series evening of discussions on how to create effective and evocative devised theater work that incorporates choreography.”
http://danceexchange.org/calendar/

Dance Place

City Rhythms Festival

Nov 23-24 (Sat. 8pm, Sun. 4pm) in D.C. at The Atlas Performing Arts Center

"Feel the driving heartbeat of DC as we bring together the area’s foremost rhythmic dance troupes. Dance Place resident company Coyaba Dance Theater presents their Female Drum Ensemble alongside hip-hop artists Culture Shock and Baakari Wilder’s tap dancers. Shuffle and sway with Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble and their signature Americana style. Then pump up the volume as the internationally celebrated Step Afrika! takes the stage with rapid-fire, precision stepping and electrifying energy."

http://www.danceplace.org/events/city-rhythms-festival-2/

Contact me if you would like your event included in December's listing

Best Thing about Touring: Gratitude.

One of the best things about touring, or heading to a new theater to dance is the little rituals each space has.  You have your rituals, your company has its own rituals and then the space has its own set.  It's very moving.  Rituals ground you, prepare you for what's next, and make you realize WHY, why you are there.

I recently closed a show at The Dance Center of Columbia College, Chicago with Mordine and Company Dance Theatre.  It was a trip that I couldn't have made without the support of family, friends and acquaintances who helped me so generously through my fundraising campaign.  So it makes it all the more meaningful for me to complete this little ritual...



I made it, I made it, I made it.  And now I'm there, on the wall, next to the names of all those dancers who came before me and struggled to get there just as hard as I did.

*ahhhh*

Heavy moment, and so lovely.

Thank you.

Show Week in Chicago: Itinerary

Show week for Mo&Co at The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago!

Tuesday: tech rehearsal

Wednesday: 10am workshop with Shirley at The American Rhythm Center and I'll be the 11:30am guest speaker for Chicago Semester in the Arts, then on to dress rehearsal.

Thursday: Opening Night at 8pm and post-performance talk!

Friday: Pre-performance talk at 7pm, Show at 8pm and Champagne Reception after!

Saturday: Family Dance at 3pm (bring the kids and boogie) then Show at 8pm.

Sunday: 9am I'll be teaching a Composition Workshop at Northwestern University!

Monday: Fly home to Washington D.C. and miss all of my Chicago friends terribly.

Post by Mordine & Company Dance Theater.

Working on Multiple Dances

Getting work done!  While I'm hanging out in Chicago for the next 2 weeks, I'm often between rehearsals.  The big Mordine and Company show is next weekend at The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago and it's shaping up very well.  We're performing with members of Mucca Pazza, and having musicians in the room while we dance is creating much electricity.

In the mean time I'm (of course) working on the next piece I'm setting on The Collective in Baltimore for their performance on 11/16-17 at The Theater Project.  I've just finished editing the music and re-recording a couple of monologue tracks (my 2nd favorite thing to do).

If you want to see how fast I can talk and how tongue-tied I might get while dancing, come to this show!

http://www.collective-dance.com/performances.html

NOW, if you want to dance with me while I'm in Chicago, come to Company Class with Mordine and Company at Extensions Friday, 9/26 10-11:30 for $10.  I'm teaching an advanced modern class focusing on easy, easy hips.  We'll open them up and see what we get.

Then come see me dance, of course.

And if you're a Northwestern University student, I'm teaching a Laban-based Composition Masterclass on Sunday, Oct. 6th in the ballroom of the Marjorie Ward Marshall Dance Center.

September and October Events

I am gearing up for two performances that I'm very excited about:

The first is a free event on 9/15/13 in Baltimore, MD with The Collective as a part of Akimbo Baltimore at Metro Gallery from 2-5pm.

The second is on 10/3/13-10/5/13 in Chicago, IL with Mordine & Company Dance Theater at The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago. I'm so so so proud to be on the same season as Susan Marshall, Cloud Gate and Bill T. Jones among many other talents. My feet will touch the same stage theirs have and will touch. Giddy! 

Dancer Pep-talk For The Economic Downturn

"Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got.
Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot.
Wouldn't you like to get away?"

To me, my students, anyone else who needs it (this has been building up for a while now from conversations with students, colleagues, friends in other fields, literature...): Take a look at ALL the fields of research and development around you.  Just open your eyes.  They have all been suffering in the same way for a while now for many reasons.  Yes, it's in the way we've structured our government, current business models, entertainment models, educational models, etc.  They all have a part to play.  The real point is that if you're an artist and you feel like your field of art is suffering, you're in good and plentiful company.

If you're getting worn out, don't feel like you've sold out if you have to support your art by getting a job unrelated or less-related to your field.  Don't.  That's an order.  From me.  You're just doing what you have to do to provide the basic needs for yourself.  You can't expect yourself to create art if food, shelter and your basic necessities aren't provided for.  Just consider it nesting for the next economic bloom.

Yes, you could run away to a co-op and create beautiful art while defaulting on your student loans, but you'd be leaving your spouse/partner/family/children/etc. behind and that's just not something that fits your life, like ever.  Plus, you've been building up much needed social capital in your current community and that's not something to throw away.  Take it from me (4 states in 5 years), your social capital is the only way you'll get into that special little group that's doing whatever project that just happens to fit you to a "t".  They have enough friends right now, thank-you-very-much.

All of your expectations were created or created for you by someone who developed them in an economic wonderland.  It's time to cut yourself a little slack and realize that you're in a new reality.  When you see people succeeding around you, just ask them when they got into their job and how.  You'll likely find a trail (hire date, personal connection, internship, promotion from a lower position gained prior to...) that leads back to before the economic bust.  

This is a time that affords us less materials, less studio time, less... But it's also a time to squirrel away ideas, musings, create what we can, create when we must, and discard the ideas that are irrelevant for our current state of being, create new ideas, and above all, just keep at it.  And give yourself class in your living room even if the neighbor thinks you've lost it.