Article: NYC Ballet: The price dancer's pay to pursue their dreams

Found this article about the sacrifices ballet dancers have made to get to the top.
Enjoy!
shape.com

Bedroom Electric featuring DJ JustGregory

If you are in the Williamsburg area, be sure to stop by Huckleberry Bar tonight for a sweet set by DJ JustGregory.
R

Arts and culture contribute more to U.S. economy than tourism | Marketplace.org

Interesting article. 

The Arts play a vital role in the nation's economy.

Arts and culture contribute more to U.S. economy than tourism | Marketplace.org

Music Video Shoot

I am lucky enough to know many Artists. I am thrilled for my friend Demorne's new music and upcoming events. Sounds like he's got some great stuff lined up for 2014.We shot some footage for his upcoming video and I got to live out my Fly Girl dreams!
More pics to come soon!
Stay tuned!
R

Chronicles of Riddick Bo Peep

Check out a new mix from one of my collaborators DJ JustGregory.
Enjoy!
Chronicles of Riddick Bo Peep
R

Happy Friday!

Make a life,

R

Floor Friends NYC!

A good friend of mine (and fantastic dancer) Sarah Chien has curated a new series of classes that focus on highly athletic, three dimensional, momentum based, acrobatic floorwork. After traveling around South America, Sarah wanted to bring this unique approach to floorwork back to the states. What's great about her curating this movement is that she's collaborating with existing studios (nice!), offering affordable classes (yes!), and building a community of like-minded dancers (werk!)

Please see below for more information or email floorfriendsnyc@gmail.com directly.

Oscar Santana | Four Feet
Saturdays (Permanent, Ongoing Class!) December 7th, 14th, 21st and beyond!
@100 Grand Studio
100 Grand St, NYC
$12

Thursday December 5th
12-2
Session with The Playground
@Gallim Dance
520 Clinton Avenue, Brooklyn NY
$5
WATCH A CLIP

Andre Zachery | Physical Propulsion
Wednesdays and Thursdays December 11th-12th & 18th-19th
10-12
@100 Grand Studio
100 Grand Street, NYC
$12
WATCH THE PROMO & READ MORE ABOUT ANDRE

Melissa Marotto | Flying Low (Guest teacher from Boston!)
Friday December 13th
12-2
Session with The Playground
@Gallim Dance
520 Clinton Avenue, Brooklyn
$5
WATCH A CLIP & READ ABOUT MELISSA

Melissa Marotto is one of the rare Americans who has worked David Zambrano and studied Flying Low intensively in Belgium and across Europe. She recently returned to the States and we are so lucky to have her here. Don't miss the class!

I hope to see you in class,
R

New Art opportunities with Mayor-Elect Bill De Blasio Government reform?

Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet

DanceNYC Executive Director Lane Harwell writes in HuffPost Arts & Culture about opportunities for the Arts in Mayor-Elect Bill DeBlasio's One New York. He touches on affordable housing, Arts education, reliable transportation and a framework for sustainability as a city.

Thoughts on the future of Art & Culture in New York? (I know, such a general statement). 

Do you think Art reform correlates to De Blasio's vision for government transparency and encouraging New Yorkers to develop community based priorities?

R

Pics from subwaystories

Here are some of the pics taken for the showing of my new work subwaystories. Thank you to all the amazing dancers for sharing their talents with me! Can't wait to see what's in store for 2014!!
All pictures taken by the lovely Sainatee. 
Enjoy!

Atsu and Nobuya
"It's About That Time"

Atsu and Nobuya
"It's About That Time"

Dani and Adrienne
"Missed Connection"

Adrienne and Dani
"Missed Connection"

Danita
"We Apologize For Any Inconvenience"

Danita
"We Apologize For Any Inconvenience"

Happy Friday: Garth Fagan

Happy Friday!
I hope to be dancing well into my 50's and 40's like these folks.

The Aging Stalwarts of Garth Fagan

10 Rules for Students and Teachers

"It's About That Time"

Atsu and Nobuya

Thanks guys for sharing your incredible talents with me! So excited to add another layer to #subwaystories.
Choreography by Nobuya and Atsu.
Concept by Remi Harris.
Check 'em out!
R

Food for Thought...

New Dance Pics!

Photo by Daniel Talonia

I recently had a photo shoot with my wonderful coworkers at Connecticut Dance Studio in Times Square. We had some great shots taken by the wonderful Daniel Talonia! It was a little weird to have tourists stop and take pictures of you not knowing who you are, but the attention was fun, not going to lie. Though I don't EVER go to Times Square it really felt like a real NY experience. I can't wait to see the rest. I'll be sure to post more soon!
R

Dance Crush: Kendra Portier

Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Kendra Portier has trained and performed with BalletMet and later received her BFA in Dance form Ohio State University. She has performed with Vanessa Justice Dance, Alexandra Beller Dances, mvworks, and David Dorfman Dance to name a few. Chances are if you take contemporary or modern dance classes in NYC, you have already heard of Kendra Portier.

Kendra teaches improvisational techniques and contemporary dance that mixes NYC downtown style with her own special twist. Her classes are always fun because everyone there feels safe enough to explore and step out of their comfort zone. She has this amazing way with imagery that allows you to explore every muscle, nerve, and cell in your body and that's just her warm up. Kendra is one those special beings who is able to inspire others by teaching dancers how to discover their unique style. Her class allows us to investigate our own practices and how we can use that information to inform how we dance and approach movement. It's more than just plies and tendus, which are a part of class; it's information that is unique to each participant. I highly recommend her class for the investigation and for the joy of dance that she gives each and every one of us during those delicious two hours.

She has her own company BAND|portier, a NY based dance arts company who's goal is to create momentous dance works that siphon the imagination, challenge physicalities, and embed performers via an enthralling and prolific body of work. 
She currently dances for David Dorfman Dance and they are having their season right now at BAM in Brooklyn.
Check out her website, for class times and locations!
See you in class!
R

Happy Friday!

This gif is giving me life. Have a fantastic weekend!

R

Please Pass The Dance! Friday, October 25th, 2013!

Danita Shaheen in "We Apologize For Any Inconvenience"

I am so excited to show my work next week during the Third Street Music School Artist Series! As part of a shared bill with Banana Peel Dance in Please Pass the Dance I will be presenting my two new works, "Missed Connection" & "We Apologize For Any Inconvenience"  

Here's a little blurb:

On Friday, October 25th "Please Pass The Dance" will feature two collaborative performances from Remi Harris and Pearl Marasigan of HalloHallo & Kim Almquist and Aaron Draper of Banana Peel Dance. At the Anna-Maria Kellen Auditorium at Third Street Music School, these artists and dancers will convene to engage spontaneity, relationships and transition. This event is free and family friendly. We will accept donations if you feel so inclined. Moreover we hope that you'll join us as we explore new ideas and show some incredible new choreography!

Please Pass The Dance

Friday, October 25th

Third Street Music School

235 East 11th street between 2nd and 3rd Avenue

New York, NY 10003

7:00pm sharp! 

ALSO!!! We are fundraising to cover the costs of this production! We value and appreciate all the Artists we work with and we want to be able to them for their time and hard work! If you are interested in supporting our fantastic company, please click on the link below to donate today! All the money raised will go straight to the Artists, please support!!!
Go Fund Me!
Werk!
R

Art Food Drinks

My good friend and Artist extraordinaire Michelle Golden will be celebrating the opening  reception of The Hogarth Biannual's Urban New Faces this Thursday, October 10th. If you are in the NYC be sure to stop by after work. There will be drinks, food and some incredible art!

Be sure to RSVP at: nyc.events@hogarthww.com. Your name must be on the list in order to get in the building!
Hogarth worldwide Inc.
230 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10003
R

"Missed Connection"

Dani Harris & Adrienne Wagner in "Missed Connection"

Dancers: Dani Harris & Adrienne Wagner
Choreography: Remi Harris/dancesbyremi
Title: "Missed Connection"

Hey y'all!
So excited to be working on this new piece with these talented dancers. "Missed Connection" explores our relationships to each other and our smart phones particularly on a crowded subway train. We will have our official premiere soon with original music by Greg H.
What's your favorite way to pass the time on the train? Music, reading, angry birds?
Leave your thoughts in the comments below; I'd love to hear what you do!
R

#subwaystories

Deeee Shaheen and Rem Harris
photo by Aaron Draper

I am in the process of creating an evening length piece based on real experiences commuting on the NYC subway. I have one section, a solo, dance by the lovely Danita Shaheen which explores the time I was waiting for a train that never came. I was already late for work and the frustration and anger continued to grow inside until I exploeded. I didn't hurt anyone or do anything crazy but I did loose my cool. That feeling of NOT being in control is what got me. No matter how early you try to be or no how much time you leave just in case, ultimately we are not in control of this transportation system.
The next section I am working on explores our growing connections to our phones/gadgets and the lessened connections with each other. I was standing so close to a gentleman on the L train a while back that I could smell his cologne, very awkward. But we never even spoke or made eye contact, just waited patiently until our stop came. I see the same people everyday at my stop, yet I don't know their names and they don't know mine. Would't it be nice to have a brief chat with these people and make some connections as opposed to listening the new Mumford and Sons album (no offense bro) on repeat again?
Just sayin'.
But then again everyone in NYC is cray, so…
Do you have any interesting NYC Subway stories???

World premiere of "We Apologize For Any Inconvenience"

Danita S.

I had a fantastic performance with Banana Peel at BARD High School this past spring. I also had the opportunity to premiere a new solo "We apologize for any inconvenience" with Danita as the soloist. This girl is a beast! Such a fun process and she really brought my thoughts and ideas to life. To have a dancer who is so smart, talented and willing to go on an adventure with you is such a pleasure. THANK YOU DANITA!!!!

Below is the video from that show. But of course I didn't have enough memory so I didn't get all if it.

Oh well, c'est la vie!

I hope you enjoy!

Remi

8 More FEMALE producers you didn't know are running things.

Eboni Smith
Photo credit: Genesis Be 

Speaking with DJ's I always ask why I never see more female DJ's at the big parties and events. Simply put "there aren't that many around and most do not get the exposure that male DJ's do." While I agree with the second part of that answer I have to call BS on the first part. No, they are around and their presence and influence is beginning to grow.
I ran across this article today which ties into the Gender Amplified Conference happening tomorrow. The founder, Ebonie Smith, created original music for a production I danced in, Sydnie L. Mosley Dances' "The Window Sex Project". It's wonderful to see people passionate about their work and art form making things happen! She built this conference from scratch in order to acknowledge all the creative work from female musicians and producers that aren't being celebrated.
Enjoy!
And Happy Friday!
8 More Female Producers You Didn’t Know Are Running Things | MTV IGGY

Project Plie

Misty Copeland

I have a deep love for Misty Copeland. Not only is she incredibly talented, she is VERY vocal about the lack of minorities/diversity in the Ballet world. Also, she's soooo beautiful right?? She continues to dance professionally and speak around the country on the importance of exposing Ballet and it's rich history to the youth, especially brown girls.
I used to be in love with ballet. However, because I was never encouraged to pursue it and I never saw dancers who looked like me, I gave up those dreams. I developed early, peeps, and a curvy ballerina is not the norm. No one ever came out and said no, but they did push my to try other styles so I could become a well rounded dancer (#Truth).
So I began to study different styles and found my passion in modern/contemporary dance. With that said, there is always a part of my that thinks "What if…"
I've spoken to many black dancers who reminisce of a past desire to be ballerinas but never got the support from their teachers and never saw the opportunity to make it to Prima Ballerina status.
Misty has signed on to be the face of Project Plie, which will award scholarships to black youth in an effort to diversify ballet.

What are your thoughts?

Is this the way to get more young black girls interested in ballet AND they way to get them within reach of Prima Ballerina status?

Hmmmm….
Project Plie

Ballet all the way

I came across this article and had to share. Enjoy!

Steve McLendon of the Pittsburg Steelers

Grace and Gridiron

How to create a sustainable dance company!

I was just talking to another dancer/choreographer about sustainable dance companies. I mean, let's be honest its hard to fund a dance company no matter how good you are. How do you obtain the necessary funds for creating work, costumes and paying your dancers? Major non-profits and dance companies are folding because they are unable to answer that question.
I found this article focusing on this topic and I wanted to share it. It's focusing on a trio of hot new choreographers; Andrea Miller/Gallim Dance, Brian Brooks/Brian Brooks Moving Company and Kyle Abraham/Abraham.In.Motion. Did they figure it out? I think they are on there way but their companies are still young. It will be interesting to see how their business models develop.
Thoughts?

All they want to do is dance via @CrainsNewYork

Danita solo part 7

Danita solo 6/24

Danita solo part 4

Random Access Memories

Daft Punk's new album, "Random Access Memories" DROPS tomorrow. Can't wait.

Here's a great review of the album and a link to the video for the song "Get Lucky" featuring Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers.

What is your favorite Daft Punk song??

Enjoy!

"Junk"

I recently had the opportunity to be featured in a friend's short film titled "Junk". I played a stripper named Roxy. Roxy is having a hard time ya'll. She had dreams of being a dancer (which didn't work out) but has become a stripper to pay the bills. I didn't have any lines but I got featured and had a solo dance shot which was really cool. It was fun getting to see my old friend in action and all the behind the scenes work needed to create a film.
Thank you JAMES L. WILLIAMS!!!
Enjoy the clip!

Sexism in Dance?

The Jasmin Vardimon Company.
photo by Ben Harries

As a nation we are well supplied with choreographers. Matthew Bourne, Akram Khan, Wayne McGregor, Liam Scarlett, Christopher Wheeldon… the list goes on. All are highly acclaimed, players on the world stage, their services booked for years ahead. So why are their female colleagues struggling for visibility? Why, when British dance was founded by women like Ninette de Valois and Marie Rambert, and has always employed more women than men, are there no high-profile women choreographers?

Read the full article here: Sexism in Dance

The Guardian has an interesting article regarding the lack of high profile female choreographers, particularly in Great Britain. 

Do you think the same holds true for us here in the US? Are male choreographers more regarded, more funded, more praised for their work compared to female choreographers?

Hmm...well...

Food For Thought

Dancers from Trey McIntyre Project

I am increasingly trying to figure out new ways to support myself with Dance. Previously, I didn't like mixing dance and money together; Art should be about the "creation" and "process" not the profit right?
Well, times have changed. If I want to continue to be an Artist I have to figure out how to support myself financially so I don't have to continue with 10 side jobs.
How do you support yourself financially as an Artist?
I found this article today.
Great read!
Why Hewlett-Packard is hiring dancers

Upcoming Dance Performances: Green Space Blooms! 7th Annual Queens celebration of Dance

All Shows @ 8pm* April 12 Kate Corby & Dancers || Katherine Moore || Kate Bishop OPT 1   Ryan McNally || xodus dance collective || Valerie Green/Dance Entropy Barbara Maher Makes Dances  Post Performance Music: Pedro de Alcantara, Cello  April 13 Matthew Westerby Company || Distance Dance || Immersion Dance Company SaraTess Untitled || isadoraNOW || Craig Hoke Zarah || Regina Picker Post Performance Music: Ian Munro, Accordion    * 4/13 also features a family matinee at 1pm. Valerie Green/Dance Entropy will perform  WILD KINGDOM a vibrant, fun-filled afternoon of dance and audience participation. ($10)      April 14 Kendra Pearson || Amanda Hunt || EunSung Lee's Dance || LorenaEganDance Nyane Khosi Dance Theater || Maggie Bennett & Carly Czach TouchTheory Dance Project Post Performance Music: John Sarantos, Native American Flutes  April 19 ArtBark International || Ali Fischer InCorporated: Regina Picker & Verena Fuchs || Janusphere Dance Company Orkesis || cakeface || Jennifer Pommiss  Post Performance Music: Jonathan Saraga, Trumpet  April 20 Zion Dance || Verlezza Dance || LatticeWorks Dance Collective Azul Dance Theatre || Annie Sailer Dance Company Valerie Green/Dance Entropy || Ballet International Africans Post Performance Music: David Soler, Asian Flutes   April 21 Laurie Hockman || Marissa Rae Niederhauser || Schoen Dance  ArtBark International || McKenzie Rose || Rosario || Prashant Shaw   Post Performance Music: Frederika Krier, Violin  Completing each evening is a live music post performance party, sharing music from a different ethnic or classical tradition each night, curated by Open Music Education.

Get Tickets! $15 online pre-sale / $20 at the door

Monday Motivation

Another reason to celebrate 4/20

Spend the day dancing your butt off to some really great music. More details to come!
MELTCHA
Listen to DJ Greg H.'s new mix: Shitsamazing

10 rules for Students and Teachers

The Playground

Photo courtesy of Sydnie L. Mosley Dances
this is us in rehearsal NOT in the playground class to be clear!

I absolutely adore Nicole Wolcott. She has a wonderful approach to teaching, to performance, to discovery, to creativity, etc. Her classes are not only inspiring they are good! She is a dancer, choreographer and performance artists based in Brooklyn, the Assistant Director to Keigwin + Company and has shown her original work all over the place. Her style is post modern, downtown NYC modern/contemporary with sprinkles of 80's references and humor. She also developed this idea of mapping, which for me described a way to investigate with improvisation smarter. Have you ever began an improv sequence but couldn't remember what you did but you knew you liked it? So yeah, that.

She was a guest teacher at the Playground, a monthly dance series created by Gregory Dolbashian and Loni Landon as a place for emerging artist to create and teach in a supportive environment and also gives dancers the opportunity to take classes and participate on a donation basis.
My roommates Kim, Aaron and I took Nicole's class in March.
Below is the video from that class. If you look closely you can see us!
So fun.

Nicole Wolcott/The Playground 3/15/13

The Window Sex Project

One of the things on my New Years resolution list was to work with new choreographers and more women of color and by the end of January it had happened. The great and wonderful Sydnie L. (Don't forget the L) Mosley created an evening length work called "The Window Sex Project" that is a response through dance to street harassment.
You know the scene.
"Yo miss, MISS!"
"Hey beautiful"
"You need some help with that bag shorty?"
Insert your favorite line here ___________

We've all experienced it, witnessed it or maybe WE said inappropriate words to someone else and thought it was OK. The fact of the matter is, it happens and how I deal with it has been a real eye opener. I'm from Brooklyn, I'm used to men hollering at me everyday. Most if the time I don't even pay attention to it but a few times someone goes too far and I feel compelled to say something. I've been told since I was young to not respond back. "People are crazy" my mother said. "You don't know what they will do". So that's it right? I shouldn't say anything? I should just walk a little faster, keep my head down and make sure to never ever wear a short skirt?
I realize the answer to why it happens and why we respond the way we do is not an easy one and maybe there isn't a concrete answer. I would like to point out that for me it's deeply rooted in how we communicate with each other and I shouldn't feel uncomfortable when you communicate with me. The conversation has started and now I'm a part of it.

What are your thoughts on street harassment? 

Here we are at Penn State. 

"It's hard out there for a ______________"

I found this article and thought it was worth sharing. In a few years, if (scratch that) when I am a College Dance Professor, I would offer up a course called "How to Live as a Professional Dancer". We would discuss and plan ways for you to make a living, afford to take class, network correctly and not starve in the process.

It's hard out there peeps and I wish someone would have given me a heads up.
Hope you enjoy.
ps do any of these "truths" apply to you right now?

15 Truths About Being A Professional Dancer

Dance Crush: Michaela DePrince

Talk about an inspiration. Michaela DePrince is the true embodiment of hard work and perseverance. Those of you who watched First Position (it's on Netflix, so there's no excuse) will remember Michaela and her incredible story and beautiful athleticism. Adopted from Sierra Leone after her parents were killed during the civil war, she then watched her favorite teacher get killed in front of her and suffered from discrimination because she suffers form the skin condition vitiligo. As fate would have it, one day a magazine picture of a ballerina flew in into the orphanage by a gust of wind and Michaela was mesmerized by the image. 

After being adopted by a loving American family she began to take ballet lessons. She has just graduated from the American Ballet Theatre's Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis school in New York and has joined The Dance Theatre of Harlem. If you haven't seen the movie, please do so. It's a small window into the personal sacrifices the featured dancers and their families go through for the opportunity to win the Youth American Grand Prix. It's more than a competition; it's the beginning of the rest of their professional lives. Major Companies watch this competition and invite young dancers to train with them and also offer a position in their company.

As a Black woman I could relate to Michaela's struggles with Ballet. The technique itself is just HARD! Being one of the few women of color in her class, having to re-construct costumes because what is considered nude DOES NOT constitute and nude for brown girls. Dealing with injuries and working though them despite the pain. I mean the list goes on. Listen, you can't have one shade of "Mocha" and think that that ONE shade can work for all of us. Side eye at you Capezio. Just sayin…

Michaela's story is one to be commended. Having gone through such turmoil at a young age she could have just given up. It just goes to show you that even if you aren't dealt the best hand you can still win the top prize.

 #werk

#blackballerina

Go here to see her recent spread with Teen Vogue.