Blog
A Thought on Site-Specific Work
March 31, 2010
I just read about a social experiment where an anonymous violin player played six Bach pieces in the DC Metro station and very few people stopped, or put money in his hat. Apparently several children stopped but were pulled on by their parent. The player was world famous Joshua Bell. Two nights before, he sold out a theater in Boston at $100 a ticket. He was playing a 3.5 million dollar violin. While it might be important at what metro station he was placed, and time of day, there are implications in this experiment about site-specific performance -such as, the influence of context. I think a better experiment would have put him on the street, but the experiment still raises interesting questions.
Cranes in Mumbai
March 8, 2010
From Vancouver where I am working with Julia Taffe's Aeriosa dance company on the public library, I want to say a word about Mumbai.
Our Whirlwind trip there was fantastic and we put together a show on the Maker Maxity buildings and on two cranes for an event March 6th. The dancers rallied from the couch to perform amazingly in three separate pieces. During rehearsals on the cranes, a couple of women construction workers in bright saris with their two tiny daughters on hand, grew big smiles seeing their American sisters show such courage and beauty. Between wonderful aromatic meals and walks on the Juhu beach, the company worked hard to make our first Mumbai show fantastic. All in a weeks work.
The enjoyment of once strangers
February 1, 2010
Like many non-profits and small businesses, we are learning how to do what we do in a more lean and disciplined way financially. In doing so, we are gaining insights that will serve us well when (we hope) times return to their former splendor. We are enjoying teaching the fabulous young people from Destiny Arts Center and the master classes for adults on Wednesdays in Oakland. In the recent news, the company hosted a sold-out workshop in LA.the last weekend in January and witnessed the enjoyment of a group of fantastic students as they negotiated the unknown in three dimensions over two days of immersion. See twittered photos on our blog.
Heading to New York
January 7, 2010
I am off to Manhattan in the morning for the annual ritual of networking with artists and presenters called "The Association of Performing Arts Presenters", or "APAP". I look forward to taking in some of the best of the showcase performances while seeing friends and colleagues (and of course closing many deals for 2011/12). Thomas Cavanagh, our Operations Director will be on hand in the booth. We are in the America's Hall 1, booth 802. Maybe see you there!
Shadow and Light
December 23rd, 2009
If you went to last Saturday's Winter Party at our studio, you likely had a glass of wine in your hand and were listening to the dulcet tones Entameaba or the DJ mix, when you were asked to please step to your right to open up the active dance space for the next performance. Each performance, and there were six short pieces, took place somewhere in the studio, balcony, wall, air, floor, stairs and in this low-tech intimate environment, you were likely touched by the dance (or dancer) literally. It was a ball. Thanks to all the guest performers! The late night after party/dance jam may now be considered a tradition.
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