This article poses wonderful questions about choreographers and the longevity of their work posthumous. I’m disappointed Arthur Lubow didn’t mention Alvin Ailey and the successful growth of Ailey’s legacy many years after his death. Nevertheless, the death of Merce Cunningham brings forth the necessary discussion on the temporality of dance.
I’ve studied Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analysis. While dance notation definitely gives you a strong vernacular to discuss and describe moment, when it comes to using LMA to recreate dance or write down your choreography the language is somewhat useful. And film renders the body 2 dimensional, so 33+ % of a performance is lost. So much of a dance performance happens in the moment. I’ve come to terms with never ever ever having an adequate way to preserve anything that I create, perhaps attempting to do so is wasted effort. Dancing or performing with the human body is in some ways a selfish act most enjoyed firstly by the performer.
A few weeks ago, after flipping through TV channels, I ended up watching a peculiar episode of Bewitched. This is what happens when you are unemployed! The first thing I saw was Tabitha wishing herself a different color. And with the use of her magical powers, the little blonde white girl became a dark haired brown girl. This first impression left me disoriented, to say the least. I couldn’t grasp why this TV show had someone in blackface, especially a child. But then there was Tabitha’s black friend, Lisa, who is turned in a blonde white girl. And both girls ended up with polkadot complexions. I don’t know!
The episode was actually quite endearing and made in the spirit of equality. After googling Bewitched I found the episode Sisters at Heart was actually written by a high school English class. And as with most uncomfortable topics, children are really effective at drawing out valuable discussion without pretense.
Last Sunday, Sam and I took a field trip to Brooklyn! The first stop of our adventure was the Superstar DJ Record Fair, put on by the Brooklyn Flea. The Record Fair was aaight. It was nothing to write home about, but as it seems, something to blog about? I did, however, come upon a jewelry table by Wrecords By Monkey. This BK based designed company has been around for a few years, but this was my first time seeing their work. I think their pieces are dope. Their pieces are handcrafted out of reclaimed vinyl records. This is right up my eco-friendly alley.
The next stop was Urban Art Projects in Billyburg. Burgeoning choreographer and friend of mine, Lydia Bell presented: Work for Pay.
I always appreciate pieces that allow “dancers” to speak. The development of the “performance artist” has definitely loosened the restraints of just being a dancer. But it is still gratifying to hear the voices and breath of performers that are expected to solely move their bodies.
Most importantly, the performers addressed questions and concerns that most artists contemplate daily, if not hourly. The ladies’ resumes and thoughts on finding employment served as the sound score. Many radio stations now have radio resumes; job seekers read their resumes on air. In that vain, Work for Pay moves one step farther.
This Tuesday, B (as in the Spanish alfabeto “be”) aka my girl Melissa and I ventured off into NYC’s “Fashion’s Night Out”. I’ve decided to only purchase sweat free clothing. So I obviously didn’t buy anything, but good times were had while wandering the streets of Soho.
First stop was Billion Boys Club. I didn’t have the patience to wait on line. Apparently, Pharrell was working the register, which means there were thirst buckets abound.
There was a crazy ass urban Spider Man taking people on tours on the neighborhood. I can’t really explain, I’ll upload the videos when I figure out how.
Drinks at Y3
Gawking at all the thirst buckets trying to spot Kid Cudi atthe Bape store.
Favorite Quote of the night, “I was at Kid Cudi’s shows when there were only 30 people in the audience. Now people are feening to see him. Damn...”
- Melissa
Chocolates and Prosecco at Vosges (soooo good but I can’t afford $8 bars of chocolate)
The new jade green nail polish from Chanel is WAAAACK and a mini-manicure means a color change.
Some treats at Burberry
Beer at Custo Barcelona
Bathroom break at Aroma
Super sweet hats at Paul Smith and some bomb silver jewelry.
My first time in the Prada store
yummy cheese at Banana Republic
Bloomingdales in Soho sucks ass!!
B treated me to some Halal chicken and rice….soweet.
A few weeks ago, after seeing Stress Positions at the Soho Playhouse (http://www.stresspositions.com/), Boo face Han and I had dinner at 12 Chairs.A friend on mine put me on to this place when I was working at KBP. Anywho- this is all to say that I live for the Pita and Baba Ghanoush at 12 Chairs, 56 Macdougal St 10013 . The Pita is always warm and doughy but still perfectly golden on the outside. I love it.
I have made a point to meditate more consistently, being able to control the “mind-stuff” will definitely be useful in dealing with my anxiety issues. Today I had a really amazing meditation practice. I’ve been reading the Teachings of Yogi Bhajan: The Power of the Spoken Word. A friend gave me this book. It was collecting dust for a few months, until an evening when I was looking for a train read.
This book has chapters like self, word, love etc. And each chapter has seeds that can be used for meditation. Here are a few of my favorites thus far.
From Word #15:
For anyone who will live up to his word to infinity, this world will become too small. It will seem as small as a Ping-Pong ball. The whole universe will dance on the word of that man. This is the vibratory effect an individual has, because your end is infinity. Your beginning is infinity. You are only in trouble when you have not realized you are infinity. To realize the infinity in the finite state is the extension of the mind. That is the reality of the mind.
From Woman #55
First recognize the creativity of the creator. The moment a woman recognizes and understands that she is the creativity of the Creator, confidence as a woman comes to her
From Self #100
When a man becomes God-conscious, he becomes humble enough to present his entire personality before the world without fear.
Last weekend, Booface Han and I went to Montréal for a few days. T’was the best extended weekend EVER (like for-ev-er Sandlot style, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-Q7b-vHY3Q&feature=related). We stayed at the Embassy Suites, which is hilarious on it’s own. Basically we felt MADD American. There were a lot of middle-aged white dads walking around in logo tees, cargo shorts and mandals. And their kids dressed in the matching vacation uniform, except “tennis shoes” instead of sandals. We got a great deal on the suite, and they provided guests with complimentary drinks every evening and breakfast every morning. Sweeeeet!
One evening of our trip, we ate at Prato Pizzeria (3891 boulevard Saint-Laurent, Montréal – (514) 285-1616). The food was ahhhhmazing. I highly recommend their bruschetta for a simple but delicious appetizer. The margherita pizza was yummy. Our food server was extremely pleasant. And the exposed brick and !!!sexy!!! lighting made this dining experience a 10 out of 10.
Yesterday (sat Aug 1.), I went to my very first dance audition. I’ve had dance gigs before, but I have had the fortune of finding projects via friends and dance folks for Wesleyan. This was the first time I assembled my resume and headshot and went for a project not knowing anyone.
The audition was for KPG. Jaamil Kososko’s work blends post modern dance and hip hop with theater, all forms that excite me. I was definitely a lil’ shook before the audition. But to my surprise the activities were not able showing what you can do. There were no mirrors in the space -which was sweet!!! The audition was run like a class/workshop with different improv activities. The best activity was “invite to be seen”. Which meant simply moving into the space by yourself and allowing the audience/other dancers to see you. Its a great tool to open yourself up to the audience and get comfortable with being watched.
First stop was Billion Boys Club. I didn’t have the patience to wait on line. Apparently, Pharrell was working the register, which means there were thirst buckets abound.
