Culture makes you healthier

An Irish Times article today says so.

Get thee to a dance performance!

Rock Om rehearsal footage May 2011

Some bits we're working on at the moment.

In this video Krista Racho-Jansen and Hunt Parr

Be counted! The Dance NYC census is open until May 27th

As someone who lives in New York City and is involved in dance, I felt it was important to take 10 minutes to fill out the Dance NYC Workforce Census. It is online, and is completely anonymous. If you are a dancer, choreographer, dance teacher, or a lighting designer / manager / costume designer / administrator who works with dance companies, and you live and / OR work in the 5 boroughs, please take 10 minutes to complete this important census, so the Dance NYC Junior Committee can advocate for YOU.

Thanks!

- Rachel

Over 500 people who worked in the dance field in NYC in 2010 have already participated in the Census. Have you? BE COUNTED. http://ow.ly/4Ry8Y

Performance May 21st 8pm!

Join us for an evening of contemporary dance in Wicklow!  

As part of Bealtaine 2011 throughout May we'll be working with professional dancers and older residents in Tinahely, County Wicklow at the Courthouse Arts Centre http://www.tinahely-courthouse.ie/

On May 21st we're holding an all day workshop and an evening performance.  We have a lovely evening planned of new pieces performed by the community alongside professionals as well as company repertoire.  Come join us and see what we've been up to!

When:  May 21st 8pm
Where:  Courthouse Arts Centre, Tinahely, County Wicklow
Cost:  10 euro
Bookings:  (0)402 38529 9.30am to 6pm, Tuesday to Friday or email bookings@tinahely-courthouse.ie

Seating is limited so book quickly!  

On street parking available and wheelchair accessible.
This project is generously supported by the Courthouse & Wicklow County Council

A little light relief from royal weddings...

Happy International Dance Day 2011!

A video from expandance's three founding ladies to you, the four or five people who regularly read this blog :D

Mucho grá,
Rachel, Alicia and Laurie



More on UNESCO International Dance Day - the wikipedia article is here.

p.s. don't forget! Alicia performs her new solo '12 Steps' at the gorgeous Backstage Theatre in Longford, Ireland today at 4pm as part of LD Dance Fest 2011.

Rock Om teaser is online :)

Check it!  See for yourself how we Rocked SITE Fest 2011.  Thanks to editor virtuoso Lauren Auricchio Rock Om is now online.  Choreographed by Rachel Wynne, with Hunt Edward Parr, Krista Racho-Jansen, Clare Cook, Erica Frankel and Megan Kennedy, if this doesn't get you going, well....

A special shout out to Bushwick Starr Theatre, NYC and Arts in Bushwick, you guys Rock! 

Stay tuned for the next performance :)

- Alicia

Next performance Friday 29th April

We're delighted to be presenting the next installment of '12 Steps', Alicia's solo about her process in dance-making. This piece has been performed at Riverbank Arts Centre, Kildare and at the George Bernard Shaw Theatre in Carlow, and we're happy to be bringing it to LD Dance Fest at the Backstage Theatre on Friday.

Over the last couple of months we've developed the text and movement of this piece via Skype rehearsals between Alicia (on Donard Mountain in Wicklow) and Rachel (in New York City) and that process alone has been enlightening and hugely beneficial to both of us as dance artists. Come see the result on April 29th, 4pm at the Backstage Theatre, Longford, Ireland.

Please note! LD Dance Fest ALWAYS sells out, so get your tickets in advance. Remember our piece 'Sephiroth / The Forest Piece' for this festival a few years ago? Remember how packed it was? :)

Thanks to Anica Louw at Shawbrook and Fred Walshe for their support of this piece.
Photo credit Mary Hutton.

Thank you Wicklow County Council!

Dear Wicklow County Council,

Thank you for supporting us with a bursary this spring to continue developing our work and our technique. Because of you, we've been able to take on two new and incredibly talented professional dancers - Kathleen Doherty and Ailish Claffey - to engage in studio research with us and on a new project at The Courthouse Arts Centre, http://www.tinahely-courthouse.ie/ in May. By supporting us in this way, you are not only providing the space and time for three professionals to collaborate, develop and expand as artists, you are highlighting the importance of contemporary dance in rural Ireland and enabling dance communities to grow.

You make us feel all warm and fluffy inside.

Alicia, Laurie & Rachel

Teen Dance Day at Riverbank

Our Teen Dance Day at Riverbank Arts Centre was a huge success! The participants amazed me with their creativity and energy.  By day's end they had taken part in a technique class, learned the expandance approach to improvisation, choreographed their own movement phrases, created a dance piece, contributed to their own tech rehearsal, and performed their own work on the Riverbank stage!  WELL DONE to you all and a big THANK YOU to Riverbank Arts Centre for their continued support.  -Alicia