Neverland

It seems most of my posts have have some sort of MJ slant for the past 3 weeks, and this one is no different. He’s still with me.

I’ve been hearing about this Neverland event a lot this week, and am determined to swing by and check it out. If nothing more, than to hang with the incomparable Miss Y.E.T.

Your are invited to Neverland, an art happening in memory of Michael Jackson at El Rincon Social (Houston, Texas). Featuring live music, video art, visual art, dance, and performance art. Neverland is a DIY celebration of the fantastic—- sequined gloves, the moonwalk, bubbles, and soulfulness.

Music by Nectarine, DJ Shundrick, dance by Sweft Feet Dance Co., and performance by Hisson.

Take pictures at the Michael Jackson photo booth. Bring a blank t-shirt & make your own MJ stencil shirt. Shake it off at the dance-a-thon.

Visual & video art by:

Fulana (Brooklyn)
Sebastian Forray (Houston)
Inge Hoonte (Brooklyn)
Emily Link (Houston)
Nia McCloud (Houston)
Emmanuel Ramos (Houston)
Stephanie Saint (Houston)
Y.E. Torres (Houston)
Fabian Vargas (Houston)
Sway Youngston (Houston)

Presented by labotanica and SPAMMO in collaboration with El Rincon Social, Objectif Magazine, & The Akire Group. RSVP on facebook here.

Questions? contact: la (at) labotanica dot org.

a map to El Rincon exisit aqui.

more info.

see you there.

Tags: arts + events, dance, michael jackson, music, Y.E.Torres

Michael Jackson Tribute Dance Party

I’ve really been unable to shake MJ’s death. I never thought it would affect me the way it has. I think my mom is getting worried after days and days of hearing nothing but Michael streaming from my iMac. I just can’t get enough.  I haven’t watched TV since Thursday, but I still feel like soon, a report will come on saying it was all a hoax. But I know better.

There was something about Michael that was so immortal. He was the biggest personality on the planet.  Moreso than any political leader. Any actor or actress.  Even music superstars like Madonna, Britney and Justin, PALE in comparison.

So what was it about Michael that made people so damn happy? Smile with they sing along? Giddy when they dance? Nostalgia? I think it was magic.

Just caught wind of this on Twitter:

In honor of Michael Jackson and his unforgettable dance moves that inspired us all AND EMPLOYED DANCERS AND CHOREOGRAPHERS INTO NEW CAREER PATHS!

recent rehearsal photos (TMZ.com)

Lauren Perrone of Sandra Organ Dance Company along with the Houston Dance Community and their friends will be teaching the Thriller dance to anyone and everyone at Discovery Green Park on Thursday. WE want to commemorate the man who inspired so many of us to moonwalk and sing our hearts out. ROCK WITH US! Bring the kids, sneakers, and soul.

Thursday, July 2, 2009
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Discovery Green
1500 McKinney, Houston, TX 77010
FREE!

Sponsored by Discovery Green and Spearheaded by Sandra Organ Dance Company, Dance Source Houston, and Dance Houston.

Tags: dance, michael jackson

You Rock My World

Of all the faces of Michael Jackson, above has always been, and always will be, the way I remember him.

As the world reacts to the death of an icon, I reflect on the memories I have of the King of Pop.

Like him or not, it’s undeniable the effect Michael Jackson has had on the past 30 years of music.

Without Michael, there’d be no Justin. No Britney. No American Idol. It’s hard to say what fate pop music would have had without him.

More importantly, to me, Michael was Dance. A passion that had stayed with me for 30 years. I still remember choreographing to my Thriller vinyl in the house I grew up in, using my sister and best friend as back up dancers. Of course, I was always lead. I owe this love of mine to him, and him alone. I now admire contemporaries like Justin Timberlake, Usher, and Britney Spears, and see many of his original moves in their steps.  Wondering what would be of these contemporaries had there not been a Michael Jackson.

Growing up in the 80’s to escape his presence was impossible.  My nostalgia for MJ trumps any controversies and dramatic events that occurred in his life.  I have only fond memories of this amazing musician, performer and trend setter.

I’m saddened today by the great loss the world has witnessed, but grateful for the many memories of him that have helped to make up my first 30 years. Thanks, Michael.  You Rock My World.

Tags: dance, michael jackson

Dance, Dance, Dance

It true.  So You Think You Can Dance is back for Season 5 and I can’t get enough. Natch.

Need your dance fix this weekend? Check out these 3 dance events this weekend. Natch.

Joy, Dance and Giving Animals a Chance

Benefiting
Dominic Walsh Dance Theater
and
Spay-Neuter Assistance Program, Inc.

Come enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, an exclusive silent auction, and an

intimate performance by the DWDT Dancers
Saturday, May 30, 2009
6:00 to 8:00 PM

Joy Yoga Center
4500 Washington Ave., Suite 900, Houston, Texas 77007

$15 suggested donation at the door

Please let us know if you can join us!
RSVP to info@dwdt.org or 713-652-3938
The Big Range Dance Festival

Please visit www.bigrange.org for more information or to buy tickets.

Tags: arts + events, Barnevelder, dance, Dominic Walsh Dance Theater

Have a seat with me on the Casting Couch

It’s comfy. Join me.

The last Casting Couch of this season’s Dominc Walsh Dance Theater is this Friday, May 1st. If you haven’t read my post on my first DWDT experience, get on it.  You’ll see why I’m desperately in love with this modern dance troupe.

Casting Couch is the unique opportunity to experience the latest DWDT performance, followed by a chance to join the dancers on the stage for conversation, music, drinks and food.  This weekend’s Casting Couch will feature pizza from Angelo’s downtown, and wine from SoVino.  After the Casting Couch, we’ll be headed to SoVino for POP! a party with Pop Rocks, pop music, popcorn and we will be poppin’ the top off of Pommeroy Pops.  Party goes from 9:30p – close and the special drink of the night will be Pop Rock-rimmed Pommeroy champagne.

Click here for your Casting Couch Tickets

Read more below about this weekend’s performance.

The Trilogy: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
April 30-May 2, 2009 at 7:30 PM
Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, Zilkha Hall

Dominic Walsh and the DWDT company members were in Sarasota for the Florida premiere of Walsh’s Mozart Trilogy this past weekend. The Trilogy features Wolfgang for Webb performed by Sarasota Ballet, Amadeus for Anita performed by DWDT, and Mozart performed by dancers from both companies. The two companies are travelling to Houston for our presentation of this thrilling homage, with stunning scenic design by Houston artist Libbie Masterson and distinctive costumes by Domenico Luciano.

Sarasota Ballet has enjoyed much success since Iain Webb took over as Artistic Director in 2007, including glowing critical and public reviews. Last year, Webb graciously invited Walsh to choreograph a new work for the company and the result was Wolfgang for Webb. Now, Sarasota Ballet and Dominic Walsh Dance Theater join forces to bring Walsh’s complete Mozart Trilogy to audiences in Sarasota and Houston.

To read more about The Trilogy, please click on the links below.

Herald Tribune | Pelican Press | Bradenton Herald

Do not miss this opportunity to see these award-winning contemporary ballets set to the celebrated piano sonatas, operatic works, and symphonies of Mozart.

Mozart
2008 Princess Grace Choreography Fellowship

Amadeus for Anita
2007 Choo-San Goh Award for Choreography

Click here for tickets or call the Box Office at 713-315-2525.

Tags: ballet, contemporary ballet, dance, dominic walsh, Dominic Walsh Dance Theater, DWDT, parties

Shall we dance?

image: tracy manford

If my incessant tweets about Britney Spears hasn’t tipped you off that I am a huge fan of dance, then maybe my admission of having dreams of dancing with Justin Timberlake on more than one occasion will.

A few months ago I was introduced to the Dominic Walsh Dance Theater in Houston by Jessica Walters. I honestly can’t thank her enough for bringing this amazing group of dancers into my life. I have attended a few performances since then, and am hooked. And you will be, too.

Ballet schmallet! This is contemporary dance!  I and love every bit of it. No stuffiness and tutus (ok, there are some tutus!).  Theses dancers are athletes + angels who make physically challenging roles seem effortless. They glide across the floor like clouds, before suddenly jolting to a stop then gracefully sliding into each others arms.  This is sexy. And phenomenal.

In January I had the awesome opportunity to attend a dress rehearsal as the dancers were preparing for their upcoming performance of Bourne-Kylián-Walsh: A Masterful Mixed Repertoire, a mixed rep program featuring various pieces including:  the Houston premiere of the White Swan duet from British choreographer Matthew Bourne’s smash hit Swan Lake;  a reprise of Jirí Kylián’s powerful male solo Double You; and revivals of Walsh’s romantic For the Two of You and his beloved Bello, winner of three 2005 Dance Europe Critic’s Choice awards including best premiere.

What an amazing, intimate experience!  We were able to watch as Dominic and the dancers conceived, edited, and collaborated on the pieces for the upcoming show. Here are some pics of my pictures from the practice, and some much better pictures from Tracy Manford, who’s lusty choice words after attending the rehearsal turned the dancers red-faced.

This Friday, February 13th at 7:30pm at the Hobby Center I will be helping to host the Friday Night Casting Couch performance of Bourne-Kylián-Walsh: A Masterful Mixed Repertoire. The Casting Couch series allows attendees of the performance to join the dancers and Dominic on the stage following the show for drinks and bites.  Click on the image below to purchase your tickets.

Please join me on Friday to experiecne this amazing treat that our city is lucky to call ours:  A night of contemproary ballet with the Dominic Walsh Dance Theater.

See you there.

Tags: ballet, contemporary ballet, dance, dominic walsh, Dominic Walsh Dance Theater

Tonight: Performance, Technology & Science

Tonight, Wednesday, January 21, 2009
7:30pm
Barnevelder Movement/Arts Complex
2201 Preston Street, Houston, Texas
Admission: Free

On the occasion of the publication of his new book, Performance, Technology, and Science (New York, PAJ Publications, 2008), theatre director/choreographer Johannes Birringer will address ideas and suggestions for the interrelationship of digital media art, performance, and choreography, show film excerpts from his latest production, Corpo, Carne e Espírito, which premiered in Brasil last June, as well as from Suna no Onna, his collaborative dance work with fashion and interactive/smart garment designers, which was shown at London’s Laban Centre. He will address the recent history of dance and technology and the emergence of interactive art and bio art in an international context of art & science collaboration.

Birringer is artistic director of the Houston-based AlienNation Co. and directs the
Center for Contemporary and Digital Performance at Brunel University, London.
He has created numerous multimedia dance-theatre productions in Houston since moving there in 1987, including Invisible Cities, Ad Mortem, North by South, Parachute, and Mirak, and his digital dance and screen-based works have been shown at festivals around the world, most recently at Dança em Foco (Rio de Janeiro) and Choreographic Capture (Munic0h). He is the author several books including Dance & Cognition, Media and Performance, and Performance on the Edge.

This event is sponsored by Barnevelder Movement/Arts and Dance Source Houston

For more information, call 713-529-1819

Tags: arts + events, Barnevelder, dance, technology

Join me on the couch this Friday

Oh, the Fall events season is upon us! And judging by this past week, it’s gonna be a doozie this year.  Social calendar’s filling with tha quickness.

I’m so excited to be a part of a the steering committee this season for the fantastic Dominic Walsh Dance Theater.  If you’ve never seen one of their performances, you’re in for a treat.  (Even if you have, you’re still in for a treat. duh.)

An awesome thing the steering committee will be doing this season is hosting the Casting Couch.  With a purchased ticket to select performances, you will be able to attend the cast party, including cocktails and conversations with the dancers on the stage directly following the performance.  (I’m already practicing lines from Center Stage.) I’m a dance movie fanatic. Oh yeah, Channing Tatum.

This Friday night kicks off the 2008-2009 season with William Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus at the Hobby Center at 7:30pm.

“I read this play about seven years ago and was immediately drawn to its physicality,” remarks Dominic Walsh, director  and principal of DWDT.  “I am also intrigued by the play’s paradoxical themes and have gathered together the ideal team of designers, musicians, and dancers to investigate how these themes are relevant to the conflicts of today’s world.”

I hope that some of you will join me on the couch this Friday night!

Tickets can be purchased here or by calling 713-652-3938.

Tags: arts + events, dance, Dominic Walsh Dance Theater, DWDT