A Herkimer diamond, indeed!

We've all read them, right? The dance bios that are mainly a string of companies and choreographers worked with, venues shown at and awards gratefully received but that don't give you a living, breathing sense of the person. Well, every now and then, a bio comes along that stops you dead in your tracks, and you have to grin or laugh out loud.

Here's one, posted with permission, from dancer Lawrence Cassella who's appearing now with Ivy Baldwin Dance in Baldwin's new Could be nice...... at Dixon Place .

Lawrence Cassella was born into a big family in Herkimer, NY. One of six children, he is now an uncle ten times, and I honestly don't think they're done! That is alright though, since they are a fine bunch. The diamonds buried in the valley surrounding his hometown had a profound effect on him, they commanded him to dance. And, so, here he is, "dancing". He is enjoying his life, and wants you to enjoy it too. Not his, yours! So, he suggests a healthy dose of Tori Amos. She's got something important to tell you. "Scarlet's Walk" is especially terrific! Lastly, I think it wise to mention Biblo the dog at least once. He is doing well in his middle age, and happy with his daily walks and biscuits. He says hello."

This is followed by Cassella's email address (which I will not reprint here) in case you "want to say hi."

BTW, I recommend you see Could be nice....... Cassella, who has a lengthy, powerful solo at the beginning of the piece, is as good as his bio, and the fancifully creative Baldwin has found a way to lash back at the space limitations of Dixon Place with audacious flair and some humor. The performing team, besides Cassella, includes wonderful Mindy Nelson and Katie Workum. The show concludes tomorrow evening.

Death of journalist Tom Terrell announced

World Music Journalist Tom Terrell Loses Battle with Cancer

The Turning World (2)

Six Killers: Lung Disease--From Smoking Boom, a Major Killer of Women by Denise Grady, The New York Times, November 29, 2007

clipped from www.nytimes.com

War/Dance

For more information on this award-winning film, directed by Sean Fine and Andrea Nix Fine, click here and here.

Angier's "Dance of Evolution"

"If you have ever been to a Jewish wedding, you know that sooner or later the ominous notes of 'Hava Nagila' will sound, and you will be expected to dance the hora. And if you don’t really know how to dance the hora, you will nevertheless be compelled to join hands with others, stumble around in a circle, give little kicks and pretend to enjoy yourself, all the while wondering if there’s a word in Yiddish that means “she who stares pathetically at the feet of others because she is still trying to figure out how to dance the hora.”

Continue reading Natalie Angier's "The Dance of Evolution, or How Art Got Its Start" (New York Times, November 27, 2007) here.

Schermerhorn House: affordable housing for artists

UPDATE: See corrected phone number at the bottom of this post.


Schermerhorn House
Newly Constructed Affordable Housing
(Expected opening: May 2008)
160 Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn, NY (between Smith and Hoyt Streets)

In response to the need for affordable housing, The Actors Fund and Common Ground Community have joined forces to develop this unique, 217-unit residence for single adults in the heart of downtown Brooklyn. Half of the building will target individuals affiliated with the performing arts and entertainment industry, and half will house formerly homeless individuals living with HIV/AIDS or mental health needs.

Schermerhorn House will also have a 2,000 square foot state-of-the-art performance space and multipurpose room. Residents and community arts organizations may use this space for rehearsals, performances, films and exhibitions, enriching the vibrant and growing Brooklyn arts culture.

Eligibility for Schermerhorn House is based on federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Guidelines. An applicants’ gross income from all sources (employment, benefits, asset interest) cannot exceed $29,760 and not be less than $18,500. Monthly rents start at $630.

All residents will have access to on-site social services, and the opportunity to participate in a variety of regular programs. Such programs may include workshops on preventative health care and financial management / career development, support groups for chemical dependency, and art therapy classes, amongst many others. Social gatherings, holiday celebrations, and other special events will also take place throughout the year.

For further information and to request an application, call the Schermerhorn House Hotline now at 212-221-7300 ext. 264.

Workshop on health insurance for artists: November 30

The Center for Book Arts will host a professional development workshop on health insurance for artists facilitated by James Brown, director of the Actors Fund Artists Health Insurance Resource Center (AHIRC), this Friday, November 30th, 6:30 pm. Brown will discuss health insurance resources for artists and recent health insurance legislation that affects artists.

RSVP (required) to the Center for Book Arts at 212-481-0295.

Sarah Nicholls
Program Manager
The Center for Book Arts
28 W. 27th Street 3rd fl.
New York, NY 10001