Rule Change Would Permit Weapons in National Parks
by Jim Robbins, The New York Times, May 30, 2008
by Jim Robbins, The New York Times, May 30, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
"24 x 4 x 4" by 1
Written for the Movement Research 2008 Spring Festival blog:
This morning, from my friend Serge in Paree, I receive the following wonderful explanation:
"Esprit d'escalier (meaning: what comes up in your mind (when you leave where you've been) while you're going down the stairs--what you should've said, I have those alot, I try not to take elevators, walking up and down is good for you, but I'm getting off track here, oh, well)."
So, what was my esprit d'escalier as I walked up and down the stairs between dance pieces at Movement Research's 24 x 4 x 4 show last night?
After Piece #1 (do these things even have titles? can I get a list of the hastily-read-off names of participating choreographers, please?): "I thought maybe the tunnel would go on forever." Security guards in sunglasses in the car was the best part. Or maybe the mimicking of those iPod silhouette poster boys and girls. A video of dance that largely happens inside a car. Talk about creative constraints!
After Piece #2: Serial beer-swilling by the Frigidaire light, killer voiceover, and that image of a figurine of a flower-bedecked cow projected just beneath Judson's rose window? My winner. Let's see this again!
After Piece #3: Hmmm... Maybe not. After standing outside the gym's closed door and watching strobe lighting flash through the cracks while all sorts of banging and strange vocal sounds leaked out, and then watching the door open part way, harsh light crashing over the people closest to it, I wanted something more earth-shaking to be going on inside.
After Piece #4: Prop- and sound-driven. Requires some assembly. Best visual/sonic element: cylinders made of rolled-up sheets of aluminum foil walked across a couple of taut strings spanning the space. Best thing here: Everybody's very musician-like, task-focused cool.
If you were teamed up with three other artists (chosen at random) and given 24-hours to concoct a performance, what might you do? Does that sound scary? Does it sound kicky? Does it sound like something that should happen more often?
This morning, from my friend Serge in Paree, I receive the following wonderful explanation:
"Esprit d'escalier (meaning: what comes up in your mind (when you leave where you've been) while you're going down the stairs--what you should've said, I have those alot, I try not to take elevators, walking up and down is good for you, but I'm getting off track here, oh, well)."
So, what was my esprit d'escalier as I walked up and down the stairs between dance pieces at Movement Research's 24 x 4 x 4 show last night?
After Piece #1 (do these things even have titles? can I get a list of the hastily-read-off names of participating choreographers, please?): "I thought maybe the tunnel would go on forever." Security guards in sunglasses in the car was the best part. Or maybe the mimicking of those iPod silhouette poster boys and girls. A video of dance that largely happens inside a car. Talk about creative constraints!
After Piece #2: Serial beer-swilling by the Frigidaire light, killer voiceover, and that image of a figurine of a flower-bedecked cow projected just beneath Judson's rose window? My winner. Let's see this again!
After Piece #3: Hmmm... Maybe not. After standing outside the gym's closed door and watching strobe lighting flash through the cracks while all sorts of banging and strange vocal sounds leaked out, and then watching the door open part way, harsh light crashing over the people closest to it, I wanted something more earth-shaking to be going on inside.
After Piece #4: Prop- and sound-driven. Requires some assembly. Best visual/sonic element: cylinders made of rolled-up sheets of aluminum foil walked across a couple of taut strings spanning the space. Best thing here: Everybody's very musician-like, task-focused cool.
If you were teamed up with three other artists (chosen at random) and given 24-hours to concoct a performance, what might you do? Does that sound scary? Does it sound kicky? Does it sound like something that should happen more often?
An appeal from the NYC Arts Coalition
The New York City Arts Coalition's lease will not be renewed at the end of July, and I am really becoming very anxious.
I have been looking for space for two months, and find brokers uninterested because the space is so small, and we don't have a lot of money. We need about 550-600 sq feet of useable space and we need some of that space to be private office space. However, I am as flexible as we can be.
Locale: flexible, but anything that is on the western side of Manhattan is far easier transportation for everyone working here.
I need to keep the rent around $1600-1800 per month, unless it includes cleaning and security, in which case I can go a bit higher.
A two-three year lease is OK. We have been subletting since 2000, and we are accustomed to sharing. (We make good neighbors.)
This is a real plea for help. All efforts deeply appreciated.
Norma
Norma P. Munn
Chairperson
New York City Arts Coalition
351-A West 54 St.
NYC 10019 212-246-3788
npmunn@nycityartscoalition.org
Dancing at the Crossroads
Dancers Responding to AIDS, in association with the Times Square Alliance, presents Dancing at the Crossroads, a free performance, June 8, 4:30-6:30PM.
Times Square Alliance
Dancers Responding to AIDS
Staged on Military Island in Times Square, where Broadway meets 7th Avenue at 44th Street, the program will feature over 200 dancers from 20 dance companies, including:
Martha Graham Dance Company
Times Square Alliance
Dancers Responding to AIDS
Staged on Military Island in Times Square, where Broadway meets 7th Avenue at 44th Street, the program will feature over 200 dancers from 20 dance companies, including:
Martha Graham Dance Company
Buglisi Dance Theatre
Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company
the cast of Broadway's Cry Baby
Rioult
Pilobolus
STREB
Kegwin + Company
Balam Dance Theatre
Darrah Carr Dance
Feliciano Dance Company
The United States Dance Team
choreography of Wendy Seyb
R. Evolucion Latina
Bollywood Axion
Akjun Ballet Theatre
Revolution Sweat Dance Rock and Roll
David Dorfman Dance
Drew Jacoby
Farmingham Dance Company
Monroe Dance Company
and others!
Dancers Responding to AIDS is the ongoing, committed response of the American dance community to an urgent worldwide health crisis. DRA is a program of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA), the nation's leading industry-based AIDS funding and grant-making organization.
Dancers Responding to AIDS is the ongoing, committed response of the American dance community to an urgent worldwide health crisis. DRA is a program of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA), the nation's leading industry-based AIDS funding and grant-making organization.
The funds raised are distributed to seven programs of the Actors' Fund of America and as grants to over 500 AIDS and family service organizations across the U.S. Since its founding in 1988, BC/EFA has distributed over $140 million for critically needed services for people with AIDS, HIV, or HIV-related illnesses.
Dancing locally, thinking globally
The World Dance Alliance's 2008 Global Meeting will be held July 13-18 at the University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia. Representatives of all three World Dance Alliance-affiliated regions--the Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe--will attend to discuss dance around the world.
The theme of the conference this year is "Dance Dialogues: Conversations Across Cultures, Artforms and Practices."
The theme of the conference this year is "Dance Dialogues: Conversations Across Cultures, Artforms and Practices."
Activities include:
* Dance dialogues with internationally renowned cultural thinkers and performers
* Master classes with leading dance practitioners and choreographers
* Choreolab conducted by Lloyd Newson, Artistic Director of DV8, and Boi Sakti, Artistic Director of Boi Sakti Dance, Theatre of Indonesia
* International conference with papers and performances from 23 countries
* Evening performances by Expressions Dance Company, Queensland Ballet & Reel Dance (on screen)
* World Dance Alliance Global Congress
World Dance Alliance serves as a primary voice for dance and dancers throughout the world, and encourages the exchange of ideas and the awareness of dance in all its many forms.
World Dance Alliance serves as a primary voice for dance and dancers throughout the world, and encourages the exchange of ideas and the awareness of dance in all its many forms.
The five networks of WDA are:
Creation and Presentation
Education and Training
Management and Promotion
Research and Documentation Network
Status and Welfare Network
The necessary wild
A Wilderness, Lost in the City
by William C. Thompson, Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., The New York Times, May 29, 2008
I was delighted to be introduced to Ridgewood Reservoir by dancer-choreographer Jennifer Monson who is devoted to keeping it as a wild, natural preserve. I ran into her last night at Susan Rethorst's (wonderful!!!) show at Danspace Project, and we were both excited about this op-ed piece in the Times. But Ridgewood Reservoir is not the only "teeming wildlife preserve" in New York City. One of my favorite city haunts is Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, located in Queens, just off Cross Bay Boulevard, about a 10-minute walk from the A train's Broad Channel station. Having access to nature is as necessary to me as the food I eat and the dances I witness!
Save Ridgewood Reservoir
Riverkeeper
iLand--Interdisciplinary Lab for Art, Nature and Dance
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
by William C. Thompson, Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., The New York Times, May 29, 2008
I was delighted to be introduced to Ridgewood Reservoir by dancer-choreographer Jennifer Monson who is devoted to keeping it as a wild, natural preserve. I ran into her last night at Susan Rethorst's (wonderful!!!) show at Danspace Project, and we were both excited about this op-ed piece in the Times. But Ridgewood Reservoir is not the only "teeming wildlife preserve" in New York City. One of my favorite city haunts is Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, located in Queens, just off Cross Bay Boulevard, about a 10-minute walk from the A train's Broad Channel station. Having access to nature is as necessary to me as the food I eat and the dances I witness!
We are family.
Canada geese at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Photo by Eva Yaa Asantewaa
(c) 2008, Eva Yaa Asantewaa
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, May 26, 2008
Photo by Eva Yaa Asantewaa
(c) 2008, Eva Yaa Asantewaa
Canada geese at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Photo by Eva Yaa Asantewaa
(c) 2008, Eva Yaa Asantewaa
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, May 26, 2008
Photo by Eva Yaa Asantewaa
(c) 2008, Eva Yaa Asantewaa
Save Ridgewood Reservoir
Riverkeeper
iLand--Interdisciplinary Lab for Art, Nature and Dance
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Spring movement
I've started attending various events of the 2008 Movement Research Spring Festival: Somewhere Out There and will be blogging on Critical Correspondence about them. Check there for my reflections on The 80's and 90's On Screen--Dance Relics and all future postings and comments.
For a festival schedule with ticket and registration details, visit Movement Research.
For a festival schedule with ticket and registration details, visit Movement Research.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
So bad, they're good!
Here's an announcement from the Kinetic Cinema series at Collective: Unconscious:
On Monday June 2nd (7:30pm), choreographer and dance filmmaker Kriota Willberg will host The Worst of the Best, a tour of inspiringly bad dance films from the early 1900’s to the present. Truly awful dance is powerful art. We react strongly to it as an audience, we relate our horrible experiences to our friends and warn them away from it, we laugh, we seethe, we remember it far longer than “good” dance, and possibly longer than “great” dance. Join us for film and discussion as we chase that ethereal muse, Badness, through the work of generations of dance film artists.
$5 Admission (at door)Collective: Unconscious
279 Church Street (just south of White Street)
Trains: 1 to Franklin; A, C, E to Canal
212-254-5277
Kinetic Cinema at Collective:Unconscious explores the intersection of dance and the moving image both on screen and stage. Each month curator Anna Brady Nuse invites a special guest from the dance community to share the films and videos that have inspired or moved them. These could be films that feature dance, are kinetic-based, or have been influential on their work in some way. The guest curators come from a range of backgrounds as performers, choreographers, critics, and filmmakers. In the fall upcoming guests will include Elizabeth Zimmer (Oct 5th), Maya Ciarrocchi (Nov 3rd), and new films by Anna Brady Nuse & friends (Dec 1st).
KRIOTA WILLBERG has danced and choreographed in Germany, Chicago, and New York. In addition to working with her company, Dura Mater, Willberg choreographs for commercial, theatrical, and other dance productions. Dance choreography for film includes The Bentfootes (dir. K. Willberg and Todd Alcott), Grasshopper (dir. Todd Alcott), Dreamgirl (dir. Robbie Busch), and On The Road With Judas (dir. JJ Lask). She has passed her basic proficiency tests in Single Sword and Broadsword techniques from the Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD) and occasionally includes fight choreography in her own work and for others. Her article on dance and stage combat was published in the SAFD magazine, The Fightmaster. Her ballerina tattoo was featured in Dance Magazine.
Anna Brady Nuse
Sunday, May 25, 2008
She dances me with science
New York's brand new World Science Festival (May 29-June 1) is way, way cool! Visit the WSF Web site for its extensive schedule of programming for adults and families. And, yes, there's a dance tie-in!
Dance genius Bill T. Jones joins a panel of various artists and neuroscientists entitled Illuminating Genius: Unlocking Creativity (Thursday, May 29, 8pm at Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, NYU), moderated by John Hockenberry, co-host of WNYC's new morning show, The Takeaway. And what's more, Karole Armitage weighs in with a dance work inspired by Brian Greene's bestseller, The Elegant Universe at Works & Process at the Guggenheim Museum, Friday, May 30 and Saturday, May 31 (both at 7:30pm).
Ticket prices for these and many more fascinating events can be found--although buried deep--on the WSF Web site. Have a little patience: the site can be slow. It all looks very good and maybe next year, with some advance warning, I'll be able to schedule my dance-going to avoid missing this terrific stuff. (Oh, did you know I was a science nerd, too?)
Dance genius Bill T. Jones joins a panel of various artists and neuroscientists entitled Illuminating Genius: Unlocking Creativity (Thursday, May 29, 8pm at Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, NYU), moderated by John Hockenberry, co-host of WNYC's new morning show, The Takeaway. And what's more, Karole Armitage weighs in with a dance work inspired by Brian Greene's bestseller, The Elegant Universe at Works & Process at the Guggenheim Museum, Friday, May 30 and Saturday, May 31 (both at 7:30pm).
Ticket prices for these and many more fascinating events can be found--although buried deep--on the WSF Web site. Have a little patience: the site can be slow. It all looks very good and maybe next year, with some advance warning, I'll be able to schedule my dance-going to avoid missing this terrific stuff. (Oh, did you know I was a science nerd, too?)
A great one passes
Since I never travel with my laptop and pretty much stay away from Internet cafes--vacation means "getting away from"--I had to find out about Dr. Jimmy Slyde's passing the old-fashioned way, from radio. The minute I twirled the dial and discovered Flagstaff's local NPR station, I heard the announcement. That was a strange feeling--to be away from New York City where I know the news hit hard and touched off much discussion. Rashida Bumbray's May 23 launching of Hoofers' House at The Kitchen (in partnership with The Studio Museum in Harlem) was dedicated to the memory of Dr. Slyde, and his performing was powerfully invoked by video artist Rashaad Newsome. The dance goes on.
In any case, if you haven't read it already, here's Claudia La Rocco's Times obit and a 2001 photo of Dr. Slyde by the great Jack Vartoogian.
In any case, if you haven't read it already, here's Claudia La Rocco's Times obit and a 2001 photo of Dr. Slyde by the great Jack Vartoogian.
Catching up with New York
Back from the powerful earth of Arizona, I managed to haul my jetlagged self to Hoofers' House at The Kitchen (curated by Rashida Bumbray and MC-ed by Jason Samuels Smith) on Friday night and to La MaMa Moves Festival's "Dancing Divas" evening on Saturday evening (curated by Nicky Paraiso and Mia Yoo and featuring works by Vicky Shick, Jodi Melnick, Pam Tanowitz, Barbara Mahler, Sally Silvers and Sara Rudner). Lovely, sensitive and interesting moments were in good supply at La MaMa Annex, but the mamadiva who moved us most had to be Rudner, one of my dance-crushes from way back, whose Positions--The All Star Variation was a true, openhearted gigglefest. I loved its extravagant size, its combination of the serene and the silly, its total lack of taking itself seriously. My kind of extravaganza with amusing performances from John Scott and Chris Yon among a bevy of downtown dance beauties, Rudner among them. Look for my Hoofers' House review on DanceMagazine.com sometime down the line.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Robert Rauschenberg, Dead at 82
Robert Rauschenberg, Titan of American Art, Is Dead at 82
by Michael Kimmelman, The New York Times, May 13, 2008
by Michael Kimmelman, The New York Times, May 13, 2008
Voter registration planned for BAM Dance Africa
Want to register to vote and enjoy the festivities at DanceAfrica, too? Or would you like to volunteer on Monday, May 26, to help with this essential effort? Visit Barack Obama's site for details on how you can get involved.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Dancing on Pangea Day
I ended up having little time to watch all of yesterday's massive, global Pangea Day 'Netcast, but I did manage to catch this little dance film by Sumit Roy, shot on a Nokia mobile phone. I don't care what anyone says: I love technology! It's not what it does to you; it's what you do with it, and Roy has used it well to create a lovely gem about the joy of dance.
To see Roy's Dancing Queen, click here.
Sumit Roy is an award-winning independent filmmaker and writer based in New Delhi, India. His films have been screened at film festivals in Cannes and Toronto.
To see Roy's Dancing Queen, click here.
Sumit Roy is an award-winning independent filmmaker and writer based in New Delhi, India. His films have been screened at film festivals in Cannes and Toronto.
Seeking dancers for National Pigeon Day
This is what comes of mixing one's involvement in the dance world with one's involvement in the birding world! This morning, I received an email from Anna Dove who is helping to organize the first National Pigeon Day in Central Park on Friday, June 13, and would love flocks of dancers to get involved. (Anna Dove! Just got that! :-D)
The event is scheduled for 4-8pm at Pilgrim Hill, and you can get more details at the National Pigeon Day blog. The project was featured in a recent Daily News piece and in a New York Times article in November 2007.
Dove is requesting assistance or suggestions for this event and also invites interested bird-loving dancers to check out the People for Pigeons blog.
The event is scheduled for 4-8pm at Pilgrim Hill, and you can get more details at the National Pigeon Day blog. The project was featured in a recent Daily News piece and in a New York Times article in November 2007.
Dove is requesting assistance or suggestions for this event and also invites interested bird-loving dancers to check out the People for Pigeons blog.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Emily Berry: Body and Soul podcast
“I believe that art has the power to create change,” says Emily Berry, artistic director of B3W and my guest for today’s podcast. Recently, Berry set a new dance on her students at Queensborough Community College, dealing straight on with the issue of race. Given the prominence of this issue–for better or for worse--in this year’s presidential campaign, I thought it appropriate to take a look at how one contemporary dance artist has chosen to address this longstanding societal divide.
You can see videos of Berry's work at http://www.b3w.org.
BIO
Emily Berry is the Artistic Director of B3W, formerly the Emily Berry Dance Company, which has performed in the US, England and Mexico. She has performed with Ann Arbor Dance Works, Boris Willis Moves, Dakshina/Daniel Phoenix Singh & Company, Michele Dunleavy, Lesole’s Dance Project (South African), and Ashe Moyubba Afro-Cuban Folkloric Dance Ensemble. She has performed at such venues as the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Dance Place, Teatro de Danza in Mexico City, and a solo show in England, as well as numerous dance festivals. Emily is a Certified Movement Analyst. She also has a MFA in dance from George Mason University and a Bachelor of Dance Arts from the University of Michigan. She has taught at Oakland University, George Mason University, Marymount University, Coppin State University, Montgomery College, and the Community College of Baltimore County. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Dance at Queensborough Community College. Emily has presented a paper titled “On Looking: Representations of the female body in art” at Northampton University in England at the Post-Feminists Practices in the Arts Conference. She was also a panelist at the Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies Conference in New York on Dance and Politics.
COMPANY MISSION STATEMENT
B3W (Beyond Third Wave), formerly the Emily Berry Dance Company, uses video, text, music, and movement to address the state of humanity.
The company has performed in the US, England, and Mexico, presenting works tackling such issues as race, the glass ceiling, domestic violence, women in prison, and war since 1995. The Third Wave is referring to the third wave of the women’s movement. While the work is mostly coming from a feminist perspective, the work is not limited to feminist issues, which adds “Beyond” to the title of the company. The company's fundamental belief is that art has the power to create change.
LINK
http://www.b3w.org
Body and Soul is the official podcast of InfiniteBody dance blog at
http://infinitebody.blogspot.com.
Subscribe through iTunes or at http://magickaleva.hipcast.com/rss/bodyandsoul.xml.
(c)2008, Eva Yaa Asantewaa
MP3 File
You can see videos of Berry's work at http://www.b3w.org.
BIO
Emily Berry is the Artistic Director of B3W, formerly the Emily Berry Dance Company, which has performed in the US, England and Mexico. She has performed with Ann Arbor Dance Works, Boris Willis Moves, Dakshina/Daniel Phoenix Singh & Company, Michele Dunleavy, Lesole’s Dance Project (South African), and Ashe Moyubba Afro-Cuban Folkloric Dance Ensemble. She has performed at such venues as the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Dance Place, Teatro de Danza in Mexico City, and a solo show in England, as well as numerous dance festivals. Emily is a Certified Movement Analyst. She also has a MFA in dance from George Mason University and a Bachelor of Dance Arts from the University of Michigan. She has taught at Oakland University, George Mason University, Marymount University, Coppin State University, Montgomery College, and the Community College of Baltimore County. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Dance at Queensborough Community College. Emily has presented a paper titled “On Looking: Representations of the female body in art” at Northampton University in England at the Post-Feminists Practices in the Arts Conference. She was also a panelist at the Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies Conference in New York on Dance and Politics.
COMPANY MISSION STATEMENT
B3W (Beyond Third Wave), formerly the Emily Berry Dance Company, uses video, text, music, and movement to address the state of humanity.
The company has performed in the US, England, and Mexico, presenting works tackling such issues as race, the glass ceiling, domestic violence, women in prison, and war since 1995. The Third Wave is referring to the third wave of the women’s movement. While the work is mostly coming from a feminist perspective, the work is not limited to feminist issues, which adds “Beyond” to the title of the company. The company's fundamental belief is that art has the power to create change.
LINK
http://www.b3w.org
Body and Soul is the official podcast of InfiniteBody dance blog at
http://infinitebody.blogspot.com.
Subscribe through iTunes or at http://magickaleva.hipcast.com/rss/bodyandsoul.xml.
(c)2008, Eva Yaa Asantewaa
MP3 File
For the birds
Not dance, I know. But you all know I'm an avid birder, and you might just find a new mascot for InfiniteBody!
If you go, have a good time! I'll be away (May 15-22), birding in Arizona!
Eva :-)
*************
Central Park birding
Guided Bird Walking Tour
9am-Noon
Central Park
Tour Guide: Randy Schutz
$5
We'll meet on the southeast corner of 81st Street and Central Park West on the park side entering the Park directly and taking in what wildlife may be in evidence along the way. Dependent on what we find we'll visit Tanner Spring, the Shakespeare Garden, pass by Belvedere Castle and head into the Ramble. Much will depend on what we find and where we find it.
Almost 200 different species of birds can be found in Central Park during the year. Most birds are more active in the early morning and late afternoon, although there will be some activity throughout the day.
If you are new to birding, you will be given a few pointers about using binoculars and doing birding.
Please RSVP: plsreserve@yahoo.com
If you go, have a good time! I'll be away (May 15-22), birding in Arizona!
Eva :-)
*************
Central Park birding
Guided Bird Walking Tour
9am-Noon
Central Park
Tour Guide: Randy Schutz
$5
We'll meet on the southeast corner of 81st Street and Central Park West on the park side entering the Park directly and taking in what wildlife may be in evidence along the way. Dependent on what we find we'll visit Tanner Spring, the Shakespeare Garden, pass by Belvedere Castle and head into the Ramble. Much will depend on what we find and where we find it.
Almost 200 different species of birds can be found in Central Park during the year. Most birds are more active in the early morning and late afternoon, although there will be some activity throughout the day.
If you are new to birding, you will be given a few pointers about using binoculars and doing birding.
Please RSVP: plsreserve@yahoo.
Get on the zine
Here's a fun invitation from Movement Research:
Open call for zinesters during the Movement Research Festival, May 26-June 8
Greetings all!
If you are an existing or aspiring
dancer
dance-lover
performance artist
performance-monger
writer
collector
photographer
thinker
person who likes to document things
revolutionary
archivist
librarian
artist of any persuasion
and/or
ZINESTER
...the zine cordially invites you to join a team of do-it-yourself publishers to document the 2008 Movement Research Festival through a proliferation of zines!
As one of the Festival's ongoing projects, the zine is assembling a group of people to watch, interview, participate, observe, question, and collect material for a series of zines documenting the Festival. We will gather for one informal meeting just prior to the Festival to discuss the project; during the next two weeks, we will disperse, enjoy the Festival's many events and performances, and journey on our own zine-making endeavors. On June 8, we will meet back together for a zine-making party!
For more information about the project and the 2008 Movement Research Festival, click here.
Please reply to Ana at thezine.email@gmail.com by May 19th if you would like to participate.
Contribute to the living archive of our work, ideas, and community! Help support the art and ideas of the NYC-based dance and performance community through DIY publication! Spread the word!
With Love,
the zine
--
the zine:
Promoting the art and ideas of the NYC-based dance community through Do-It-Yourself publication.
thezine.email@gmail.com
Open call for zinesters during the Movement Research Festival, May 26-June 8
Greetings all!
If you are an existing or aspiring
dancer
dance-lover
performance artist
performance-monger
writer
collector
photographer
thinker
person who likes to document things
revolutionary
archivist
librarian
artist of any persuasion
and/or
ZINESTER
...the zine cordially invites you to join a team of do-it-yourself publishers to document the 2008 Movement Research Festival through a proliferation of zines!
As one of the Festival's ongoing projects, the zine is assembling a group of people to watch, interview, participate, observe, question, and collect material for a series of zines documenting the Festival. We will gather for one informal meeting just prior to the Festival to discuss the project; during the next two weeks, we will disperse, enjoy the Festival's many events and performances, and journey on our own zine-making endeavors. On June 8, we will meet back together for a zine-making party!
For more information about the project and the 2008 Movement Research Festival, click here.
Please reply to Ana at thezine.email@gmail.com by May 19th if you would like to participate.
Contribute to the living archive of our work, ideas, and community! Help support the art and ideas of the NYC-based dance and performance community through DIY publication! Spread the word!
With Love,
the zine
--
the zine:
Promoting the art and ideas of the NYC-based dance community through Do-It-Yourself publication.
thezine.email@gmail.com
Friday, May 9, 2008
Free flamenco in the park
On Tuesday, July 22 (7:30pm), Sandra Rivera and Flamenco San Juan will perform a free concert of traditional flamenco songs and dances including Caña, Alegrias, Fandangos and Sevillanas at Naumburg Bandshell on the Concert Ground in Central Park. The company includes flamenco artists from the New York area.
The concert is sponsored by Naumburg Ochestral Concerts.
Sandra Rivera has been imaginatively exploring the mystical qualities of flamenco for many years. She was a member of the original company of Ballet Hispanico, performing as principal dancer for many years. Ms. Rivera has been a guest artist with Ballet Concerto in Fort Worth, Texas, since 1988. In 1991, she became dancer- and choreographer-in-residence at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City with the Omega Liturgical Dance Company.
Location: Naumburg Bandshell on the Concert Ground in Central Park (south of the 72nd Street cross-drive). Admission: Free. No rain dates. For information, call 718-340-3018 or click here.
The concert is sponsored by Naumburg Ochestral Concerts.
Sandra Rivera has been imaginatively exploring the mystical qualities of flamenco for many years. She was a member of the original company of Ballet Hispanico, performing as principal dancer for many years. Ms. Rivera has been a guest artist with Ballet Concerto in Fort Worth, Texas, since 1988. In 1991, she became dancer- and choreographer-in-residence at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City with the Omega Liturgical Dance Company.
Location: Naumburg Bandshell on the Concert Ground in Central Park (south of the 72nd Street cross-drive). Admission: Free. No rain dates. For information, call 718-340-3018 or click here.
Healing the Dancer Annual Seminar
2nd Annual Healing the Dancer Seminar
Host: Bebe Neuwirth, founder of The Dancers' Resource program of The Actors Fund
Keynote Speaker: David Parsons of Parsons Dance Company
A panel of experts will address the unique needs of the dance community, offering information and resources for obtaining health insurance and health care, nutrition prevention financial wellness and more.
Presenters
NUTRITION AND INJURY PREVENTION: Sandra Foschi, Nutritionist and physical therapist, Daniel White, DC, Chiropractor and former dancer
EMOTIONAL WELLBEING/MENTAL HEALTH: Donna Fish, LCSW, Psychotherapist and former dancer, Bradley Jones, LCSW, Psychotherapist and former dancer
FINANCIAL WELLNESS: Amanda Clayman, LMSW, Social Worker for Financial Wellness Program at The Actors Fund, Annette Lieberman, Psychotherapist and Author of The Money Mirror.
Sponsored by The Actors Fund, AGMA, Career Transition For Dancers, Dance Magazine, Dance NYC, Dancers Responding to AIDS, Dance Theatre Workshop, The Field, The Harkness Center for Dance Injuries, and New York Foundation for the Arts.
This seminar is FREE and open to professional dancers and those who serve them.
Date: Thu, May 15, 2008
Time: 3PM-7M
Where: The New 42nd Street Studios, 229 West 42nd Street
Program: Entertainment Assistance Program
Host: Bebe Neuwirth, founder of The Dancers' Resource program of The Actors Fund
Keynote Speaker: David Parsons of Parsons Dance Company
A panel of experts will address the unique needs of the dance community, offering information and resources for obtaining health insurance and health care, nutrition prevention financial wellness and more.
Presenters
NUTRITION AND INJURY PREVENTION: Sandra Foschi, Nutritionist and physical therapist, Daniel White, DC, Chiropractor and former dancer
EMOTIONAL WELLBEING/MENTAL HEALTH: Donna Fish, LCSW, Psychotherapist and former dancer, Bradley Jones, LCSW, Psychotherapist and former dancer
FINANCIAL WELLNESS: Amanda Clayman, LMSW, Social Worker for Financial Wellness Program at The Actors Fund, Annette Lieberman, Psychotherapist and Author of The Money Mirror.
Sponsored by The Actors Fund, AGMA, Career Transition For Dancers, Dance Magazine, Dance NYC, Dancers Responding to AIDS, Dance Theatre Workshop, The Field, The Harkness Center for Dance Injuries, and New York Foundation for the Arts.
This seminar is FREE and open to professional dancers and those who serve them.
Date: Thu, May 15, 2008
Time: 3PM-7M
Where: The New 42nd Street Studios, 229 West 42nd Street
Program: Entertainment Assistance Program
Contact: Alice Vienneau, MSW
Phone: 212.221.7300 ext. 261
Contact Email: avienneau@actorsfund.org Thursday, May 8, 2008
Tanjuaquio speaks at Asian-American women's conference
Dance will be well represented by Paz Tanjuaquio--dancer-choreographer and co-founder of TOPAZ ARTS--on the Media, Visual and Performing Arts panel of the 2008 CUNY Conference on Asian-American Women, Friday, May 16. For complete details and registration information, here.
Free workshop in dances of the Raramuri
Tarahumara: Dances of the Raramuri Natives of the Sierra Madre, Northern Mexico
Special Free Workshop
Saturday, June 7 (12pm) and Sunday, June 8 (2pm)
Calpulli Mexican Dance Company researches the powerful, ritualistic dances of the Raramuri natives through a series of free workshops open to the public. The workshops will explore the history of a disappearing culture through their dances. With this knowledge, the company will develop a new choreographic work.
Workshop is free and will take place at TOPAZ ARTS at 55-03 39th Avenue, Woodside (Queens), New York. Space is limited. For further information, registration and directions, please call 718-507-2617 or email info@calpullidance.org or click here.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Critic LeFevre deals with the dis
The real challenge for dance in the 21st century isn't so much the lack of salaried or staff positions for dance critics. It's the ongoing need for audience outreach and education about dance--especially concert dance--as an integral, relevant, aesthetically necessary, rock-your-world part of everyday life.
Amen! Twin Cities dance critic Camille LeFevre talks sense in Culturally Relevant? A Dance Critic Looks to the Territory Ahead. To read her complete essay, click here.
Here are a few things I'll add to LeFevre's rundown of the issue:
People who are disturbed about the current purging or demotion to freelance status of dance critics by major publications like The Village Voice need to know that dance critics have always been dispensable to these publishers. Yes, The Village Voice offered 40-year veteran staffer Deborah Jowitt the insulting status of freelancer but, a few years prior, they decreed that actual freelancers with talent, expertise and similar track records (Tobi Tobias and, to a lesser extent, myself) were no longer welcome. Dance editor Elizabeth Zimmer was ordered to cease assigning reviews and features to freelancers. To the best of my knowledge, no one in any position of consequence at the Voice at that time lifted her voice in protest. And that's why I wrote in this blog that now the final shoe has dropped.
Moreover, decreasing space and pay were early signs of the dwindling status of dance writers--on staff or freelance--at the Voice, and this entire matter is a story of disrespect and disempowerment that the dance community, if it is indeed one, will have to address if we are ever to have safe, supportive and encouraging conditions for able writers in our field in this city.
Do we want dance journalism? If so, what do we want from it? What are the goals and objectives of good dance journalism? What form or forms should this journalism take? These are questions we will need to answer as we move forward.
My purely personal response is to ride with this opportunity to evolve new forms and new relationships with the art of dance--something that, in any case, has been silently pulling at my heart for the past few years. While I do not know where this will lead, I do know that the role of critic--at least, as it appears to be officially practiced here in New York--interests me less and less. Like LeFevre, I'm after something "integral, relevant, aesthetically necessary" that rocks the world, and sometimes we need a good swift kick in the butt in order to get there. Over the years, haven't most of us expressed dissatisfaction with the shape of dance writing in our town? Sometimes good and necessary change is first heralded by decline.
Anyway, that's how I'm looking at it today. There are plenty of conditions out in the world that genuinely disturb me. This is no longer one of them.
Amen! Twin Cities dance critic Camille LeFevre talks sense in Culturally Relevant? A Dance Critic Looks to the Territory Ahead. To read her complete essay, click here.
Here are a few things I'll add to LeFevre's rundown of the issue:
People who are disturbed about the current purging or demotion to freelance status of dance critics by major publications like The Village Voice need to know that dance critics have always been dispensable to these publishers. Yes, The Village Voice offered 40-year veteran staffer Deborah Jowitt the insulting status of freelancer but, a few years prior, they decreed that actual freelancers with talent, expertise and similar track records (Tobi Tobias and, to a lesser extent, myself) were no longer welcome. Dance editor Elizabeth Zimmer was ordered to cease assigning reviews and features to freelancers. To the best of my knowledge, no one in any position of consequence at the Voice at that time lifted her voice in protest. And that's why I wrote in this blog that now the final shoe has dropped.
Moreover, decreasing space and pay were early signs of the dwindling status of dance writers--on staff or freelance--at the Voice, and this entire matter is a story of disrespect and disempowerment that the dance community, if it is indeed one, will have to address if we are ever to have safe, supportive and encouraging conditions for able writers in our field in this city.
Do we want dance journalism? If so, what do we want from it? What are the goals and objectives of good dance journalism? What form or forms should this journalism take? These are questions we will need to answer as we move forward.
My purely personal response is to ride with this opportunity to evolve new forms and new relationships with the art of dance--something that, in any case, has been silently pulling at my heart for the past few years. While I do not know where this will lead, I do know that the role of critic--at least, as it appears to be officially practiced here in New York--interests me less and less. Like LeFevre, I'm after something "integral, relevant, aesthetically necessary" that rocks the world, and sometimes we need a good swift kick in the butt in order to get there. Over the years, haven't most of us expressed dissatisfaction with the shape of dance writing in our town? Sometimes good and necessary change is first heralded by decline.
Anyway, that's how I'm looking at it today. There are plenty of conditions out in the world that genuinely disturb me. This is no longer one of them.
UF dancers visit NYC: Body and Soul podcast
A few weeks ago, I interviewed choreographer Neta Pulvermacher about her UF/NYC Dance Xchange program for dance majors from University of Florida's College of Fine Arts. The students are now here in New York, and I met them last evening at Judson Memorial Church where we attended a Movement Research performance. After watching dances by Rose Anne Spradlin, Rebecca Lazier, DD Dorvillier and Julian Barnett, we gathered around, and I asked the students to share some of their reactions to the show.
LINKS
Interview with Neta Pulvermacher
http://infinitebody.blogspot.com/2008/04/neta-pulvermacher-body-and-soul-podcast.html
Joyce SoHo
http://www.joyce.org
University of Florida College of Fine Arts, Scool of Theatre and Dance
http://arts.ufl.edu/theatreanddance/
Body and Soul is the official podcast of InfiniteBody dance blog at
http://infinitebody.blogspot.com. Subscribe through iTunes or at
http://magickaleva.hipcast.com/rss/bodyandsoul.xml.
(c)2008, Eva Yaa Asantewaa
This material may not be reproduced in any way, either in part or in its entirety, without the expressed written permission of Eva Yaa Asantewaa.
MP3 File
LINKS
Interview with Neta Pulvermacher
http://infinitebody.blogspot.com/2008/04/neta-pulvermacher-body-and-soul-podcast.html
Joyce SoHo
http://www.joyce.org
University of Florida College of Fine Arts, Scool of Theatre and Dance
http://arts.ufl.edu/theatreanddance/
Body and Soul is the official podcast of InfiniteBody dance blog at
http://infinitebody.blogspot.com. Subscribe through iTunes or at
http://magickaleva.hipcast.com/rss/bodyandsoul.xml.
(c)2008, Eva Yaa Asantewaa
This material may not be reproduced in any way, either in part or in its entirety, without the expressed written permission of Eva Yaa Asantewaa.
MP3 File
The Turning World (40)
Mildred Loving, Who Fought Ban on Mixed Marriage, Dies at 68
by Douglas Martin, The New York Times, May 6, 2008
by Douglas Martin, The New York Times, May 6, 2008
Hey, Teach!
Teaching in the NYC Public Schools
Joan Finkelstein
Director of Dance Programs, New York City Department of Education
Wednesday, May 7 (6pm)
at the Dance/NYC Loft
RSVP here
Out there...somewhere...with MR
The 2008 Movement Research Festival--Somewhere Out There (May 26-June 8)--is almost here! Get ready by visiting MR's brand new dedicated site for details, RSS feeds, daily podcasts and more. I look forward to participating in and reporting on some of the festivities--"two weeks of performances, excursions, and experiences in, around, and away from Judson Memorial Church"--dreamed up by curators Milka Djordjevich, Chris Peck, Anna Sperber and Body and Soul interviewee Jeff Larson.
LAVA's HANDSTAND-A-THON
LAVA will host its annual HANDSTAND-A-THON beginning May 17 at 5pm at LAVA Studio (524 Bergen Street, Brooklyn, NY between 6th Avenue and Carlton, near the 2, 3, B, Q trains). The event is a fundraiser for the LAVA Studio scholarship fund as well as LAVA's community
programming.
Handstand experts as well as first-timers young and old are invited to come to Prospect Heights, Brooklyn to log seconds and minutes with their feet off the floor. Handstanders can use the wall, a spotter, or several spotters. Their handstand times will be added to a collective handstand pool. The goal for the total time of people with their feet raised is 3 hours.
Handstanders are encouraged to download pledge sheet and enlist sponsors for each second they stand on their hands. Or donors can offer contributions based on special challenges such as $1 for every "first-timer" or $100 for 25 people in a simultaneous 30-second handstand. The event will be enlived by performances by students from the LAVA Studio's current roster of classes. Local vendors including a taco truck, Italian ices, beer, wine, and Fizzy Lizzy soft drinks, will be on hand throughout the event.
LAVA's community programs include 2 days a week of Open Workout, offered free to kids ages 5 to 15 throughout the LAVA Studio's 3 10-week sessions. The studio also hosts free community performance nights called Night of Renegades, which has included trapeze, poetry, theater, dance, acrobatics, and clowning performed by kids, adults, students and professionals in a festive, supportive, and extremely diverse atmosphere. In addition, LAVA's community programs include a partnership with Public School 9 through which dozens of students from P.S. 9 learn acrobatics from LAVA company members.
LAVA is a performance troupe based in Brooklyn dedicated to creating original, empowering, boundary-breaking performances based in dance and acrobatics. The LAVA Studio is their home base where they rehearse, train, offer classes to kids and adults, and host several community programs. For more info including photos and video footage of the company as well as last year's HANDSTAND-A-THON, click here or call 718-399-3161.
programming.
Handstand experts as well as first-timers young and old are invited to come to Prospect Heights, Brooklyn to log seconds and minutes with their feet off the floor. Handstanders can use the wall, a spotter, or several spotters. Their handstand times will be added to a collective handstand pool. The goal for the total time of people with their feet raised is 3 hours.
Handstanders are encouraged to download pledge sheet and enlist sponsors for each second they stand on their hands. Or donors can offer contributions based on special challenges such as $1 for every "first-timer" or $100 for 25 people in a simultaneous 30-second handstand. The event will be enlived by performances by students from the LAVA Studio's current roster of classes. Local vendors including a taco truck, Italian ices, beer, wine, and Fizzy Lizzy soft drinks, will be on hand throughout the event.
LAVA's community programs include 2 days a week of Open Workout, offered free to kids ages 5 to 15 throughout the LAVA Studio's 3 10-week sessions. The studio also hosts free community performance nights called Night of Renegades, which has included trapeze, poetry, theater, dance, acrobatics, and clowning performed by kids, adults, students and professionals in a festive, supportive, and extremely diverse atmosphere. In addition, LAVA's community programs include a partnership with Public School 9 through which dozens of students from P.S. 9 learn acrobatics from LAVA company members.
LAVA is a performance troupe based in Brooklyn dedicated to creating original, empowering, boundary-breaking performances based in dance and acrobatics. The LAVA Studio is their home base where they rehearse, train, offer classes to kids and adults, and host several community programs. For more info including photos and video footage of the company as well as last year's HANDSTAND-A-THON, click here or call 718-399-3161.
Monday, May 5, 2008
How's your health?
This week, The New York Times's City Room blog solicits your questions on the health of the arts for Randall Bourscheidt, president of Alliance for the Arts. To participate, click here.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
It's just the nearness of you...
I was honored to be invited to join a select group of performing arts bloggers to write for the National Performing Arts Convention's blog--Program Notes--on ArtsJournal.com. I hope you will enjoy my essay--"The Nearness of You"--and write in to share your thoughts on this topic and others in the ten-week series.
To read the essay now, click here.
About NPAC
NPAC--the National Performing Arts Convention--will take place in Denver, Colorado on June 10-14, 2008. "Taking Action Together," NPAC will lay the foundation for future cross-disciplinary collaborations, cooperative programs and effective advocacy. Formed by 30 distinct performing arts service organizations demonstrating a new maturity and uniting as one a sector, NPAC is dedicated to enriching national life and strengthening performing arts communities across the country.
About Program Notes
From April 1 through June 9, 2008, weekly entries will be posted here by some of the performing arts community's top bloggers. This 10-week intensive blog will serve as a unique forum for digital debate and brainstorming, and both the entries and comments will be archived for use at the live NPAC sessions in June. New entries will be posted every Monday morning. The Authors: Jaime Green, Nico Muhly, Kristin Sloan, Jason Grote, Jeffrey Kahane, Greg Sandow, Hilary Hahn, Eva Yaa Asantewaa ...and more!
To read the essay now, click here.
About NPAC
NPAC--the National Performing Arts Convention--will take place in Denver, Colorado on June 10-14, 2008. "Taking Action Together," NPAC will lay the foundation for future cross-disciplinary collaborations, cooperative programs and effective advocacy. Formed by 30 distinct performing arts service organizations demonstrating a new maturity and uniting as one a sector, NPAC is dedicated to enriching national life and strengthening performing arts communities across the country.
About Program Notes
From April 1 through June 9, 2008, weekly entries will be posted here by some of the performing arts community's top bloggers. This 10-week intensive blog will serve as a unique forum for digital debate and brainstorming, and both the entries and comments will be archived for use at the live NPAC sessions in June. New entries will be posted every Monday morning. The Authors: Jaime Green, Nico Muhly, Kristin Sloan, Jason Grote, Jeffrey Kahane, Greg Sandow, Hilary Hahn, Eva Yaa Asantewaa ...and more!
The Turning World (39)
Who Will Tell The People?
by Thomas L. Friedman, The New York Times, May 4, 2008
The All-White Elephant in the Room
by Frank Rich, The New York Times, May 4, 2008
by Thomas L. Friedman, The New York Times, May 4, 2008
The All-White Elephant in the Room
by Frank Rich, The New York Times, May 4, 2008
Catskill Mountain Womyn's World Drum and Percussion Happen’n
11th Annual Catskill Mountain Womyn’s World Drum & Percussion Happen’n
August 21–August 24
Circle Lodge, Hopewell Junction, New York
For registration and scholarship application, click here.
The Circle Lodge is a private lakefront adult retreat center with comfortable indoor accommodations, vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals, multiple indoor workshop and jamming areas, performing arts center, cell phone reception, heated pool and access to Sylvan Lake. The Happen’n is just 1-½ hours from NYC or two hours from Albany, four hours from Boston.
The Happen’n is an annual multicultural drum, percussion and dance gathering for women and girls of all levels (beginner, intermediate, advanced).
We have assembled some of the most diverse, dynamic, inspiring, and skilled women musicians/ teachers in the drumming world today. Learn rhythms, songs, techniques and musical styles of the Conga, Djembe, Dundun, Taiko, Dumbek, Frame Drum, Tablas, Bodhran, Sakara, Gyil, Shekere, Berimbau, Drum Kit, Bells, Gourds and various world hand percussion.
Expand your knowledge and skills of traditional music of West Africa, Brazil, Haiti, Japan, Cuba, the Middle East, North Africa, India, Ireland, Native America, and original music of North America.
Explore methods of music for healing, teaching, facilitation and performance. Move with West African Dance, Capoeira, Maculele, Movement Meditation and circle dancing. Learn to tune and repair your drum. Sing, drum and dance around the fire!
The Happen’n provides many opportunities for networking and music exchange while in a supportive atmosphere of women’s drumming community. Experience the Blessing of the Drums, Saturday Night Showcase, Vibrational Healing Circle, Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Circle with others to sustain the Heartbeat Drum throughout the gathering.
Expand your awareness of global women’s drumming at the Happen’n Gallery of books, instruments, photos and videos. Explore instruments and handcrafts by the teachers and craftswomen at the Marketplace.
Bring your drums, percussion instruments, voice, and musical styles to the various music and dance jams.
2008 HAPPEN’N TEACHING STAFF:
Edwina Lee Tyler--West African Drum Traditions
Emilia Biancardi--Music & Percussion of Brazil
Nurudafina Pili Abena--Djembe, Afro-Cuban Drum
Peace Elewonu--Women’s Music of Ghana, Dance
Sejal Kukadia--Tabla Drums of India
Phyllis Bethel--Afro-Cuban Conga
Valerie Naranjo--West African Gyil, Native American Music
Ubaka Hill--Art & Spirit of Drumming
Bonnie Devlin--Haitian Folkloric Music, Bodhran
Elaine N. Fong--Taiko Drums of Japan
Leaf Miller--World Drum
Caru Thompson--Shekere, Bells, Vocal Gourds
Raquy Danziger--Dumbek & Frame Drum
Fre Atlast--Teaching & Drum Circle Facilitation
Joy San Agustin and Molly Lee--Capoeira, Maculele
Nana Akosua Baakan Agyiriwah--Sakara, Dundun
Nancy Asch--Stick/ Kit Drumming
Victoria Christgau--Vocal Improvisation
White Feather--Movement Meditation
Beverly Nadelman--Drum Care and Repair
Drum Central Vision Statement:
Drum Central is dedicated to the advancement of women's knowledge and participation in the ancient and sacred traditions of women's drumming locally and globally.
This vision is expressed through our annual gathering: the Catskill Mountain Womyn’s World Drum & Percussion Happen’n. Drum Central was founded in 1998 by Leaf Miller, Fre Atlast, and Ubaka Hill.
Come for the Entire Time or Come For the Day!
Registration & Lodging Options
Your Registration Fee includes Workshops, Meals, Accommodations and Featured Programs.
Per-woman Accommodation Fees are listed as Before July 1st / After July 1st Rates. Early Registration saves $!
Double w/ Shared Bath $485.00/ $505.00
Double w/ Private Bath $495.00/ $515.00
Single w/ Shared Bath $595.00/ $615.00
Single w/ Private Bath $675.00/ $695.00
4 Day Commuter $365.00/ $385.00
Single Day Commuter $165.00/ $185.00
Children 8-12 years old $ ½ the price of the adult fee
Registration begins at 3pm on Thursday. The Happen’n ends at 2pm on Sunday.
All Registration Rates are per woman registrant. Housing for groups of three
or more can be arranged with advance notice. Linens and towels are provided.
Accommodations do not apply to Commuter Rates.
* Confirmation Packets with directions and other information will be sent to you upon receipt of your Registration form. Cancellations will be charged $75.00 before July 1st. After July 1st, fees are non-refundable unless we can fill your space.
Please make Checks or Money Orders Payable to: The Arts Community
After July 1st, Money Orders ONLY will be accepted. Mail Registration Form with Payment to:
DRUM CENTRAL - PO Box 231, Saugerties, NY 12477. For more information and questions:
Call (845) 706-1176 Email: info@drumcentral.net
Visit our website www.drumcentral.net for details, updates and the FAQs.
*** PLEASE DONATE TO OUR SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Every tax-deductible contribution, whatever the amount, supports the participation of Elder women and women with financial need. A limited number of participant assistance grants are available.
To apply for a Scholarship, send in a Registration Form with your letter of request for a scholarship application. All Applications are due by July 1st, 2008.
August 21–August 24
Circle Lodge, Hopewell Junction, New York
For registration and scholarship application, click here.
The Circle Lodge is a private lakefront adult retreat center with comfortable indoor accommodations, vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals, multiple indoor workshop and jamming areas, performing arts center, cell phone reception, heated pool and access to Sylvan Lake. The Happen’n is just 1-½ hours from NYC or two hours from Albany, four hours from Boston.
The Happen’n is an annual multicultural drum, percussion and dance gathering for women and girls of all levels (beginner, intermediate, advanced).
We have assembled some of the most diverse, dynamic, inspiring, and skilled women musicians/ teachers in the drumming world today. Learn rhythms, songs, techniques and musical styles of the Conga, Djembe, Dundun, Taiko, Dumbek, Frame Drum, Tablas, Bodhran, Sakara, Gyil, Shekere, Berimbau, Drum Kit, Bells, Gourds and various world hand percussion.
Expand your knowledge and skills of traditional music of West Africa, Brazil, Haiti, Japan, Cuba, the Middle East, North Africa, India, Ireland, Native America, and original music of North America.
Explore methods of music for healing, teaching, facilitation and performance. Move with West African Dance, Capoeira, Maculele, Movement Meditation and circle dancing. Learn to tune and repair your drum. Sing, drum and dance around the fire!
The Happen’n provides many opportunities for networking and music exchange while in a supportive atmosphere of women’s drumming community. Experience the Blessing of the Drums, Saturday Night Showcase, Vibrational Healing Circle, Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Circle with others to sustain the Heartbeat Drum throughout the gathering.
Expand your awareness of global women’s drumming at the Happen’n Gallery of books, instruments, photos and videos. Explore instruments and handcrafts by the teachers and craftswomen at the Marketplace.
Bring your drums, percussion instruments, voice, and musical styles to the various music and dance jams.
2008 HAPPEN’N TEACHING STAFF:
Edwina Lee Tyler--West African Drum Traditions
Emilia Biancardi--Music & Percussion of Brazil
Nurudafina Pili Abena--Djembe, Afro-Cuban Drum
Peace Elewonu--Women’s Music of Ghana, Dance
Sejal Kukadia--Tabla Drums of India
Phyllis Bethel--Afro-Cuban Conga
Valerie Naranjo--West African Gyil, Native American Music
Ubaka Hill--Art & Spirit of Drumming
Bonnie Devlin--Haitian Folkloric Music, Bodhran
Elaine N. Fong--Taiko Drums of Japan
Leaf Miller--World Drum
Caru Thompson--Shekere, Bells, Vocal Gourds
Raquy Danziger--Dumbek & Frame Drum
Fre Atlast--Teaching & Drum Circle Facilitation
Joy San Agustin and Molly Lee--Capoeira, Maculele
Nana Akosua Baakan Agyiriwah--Sakara, Dundun
Nancy Asch--Stick/ Kit Drumming
Victoria Christgau--Vocal Improvisation
White Feather--Movement Meditation
Beverly Nadelman--Drum Care and Repair
Drum Central Vision Statement:
Drum Central is dedicated to the advancement of women's knowledge and participation in the ancient and sacred traditions of women's drumming locally and globally.
This vision is expressed through our annual gathering: the Catskill Mountain Womyn’s World Drum & Percussion Happen’n. Drum Central was founded in 1998 by Leaf Miller, Fre Atlast, and Ubaka Hill.
Come for the Entire Time or Come For the Day!
Registration & Lodging Options
Your Registration Fee includes Workshops, Meals, Accommodations and Featured Programs.
Per-woman Accommodation Fees are listed as Before July 1st / After July 1st Rates. Early Registration saves $!
Double w/ Shared Bath $485.00/ $505.00
Double w/ Private Bath $495.00/ $515.00
Single w/ Shared Bath $595.00/ $615.00
Single w/ Private Bath $675.00/ $695.00
4 Day Commuter $365.00/ $385.00
Single Day Commuter $165.00/ $185.00
Children 8-12 years old $ ½ the price of the adult fee
Registration begins at 3pm on Thursday. The Happen’n ends at 2pm on Sunday.
All Registration Rates are per woman registrant. Housing for groups of three
or more can be arranged with advance notice. Linens and towels are provided.
Accommodations do not apply to Commuter Rates.
* Confirmation Packets with directions and other information will be sent to you upon receipt of your Registration form. Cancellations will be charged $75.00 before July 1st. After July 1st, fees are non-refundable unless we can fill your space.
Please make Checks or Money Orders Payable to: The Arts Community
After July 1st, Money Orders ONLY will be accepted. Mail Registration Form with Payment to:
DRUM CENTRAL - PO Box 231, Saugerties, NY 12477. For more information and questions:
Call (845) 706-1176 Email: info@drumcentral.net
Visit our website www.drumcentral.net for details, updates and the FAQs.
*** PLEASE DONATE TO OUR SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Every tax-deductible contribution, whatever the amount, supports the participation of Elder women and women with financial need. A limited number of participant assistance grants are available.
To apply for a Scholarship, send in a Registration Form with your letter of request for a scholarship application. All Applications are due by July 1st, 2008.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Chipaumire's revolution
Chimurenga (struggle, cry, revolution) is a work of brazen poetry, memory and cleansing by one of the world's most authoritative performers, Bessie Award winner Nora Chipaumire. The visual and sonic design of the whole--including Alex Pott's sound installation and the film by Chantal Buard and Kristin Tieche--is a knockout, one of the most impressive productions Dance Theater Workshop has presented in this and many a season. All praises to the entire creative team behind the sophisticated artistry on display now through tomorrow evening. And all hail Chipaumire, at the helm, inviting us on this nonlinear journey into charged historical and personal, psychic experience.
More information and ticket reservations
My interview with Nora Chipaumire on Body and Soul podcast
More information and ticket reservations
My interview with Nora Chipaumire on Body and Soul podcast
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Nicky Paraiso/Mia Yoo (Pt. 2): Body and Soul podcast
In Part 2 of our conversation about the 2008 La MaMa Moves! dance festival, co-curators Nicky Paraiso and Mia B. Yoo discuss a new
addition to their festival schedule--a forum for choreographers.
GUEST BIOS
See Part 1.
EVENT
La MaMa Moves! -- May 2-June 1
For up-to-the-minute calendar and ticketing details, see the link
below or call 212-475-7710.
LINK
La MaMa e.t.c.
http://www.lamama.org/
Click on Dance Festival 2008
Body and Soul is the official podcast of InfiniteBody dance blog at
http://infinitebody.blogspot.com. Subscribe through iTunes or at
http://magickaleva.hipcast.com/rss/bodyandsoul.xml.
(c)2008, Eva Yaa Asantewaa
MP3 File
addition to their festival schedule--a forum for choreographers.
GUEST BIOS
See Part 1.
EVENT
La MaMa Moves! -- May 2-June 1
For up-to-the-minute calendar and ticketing details, see the link
below or call 212-475-7710.
LINK
La MaMa e.t.c.
http://www.lamama.org/
Click on Dance Festival 2008
Body and Soul is the official podcast of InfiniteBody dance blog at
http://infinitebody.blogspot.com. Subscribe through iTunes or at
http://magickaleva.hipcast.com/rss/bodyandsoul.xml.
(c)2008, Eva Yaa Asantewaa
MP3 File
Nicky Paraiso/Mia Yoo (Pt. 1): Body and Soul podcast
La MaMa Moves! again! Ellen Stewart's legendary East Village theater presents its big annual dance festival, starting this weekend with a presentation of Ivy Baldwin Dance. I spoke with co-curators Nicky Paraiso and Mia B. Yoo about all of their sensational events, including the "Dancing for Micki" benefit in honor of Micki Wesson, the great supporter and champion of New York dance.
In Part 2 of our conversation--a separate podcast--Nicky and Mia discuss a new addition to their festival schedule--a forum for choreographers.
Nicky Paraiso is currently Performance Curator at The Club at La MaMa Experimental Theatre, and co-curates (with Mia B. Yoo) La MaMa Moves!, La MaMa’s annual spring dance festival. He has been a prolific actor at La MaMa, and the New York downtown theater and performance scene, since 1979. Paraiso has been a member of Meredith Monk/The House and Vocal Ensemble (1981-1990), touring extensively throughout the United States, Europe and Japan. He has worked as an actor and musical director with playwright/actor/director Jeff Weiss and his partner Carlos Ricardo Martinez since 1979, and has performed with Yoshiko Chuma and the School of Hard Knocks since 1988. Nicky is also a critically-acclaimed solo performance artist, whose one-man shows Asian Boys, Houses and Jewels and House/Boy have been presented at La MaMa ETC, Dixon Place, PS122, Dance Theater Workshop and on tour. House/Boy, originally presented by La MaMa ETC in association with Ma-Yi Theater Company, written & performed by Paraiso and directed by Ralph B. Pena, has been presented as part of the KO Performance Festival’s 15th Anniversary season at Amherst College, at Pillsbury House Theater’s Late-Night Series in Minneapolis (November 2005) and also at the 4th Festival Internacional de Cabaret in Mexico City (June 2006), among other venues. House/Boy was recently presented as part of the Dublin Theatre Festival in October 2007 and also in November at the Initiation International Festival 2007 in Singapore. Paraiso's awards include a 1987 BESSIE Award for Performance, a 2004 Spencer Cherashore Fund grant for mid-career actors and a 2005 NY Innovative Theater Award. He was a finalist for the prestigious Cal Arts/Alpert Award in 1998. Nicky is a graduate of Oberlin College and Conservatory, and holds an M.F.A. from New York University's Graduate Acting Program.
Mia B. Yoo is an actress and director who earned her BA in Theatre at Brown University and her MFA in Acting at Columbia University. She has appeared with the Great Jones Repertory Company, the American Repertory Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company. She is an Artistic Associate at La MaMa e.t.c. and co-curates La MaMa Moves! with Nicky Paraiso.
EVENTS
La MaMa Moves! -- May 2-June 1
Ivy Baldwin Dance at The Club at La MaMa e.t.c., May 2-11, Friday-Saturday, 10pm; Sunday, 5:30pm
For up-to-the-minute calendar and ticketing details, see the link below or call 212-475-7710.
LINKS
La MaMa e.t.c.
http://www.lamama.org/
Click on Dance Festival 2008
Ivy Baldwin Dance
http://www.ivybaldwindance.org
Body and Soul is the official podcast of InfiniteBody dance blog at
http://infinitebody.blogspot.com. Subscribe through iTunes or at
http://magickaleva.hipcast.com/rss/bodyandsoul.xml.
(c)2008, Eva Yaa Asantewaa
MP3 File
In Part 2 of our conversation--a separate podcast--Nicky and Mia discuss a new addition to their festival schedule--a forum for choreographers.
Nicky Paraiso is currently Performance Curator at The Club at La MaMa Experimental Theatre, and co-curates (with Mia B. Yoo) La MaMa Moves!, La MaMa’s annual spring dance festival. He has been a prolific actor at La MaMa, and the New York downtown theater and performance scene, since 1979. Paraiso has been a member of Meredith Monk/The House and Vocal Ensemble (1981-1990), touring extensively throughout the United States, Europe and Japan. He has worked as an actor and musical director with playwright/actor/director Jeff Weiss and his partner Carlos Ricardo Martinez since 1979, and has performed with Yoshiko Chuma and the School of Hard Knocks since 1988. Nicky is also a critically-acclaimed solo performance artist, whose one-man shows Asian Boys, Houses and Jewels and House/Boy have been presented at La MaMa ETC, Dixon Place, PS122, Dance Theater Workshop and on tour. House/Boy, originally presented by La MaMa ETC in association with Ma-Yi Theater Company, written & performed by Paraiso and directed by Ralph B. Pena, has been presented as part of the KO Performance Festival’s 15th Anniversary season at Amherst College, at Pillsbury House Theater’s Late-Night Series in Minneapolis (November 2005) and also at the 4th Festival Internacional de Cabaret in Mexico City (June 2006), among other venues. House/Boy was recently presented as part of the Dublin Theatre Festival in October 2007 and also in November at the Initiation International Festival 2007 in Singapore. Paraiso's awards include a 1987 BESSIE Award for Performance, a 2004 Spencer Cherashore Fund grant for mid-career actors and a 2005 NY Innovative Theater Award. He was a finalist for the prestigious Cal Arts/Alpert Award in 1998. Nicky is a graduate of Oberlin College and Conservatory, and holds an M.F.A. from New York University's Graduate Acting Program.
Mia B. Yoo is an actress and director who earned her BA in Theatre at Brown University and her MFA in Acting at Columbia University. She has appeared with the Great Jones Repertory Company, the American Repertory Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company. She is an Artistic Associate at La MaMa e.t.c. and co-curates La MaMa Moves! with Nicky Paraiso.
EVENTS
La MaMa Moves! -- May 2-June 1
Ivy Baldwin Dance at The Club at La MaMa e.t.c., May 2-11, Friday-Saturday, 10pm; Sunday, 5:30pm
For up-to-the-minute calendar and ticketing details, see the link below or call 212-475-7710.
LINKS
La MaMa e.t.c.
http://www.lamama.org/
Click on Dance Festival 2008
Ivy Baldwin Dance
http://www.ivybaldwindance.org
Body and Soul is the official podcast of InfiniteBody dance blog at
http://infinitebody.blogspot.com. Subscribe through iTunes or at
http://magickaleva.hipcast.com/rss/bodyandsoul.xml.
(c)2008, Eva Yaa Asantewaa
MP3 File
Sustaining artists and cultural organizations of color
Sustaining Our Artists, Arts Organizations and Cultural Institutions of Color During the "Recession"
Friday, May 9 (6pm-8pm)
Hunter College
Hall 714 West Building (7th Floor)
68th Street/Lexington Avenue
Please RSVP to elsa@latinoarts.org or call 212-876-1242.
Moderator:
Dr. Marta Moreno Vega, Founder of the Caribbean Cultural Center
Panelists:
Ms. Heather Hitchens, Executive Director of NYSCA
Arana J. Hankin, Assistant Secretary for Cultural & Economic Development Office of Governor David A. Paterson
Kathleen Hughes, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs Assistant Commissioner
NYS Assemblyman Darryl C. Towns, 54th District, Chair, Black Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus
Laurie Cumbo, Founder of MoCADA
Organized by the Steering Committee of the Cultural Equity Group:
* Amerinda Inc., American Indian Artists
* Asian American Arts Centre
* Association of Hispanic Arts
* The Bronx Council on the Arts
* Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute
* Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College
* The Children's Art Carnival
* The Harlem Arts Alliance.
* International Museum of African American Cinema
* The Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Center Memorial and Educational Center
* Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA)
* Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance
* Nuyorican School Original Poetry Jazz Ensemble, Inc.
Dear Artists, Cultural Activists and People concerned about the community:
We have certainly brought in 2008 with a burst of energy and excitement filled with opportunity and hope for the future! We applaud everyone for their dedication and hard work to preserve and landmark our institutions and culture, which will have an instrumental impact on the quality of life for our communities as well as for future generations. In order to make an impact we must continue to educate ourselves about the funding process.
We need your voice to be heard and we would appreciate your support in sending this email far and wide to your perspective communities in order to demonstrate to our legislators that our culture is important to the cultural landscape of New York City. Please do not continue to allow the challenges of our community to fall on the shoulders of a few because we need everyone in order to create an impact.
The Cultural Equity Group (CEG) cordially invites you to attend a very important Town Hall Meeting on Friday, May 9, 6pm at Hunter College (68th Street and Lexington Avenue) 7th Floor, Hall 714, West Building, to discuss three very important issues that will impact our community:
1. Sustaining our artists, arts organizations and cultural institutions of color during the current "recession" and new stricter budget reforms;
2. Defining a new per capita funding model based on the ethnic and racial demographics of New York City-a more realistic support process, which would impact communities that are underserved;
3. Exploring recommendations, strategies and policies for cultural equity.
Your participation is important! It will help define New York City's Cultural policy of the future. Sample copies of letters to be sent to your elected officials will be distributed at the meeting. There will also be a petition for you to sign.
Please make every effort to attend. You can RSVP at elsa@latinoarts.org or call 212-876-1242. Thanking you in advance for remaining unified in our commitment to Cultural Equity for our artists and the communities we serve.
Very truly yours,
Steering Committee
Cultural Equity Group
Friday, May 9 (6pm-8pm)
Hunter College
Hall 714 West Building (7th Floor)
68th Street/Lexington Avenue
Please RSVP to elsa@latinoarts.org or call 212-876-1242.
Moderator:
Dr. Marta Moreno Vega, Founder of the Caribbean Cultural Center
Panelists:
Ms. Heather Hitchens, Executive Director of NYSCA
Arana J. Hankin, Assistant Secretary for Cultural & Economic Development Office of Governor David A. Paterson
Kathleen Hughes, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs Assistant Commissioner
NYS Assemblyman Darryl C. Towns, 54th District, Chair, Black Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus
Laurie Cumbo, Founder of MoCADA
Organized by the Steering Committee of the Cultural Equity Group:
* Amerinda Inc., American Indian Artists
* Asian American Arts Centre
* Association of Hispanic Arts
* The Bronx Council on the Arts
* Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute
* Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College
* The Children's Art Carnival
* The Harlem Arts Alliance.
* International Museum of African American Cinema
* The Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Center Memorial and Educational Center
* Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA)
* Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance
* Nuyorican School Original Poetry Jazz Ensemble, Inc.
Dear Artists, Cultural Activists and People concerned about the community:
We have certainly brought in 2008 with a burst of energy and excitement filled with opportunity and hope for the future! We applaud everyone for their dedication and hard work to preserve and landmark our institutions and culture, which will have an instrumental impact on the quality of life for our communities as well as for future generations. In order to make an impact we must continue to educate ourselves about the funding process.
We need your voice to be heard and we would appreciate your support in sending this email far and wide to your perspective communities in order to demonstrate to our legislators that our culture is important to the cultural landscape of New York City. Please do not continue to allow the challenges of our community to fall on the shoulders of a few because we need everyone in order to create an impact.
The Cultural Equity Group (CEG) cordially invites you to attend a very important Town Hall Meeting on Friday, May 9, 6pm at Hunter College (68th Street and Lexington Avenue) 7th Floor, Hall 714, West Building, to discuss three very important issues that will impact our community:
1. Sustaining our artists, arts organizations and cultural institutions of color during the current "recession" and new stricter budget reforms;
2. Defining a new per capita funding model based on the ethnic and racial demographics of New York City-a more realistic support process, which would impact communities that are underserved;
3. Exploring recommendations, strategies and policies for cultural equity.
Your participation is important! It will help define New York City's Cultural policy of the future. Sample copies of letters to be sent to your elected officials will be distributed at the meeting. There will also be a petition for you to sign.
Please make every effort to attend. You can RSVP at elsa@latinoarts.org or call 212-876-1242. Thanking you in advance for remaining unified in our commitment to Cultural Equity for our artists and the communities we serve.
Very truly yours,
Steering Committee
Cultural Equity Group
Rashida Bumbray: Body and Soul podcast
The Kitchen, located in Chelsea, and The Studio Museum in Harlem have a couple of exciting things in common. Both centers herald innovation in the arts. And now both have Hoofers' House--an intimate tap jam session celebrating tap dance on the cutting edge. Rashida Bumbray--who co-founded Hoofers' House at SMH and now serves as Assistant Curator at The Kitchen--joins me to talk about this new partnership and The Kitchen's upcoming free event, hosted by master tap dancer/teacher Jason Samuels Smith (May 23).
BIO
Rashida Bumbray is a dancer and curator living in Harlem. While Bumbray's primary dance form is tap, she has studied with international dance masters of various forms in Brazil, The Gambia, and London. Her personal work combines her passion for dance and visual art in the interest of creating and presenting work that interrogates society and inspires transformation.
Bumbray has been Assistant Curator at The Kitchen since Fall 2006. Previously she enjoyed a five and half year tenure at The Studio Museum in Harlem, as Curatorial Assistant and Exhibition Coordinator. She is co-founder and curator of Studio Sound, the Studio Museum's lobby music installation which featured new works by Daniel Bernard Roumain (DBR), Marc Cary, and Charlie Dark’s The Black Atlantic Project: a musical chain letter. Recently she co-curated the exhibition Mai-Thu Perret: An Evening of the Book with Debra Singer and has organized several music events at The Kitchen, including new concert works by Pheroan akLaff, LaTasha N. Nevada Diggs, Guillermo E. Brown, Min Xiao-Fen, and Burnt Sugar The Arkestra Chamber. She is also the co-founder of Hoofers’ House, the Studio Museum's quarterly jam session for tap dancers, which is now co-produced by The Kitchen.
EVENT
Hoofers' House, May 23, 8pm. Free. For details, visit The Kitchen site (link below).
LINKS
The Kitchen
http://thekitchen.org
The Studio Museum in Harlem
http://www.studiomuseum.org
Jason Samuels Smith
Divine Rhythm Productions
http://www.divinerhythmproductions.macwebsitebuilder.com/
JasonSamuelsSmith.html
Body and Soul is the official podcast of InfiniteBody dance blog at
http://infinitebody.blogspot.com. Subscribe through iTunes or at
http://magickaleva.hipcast.com/rss/bodyandsoul.xml.
(c)2008, Eva Yaa Asantewaa
MP3 File
BIO
Rashida Bumbray is a dancer and curator living in Harlem. While Bumbray's primary dance form is tap, she has studied with international dance masters of various forms in Brazil, The Gambia, and London. Her personal work combines her passion for dance and visual art in the interest of creating and presenting work that interrogates society and inspires transformation.
Bumbray has been Assistant Curator at The Kitchen since Fall 2006. Previously she enjoyed a five and half year tenure at The Studio Museum in Harlem, as Curatorial Assistant and Exhibition Coordinator. She is co-founder and curator of Studio Sound, the Studio Museum's lobby music installation which featured new works by Daniel Bernard Roumain (DBR), Marc Cary, and Charlie Dark’s The Black Atlantic Project: a musical chain letter. Recently she co-curated the exhibition Mai-Thu Perret: An Evening of the Book with Debra Singer and has organized several music events at The Kitchen, including new concert works by Pheroan akLaff, LaTasha N. Nevada Diggs, Guillermo E. Brown, Min Xiao-Fen, and Burnt Sugar The Arkestra Chamber. She is also the co-founder of Hoofers’ House, the Studio Museum's quarterly jam session for tap dancers, which is now co-produced by The Kitchen.
EVENT
Hoofers' House, May 23, 8pm. Free. For details, visit The Kitchen site (link below).
LINKS
The Kitchen
http://thekitchen.org
The Studio Museum in Harlem
http://www.studiomuseum.org
Jason Samuels Smith
Divine Rhythm Productions
http://www.divinerhythmproductions.macwebsitebuilder.com/
JasonSamuelsSmith.html
Body and Soul is the official podcast of InfiniteBody dance blog at
http://infinitebody.blogspot.com. Subscribe through iTunes or at
http://magickaleva.hipcast.com/rss/bodyandsoul.xml.
(c)2008, Eva Yaa Asantewaa
MP3 File