Happy New Year with Free Art.
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b
Art imitating life
Hey guys.
I hope everyone is well. I want to start off by saying thank to everyone who helped my friend Quinn Wharton of the San Francisco Ballet get his project funded through kickstarter. Im sure he has a lot of photos to send everyone:)
Currently Ive been working on producing a new season of works through my company TAGsf here in good ol ‘San Francisco called What it is? at Kunstoff-Arts on September 23rd and 24th. The evening consist of a new work by one of my dancers Alex Jenkins who is making a new 15minute work which I’m sure is going to be super high energy and out of control. There will be another special guest choreographer who will be showing another 15min work and I’m closing out the evening with a new dance theater piece titled Nemesis. My piece is rooted in my childhood growing up on comics and anime. Nemesis explores the random chance life encounters that shapes someone for either good or evil. The piece also looks into the theme of identity/mask and how we see ourselves/ how we are seen. One of the coolest things that has me excited about the show aside from the actual work process is the online campaign. Every week I will be showing new content through FB, Blog, Twitter and my website. I will be showing behind the scenes in depth looks into the process through pics, music, art and video. There will also be made for web dance films with numerous special guest artist (Im sure you might know some of there names) that tie directly into the show. There is also going to be new music which I’m getting asked all of the “Where can I get it?”.
Below I posted a quick clip of a section called 1minute warning danced as a solo(its not gonna be a solo though) at the San Francisco West Wave Dance Festival along with some rehearsal pics. I am go on record and say that I am the first person to execute an intentional plank onstage btw.
If you wish to stay up to date with all of the happening for the show you can go directly to my website at Btroubles.com where you can also help support us get the show funded so that we can pay the dancers, get costumes, sets, online support. We already have the space booked and right now we are hard at work rocking and rolling to give everyone an amazing evening.
pics by Natalia Salazar Turienzo
Me turning on the fan before rehearsal
Watching a run through
Planking
Join SFB for the AIDS Walk of 2011!
When I was living in Germany it was very hard to become involved in any type of community work due to the fact that I didn’t speak the language. I often saw the Hamburg Ballet involving itself in work that supported important causes, and it was something I didn’t want to forget. I remember sitting in my room during one of those dark winter days when I came across an article on the AIDS Walk in San Francisco. I told myself that not only would I endeavor to participate in this important and good cause, but that if they weren’t already involved, I would get my company to participate too. Having an opportunity to be a part of something that is greater than you is an amazing experience, and that is what the AIDS Walk represents to me.
Last year I approached SFB with the idea of getting the company involved in the walk. It had been done before, but to my knowledge it had never been initiated by a dancer. I didn’t want people to just hand me money in the name of the cause (although that is a very important part of fundraising), I wanted people to truly get involved. I wanted the community to see that SFB is a company that sees the problems the world is facing, and wants to be an active part in helping to overcome them. I wanted people to understand that our work as a company offstage can be as revolutionary as the important work we do onstage. I was thrilled to quickly learn that many people in the company were just as excited as I was about joining the AIDS Walk. I was simply a girl who came in with an idea, but the San Francisco Ballet Team did all the hard work. Our HR team was quick to take over the many areas that I had no idea how to handle; I’m so grateful for all of the generosity that they showed. In the end the San Francisco Ballet Team was a complete success in the AIDS Walk of 2010, and many people in the company got involved: dancers and non-dancers alike.
One of the most important dancers to join the SFB Team last year was Garen Scribner. I’m happy to report that he is leading the way to this year’s AIDS Walk in many ways – so far he has already raised $1,800! Not only is he leading the way in fund raising, but he and our HR Coordinator Kate Schroeder are working hard to organize everything for this year’s team.
Now that you have heard a little background it is time to get to work! We want to raise as much awareness as possible, so please take a moment and visit the AIDS Walk SF website by CLICKING HERE.
Once you are signed up it’s time to start fund raising! Even a simple post on Facebook about your fund raising goals can make a difference. Every dollar counts!
The physical walk itself will talk place on July 17th. I hope to see you all there!
Live Interview Tonight!
Hi all! As usual - long time no blog!
So so so much has been happening here in NYC since recovering from my surgery back in September…and tonight I’m being interviewed live on The Kiner Hour - Let’s Talk Dance with Ashani Mfuko! Tune in for this broadcast tonight, 7-8 pm EST, on http://talkingalternative.com, or watch here on Ustream.tv! Call in live at 877-480-4120. (It won’t let me embed the video here…sorry 
)
More updates to come soon 
3/30 UPDATED: Unfortunately the interview was canceled last minute To be rescheduled soon!
Stepping into show week…
Chanelle Lagace and Lynn Peterson rehearsing “Dolce”
I can hardly believe it’s here! We enter production week on Tuesday, technically, but it really started yesterday as we sat in one of the music rehearsals. All of the performances will be accompanied by live music (two different programs) so it’s a lot of logistics to get instrumentalists, composers, conductors, sheet music, tempo checks, etc etc etc all together for the big week. This year we are beyond thrilled to be working with Artemis Chamber Ensemble, conducted by Matthew Oberstein for Program “A” (”Dolce” and “the last of the leaves”) and for Program “B”, “Toward Home”, we are working with six incredibly talented musicians (The Paumanok Trio, and Simon Boyar, Oren Fader, and Mat Fieldes) who are brilliantly bringing Damon Ferrante’s score to life. It is all so breathtaking to see it coming together before my eyes and ears! This week is what it’s all about. All aspects coming together.. dancers, musicians, choreographer, visual artists, and perhaps most important, our AUDIENCE!!! It has been nearly two years since our last Season in New York, so we are so excited to share the work and welcome our audience in for such an exciting week.
We hope some Wingers will join us!! (as always, enter discount code “winger” for discount!). Tix here: brownpapertickets.com
Matthew taking notes in rehearsal
Jeremy Neal and Nico Li rehearsing “Toward Home”
Mat Fieldes and Simon Boyar rehearsing Damon Ferrante’s “Toward Home”
Chanelle and Lynn
This time always feel like a dream come true. I suppose that is exactly what it is. Dances in my head, dreamed of over and over again coming to life. This is a special time and a precious collaboration. I am very proud indeed of what is to come this week.
xoxo
Kate
Ms. Alston Macgill
Hi everyone. Just wanted to take a quick moment to introduce you to the amazingly talented Ms. Alston Macgill. If you’ve been a Winger visitor for a while, you might remember Alston from posts by me and Veronica Moretti Niebuhr, her wonderful teacher at The Studio in Savannah, Georgia.
This fall Alston started attending The Rock School for Dance Education in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (the prestigious 44-year old ballet school co-directed by Bo Spassoff and Stephanie Wolf Spassoff) and will be sharing some of her school experiences here at The Winger. I attended the Rock summer program once way back in the day, so I’m really interested to hear about their year-round program, and even more excited to see Alston’s journey.
Welcome Alston!
SAVE THE ROYAL BALLET OF FLANDERS
http://www.royalballetofflanderssupportgroup.net/
Joke Schauvliege, the Flemish Minister of Culture recently made a decision that will ultimately destroy the Royal Ballet of Flanders, the only classical ballet company in Belgium. She has decided to merge the Royal Ballet of Flanders with the Flemish Opera, having one intendant to be the administrator for both the ballet and the opera. Yes that is right, one intendant to decide the programming and budgeting for two very different performing arts.
Kathryn Bennetts is the artistic director of the company. She is highly regarded and has created a world-renowned company since 2005. Each year she brings more and more of her wealth of knowledge and experience to the company and its dancers. Katherine has announced that if this merge happens she will resign.
During the Second World War Winston Churchill was asked by his finance minister if Britain should cut arts funding to support the war efforts. Churchill’s response was, “Then what are we fighting for?” While time has passed since the Second World War it seems that we are still dealing with this same question, “What are we fighting for?” In today’s world everywhere we turn we hear about the global financial crisis and how each government is trying everything in its power to fix the problems. I want every government in the world to understand that allowing the arts to be the first thing to be downsized is a disastrous decision. What artists do is not simple, mindless entertainment. Great art is capable of changing minds and hearts. Art is a power unlike any other, a power that is capable of bringing peace and enlightenment to the world.
This recent decision by the government of Flanders is an enormous tragedy for The Royal Ballet of Flanders, but it is also a tragedy for art and dance throughout the entire world. As artists our only option is to stand up for what we believe in and support our fellow dancers and artists. This is not the only situation where arts are being abandoned, it is happening everyday more and more. We must be heard, and we must make a difference.
Is true art really so lost in today’s world that it can be pushed aside so easily, without even a second thought? I have not dedicated my life to art because I believe it is something so feeble. We can not let the government of Flanders undermine the importance of great art.
Ways you can help:
- Visit http://www.royalballetofflanderssupportgroup.net/ and sign the petition
- Write a letter addressed to Joke Schauvliege (the Minister of Culture). Send your letter to ">
Important things to be mentioned in the email
1) The Company does not want an “Intendant” who will do the programming for the ballet
2) The budget should be raised
3)The actual proposition from the Minister of Culture will mean the end of the Royal Ballet of Flanders
Help Save the Royal Ballet of Flanders part 1: featuring Courtney Wright Anderson.
Hey guys. This posting is brought to you by Courtney Anderson of the Royal Ballet of Flanders whom is asking for your help to save her company The Royal Ballet of Flanders from merging with the Flemish Opera into one company. With the merger a lot of talented dancers will be forced to find new work amongst many other things. I had recently requested Courtney to do a quick write up about herself and her career so that everyone can see what kind of amazing artist and people are working for the Ballet Flanders and how they’re livelihoods would be affected with a merger of the Opera.
Courtney Anderson of The Royal Ballet of Flanders
I was born in Colorado Springs, and began my dance training in San Diego. I continued my training in Colorado Springs and then Littleton with Belliston Academy of Ballet. I spent my last two years of training at Pacific NW Ballet where I met my husband and dancer, Garrett Anderson. We both moved to join San Francisco Ballet in 2000. Living in SF, we met Brian through other SFB dances, and soon got to experience all of his crazy energy and creative projects. I’ve since discovered that Brian is one of these artists- always exploring and moving forward, and whom everyone seems to know.
After 8 years of living in the coolest city ever (SF!), and dancing in a fantastic company, Garrett and I decided to move to Europe to try the dance scene there. This is our third season with Royal Ballet of Flanders in Antwerp, one of Europe’s most charming and hidden cities. Most Americans (myself included!) had never even heard of Flanders (it’s the northern region of Belgium) or know that we speak Flemmish here (a softer dialect of Dutch because of the French influence from the south).
In the 2 years we’ve been here, we’ve gotten to work with, among others, Kylian, Forsythe, Marcia Haydee and Nicolo Fonte- definite highlights of our experience here. And of course working with Kathy Bennetts has been great. She’s a passionate director, amazing coach and teaches the best class. And she has a great team of Ballet Masters. Moving to Antwerp has been an adventure and learning experience, both personally and professionally. And it’s been a reminder what a great country America is, and that it’s definitely home.
Here is a youtube clip of the Director Kathryn Bennetts speaking about the current situation.
Here is more info with video on DancePulp
Part 2 of this post is headed by San Francisco Ballet dancer and fellow Winger Madison Keesler whom will be sharing her thoughts on the current situation too!
stay tuned and please stay involved because if we as artist and lovers of art wont stand up for each other, who will?
b
1 Month Post-Surgery & Recent Interviews
Hey Wingers
It’s been one (long) month since I had surgery on my foot (in case you missed it, I had Haglund’s Deformity and serious bursitis…) and though I’m desperately missing dancing, recovery seems to be going well!
I’m finally off the awful crutches and I should be out of the giant boot within a week or so. Getting around New York City on one foot was NOT fun. At all. Once I got rid of the crutches things got a little easier, though the boot makes it difficult to do stairs. I’ve been taking the bus everyone from my new apartment in Queens, which has been more of a pain than the foot itself! But things have slowly been improving…
I’ve started physical therapy (again) to regain my range of motion, and pretty soon we’ll start strengthening. I’m so anxious to get back to class and get back in shape! Last night I took my first (half of a) yoga class and it was amazing to finally move and work my muscles after a month of doing nothing. I guess the rest is good for me but…I can’t take it anymore, haha.
Anyway, my doctor and physical therapist both seem pleased at my healing progress and are surprised at how quickly it’s going. It seems slow to me but…I’m thankful it’s not any slower.
I’ve had a lot of good friends helping me out over the past month and I can’t express how thankful I am to them. So many people have offered me help and I really truly appreciate it. I’m also super stubborn though and I try to do things on my own…but especially during the first few weeks post-surgery I just couldn’t. It’s a tough lesson to learn - that sometimes, you need help. I’m lucky to have so many amazing people in my life!
On another note, I’ve had much more time and energy to devote to my blog since I can’t dance. Check out some of the cool interviews I’ve done recently:
Janet Jackson Dancer and SYTYCD finalist Ellenore Scott:
“Ms. Jackson came in at the last round to hand pick some dancers she wanted to see. When I got the phone call I got the job, I flipped out! I started to cry! I called my mom and told her and my dad and they were both so proud! I was a great moment in my dance career. ”
Ballet West Apprentice Katie Meeusen:
Hubbard Street 2 Dancer Alice Klock:
“Working at Hubbard is an inspiration everyday. Just the energy in the building is enough to get me thrilled for the dancing that is to be done.”
New Rock School Student Alston MacGill:
“My goal for this year is to become super strong in my technique. Everyone here is so good and it pushes me to be an even better dancer, it’s a great challenge!”
…and there are some more exciting ones coming up soon. Keep up with the full blog of my recovery and more here.
So You Think You Can Dance!
Hey Wingers!!
I’m sorry I haven’t been able to post in such a long time. With a tv show, there are a lot of things we’re not allowed to do, and any sort of interactions on the internet are one of them! But now that I’m off the show, I can somewhat resume to a normal daily life.
Just thought I would update you all on what has happened since I last posted! SO - I auditioned for So You Think You Can Dance again (season 7) and after a long and grueling process, I made it to the top 10! (Top 11 this year). I had such an amazing journey on the show and I learned SO much and I am so grateful for everything. I spent 5 weeks on the show, and during that 5 weeks I had the most life changing experience. I know it sounds crazy that something can really drastically change your life in 5 weeks, but this definitely does! With the crazy schedule, how much we learn and the amazing people that you get to work with AND live with, it just completely betters you as a person.
I’ll update everyone later on my specific experience through the whole process but I just wanted to check in first and let everyone know how I am doing. On my 5th week, I suffered an injury the night before show day during a rehearsal of my Bollywood piece on stage. I completely snapped my right Achilles tendon in half, and that has forced me to withdraw from the competition.
I’m just waiting here in LA for my surgery tomorrow morning (Tuesday, July 13th) and hoping that it all goes well so I can start my long journey to recovery!
I just want to say thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout my journey and that I am so grateful for even being here in the first place.
If you’d like to follow me closely I will be keeping my facebook page and my twitter page constantly updated. You can follow me on twitter here:
http://www.twitter.com/alexdwong
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/alexwongdance
Here is the Sonya Tayeh contemporary piece that I danced with Allison Holker:
And here is the Tabitha & Napoleon Hip Hop piece that I danced with Twitch! :
Enjoy!
