tinta is an exploration of all things visual with a focus on dance. I cover just about anything regarding the current scene of the performing and visual arts in the NYC area. It also follows my journey as a professional dancer and choreographer.
The Holidays are right around the corner. I love this time of year for taking dance classes. Non New Yorkers will be leaving the city for awhile which means classes won't be crowded AND major companies will be having Winter Intensives in December and January. Here are a few pieces to keep your warm and stylish as you bring 2012 to a close and celebrate the arrival of 2013!
The Playground will be hosting a dance party tonight featuring live performances by: The Dash Ensemble
Shannon Gillen
Loni Landon
Catherine Coury|LoudHoundMovement The event will take place at Gibney Dance Center at 890 Broadway and will have snacks, drinks, a DJ AND its only $5! DOORS OPEN AT 6:30pm PERFORMANCES BEGIN AT 7:30 The PlaygroundSeries was founded by Gregory Dolbashian and Loni Landon and offers classes for professional dancers with a diverse lineup of contemporary choreographers at a really affordable rate. For more info go here----> Playground Website
Winter is the best time for soups. Granted I eat soup year round but I can really appreciate a hearty soup when its cold outside. I have been a minestrone girl for many years but I've decided to try something new. I made a wonderful butternut squash soup that was a hit for Thanksgiving so I'm interested in testing new flavors.
Here's a great recipe for a sweet potato and cauliflower soup. AND it's vegan.
What's your favorite soup to eat during the winter months?
I have been a fan of Blanca Li's work for a long time; even before I knew it was her stuff. One of my all time favorite videos is Daft Punk's "Around the World" from the album "Homework." Directed by Michel Gondry and choreographed by Blanca Li, a Spanish dancer/choreographer, the video shows four groups of people who are meant to be the visual representations of the 4 beats in the song. This is the song that got me hooked on Daft Punk and this is the video that got me hooked on the idea of choreographing for video and film. I loved the idea of creating this electronic, brightly colored world and having movement be the main representation of the song and it's mood. I really like that the choreography is different with elements of modern and hip hop. Li uses sharp and angular movements, great timing between the four groups, and with the help of great direction by Gondry, you can really see the wonderful patterns that she creates with the dancers and their movements. It's sticking to a specific aesthetic that's not of the booty shaking variety (I'm looking at you Beyonce…).
PS, if you teach kids, get your hands on some Daft Punk songs asap. Interesting beats that are fun to dance to and most of their songs don't have or have very few words. PPS, watch your students eyes bug out as you tell them that Kanye SAMPLED THEM!
PPPS, check out Blanca Li's work. She not only has a dance company but she acts and directs. Blanca Li
Enjoy!
It's Friday!!!
I'm starting to get my feet REALLY wet with this blog. When someone asks me what tinta is about, I generally shrug and say "things I like at the moment." There will always be some element of performing and visual arts but I'm still fine tuning the content of this space, much like I'm fine tuning my life. When I get in these "moods" and re-evaluate everything, it's nice to hear of others who are making it work.
Franchesca Ramsey was featured as one of Paper Magazine's "Beautiful People 2012". You may remember her as one of the standouts of those much hyped "Sh!t People Say" spin offs. Homegirl wore a blonde wig, put on her best Valley girl accent and starred in "Sh!t White Girls Say…to Black Girls. That was probably one of my favorites of the spin offs. did you see this video? Which one of these was your favorite?
Peep the full interview at Paper Mag
Have a wonderful weekend!
I had this dish in Vermont while on a dance residency with one of the companies I dance for. There was 6 of us in this beautiful house and each night we made family dinner and this was one the dishes a fellow dancer made. It was so light and refreshing that I had to get the recipe. Best of all, it was so simple to prepare. I substituted the pepitas for strawberries and they came out great.
Massaged Kale Salad
Ingredients
1 bunch kale (black kale is especially good), stalks removed and discarded, leaves thinly sliced
1 lemon, juiced
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
Kosher salt
2 teaspoons honey
Freshly ground black pepper
1 mango, diced small (about 1 cup)
Small handful toasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds), about 2 rounded tablespoons
Directions
In large serving bowl, add the kale, half of lemon juice, a drizzle of oil and a little kosher salt. Massage until the kale starts to soften and wilt, 2 to 3 minutes. Set aside while you make the dressing.
In a small bowl, whisk remaining lemon juice with the honey and lots of freshly ground black pepper. Stream in the 1/4 cup of oil while whisking until a dressing forms, and you like how it tastes.
Pour the dressing over the kale, and add the mango and pepitas. Toss and serve.
Enjoy!!
*Recipe courtesy of Aarti Sequeira from the Food network.
I love seeing dance in music videos. P!NK could have a second career as a Modern dancer. Maybe Pilobolus? Just sayin…
It's funny since I viewed the video, I've been hearing so many people (mostly dancers) who did not like the tone this video was creating. Some were uncomfortable with P!nk's use of dance to violently show the relationship between her and the male dancer. They were happy with the use of contemporary dance but felt it could have been stylized or choreographed a different way. The couple would throw punches, slap, push, kick and throw each other around.
I get it.
The point of ART is to make people challenge ideas and question the status quo right? Would we have preferred to have P!nk to do the same standard video with the all to revealing outfit, heels, extreme makeup etc. that we've come to expect from pop stars? Would we have just preferred a close up shot and one single tear at the end? Sounds familiar right?
I applaud her for at least thinking outside the box. She used movement to convey a very troubled and rocky relationship. One that is not always simple but just as volatile as people can be when emotions are involved. At least it got people talking.
What do you think of the video? Do you have a favorite video that incorporates dance in a unique way?
As it gets a bit colder in the city, here's some ideas to keep you warm and looking fresh in your dance class or workout session.
Do you have a go to fav item?
This past week I performed with Racoco productions in the Women In Motion show which is the dance section of the 13th annual Estrogenius Festival. Did you get all that? The Estrogenius Festival is a celebration of female voices with dance, music, one woman shows, visual art, teen voices, and stand up. This piece was an incredible learning experience for me and I was so honored to be a part of this festival.
I have savored the opportunity to watch and participate in the development of this piece over the past year. As a classically trained dancer I am used to taking an idea or story and showing that subject through the movement generated by the choreographer, dancers, or both. I've done the interpretive dances and the 5,6,7,8 do the steps kind of dances but this one…..was different. I usually get to work on a piece in a very limited time frame for a specific performance. I learn the choreography and the choreographer will make their artistic changes until they are satisfied. After the performance the piece is done and just sort of lives in our memories. So depressing! But to develop an idea thoroughly, have performances and showings throughout AND have the time to go back and rework things was just heaven. We even created sets and costumes made entirely out of wood and sandpaper. Having created so much of the materials used in the piece evoked a different emotional relationship that I never experienced before. That's what ART should be all the time! Vast amounts of time to create with the opportunity for feedback and more exploration.
Now I'm getting the urge to create.
This is the cover of NY Magazine's upcoming issue out Monday. I was one of the lucky ones. I had power, a warm home, hot water, etc but I can't say the same for so many people in the area. If you can volunteer your time, please do.
Keep ya head up NYC... Volunteer
Since fall is officially here (sadly I might add), vivid colors are beginning to emerge. I'm loving the grey, navy, burgundy, red, and golden colors in fashion right now. Here is a fall dance inspired look to look fab in class.
Isaac Mizrahi MC'ing The Bessies in 2010.
Pic courtesy of anothereyeopens.com
Decadance Theatre: Jennifer Weber is nominated for Outstanding Emerging Choreographer.
Photo courtesy of dancebulletin.org
Have you heard of the Bessies?
It's the Oscars for the Dance World in which we celebrate excellence in choreography, performance, visual media, music composition and other areas of dance and performance. I've always heard about the Bessies but I guess I equated it with the Oscars as being an unattainable entity; something for the only very popular, famous and rich. Or more likely, I just never really paid attention as much as I should have. As I got older and started to recognize the names of the nominees, I began to get interested again. Besides tickets are only $10 and the ceremony will be held at the Apollo Theatre. C'mon, I can't NOT go. What's even better is that the selection committee is comprised of a vast spectrum of dance movers and shakers. We are talking about a breakdancing legend, Rockafella and the experimental Director of Dance for the NYC Board of Education, Joan Finklestein to start. The ceremony will be hosted by Elizabeth Streb and will include performances by the Trisha Brown Dance Company among others.
And there is an after party…
For more info check out The Bessies
Are you going?
Any favorites to win?!?!?
I can't with this rain. I love rain by the way, I really do. But traveling by mass transit all day in the rain is no fun. Shoulda worn this today..
With these….
and with this attitude..
Here is a little pick me up for this rainy day. And I promise I will have a better attitude next rainy day. Also, one of my favorite dancers/choreographers/teachers/humans, Nicole Wolcott, is teaching at DNA this week Tuesday, Oct 2nd and Thursday Oct. 4th from 11-1pm.
"By using our curiosity and a sense of humor in this rigorous investigation of artistic technique, we will cultivate the JOD and grow as artists. Come play"
Didn't it feel like EVERYONE had a show this weekend? This weekend I performed with Banana Peel Dance in the White Wave Dance Festival as part of the Dumbo Arts Festival. We performed on the pier in a couple of crazy costumes. I even got a "WTF?" look from a 4 year old. I mean I was wearing a purple party dress with green shorts and sneakers; I get it. We were lucky enough that it didn't rain and got an opportunity to take some sweet pics with the Brooklyn Bridge in the background. Banana Peel Dance performed on the main stage later that night and then headed to Siggy's for some yummy food.
Dance Magazine Interview with Troy Ogilvie
I sometimes forget how far I've come when thinking about what I have yet to accomplish in my life. Being a professional dancer is hard. IT'S HARD! There are times when I am on the brink of giving up or think I'm not good enough. There are times I think I won't "make it" and that I should just ignore my dreams. I have to remind myself why I am doing this. It was NEVER for fame or money but the sheer joy it brings me; the need to create with my body. As a child I was painfully shy and dance was the only way I could express myself. Dance has become not only how I get to structure the many thoughts and ideas in my head but it's became how I communicate with others. It's not that I want to dance, I need to. I came upon this great interview from Dance Magazine with Troy Ogilvie from Gallim Dance that re-inspired me today.
During times of doubt, what do you turn to to pick yourself back up?
At a rooftop party attended by so many people, 2 MELTCHA DJ's almost got evicted! Whoops!
Meltcha, a 4 DJ collective based in Brooklyn, is having its first professional gig this Saturday at Public Assembly. Spinning the finest in house, electro and deep house Meltcha is so hot it will literally MELTCHA FACE OFF.
I have been DYING to go out dancing for awhile. If your into house music, a cool scene and like to move it move it, come get your face melted off. Literally.
Comment if your gonna swing by!
One of the companies I dance for, Dance Cat-alyst, performed at the Downtown Dance Festival yesterday and today in NYC. Yesterday the performance was delayed for about an hour and a half due to the rain and even afterwards the stage was so slippery that I almost bit it a few times. Nothing is worse than having to hold back for fear of falling in front of an audience! Today, as we were towards the end of our piece, the rain began to fall meaning the stage was about to get dangerous. We had one casualty (sorry D!) but we soldiered on! Werk!
We got some great footage of us dancing on an elevated stage in front of the NYC backdrop; pretty breathtaking. I ran into some old friends who were also performing at the festival. The dance world can be so small sometimes.
ps Check out our skittle colored ballet shoes!
This is the Tobacco Warehouse in Dumbo Park right underneath the Brooklyn Bridge. I did my first post college dance gig here with Keigwin + Company many years ago. I always thought this space was beautiful. With the angular shape, roofless structure, and the Brooklyn Bridge right above, I always knew I wanted to film a dance here. Its still in its first stages but I got my good friend Amanda, (who is amazing) to take part in this site specific project. I also got word that this space will be turned into a building for a Theatre Company in less than 3 years so I need to get moving. I'm aiming for a Summer 2013 completion. Below is a link to what I have so far. Let me know what you think!
Get up and get movin'... Amanda's solo part 2
