Your Christmas alternative: "Gemini Stars/Scorpio Stars"

 Daniel Diaz (above) and Fleur Voorn on video (below)
in Gemini Stars/Scorpio Stars
(photos: Theo Cote)

Pull up a chair, sip some white wine and kick back with Gemini Stars/Scorpio Stars, your all-queer Christmas fête from writer/director Gian Marco Lo Forte and the Pioneers Go East Collective at La MaMa/The Downstairs. This 70-minute music-theater show dips into YouTube's vlogging trend to explore LGBTQ identity, culture, struggles, triumphs and the joy--and sheer relief--of being surrounded by family-of-choice at holiday time.

Our technology grows slicker by the minute, but humans remain a species eager to tell and consume stories--a truth manifest in phenomena like StoryCorps, The Moth and YouTube vlogs. Gemini Stars//Scorpio Stars features personal stories contributed and shared by its performers--Daniel Diaz, Jess Barbagallo, Fleur Voorn, Michaela Reggio, Niko Tsocanos and Ryan Leach, all live; Julia Dobner-Pereira and Chloe Li Piazza on video. Not all of its tales land with equal effectiveness. But there is often charm, humor and poignancy enhanced by spirited, if easy-going, presentation along with music, movement and decor.

Best of the batch: The hilarious Diaz has vivid recall of meeting a hunky firefighter near the muumuu racks in the musty basement of a vintage clothing store; Barbagallo and Reggio amusingly and affectionately reflect on a road trip that sounds like their relationship in microcosm. And you probably shouldn't miss the tender ballad performed by musical guest Ombro de Oro and dedicated to one "Blanca Ivanka."

Perversely, all of this made me flash back to those Andy Williams  Christmas tv shows in the 1960s. You remember Williams, right? Smooth-singing Republican who, nevertheless, championed Bobby Kennedy and George McGovern? Whose politics corroded with age--foe of Obama ("a Marxist!"), fan of Limbaugh and Beck? I'm trying to imagine what might have been--some alternative much like Gemini Stars/Scorpio Stars.

Gemini Stars/Scorpio Stars continues through December 17 with performances tonight and Saturday at 7pm and on Sunday at 2pm. For information and tickets, click here.

La MaMa (The Downstairs)
66 East 4th Street (between 2nd Avenue and Bowery), Manhattan
(map/directions)

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I was interviewed for Movers & Shapers podcast!

Erin Carlisle Norton
Artistic Director of The Moving Architects
and host of Movers & Shapers
(photo courtesy of Erin Carlisle Norton)

The very gracious Erin Carlisle Norton, artistic director of The Moving Architects, interviewed me for her Movers & Shapers dance podcast!

You can find the episode here.

For more Movers & Shapers episodes, click here or subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher.

"Like" Movers & Shapers on Facebook

Follow Movers & Shapers on Twitter

Get your free email subscription

to InfiniteBody.

Click here!

Vivian Phillips: new leadership for Seattle's arts commission

Vivian Phillips
Chair, Seattle Arts Commission
(Photo by Jerry and Lois Photography)

Last month, the Seattle Arts Commission announced that Vivian Phillips--director of marketing and communications for the Seattle Theatre Group--would become the 16-member commission's new Chair (click here). Ms. Phillips has an extensive background in arts management, marketing and advocacy. She agreed to respond to a few questions about what's stirring with artists, communities and arts policies in Seattle.

*****

EYA: You have a background in media as well as marketing for arts organizations. What motivated you to become involved on a larger scale in arts advocacy and arts policy for your city?

VP: The majority of my work in media has been focused on elevating the arts. I’ve given 100% to arts advocacy, management, and support since the 1980’s. This is my second time serving on the Seattle Arts Commission, and it just happens that this time I’ve become chair. I have training as a political strategist and served a former Mayor as Director of Communications.

Policy is important to me, but assuring that a policy is implemented is often the challenge and even more important. As Chair of the Arts Commission, my experience and passion work together, and with my fellow commissioners, I advise on policy and its equitable implementation. 

The Seattle Arts Commission supports the Office of Arts and Culture as an advisory and advocacy body, so my primary responsibility is to lead the work of the Commission in ways that uphold that responsibility. This year, all of our work will be done with an eye on holding an equity lens up to all of our decisions, be it funding or community engagement. We are working closely with the Seattle Office for Civil Rights and developing a set of tools and philosophies that will help assure that we are being accountable to creating an arts environment that is more racially equitable in all areas.

In January, the entire Commission participated in two half-days of race and equity training so that we could all have a common starting place from which to move for our work together. A number of new initiatives and programs will launch in 2015, some of which could have incredible impacts on communities of color.  My job is to lead the body in a way that leads to successful outcomes.

EYA: What arts-related issues are top of mind today for Seattle's citizens?

VP: Equity! It’s not enough to be diverse. Along those lines, there is a big gentrification issue and we are in the process now of establishing the Central Area, as a Cultural Arts District. The Central Area is experiencing an enormous amount of development and gentrification and so with our capacity for applying an equity lens to all the work and investments we can make, this is a great opportunity to make a big difference. We don’t know yet how we will make it all come together, but we do know that we are willing to take a risk and do it in a way that increases not just the appearance but the true outcomes in an equitable fashion.   

Under the banner of equity, our work plan also touches on increased outreach and engagement with arts and artists from communities of color. Social justice is obviously a big part of achieving equity as well. The Office just held a #SeaArtsFem Twitter conversation yesterday, and the conversation garnered lots of participation. There are a lot of women making moves in the arts in Seattle right now. Women are expressing their leadership in the arts today in beautiful and effective ways. I think this is noticeable and also top of mind.

EYA: Do you see ways in which Seattle can model sound arts policy for other cities across the nation? What arts initiatives, resources or upcoming events are you particularly excited about this year?

VP: Seattle is already modeling. The Creative Advantage, an initiative to restore arts education to Seattle Public School classrooms, is a program out of our Office of Arts and Culture, and the Seattle Arts Commission. This initiative is unique and leading the path toward equitable arts access.

The Office just launched a Spacefinder Tool that literally documents and provides access to information on all of the cultural arts spaces in the city. And Artists Up is a program designed to support access to funding to targeted groups of artists. These are all programs are examples of sound arts policies that are of interest to arts policy-makers around the nation.  

I’m particularly excited about and focused on the successful transition of Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute into a private non-profit organization, and the designation of the Cultural Arts District for the Central Area. These are cultural assets that need to be fully supported in a thoughtful and strategic way and I’m thrilled to be in a position where I can take a more active role in shaping these two things.  

In addition to the two things listed above, Seattle will be experiencing it’s first District-based City Council elections in the coming year. Several current Council members are leaving and the field is getting quite full of potential candidates. The Commission will hold candidate forums this year so we are clear about who supports the arts and how they intend to deliver.  

It’s a very interesting moment in time, and I feel like this is where my experiences, skills, energy, contacts and history can all culminate for the benefit of the arts, artists and community I love so deeply!

*****

Keep up with Seattle's progressive arts initiatives here.

Meet New York's dance and arts publicists!

Gibney Dance Center 

invites you to 

Meet the Publicists

a panel discussion moderated by

Eva Yaa Asantewaa

Tuesday, March 3, 6-8pm

Gibney Dance: Agnes Varis Performing Arts Center

280 Broadway

L-r: Fatima Kafele, John Wyszniewski and Amber Henrie

Meet Amber Henrie, Fatima Kafele, Chris Schimpf, and John Wyszniewski—four publicists representing some of New York's most celebrated dance and performance artists and institutions. How do they help clients address the challenge of decreased arts funding and the decline of mainstream media coverage in the world's most competitive market for the arts? How can artists work effectively with publicists to take advantage of new opportunities in marketing and social media.

Bring your questions for this event which is FREE and open to the public with required RSVP.

To reserve your space, click here.

Panelist Bios

John Wyszniewski is the Managing Director of Blake Zidell & Associates, a New York-based public relations firm that represents artists and arts organizations spanning a variety of disciplines. He specializes in dance, theater and visual art, plus the tricky stuff in between. John has handled press campaigns for Abrons Arts Center, Karole Armitage, BRIC House, The Kitchen, Performance Space 122, Soho Rep, St. Ann’s Warehouse, Wendy Whelan, and the 2012–14 tour of Einstein on the Beach, among others. Previously, John worked in press & marketing at the School of Visual Arts, BAM, Dance Theater Workshop and Galapagos. http://wyszniewski.tumblr.com/

Fatima Kafele is a creative strategist, public relations consultant and dance enthusiast. She currently serves as the Media Relations Manager for the Brooklyn Museum. Prior to BKM she spent almost a decade at BAM. Her consultancy experience includes work with Ronald K. Brown/Evidence, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, and Cumbe Dance Center. She is a former member of the Bessies. Fatima is currently a NYSCA Performing Arts Panelist. Fatima has studied Afro-Cuban folkloric technique for most of her adult life and has a profound love for house music and dance culture. Connect with Fatima on Twitter: @Empress718 or Instagram: @LovejonesPR

Amber Henrie is a seasoned PR veteran and arts professional and leads In The Lights with strategic diligence and empowerment for its clients. She has coordinated and developed marketing, branding, social media and media outreach initiatives with large corporations, emerging start-ups, non-profits and artists. Bringing principles learned in dance training – discipline, tenacity and attention to details – she successfully publicized the technology, consumer and entertainment sectors for 6 years before starting In The Lights in 2010. She now brings technology understanding into her press campaigns for arts organizations; specifically encouraging companies explore simple ways to effectively utilize technology and new media to gain the spotlight. She holds a B.A. in Dance from Brigham Young University.

Chris Schimpf is Senior Director, Sacks & Co. Before joining the team at Sacks & Co., Chris served as Vice President of Marketing & Communications at the French Institute Alliance Franciase (FIAF). He has conceived and led communications campaigns across a broad spectrum of media and artistic disciplines including contemporary and classical music, dance, the visual arts, the commercial recording industry and education. Over the years he has partnered on campaigns with cultural institutions as diverse as the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, the River To River Festival, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, the American Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Space, JazzReach, Pace University, the Schimmel Center and many more.

Agnes Varis Performance Lab
Gibney Dance: Agnes Varis Performing Arts Center
280 Broadway (entrance: 53A Chambers Street), Manhattan
(map/directions)

Join Shay Wafer and Camille A. Brown on Facebook today, 3-4pm EST

Shay Wafer, 651 Arts ED

You know what? We really should talk about how Black arts organization and business can survive and thrive in today's economic climate.

651 ARTS Executive Director Shay Wafer will discuss the arts and sustainability with choreographer Camille A. Brown in an open Facebook chat today, 3-4pm. You're invited to join in with your questions, observations and ideas.

As 651 ARTS enters its 25th year of dedication to the performing arts of the African Diaspora, we are thinking about sustainability over the next 25 years. There have been conversations about the future of Black organizations and how we can create new business and economic models. Inevitably, a conversation on sustainability always includes the question of individual contributions and earned income: How de we create and/or grow these revenue steams?

We would love to hear from folks why they contribute to an arts organization, or if they don’t, why not. What would inspire or encourage them to do so?

For more information and to participate in today's chat, click here. 

Join Danspace Project's Twitter party on arts activism, volunteerism

Lydia Bell of Danspace Project and Jason Maas of The Artist Volunteer Center will discuss the state of arts activism post-Hurricane Sandy via Twitter this Friday, November 15 from 4-5pm. 

Join the conversation by directing questions and thoughts to @DanspaceProject and @TheAVCenter using the hashtag #precariousart.

For information on Danspace Project's Performing the Precarious: Cut Piece program, click here.

Newly-independent Dance/NYC steps off with a video campaign

Kudos to Dance/NYC's Lane Harwell for getting this story into the New York Times's Media and Advertising section:

Bringing New York City Dance Into the Limelight
by Stuart Elliott, The New York Times, June 3, 2013

A.O. Scott on Roger Ebert

AN APPRAISAL
Ebert Was a Critic Whose Sting Was Salved by Caring

by A. O. Scott, The New York Times, April 5, 2013

Workshop on press and media relations

The Field presents

Press and Media Relations

with Jodine N. Dorce

Tuesday, November 13, 6:30-9pm

at The Field
161 Sixth Avenue (at Spring Street), Manhattan
14th Floor
(SUBWAY: C, E to Spring Street; 1 to Houston Street)

$40/$25 for Field Members

This workshop will show you how to create an integrated press and social media strategy, highlighting differences between traditional marketing practices and digital media communications. Learn how to build media relationships and measure the effectiveness of your communication efforts.

To register, click here.

Help New Jersey recover

Want to help out New Jerseyans impacted by Hurricane Sandy? Here's a good Facebook link to find out how:

NewJerseyNeeds

Sandy: How did the dance community fare?

How are you doing? If you're in the dance community, check out the Twitter hashtag #sandydance and contribute your story.

Theater critic Catherine Rampell on previewing and reviewing

Not quite sure why, but I'm tickled to read this from Catherine Rampell of The New York Times:

In addition to covering economics, I also write theater reviews for the Arts section.

In any case, here's her recent column on the business of theater previews and reviews.

Theater Review Economics
by Catherine Rampell, The New York Times, July 30, 2012

A look at how dance troupes use Twitter

How Twitter transformed dance
by Judith Mackrell, guardian.co.uk, July 31, 2012

New InfiniteBody policy re: Kickstarter campaigns

Dear InfiniteBody readers,

In recent months, I've received a good number of Kickstarter appeals by email or Facebook message. Often these come with personal requests for me to help out by publicizing Kickstarter campaigns on this blog.

Initially, I was reluctant to post any of these announcements, because there are numerous active campaigns out there. I neither wanted to be expected to post every one I received or heard about, nor did I want to be seen as playing favorites by promoting projects that might personally interest me. I worried about this.

Over time, I did post a few--even quite recently. But today, I'm announcing that I will no longer post Kickstarter announcements on InfiniteBody.

I support your efforts to fund important creative projects. If you share your appeals via social media, I'll be happy to re-post or re-tweet something that personally strikes me as "insanely great." And I wish all of you the very best.

Thanks for understanding and respecting this policy decision.

Eva Yaa Asantewaa
InfiniteBody

Rhizome: where art meets tech

Artists and Technologists Team Up for Rhizome Event
by Randy Kennedy, The New York Times, April 3, 2012

Collective for Dance Writing and New Media goes social!

Now you can connect with

Collective for Dance Writing and New Media

on

Facebook 

and

Google+

and now

Twitter @CollectiveDWNM, too!

Photo (c)2012, Eva Yaa Asantewaa

Make a note: 

Join us at our next general meeting!

Monday, February 6 (6pm-7:45pm)

Gibney Dance Center, 890 Broadway, 5th Floor, Studio 6

Roxane Butterfly's journey with tap

Internationally-acclaimed tapdancer Roxane Butterfly--whose name, unfortunately, is incorrectly spelled and rendered on the video and on the program's Web site--is interviewed on The Women's Connection® by host Barrie-Louise Switzen. She talks about career and self-management, family, language, practice and "the discipline of being relaxed."  There are a couple of nice dance demos, too, in the final ten minutes. You'll be tapping in no time!

Still looking for your Dance Person of the Year!

You’ve heard of Time’s PERSON OF THE YEAR. Now, who is your DANCE PERSON OF THE YEAR? (from any role related to the art of dance–performer, choreographer, teacher, AD, etc.)

Use the Comment feature to post your choice here, including:

• the person’s name/title/affiliation
• your (very brief, please) comment about him or her
• your name--or “anonymous,” if you choose

I expect to be getting some replies from Facebook, Google+ and maybe Twitter, too. I'll compile the most interesting of all of these for a special post at year's end!

Have fun!

DANCE PERSON OF THE YEAR?

You’ve heard of Time’s PERSON OF THE YEAR. Now, who is your DANCE PERSON OF THE YEAR? (from any role related to the art of dance–performer, choreographer, teacher, AD, etc.)

Use the Comment feature to post your choice here, including:

• the person’s name/title/affiliation
• your (very brief, please) comment about him or her
• your name--or “anonymous,” if you choose

I expect to be getting some replies from Facebook, Google+ and maybe Twitter, too. I'll compile the most interesting of all of these for a special post at year's end!

Have fun!

Making friends with the arts

Social Networking Among Young Arts Professionals
by Jennifer Preston, The New York Times, October 21, 2011