Center, Gravity, Rhythm: Week 1 with David Zambrano

Week1webCLASSES
Flying Low
The technique developed by David focuses mainly on the dancer’s relationship with the floor, earth and ground. Simple movement patterns involve breathing, speed, and the release of energy through the body in order to activate the relationship between centre and periphery and between joints and skin. Exercises will focus on moving in and out of the ground more efficiently by maintaining the state of being centred. Emphasis is placed on the skeletal structure, which will aid to improve physical perception and alertness. The class includes partnering work and movement phrases, which explore the primary laws of physics: cohesion and expansion.

Monday – Thursday, September 14 – 17
4:30 – 6pm each day
Troy Studio, Lang Performing Arts Center
David Zambrano has been a monumental figure in the international dance community for a quarter century, and his passion for cultural exchange continues to influence his work. Zambrano is an ambassador and liaison across many borders, bringing together artists from all over the planet for his projects. He has taught his own approach to dance in more than 60 countries, and has performed at hundreds of venues across the world. His pieces range from set choreography, structured improvisation, and pure improvisation. Born in Venezuela, Zambrano spent 15 years in New York, and now lives in between Amsterdam / Brussels.

http://www.jumatatu.org/center-gravity-rhythm/david-zambrano/

David Zambrano’s SOUL PROJECT (9/25 & 9/26 @ 8PM)

SOULPROJECTforwebFriday
September 25
8PM
followed by a post-show conversation with performers, led by Charmian Wells

Saturday
 September 26
8PM
preceded by an artist conversation in Troy Studio with David Zambrano, nora chipaumire, and Ziya Azazi at 6pm, led by Charmian Wells

As part of the 3 week series CENTER, GRAVITY, RHYTHM, taking place from September 12 – October 4, 2015, Swarthmore is excited to bring SOUL PROJECT to campus. The show begins…spontaneously…an extraordinary, unpredictable presentation and experience of being continuously alive. On, like a candle. The music starts and dancers emerge from the audience, moving to a sublime live recording of a “vintage” soul singer – Aretha Franklin, Ike & Tina Turner, Bettye Lavette, Gladys Knight & The Pips – following their own movement quest to embody the dance as deeply and powerfully as the singer reveals the song.

SOUL PROJECT conceived and directed by the legendary David Zambrano, in collaboration with a cast of six remarkable performers from Mozambique, Slovenia, Slovakia, South Korea and Venezuela, simultaneously creates a sense of heightened perception and grounded physicality. Designed to be performed in an open space-a gallery, black box, gymnasium, ballroom, church, large stage, or even outdoors – SOUL PROJECT is a series of virtuosic solos, each lasting the length of a song; but the order of the solos and their location in the space is a function of chance, making each night’s performance unique.

 Along with this performance, the college will host a unique series of technique and repertory classes in various dance vocabularies and improvisation methodologies, an informal presentation of performance ideas from the three featured artists, and informal discussions with the campus community around new notions of contemporary performance. All events happening at Swarthmore College are free and open to the public. More details are available online: http://www.jumatatu.org/center-gravity-rhythm

Sponsored by the William J. Cooper Foundaiton, Philadelphia’s FringeArts and Mascher Space Co-Op. Additional classes hosted by Mascher Space Co-Op (information available here: http://www.mascherdance.org/events/) Additional performances of SOUL PROJECT will be in the Philadelphia FringeArts program: http://fringearts.com/event/soul-project/.

Cooper presents CENTER, GRAVITY, RHYTHM

Center, Gravity, Rhythm: Global Forces in DancemakingCGRFinalforweb

International dance artists David Zambrano, nora chipaumire, and Ziya Azazi will visit Swarthmore College as part of a three-week program, from September 12 – October 4, 2015, which will include a presentation of David Zambrano’s dance performance work, Soul Project, a series of technique and repertory classes in various dance vocabularies and improvisation methodologies, an informal presentation of performance ideas from the three featured artists, and informal discussions with the campus community around new notions of contemporary performance. All events happening at Swarthmore College are free and open to the public. Workshops, classes, and informal presentation will take place in the Troy and Boyer dance studios of Lang Performing Arts Center. Additionally, Swarthmore College has partnered with Philadelphia’s FringeArts and Mascher Space Co-Op in the production of this 3-week program.

More details are available on the college calendar and here: http://www.jumatatu.org/center-gravity-rhythm/

Call for Writers from thINKingDANCE (Deadline June 1, 2015)

CALL FOR WRITERS

thINKingDANCE is a online journal that seeks to catalyze conversation about dance and develop the skills of dance writers in the Philadelphia area. It presents reviews, features, interviews, and ‘think pieces,’ and embraces new modes of thINKing about dance (http://thinkingdance.net/)

We are looking for NEW WRITERS and encourage the following people to consider joining us:

  • those who want to develop their writing skill and are interested in the practice of constructive critique
  • individuals new to writing who connect strongly to dance (artists, audience members, presenters)
  • people new to dance who connect strongly to writing (poets, journalists, scholars, students)
  • anyone interested in experimenting with new journalistic forms
  • advocates committed to covering diverse styles and genres of dance

What do we expect of thINKingDANCE WRITERS?

  • writers will attend a meeting on the first Tuesday (7-9pm) of each month
  • writers are invited to about four workshops/retreats per year (typically on a weekend day)
  • writers are expected to contribute 6-10 articles per year

How do thINKingDANCE WRITERS benefit from being involved?

  • access to free workshops by leading dance writers and scholars
  • mentorship by experienced dance writers, with two rounds of editing on each article then published on the website (which is read internationally)
  • stimulating networking opportunities with the other TD writers
  • a small honorarium for participation
  • a wonderful outlet for creative thINKing
  • privileged access to a diversity of performances in Philadelphia

How to apply?

 

Please send by email:

 

  • a Letter of Interest indicating any relevant experience and motivation for participating (1page maximum)
  • a short writing sample—it need not be dance-related (1200 words maximum)

 

Send to Kirsten Kaschock (TD Editor): editor@thinkingdance.net

Deadline for application materials: June 1st, 2015

Criteria for Selection:

  • potential for committed engagement and willingness to make full use of this professional development opportunity
  • diversity that represents the broad dance constituency in Philadelphia
  • a writing sample that demonstrates some of the following: creative expression, English language fluency, curiosity, a distinctive voice, and provocative ideas

 

 

thINKingDANCE is a consortium of dance artists and writers who work together to comment widely on the myriad forms dance can take. Based in Philadelphia, thINKingDANCE works to increase visibility for local dance, encourage new forms of dance writing, broaden the scope of our coverage, and increase audience receptivity to dance. We do this through live events as well as on-line at www.thinkingdance.net. Our director and editor-in-chief were founding members, and our other positions (in communications, editorial, and education) are culled from within. All members are encouraged to participate in the areas of our organization where they have interest and expertise.

thINKingDANCE has been supported by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, Philadelphia Cultural Fund and Pennsylvania Council of the Arts. Partners include the LAB (Live Arts Brewery), DanceUP, and Philadelphia Dance Projects. 

 

 

 

Experiments in Dance (Mon 5/4 @ 5PM)

Dance Showing poster imagePlease join the Dance Program for Experiments in Dance in the Lang Performing Arts Center.  Experiments in Dance is an end-of-semester showing of works (at various stages of completion) that students and faculty have been developing throughout the semester.  Works are generated from a variety of technical approaches to dance, and present various questions of how to be in the theatrical space.

Performances will begin outside of the entrance to LPAC (in the alley between Kohlberg and LPAC), and continue in the Troy Studio.  The showing will run for approximately 1.5 hours.

May 4, 2015

5PM – LPAC (entrance) and Troy Lab (LPAC 002)

THE ROYAL SINGER: A New Children’s Opera (5/3 @ 7PM in Lang Concert Hall)

The Swarthmore College Sesquicentennial Committee is proud to presentROYAL SINGER poster
The Royal Singer: A New Children’s Opera

Join our dancers and musicians for a production of The Royal Singer, a new opera for children, made possible by Maurice Eldridge and the Sesquicentennial committee. With score by Professor Thomas Whitman, libretto by Professor Nathalie Anderson, and direction by Professor K. Elizabeth Stevens, this original opera transports the audience to a magical kingdom in search of a new Royal Singer. As animals and dolls gear up for a musical competition, they learn that the best harmonies come from working (and playing) together. Bring the family and witness the world-premiere of this very special new opera. This production is the result of a collaborative effort by five different academic departments at Swarthmore College and features performances by Swarthmore students and by children from Stetser Elementary School in Chester.

Sunday, May 3, 2015
7:00 PM
Swarthmore College
Lang Music Building
Lang Concert Hall

Free and open to the public; no tickets or reservations required.
For more information contact Andrew Hauze at
610-690-3489 or ahauze1@swarthmore.edu

Spring 2015 Dance Concert (5/1 + 5/2 @ 8PM)

Dance Concert Poster Spring 2015It’s that time again!  Please join the Dance Program for a celebration of dance featuring African, Ballet, Modern, Kathak, Tap and more! This show is appropriate for all ages. We will be celebrating our graduating seniors and new faculty and all the hard work of the dance performance technique classes.  We look forward to seeing you there!

Out and About: Workshop in Philly with Catherine Gallant (4/12 @1PM)

Interested in joining in the discussion about dance and education? Want to think more about teaching dance? Join Dance TAG (Teaching Artist Group) this Sunday, April 12 for a workshop with Catherine Gallant.

Live from New York: The Blueprint in Action
It’s from 1:00 – 3:00 at the Performance Garage
1515 Brandywine St.
Philadelphia, PA
FREE

There are 250 teaching artists with full-time dance jobs in the public schools in NYC. Catherine Gallant, a leading veteran member of this artistic cohort uses NYC’s Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in Dance, a comprehensive approach that includes dance literacy and arts integration. She will teach sample classes and demonstrate the activities she uses to structure her classes and incorporate cultural and historical material. These ideas can be adapted to many teaching settings, and all ages of students. Take advantage of this chance to experience (and borrow!) some of the good ideas and momentum in dance teaching coming out of public education in New York.

RSVPs are appreciated at info@philadanceprojects.org.

Philadelphia Dance Project’s Dance TAG is supported by the Stockton Rush Bartol Foundation.

Tamagawa Taiko 3/29 @ 7PM

The world-touring Tamagawa Taiko Drum and Dance troupe return to Philadelphia for a week tamagawa taiko 2015 posterof awe-inspiring performances as part of the 2015 Suburu Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia. This group is guaranteed to thrill and amaze with their energetic shows of Japanese folk tradition. Expect to see thundering drums, intricate dances, and beautiful costumes. It’ll be sure to be an evening of heart-pounding entertainment and fun for all!

This event is FREE, but seating is limited and is first come, first served! Please arrive early to secure a seat.  There is no overflow seating.

http://calendar.swarthmore.edu/calendar/EventList.aspx?view=EventDetails&eventidn=13338&information_id=36930&type=&syndicate=syndicate