Today we started gathering dances and music routines for the Festival Finale on the 13th, I am so excited for the finale. Tomorrow there is going to be a free lakeside concert at the Bates College Keigwin Amphitheatre. The music is by our Festival musician’s. Join us for a dance.
Lots to Gardens a program based in Lewiston that teaches people how to grow their own food, provides affordable access to fresh food, and involves youth as leaders. They came to YAP today and we talked about the Youth Food Bill of Rights and some ways we could get more healthy food into our everyday lives. Like better food at school!
Tonight was the musicians concert at the Franco-American Heritage Center. It was amazing!! The best part was when Mike Wall sang, “Make It Rain” by Tom Waits. The concert featured many talented musicians from around the world including our very own Terrence Karn!
Possibility is everywhere. It drips from every day, every hour, and every micro-moment.
In 1972, an Oberlin student named Nancy saw possibility in Steve Paxton’s work Magnesium. She too wanted to explore the dynamics between the subtlety of movement and the velocity of movement. This curiosity led her into her life’s work as a contact improvisor.
Today, the name Nancy Stark Smith is a household name (in the house of dance, that is). Over lunch, the Festival community had the opportunity to converse with Nancy about her dance life. The setting was casual, but Nancy spoke with measured clarity. She talked about movement experiments with Steve Paxton, the early performances at John Weber Art Gallery, and the inaugural jams.
As I listened to Nancy speak, I became aware of the power of possibility. Nancy explained that complex lifts and easeful weight transfers do not mark a Contact virtuoso. Instead, masterful contact improvisation occurs when partners listen with their bodies and remain present with their minds. Most importantly, it is about recognizing possibility and embracing it. The masterful contact improvisor is never stops encountering the new.
-Brianna
We had two guest musicians today, Michael and Rob, who will be performing in the Musicians’ Concert at the Franco-American Heritage Center in Lewiston tomorrow. The zoe | juniper performance that was on Friday was very interesting. They used a lot of dance elements such as speed, choppy vs. smooth, levels, cannons and video projections. I thought the show was pretty amazing. I was stunned to see such beautiful dancing and amazing costumes. They wore body tights / unitard type costumes and there were projections of the performers dancing while they danced.
It’s already Week 2! While every week has phenomenal music, this one may be the best simply due to the extracurriculars we’ve got goin’ on. Here’s what’s happening…..
If you missed the wonderful works in progress showing last night, be sure not to miss the David Dorfman Lecture Demonstration tonight! It’s 7:30pm in the Schaeffer Theatre. Last night’s three pieces featured tracks ranging from heavy synthesizer to powerful live voice to nostalgic favorites. I’m sure tonight will feature a few numbers we all love as well.
This Tuesday is The Musician’s Concert at the Franco-American Heritage Center. Hop on the bus at 6:50 and 7:10 to hear the something we’ve all been waiting for…..all the musicians in a single space!
Friday brings not only Class Switch Day but the first of the David Dorfman performances. Finally get to jam with the accompanists that you don’t see every day.
Round out your weekend with UN/STABLE LANDSCAPE: The Equus Project & Black Label Movement. Site specific always results in an exciting and unpredictable soundscape.
Happy listening!
-Sophie
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Bates Dance Festival * Pettigrew Hall * 305 College St. * Lewiston, ME 04240-6016
Phone: (207) 786-6381 * Fax: (207) 786-8332 |
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