ATD: IN THE STUDIO - Up Here (Parts I, II)

One of my favorite parts of making work is taking the footage from rehearsal, picking out my most loved moments and spinning them together for a sneak peek into what we're working on in the studio.

Up Here (Parts I, II) is a piece very dear to my heart, as are each of the works are that belong to SPARC. Up Here is the "P" in SPARC. It's about remembering, searching, celebrating those moments you once shared. Finding yourself lost in your memories, basking in the light that once shined on your heart. Feeling that space that was filled as if it were never emptied. Sensing that presence and making a connection - no matter how brief or subtle. Enjoying what was, and moving forward forever changed.

I am eternally grateful for those who have shared their stories with me and have trusted my vision to express their tales.

Here is a short look into what Erin and I have been brewing.

Up Here (Parts I, II) will premiere March 15-16th, at the JSB TEK BOX as a part of TRANSForm Dance Collective's 3rd Annual Concert and Teaching series. An original score is being developed by Sam L. Richards (the track I layered in the video clip is not what we're using).

Check out more info about TRANSForm, our tax-deductible Indiegogo Campaign and where to buy tickets.

Moving with you is a gift.

On the Subject of Together

You've guessed it. (You were guessing, right?)

It's that time of year again when the good old girls and boy from Oregon, who've since spread out around the country, get together and put on one heck of a show with an accompanying teaching residency to boot! Don't know what I'm talking about? Go read about us here.

For the first time in our three years of concert producing and teaching, all 8 of the TRANSForm Dance Collective members will be taking over the Twin Cities and the James Sewell Ballet TEK BOX Theater at the Cowles Center. We'll have two nights in the theater with daytime classes from 10-4pm.

This year I'm bringing the latest addition to SPARC titled, Up Here (Parts I, II). It's a duet with the lovely Erin Cairns Cella and myself. Taking a different approach to our over arching subject of loss, in this piece we're remembering and even celebrating our loved ones through sensing, shadowing and somehow finding each other while in two different places. It's an interesting piece to perform, as I find myself really not "seeing" Erin in the space, but truly yearning for a memory we shared and trying to recreate it over and over again. How fitting with our TRANSForm concert title, On the Subject of Together.

Speaking of, I'm the ring leader of the fundraising efforts for this year's concert. Thanks to the exquisite members of the collective (and you for spreading the word ::wink:: ::shoulder nudge::), we've made this video for your viewing pleasure and if you feel moved, consider donating anything you are comfortable with. If that's not in the cards this time around, you can share our link via email, facebook, twitter or telling your friends when you are having brunch or late night drinks.

Alright kids, get your dance on. It's 10:39 on a Sunday. Over and out.

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?

In your free time...

It's comical to think that anyone has free-time. But someone has to, right? Here is a short series of clips from our last rehearsal. This is by far the worst video recording job, known to me, of incredibly raw phrase work that we are just beginning to delve into. The audio is made up of random clips I pulled from youtube when I typed in the words, "cooking show."