A workshop on injury prevention for dancers

Steps on Broadway
presents

An Injury Prevention Workshop

Sponsored by 

Dance Spirit Magazine

Sunday, April 6, 6:30pm

Learn ways to prevent and recover from dance injuries.

Dancers, teachers, and parents will gain valuable information on such topics as the importance of a strong core, the role of physical therapy in a dancer’s recovery, and the effects that adolescent growth and dance training have on one another.

Leigh Heflin, The Harkness Center for Dance Injuries
Robin Powell, Pilates Instructor
Dr. Andrew Price, Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, New York University Hospital/Hospital for Joint Disease

with special guest Sara Mearns, New York City Ballet Principal, who will offer a firsthand account of her recovery process.

For ticket information, click here or call 212-874-3678.

Steps on Broadway
2121 Broadway (between 74th and 75th Streets), Manhattan
(map/directions)

Camille A. Brown's The Gathering, a rousing success

The visionary Camille A. Brown
who created and convened The Gathering
(c)2014, Eva Yaa Asantewaa

With Baraka Sele (left), discussion moderator
for Brown's historic event
(photo by Cynthia Oliver)

Just do what you do.

-- Katherine Dunham

The Gathering--a special event conceived and convened by Camille A. Brown to offer safe space to discuss issues of concern to Black women choreographers--drew a huge, delighted response and support from all sectors of the field, including men, last evening. Brown--most recently hailed for her powerful evening-length work, Mr. TOL E. RAncE--realized her goal, not only drawing from her own peer group but an inter-generational, intercultural community including arts administrators, educators, journalists, presenters and supporters. Looking around the room, one could spot dance notables such as Dianne McIntyre, Sylvia Waters, Brenda Dixon Gottschild, Ronald K. Brown, Nathan Trice, Elka Samuels Smith, Cynthia Oliver, Edisa Weeks, Paloma McGregor, Matthew Rushing, Renee Robinson, Theresa Howard and many more from New York and beyond. Frankly, the vibes in that City Center studio were mind-blowing!

Moderator Baraka Sele set a respectful, positive and productive tone, creating an atmosphere for deep listening and the discovery of resources we can share. She urged us to focus not on problems but on facts, solutions and our individual and collective responsibilities.

We spoke of numerous issues--from the prevalence of racism throughout the arts system and the need to "de-center" whiteness to a call for adequate resources for physical and emotional wellness for the dancer. Participants cited interests in securing more time and affordable space to develop work, meaningful collaboration, community building and, of course, more funding for our projects. We called for better feedback on creative work, both artist-to-artist and via published critiques. Of course, I mentioned the need for more writers of color in dance journalism and sustainability for all writers on dance.

Time was short but, while we could not address in depth every item on our list, we felt confident that The Gathering will generate future activity and exciting collaborations.

Congratulations and deepest thanks to Camille A. Brown and Baraka Sele!

Write to company_manager@camilleabrown.org to get on the mailing list for The Gathering.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Gibney Dance takes action

Gibney Dance to lead community action

for Domestic Violence Awareness Month 

All through October, Gibney Dance will host events designed to provide information and increase awareness around the issue of domestic violence. These events, held at Gibney Dance Center will be free and open to the public. This initiative includes:

-- "I Am Against Violence" photo campaign, in which members of the public can volunteer to be featured.

--  Community Action (CA), a first-of-its-kind program centered on dancer-led workshops using the power of movement and creativity to empower domestic violence survivors living in shelters in New York City and beyond.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month is a time not only to recognize the significant efforts that have been made to reduce domestic violence but also to recommit ourselves to serving the critical needs of survivors and their families. Through our Community Action work, we have learned that there is a powerful synergy between domestic violence and dance that helps survivors take their whole self forward—both body and mind. We look forward to sharing with the broader community the knowledge and expertise we have gained through 12 years of work around the issue of domestic violence.

--Gina Gibney, Artistic and Executive Director of Gibney Dance

--  a discussion with Beth Silverman-Yam, Clinical Director of Sanctuary for Families

--  free yoga classes

--  coaching opportunities on work/life balance

--  a CA Open Studio featuring Gibney Dance Company

All activities will take place at Gibney Dance Center, 890 Broadway, Fifth Floor.

Participants can register for and learn more about October’s events by emailing community@gibneydance.org.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month Schedule of Events

Domestic Violence Informational Session
Wednesday, October 3, 2:30–3:30pm (Studio 3)

Dr. Beth Silverman-Yam, Clinical Director of Sanctuary for Families, will lead a discussion on domestic violence and healthy versus unhealthy relationships.


Community Action Open Studio
Wednesday, October 10, 6:30–8:30pm (Studio 5–2)

Artistic and Executive Director Gina Gibney presents an overview of the Community Action model while the Company demonstrates workshop content and performs an excerpt from its repertory.


Body and Wellness Week
October 15–19, 8-10am (Studio 2)

A week of free wellness events

    Monday/Wednesday: Mind Body Dancer
    Led by Liz Montgomery

    90-minute Yoga class followed by 30 minutes of optional guided meditation


    Tuesday/Thursday: Tools for Managing Stress
    Led by Jennifer Edwards, jened.com

    The coaching sessions will guide participants through practical approaches to (1) creating a holistic model for how to manage life, work and their personal brands; and (2) using tools for sleeping better, reducing anxiety and managing stress symptoms.


    Friday: Chi Kung/Qi Gong
    Led by Laura Shapiro

    Chi Kung/Qi Gong is often translated as “life force energy practice.” With roots in Chinese medicine, martial arts, and philosophy, its gentle movements over time restore balance and harmony to body, mind, and spirit.


“I am Against Violence” Campaign Open Photo Shoot
Tuesday, October 23, 12:00 – 4:00 pm / Studio 5

Members of the public are invited to join the Gibney Dance community in taking a stand against domestic violence by having their photos taken for our online and Center-wide advocacy campaign.

Dance for free in NYC!

In celebration of the annual NYC Dance Week (June 21-30), take your choice of free or discounted dance, fitness and wellness classes offered in numerous venues around Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens. You'll find something for all ages, levels of experience and tastes--including ballet, aerial acrobatics, Pan-American indigenous dance, belly dance, Capoeira, African dance and more.

Get a schedule and details here.

And learn more about NYC10, the monthly showcase for emerging dance troupes, by clicking here.

Bon Iver: "There was a lack of hating it."

Bon Iver, Fitness Guru?
by Randy Kennedy, The New York Times, December 9, 2011

Arts make us healthier and happier

from ConsumerReports on Health newsletter (September 2011)

Getting cultural

In one study, men who had visited a museum or attended a concert, film, play, or sporting event in the previous six months reported better health and higher life satisfaction than those who hadn't. For women, participating in active pursuits like dancing had the greatest benefit.

Town hall on dancers' wellness

Dancers' Bodies. Promoting Wellness.

Dance/NYC and the Dance/USA Taskforce on Dancer Health invite you to join us in responding to the Taskforce's recent call to action to achieve the dancer aesthetic in a manner that promotes overall good health and protects the artist and performer. Led by Richard Gibbs, M.D., the town hall provides a forum to discuss case stories from the perspective of the health professional, cultural critic and professional dancer, including New York City Ballet Principal Dancers Jenifer Ringer and Jared Angle. What words work to promote dancer wellness? What positive practices? What can we as a field do for our dancers?

Speakers: Richard Gibbs * Jared Angle * Jen Edwards * Melissa Gerson * Jenifer Ringer (For speaker bios, click here.)

Monday, May 16, 6:30pm to 8:00pm

Abrons Arts Center
Henry Street Settlement
Playhouse Theater
466 Grand Street (corner of Pitt Street), Manhattan
(map) 

RSVP here

Healing New Orleans

Healing is The Revolution
(director: Iman Shervington)

Keely Garfield's he(art)

The He(art) of Healing with Keely Garfield

A workshop for everyone!

Saturday, March 27 (2:30pm to 4:30pm)

Laughing Lotus Yoga Center
59 West 19th Street, 3rd Floor, at 6th Avenue, Manhattan

Fee: $20

Join Keely Garfield for a transformative afternoon! As an integrative therapist and yoga instructor, Keely will take you through an exploration in ways to enhance your optimal wellbeing and become empowered with the knowledge and confidence to improve your life through therapeutic yoga, breath awareness, meditation, reiki and essential oils.

"The land of healing lies within, radiant with the happiness that is blindly sought in a thousand outer directions." Swami Vivekananda

Contact Laughing Lotus

Healing the Dancer

Third Annual Healing the Dancer Seminar
June 8, 2009
10 am-1 pm

The New 42nd Street Studios
229 West 42nd Street, Manhattan

Hosted by Bebe Neuwirth
Founder of The Dancers’ Resource of The Actors Fund

And featuring key-note speaker Virginia Johnson
Newly appointed Artistic Director of Dance Theatre of Harlem

Presenters:

Sandra Foschi, Physical Therapist, Nutritionist
Bradley Jones, Psy. D., LCSW, Psychotherapist, former dancer

Guest speakers will offer insight and discussion on dancer physical and emotional wellness. Obtain information and resources for accessing health insurance and health care, financial wellness, and support from community agencies/organizations.

This seminar is FREE and open to professional dancers and those who serve them.

Contact Alice Vienneau, 212.221.7301 ext. 261 or avienneau@actorsfund.org for more information.