DIY Residencies

DIY Residencies: a career in the arts on your own terms

Lisa Niedermeyer | Apr 21, 2014 5:00 am

Note from author: This article originally published April 2nd by The Guardian, a media outlet that serves primarily a UK-based audience. The sub headline read; ‘From 24-hour plays to co-op leasing, US artists are ditching traditional residencies in favour of working on their own terms’. The article has been shared on social media channels over 1,000 times since publishing. Comment sentiments ranged from “these are great ideas, I want to try doing this on my own terms”, to “duh - artists have been doing this forever”. In following the social media conversations, other interesting approaches to DIY Residencies were shared. I included some of these examples as an addendum to the article below and invite the Fractured Atlas audience to share additional examples via the comments. - Lisa Niedermeyer

Read the entire article here

Applications open for Chez Bushwick Artist in Residence Program

News

Applications are open for Chez Bushwick Artists In Residence program Cycle 2, 2014

Chez Bushwick is offering a three month residency dedicated to fostering the creation, development, and performance of new work by both emerging and mid-career choreographers. Chez Bushwick will provide subsidized rehearsal space during off-peak hours, monthly peer forums, and a culminating performance at CPR -Center for Performance Research to support the creative processes of selected artists. Chez Bushwick Residency Artists are curated through an open application process, and final selections are chosen by a panel of industry professionals.

Click here to download the full program description.

Click here to download the AIR application.

Resources Provided by Chez Bushwick:

100 hours of rehearsal space during off-peak hours

(Monday – Sunday, 8am – 11am & 9pm – 12am)

Three peer group showings with other Artists in Residence

Culminating presentation of new work in a

Chez Bushwick Presents 2Night Show at CPR – Center for Performance Research.

Residency Timeline:

Application Due: Friday, April 18

Residency Notification: Friday, May 9

AIR Meet & Greet: Thursday, May 29

Studio Residency: June 30 – September 14

Peer Showings: July 17, August 7, August 28

Performance Tech: September 17

Performance Dates: September 18 – 19

Money/Art

"Think of yourself like a business. One has to make more money than it spends. One that has to think about things like marketing, press, and balance sheets. Nobody benefits from you being a "starving artist"- not you, not your audience, and not your industry." -Of A Kind

Happy New 2014 with a brand spanking new website!!

I generally don't make any new resolutions for the new year because I know I generally will not follow them all. 

I will say that I am going to make every effort to work towards a new me. The fear, worry, and excuses will be put to the side and I will continue to strive to be better. With that said, I have a new website, subwaystories is about to hold auditions and go to phase two, and I got a new job.

Let's do this!

New Website!

http://harrisremi.wix.com/remiharris

All the best for 2014,
R

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

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

"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

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

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???

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

"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!

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

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

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.

2013 Winter Follies at Spoke the Hub!

Tonight I will be performing with the wonderful Banana Peel Dance at the 2013 Winter Follies at Spoke the Hub. The yearly event is a mixed bag of performers, dancers, singers, and actors who are all vying for the grand prize of 50 hours of rehearsal space and the opportunity for a subsidized weekend production at this Gowanus institution.

Each act (over 20 in total) gets only 5 minutes to present their piece. The act with the most votes from the audience wins. 

Wish us luck!

Photo courtesy of Banana Peel Dance

Dee and Remi at the Brooklyn Bridge
Photo Courtesy of Aaron Draper

For more info ---> Winter Follies and Banana Peel Dance

Happy Friday!

Listen to this while you watch Brotha Bear get on down.
HUGE announcements coming next week. 2013 is already off to a great start. Have you gotten any good news this year so far?

Have a wonderful weekend peeps!