Sugar Coated: A Tektonic Ballet

Other DW

Here are the other Dance Workshop pieces I danced in.




I'm in the blue.

Dance Workshop

I have the video recording! Unfortunately, it is taking forever to convert. Here are some screen shots while we wait.

The Birds follow the Children

Video delay

The DVDs came out with some errors, so the order is being reprocessed and I'll be posting the video next week.

Final tomorrow. Then block break. Hooray!

Dancey Updates

DW

The Dance Workshop DVDs come out on Monday. A bunch of the choreographers went to Peggy's place (Peggy will likely be my Dance minor advisor) to watch the beta DVD and critique each other. It was nice to, finally, get some criticism.
That said, my dance was cool. They taped the Friday show, and I am quite satisfied with how it turned out. I will take a break from studying for finals to put it on Youtube. Soon!
Prepare yourself, though, for the crazy and the weird. It's a couple bus stops past irreverent. Fittingly improper, in my opinion. Don't say I didn't warn you. I let my dancers push the envelope - I did the choreography, but left much of the emotion, intensity, and motivation up to them. They're all great actors, and I like where they took it. (Dude, I couldn't stop laughing last night. I was really seeing it for the first time.)

Next block: Block 8: Dance and Film

Super excited for Block 8: Dance and Digital Technology. It's all about making dance for camera.
So excited, in fact, that I've already begun choreographing.
I want to do a few projects that will require planning ahead and scheduling rehearsals.

So . . . I just did the first video shoot. Woot. I used Jazmyne, who was great in my Hoodie dance last semester (in the video she's in the grey sweatshirt second from the left.)

She's kinda blurry here, but this is what she was wearing.

Despite some late-night dance-partying, we were both up at 9:30 on a Saturday morning.
It was raining.
We went all around the cruddy places downtown, using the environment.
I had her shadowboxing, kicking things, walking, walking and locking, walking hip-hop, and just walking looking thug.
Preview:

Later I'll edit it and produce it music video style.

Like Patrick's! (Patrick my cousin, of course.)

New photos!

Public transportation

Took the downtown shuttle to the bus station, got on a bus, made one transfer. Then I walked for 15 minutes in some powerful wind and snow, got fitted for new ballet shoes, and made my way back home with no mistakes.
Not an exciting adventure, but at 4 hours combined time, $3 in travel costs, and the braving of some nasty weather, it was an adventure nonetheless.

you little girlie things better be worth the hassle

Last Fall DW

Yes, I participated in Dance Workshop last semester.

This is "He Loves Me," Caroline's hip-hop.
And here is the one I choreographed, "Hoodie." Actually it's better here on Youtube.

Program

Here is the performance poster, which I designed.


And the program notes, which I did not.

Concept Board

No new photos, but I'm posting the final costume sketches. I do have a photo of myself as the Witch, minus accessories.

Birds (Khanhsong and Amy):


Girl (Katie):


Boy (Ryan):


Candy Cane Man (Jordan) and Frosting Lady (Dolo):



The Gingerbread House Witch:

I AM political

I am political.
When problems in my community affect me, I don't just take action.
I make a statement.

Buzz

This week is getting exciting. Dance Workshop is a big deal at CC.
Everyone goes to see it, and though I'm only a rookie sophomore, my piece is generating buzz.
It's unreal - word is spreading. My dancers are telling me how they're bragging about being in my piece. And people listen to them because 5 out of 6 of them are very good, sought-after dancers, and the 6th guy is this totally untapped talent who should have been plopped into ballet class years ago.
(I have 4 girls and 2 boys. Two of my girls have danced professionally, kind of, and the other two used to belong to an amateur company together. I still can't believe I landed all of them. It's a dream cast.)

This is basically what I talked to Grandma about.

Also, I have been given a set, and have contacts willing to help put it together and paint it. I have a set! And it's big!

Plus a variety of bomb costumes.

Look at this nifty number!

It's being custom made at a Canadian factory as we speak, and they're making it to fit Jordan's long torso. I love Canadians. They are so flexible.

Like me. I am flexible. Thanks to all this dancing, I can do the splits on one side. I kid you not. The left side. Accomplished at 5pm today.

We're the Dancers

Click here for DW hilarity.
We're the dancers.

Next, duet sessions with Jordan and Dolo on an average day.

We recreate a dance department-famous photograph.

Fashion Show

How did the fashion show go?

Swell!

Hannah Concannon (of St. Mary's, last year Sub-Free hall and the track team fame) is already an accomplished clothier. Here is her line; it is quite stellar.

(l to r Eliza, Ashleigh, Hannah, Sammi)
(all of them Sub-Freebies last year.)

And now for Chelsea Herzog's line.

Rosie modeling Chelsea
(Rosie, a freshman, is in my hall this year and we've been in Chinese together for 3 straight blocks.)

Molly modeling Chelsea
(Sophomore runner. If you'll recall, we spent Spring Break skiing at Molly's house.)
(Also, Molly wins at Fierce Face. That's a competition I just made up.)


Rafter modeling Chelsea


Louisa modeling Chelsea
(Sophomore runner, a Sub-Freebie, natural redhead like Rosie.)

Chelsea modeling Chelsea
(A Sub-Freebie adoptee, meaning she was around often enough to count as a member.)
(P.S. Chelsea started sewing this year. I think she's found her prodigious talent niche.)

Photos of Winter Ball

This makes 4 photos of me and Sammi together.

Marissa took this photo. She's a freshman and a dancer. Awesomesauce. Equal parts awesome and sauce.