It's hard to write a brief blurb about yourself when it starts like this: I graduated with a degree in Performing Arts and Social Justice, with an emphasis in Dance. I ended up in Los Angeles where I'm attempting to start a business and make my way as an artist. One day, I woke up and went hey, I think I'm actually a starving artist. I primarily perform as a professional belly dancer, but also still have the occasional modern dance gig.
These are the things that Inspire me and the things (I like to think) I've learned, especially about being a dancer in LA. I also like to pass on information about classes, auditions and more in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Catching Elephant is a theme by Andy Taylor
A few years ago, I read an interview with Paul Taylor in which he said: “I don’t know what modern dance is today.” I often think of that quote, sorry that the interviewer didn’t ask him to explain. I imagine he was puzzled by the current emphasis on virtuosity, so different from the way modern dance began, and also, perhaps that it is recycling old ideas, something that would have been anathema to the Modern Dancers of his youth. We often read how ballet has borrowed from modern dance, which it certainly has, but the borrowing has been a two-way street. When modern dancers began to take ballet classes in the late 1970s and ‘80s modern dance changed as well, becoming more elongated, more precise, less dangerous. Turns are now pirouettes; high extensions and pretzel partnering are turning up in modern dances — now often called “contemporary dance,” a non-genre genre that’s somehow slipped into the vocabulary. The power of a simple run — or a simple anything — is not often on view today.
Alexandra Tomalonis (via headandtoes)
Dancespiration of the Day: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
DANCERS IMPROVISE: Jordan Isadore
Dancespiration of the Day: Dancers Improvise
I could get lost in this blog…
Colin Dunne Brings ‘Out of Time’ to Baryshnikov Arts Center - NYTimes.com
Interesting article, especially for those of us training in cultural dance forms.
*LA DANCE ADVANCE*
LA STAGE Alliance announces LA Dance Advance, an initiative to increase
connections between Los Angeles area dance artists and regional and national
audiences. LA Dance Advance is intended to build the organizational capacity
of participating dance companies and choreographers to expand their regional
and national audiences.
Approximately 7 to 9 LA-based dance companies/choreographers will be
selected for this nine-month initiative, October 2011 through June 2012. In
LA Dance Advance, participants will conduct self-assessments, work with a
coach, attend workshops, network with their peers, develop a brief plan for
audience growth, and apply for small implementation grants.
LA Dance Advance is a response to the fact that dance has long faced
challenges in Los Angeles, including a lack of community connections and
support structures. As a result, LA dance companies and choreographers have
often experienced difficulties developing local followings and/or generating
in- or out-of-region booking opportunities.
You may find a program overview at LASTAGEAlliance.com/
DanceAdvance.
*Who Should Apply:*
LA Dance Advance is for dance companies and choreographers located in Los
Angeles County with a demonstrated capacity to reach audiences and at a
threshold of audience growth. This means organizations that are poised for
increased touring in- or out-of-region, as well as those already actively
touring but seeking to perform more in-region. Participants can be
nonprofit, unincorporated or for-profit dance companies, or individual
choreographers employed by or volunteering for dance companies. While LA
Dance Advance includes small implementation grants, it is not primarily a
funding program. A limited number of participants (approximately 7 - 9) will
be selected.
LA Dance Advance is not intended for dance companies and choreographers that
already have a well-established capacity for both touring and local
performing on a regular basis. Also, it is not designed for emerging dance
artists, those without a track record of touring and reaching audiences
inside and outside of the region, those whose primary focus is dance
education, and students enrolled in a degree program.
*How to Apply:*
The LA Dance Advance has a two-stage application process:
1. Letter of interest (brief Online Form): Submission Deadline is September
15, 2011 5pm
Please visit LASTAGEAlliance.com/DanceAdvance to access the Letter of Intent
online form.
2. Full application:
Those invited to submit a full application will have a deadline of October
14, 2011
Participants will be announced in the first week of November.
*For more information:*
Visit us at LASTAGEAlliance.com/DanceAdvance,
email info@LASTAGEAlliance.com, or
call us at 213.614.0556 × 717
LA Dance Advance is a collaboration of three organizations: LA STAGE
Alliance, which is administering the initiative; the City of Los Angeles
Department of Cultural Affairs, which is providing financial and
professional support; and the Southern California Dance Futures Fund, which
is providing dance-specific leadership and
assistance. Funding is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts.
My Dance Inspiration board on Pinterest
Trying not to photo spam this blog (and my others, for that matter) sort of directed me to begin to use Pinterest for different things. Check out my Dance Inspiration board.
I also have a Classy Belly Dance Photos Board, although as of right now it is not very well curated yet :)
8.23.11
Okay, so I have my first totally solo belly dance gig on Thursday night.
And of course I sort of procrastinated and am now freaking out. I can’t get my brand new costume to really fit me in time and trying to alter it myself has been like a comedy of errors. Plus, I have not finished my choreography although I did get permission to use 2 numbers from the dance company I’m in, so that will make it easier.
Tonight’s mission - finish fixing costume bra to the best of my abilities.
Tomorrow’s mission - figure out sound issues and rest of choreography!
