Every year I host a holiday party where I set out a table with pipe cleaners, puff paint, googly eyes, feathers, pom poms, styrofoam, sticks, glitter, sequins, glue, etc...and hope by the end of the party my tree will be decorated with ornaments. To say the least, I am NEVER disappointed. As hoped, this joyous occasion brought out the 4th grader in us all and we made some amazing ornaments. The pictures tell the rest of the story...
Beaker ornament took the prize for the evening.
Videographer Pete with Tiffany and Kevin...looking like they are up to no good.
Board Member Marlo Kinsey and her husband Matt showing off their awesome word art!
Gakenia, Andrew and Marisa looking sassy in their holiday getup.
Ben & Paul of SONOS / Dakaboom crafting with Donna.
Melissa, Me, Pete and Tiffany at the night's end looking mysterious, elated, focused and well...not sure what Tiffany's face is doing :)
Although I think we can all agree that all the company members at LACDC love dance, but how we came to love it is probably very different. My experience is that most people learned to dance in the studio or in some kind of classes, especially when it comes to ballet. You never hear friends getting together to do some ballet for fun. I guess it’s because ballet is one of those dances you do on stage or class. Now it might sound like I am bashing on ballet, but I am not. What I am trying to point out is you can’t get together with a group of friends go out at night and meet people doing ballet. So What do I do to get my dance and social cravings at the same time? I go to Lindy Groove, it’s a swing dance venue, that does primarily Lindy Hop style of swing, in Pasadena and it happens every Thursday night. What I love about Lindy Hop is that it is a dance form that is difficult enough that I won’t be bored out of mind, but also attracts enough of a crowd to meet really interesting people that love to dance. The atmosphere is really chill and you don’t feel like people are out to judge your dance ability all the time. So if you are feeling anything like the way I do and want to get away from the class atmosphere maybe Lindy Groove might be for you. :)
This Turkey Day, one of the things I am most grateful for is my LACDC family. L.A. Contemporary Dance Co. makes me want to paint things. The following is inspired by Kate Hutter and the Pilgrims. (Potential band name?)
Photos by Eric Mason Artwork and post by Drea Sobke
Last night I had the opportunity to see an advanced screening of the movie Pina, a part documentary, part dance for the camera film on the work of German dance-theater choreographer Pina Bausch. LACDC members and affiliates were graciously invited to be a part of this experience and, as I've been waiting for the US premier for over a year, I could not pass up this opportunity. It was well worth the wait. The evening began with a sentimental, long-winded, introduction by the film's soft spoken director Wim Wenders. He recounted to the audience how he and Pina had first met back in the 80's, and came up with the idea to create a film together. She wanted to successfully and accurately document her stage work, while he wanted to create a film about Pina's eyes and the way she views the world. The film remained as only a concept for many, many years as Wenders confessed to us that he had no idea how to go about this task. It wasn't until he saw the newest advancements in 3D technology (before Avatar was even being advertised), that he felt confident moving forward. He felt this technology would allow movie audiences a more real-life experience to see Pina's work, providing us the capability to interpret and recognize depth and layering in her compositions. They began pre-production for the project in spring of 2009. Tragically, and unexpectedly, Pina died in June of 2009 of cancer she had just five days earlier been diagnosed with. Wenders immediately pulled the plug on the entire project.
Pina's company of dancers however, pressed forward. They performed their schedule concert the night after her death, and continued with their scheduled tours through the rest of the year. They chose an artistic director from among them and pressed forward. They came to Wenders and informed him that they have been rehearsing the works that Pina had selected to be in the film, and they were ready to create it. Wenders realized this film was now much more than about Pina, it was for Pina, and it had to be made.
Beyond just capturing Pina's work, this film is cut and interjected with thoughts and memories from the dancers. The dancers in the company range in ages from early twenties to sixties, but among them all the love, admiration, and respect they have for Pina shines through. They paint her to be the most loving, hard working, understanding, encouraging, and inspiring person and director. Hearing these accounts were a nice reminder that talent and success do not need to be paired with harshness or cruelty. I think far too often dancers allow choreographers to get away with behavior unfair and unwarranted. This is one of the biggest things I have enjoyed about becoming a part of LACDC. Like Pina, the choreographers we work with push us and challenge us, but never forget to treat us with respect and courtesy. Because after all, we are people first, dancers second.
Beyond anything, the film Pina depicts what a truly special and remarkable entity Pina Bausch was, and still is. And I think LACDC is pretty special too :-)
I love eating cake with my fingers; dessert tastes so much better.I love plushies; my recent addition is mischievous Pascal from Disney’s “Tangled.”I love the Fx application; the pictures say enough.And I love to dance; in a world where the most overused muscle is the jaw, it’s a gift to express with my body instead of words.
I believe dance is the sadly underappreciated.Musicians are left with an mp3 recording after singing.Directors, screenwriters, and actors can watch the DVD after filming.Painters solidify their art onto a canvas after painting.Sculptors create a 3D figure after sculpting.Writers publish books after writing.Yet after dancing, we are left only with an experience because dance is a live performance that can’t be captured into any material form. Although video recording is an option, the experience of watching live versus after-the-fact is beyond comparison.
Dance taught me about having patience in the process.As Ralph Waldo Emerson articulated, “Life is a journey, not a destination.”Before I began to dance, one of my innate personality flaws was in wanting immediate results.But the greatest sense of satisfaction and appreciation develops after surmounting tremendous difficulties. There shall never be an ending point to dance; the beauty is the infinite amount to learn, to discover, to be inspired. Below are videos I took during rehearsal that show the process in creating and in grasping new work:
In addition, dance taught me the importance of foundation.A dancer’s tool is his/her body.The foundation of technique, a strong core, and confidence is a necessity.With a sturdy foundation, I began to concentrate on personal expression and inner reflection.A great performer makes the action look effortless, thereby putting the audience at ease to disappear into the experience.
Furthermore, dance taught me about teamwork.In a world consumed by self-absorption and individuality, dance reminds me of collaboration, humility, and respect for others.Unless it is a solo, a dance piece with others is not about standing out as a sharp contrast within the whole picture.I feel lucky to be a part of a dance company that promotes cooperation, trust, and support during rehearsals.
I hope that someday a Dancers’ Guild will be created to protect dancers’ hourly wages, health benefits, and copyrights.I wish dance would have a bigger role in the elementary education system.I dream that a greater appreciation for contemporary dance develops with a strongercommunity support.Optimistically, in the future, a larger population of dancers shall be able to financially support themselves only through dance without taking on a second job.And may there one day be a way to preserve choreography in a form that captures its initial essence.
With the reminder never to take my health for granted, I offer a prayer of gratitude for every day I can dance.My goal: to make you itch to dance when you watch LACDC dance.
Well, we are back from our performance in Colorado, and after some reflection, I really think there were some note-worthy events that I would definitely call … well, amazing.HI-larious….Brilliant…And so,I reflect…
FIRST. Melissa.Passed out in the hotel room with the door wide open after eating a large bucket of fried chicken.Her huge Doc Martins are thrown on the floor, she is snoring, and Cartman’s voice saying “Respect my authoritah” can be heard from the parking lot.There is a Styrofoam container with chicken bones sticking out of it next to the bed, and her John Lennon sunglasses are staring at me from the cabinet when I walk in.All I can think is….
I can’t wait to partner with that later.
(A deadly combo)
SECOND. Just call me Liza.
I had my own dressing room with a piano, a chaise lounge chair, and a bathroom with a shower. For a second I thought to myself,
“WOWIE, Just call me Liza…Minnelli.”
As soon as I had set my things down, I went to the bathroom.As I was doing my business, I heard a really bad version of “The Entertainer” being banged out on the piano.It’s 8am.Who was this maniac?
I opened the door.“Mornin’ snowbird!”.John Lennon? NO.
T’was Melissa.
THIRD.Kate had not seen the double rainbow video on youtube.When we made references to it, she had no idea what was going on.
NOT ACCEPTABLE, we said.
And so, after a long night of rehearsing and sharing chicken and waffles, we cuddled up in bed as Jamila offered her computer for a double rainbow premier screening.
Kate’s life has never been the same.
FOURTH. Jamila.Glass.Epic.In her sleeping moo-moo (her snoo-moo).Dancing to the company’s very own live rendition of “Here Comes The Bride”.This is what happens behind closed doors, people.
Please enjoy:
LASTLY. I would just like to acknowledge how awesome this piece was.Kate Hutter is a maniac genius, who seems to ooze choreography from her mind cells.She is brilliant.This company is brilliant.I’m a lucky girl to be a part of it.
The past weeks preparing for our our performance in Denver have been a whilrwind of exciting activity. TIME TO CONQUER THE ROCKIES!!! By "conquer", I mean dance in.. and by dance "in" I mean dance on a stage in. well... you get the picture.
The process has been an exciting challenge. We have been stttttretching ourselves to stay afloat amidst very driving and active music. I feel our fearless leader, Kate Hutter has done an amazing job of working with the music to elevate the tracks and create a choreographic score that highlights the performance experience. The dance feeds the music, and music feeds the dance. It is a dance feast... ( Speaking of... I hope Denver has good cuisine.. I am not much for Buffalo, wild boar and elk... but I am one for sauces made of berries and wine. Viking food... mmmmmm--- O )
Hearing excerpts of the tracks from the beginning of the process was intense. I, myself attached a very particular feeling to music that I translated into movement that was all out, high velocity, full throttle dance. It feels this way, but there is so much more under the sleeves. There are haunting voices scattered throughout the tracks that seem to call to the dancers and audience with words like "sit", "heel" and "down", leaving ourselves and the audience unaware of who is in control of the performance. Are we being controlled and pulled by the music? Or is the music a commentary of our own decisions we make while dancing? Whatever the answer, Kate has left me tangled, stimulated and ready for more....
To perform in Denver is a treat. I have heard of Colorado's strong jazz dance community through the grapevine and can't wait to feel out the artistic landscape. These West Coasters are in for a treat once our neon-clad beachy bods touch Rocky ground. We arrive on Friday to rehearse at Cherry Creek Dance Studios (http://www.cherrycreekdance.com/) and perform for the students there. Saturday is off to the theatre to tech and run the show. What a treat for us to share out craft beyond the California border. Get ready for a dance explosion Denver!! I feel honored , blessed and inspired to take LACDC to the Rockies.
Last weekend company member Kevin Williamson and myself went to the Angeles Forest (approx. 1 hour outside of L.A.) to film a music video for an incredible musician, William Ryan Fritch (aka Vieo Abiungo), with LACDC videographer and super talented filmmaker - Peter Monro. It was a gorgeous setting with huge trees, a creek and other wild settings to dance in. Company member, Tiffany Sweat, was also on set as production assistant. It was an LACDC tag team effort per usual.
Highlights of the shoot were:
making camping gear fly
figuring out how to tear all our clothing off in one second
using rocks and fallen tree trunks as improv partners
dancing and running through the forest in our underwear, and trying NOT to attract bears
To say the least, dancing in the dirt was amazing and I even have some war wounds to prove how hard-core site specific dance can be. The short clips of footage I saw looked incredible and I can't wait to share the whole video with you once it is finished.
But, in the meantime, I would like to share a video of one of the best parts of the whole trip. After we were finished shooting, we went to start up our old station wagon, Bessie, who we borrowed as a prop piece for the film. Well, ol' Bessie refused to start. At this point we had only one other car, a small pickup truck, to get 5 people down from the mountain to a biker bar
that had a pay phone (no....there are no cell towers in nature) where we could call AAA and get Bessie towed. 3 people were loaded into the cab; Kevin and I elected to sit in the back with all the camera gear weighing us down. ***DISCLAIMER: This is very dangerous and you should never do this.***
Now...as dangerous as this was...it was the only way to get us all out of the woods and to some much needed food and drinks. SO, Kevin and I made the best of it. It was freezing cold, scary and HILARIOUS. Here is the video that will make me laugh for the rest of my life:
We arrived safely back in L.A. after LACDC composer (yes, we are a tight knit family), Eric Mason, picked us up from the biker bar and drove us down the mountain INSIDE his nice warm car. It was an awesome day of dancing and adventure in the pursuit of creating kick butt art.
It is with great excitement and honor that I welcome you to the premiere of the first Los Angeles Contemporary Dance Company Blog.
Technology moves us with greater speed and dexterity with every passing month. It seems fitting that a progressive dance company who hones not only the highest caliber of movement and individuality from each artist, but who also seeks to balance on the cutting edge of theatrical expression; a company, whose home and inspiration, the exquisite city of angels, should get involved in this technological movement on the stage, in the studio, and through the blog-o-sphere with the most nimble of leaps.
As a company board member, I am first a fan, secondly but more importantly a supporter. In my definition a fan watches, enthusiastically admires, and accepts. A supporter gets involved, opens to the experience, gives and receives.
Whether you are a fan or a supporter, we thank you for leaping into this experience with us. Stop by often for inspiration and behind-the-scenes studio stories from the dancers, artistic leadership, and supporters like you.
Thank you! -Kristin Condon, board member
“We look at the dance to impart the sensation of living in an affirmation of life, to energize the spectator into keener awareness of the vigor, the mystery, the humor, the variety, and the wonder of life. This is the function of American dance.” - Martha Graham
