Wednesday, October 24, 2012

It's okay to talk about it.

As I continue working on the various pieces of my latest project, I often feel like to can't talk about the more serious details with friends other than those directly involved in the project. Even after I've performed my solo several times and have shown in-progress versions of the other pieces within the project, I still feel bad for making anyone think about darkness in the form of losing a loved one.

Why? Why do I feel bad for that? Why do I apologize for bringing up something that we all have dealt with in one way or another?

I shouldn't, is the answer for now. Something I have to constantly remind myself.

After performing my solo, I have encountered those who wish to tell me their story. They want to tell me about their beloved Grandmother, or Aunt that recently passed away. Or how something they saw or heard reminded them of the eerie feelings and sensations they experienced when they were dealing with these situations. When discussing the project as a whole, I've been told stories of loss by people I barely know.

I'm not only receiving moving yet tragic stories, but support to continue where I'm going with this project.

My hope in the journey is to tell your stories and allow that to be something all of us can relate to. I feel empowered and incredibly overwhelmed by this task, hoping that I can reach out and touch those who've experienced such sadness and let them know, we're all here. We love you, we support you, and you're not alone - all while being sensitive to the real-life stories I'm exposing.

With all of this in mind, I'm embarking on yet another piece that instead of telling our stories, celebrates those who are looking down on us and still help us through each and every moment. We're beginning every improvisation with this prompt:

You keep an eye from up there, and I'll keep watch from down here. 

Working on this piece emits a sense of love and support in the room that feels safe and warm. While we're reminded that the other person is no longer right there in our reality, we're aware of what was and how that once felt. We're also consoled by the image that those lost are never truly gone.

As I continue to work through the various processes I'm using for each of these works, I'm attempting to delicately explore the ways in which I can reach out and express the sadness and uncertainty of loss. I invite your feedback whether far away through video or near enough to come see a rehearsal. 

For now, I'll leave you with the working title for the entirety of this project:

SPARCS

Using the names of those who've submitted stories or pieces that are inspired by someone, I moved the letters around to spell out a (mis-spelled) word that could express that life that was once here with us. I've heard people described as a force to be reckoned with, a spark of life, an energy that was vibrant and brilliant in it's time. With this I found this definition lurking in the 5th line of the explanation of the word, spark:

Spark (noun): a trace of life or vitality.
Until next time, my loves.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Dance for DNA + Women in Motion this Saturday!

In case you haven't caught my persistant Facebook postings, ATD is performing a work-in-progress version of the solo (with Valerie Miller) and duet (Sarah Lehman and myself) from "Her Story" this weekend in two locations!

Dance New Amsterdam, my first and only dance home in NYC is having an event to aid in supporting the non-profit and to help keep the doors open. Dance for DNA will showcase pop-up performances all day long by a number of artists that I am personally inspired by including: Alexandra Beller/Dances, Ori Flomin, and Christopher Williams. I had to double check that I read the confirmation correctly when I realized so many amazing and stunning people would be performing in the same event I am... how totally cool.

So, join us at 12:15pm in the upstairs gallery at DNA for a sneak peek of our work, but come and stay ALL DAY for performances in the two galleries, including classes to take all day long. Top off your night by joining in the silent auction, and seeing two performances in the theater of Sunhwa Chung/Ko-Ryo Dance Theater and LateNite followed by a Dance Party complete with a DJ.

What? All of that is going on all on Saturday? Yes!

But I'm not done. If you can pull yourself away from DNA for a few hours, come check out Park Slope at 121 Sterling Place, #2B, Brooklyn NY for the Women in Motion Salon featuring three artsists, including myself. There will be drinks, friends, new friends, and dance. Talk about a good time! Doors open at 4pm, dances start at 4:30pm, conversations, drinks, and fun continue until the wee hours.

Bring a friend, or two, or ten, to both of these events. It's a great chance to have fun, mingle, meet new people, network, smile, drink, dance, and be merry. Who doesn't need more of that in their life? You don't need to be a dancer to enjoy these events and we want YOU there!

So, we'll see you there, yes?

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Performance Updates and Upcoming Events


Photo: Eric Bandiero

Hello you dance enthusiasts,


ATD had their NYC/Brooklyn debut of "So we go there, where nothing is waiting," on Sunday, September 23rd at Triskelion Arts, where I was accompanied by five other dancers and a nasty cold. Somehow, we surged forward but I've been in bed ever since. Now, feeling both ancy and exhausted, I'm happy to share with you our next few shows and other news.

On Saturday, October 20th, ATD will be performing at EstroGenius' Women In Motion Salon in Park Slope.
We're also hoping to present at Dance New Amsterdam, earlier that day for Dance for DNA.

On Sunday, December 16th, we'll be back at Triskelion Arts for another round of WAXworks where we will show, "Her Story." This is one of the few pieces that I'm putting together for the evening length work I've been going on and on about, tentatively titled, "SCRAP."

ATD will also be performing in THROW at the Chocolate Factory in LIC, but I'm still waiting to see which date - either October 30th or November 13th. I'll update with that info as soon as I have it.

In education news, I'll be teaching at DNA on Friday, October 26th from 3-4:30 for Free Class Friday. Free for members and $17.50 for non-members.

Lots of fun things going on!

For now here is an in-progress look at "Her Story."