[MEMBER BLOG] Irfana: Watching TBDC up close

Photo by Lois Greenfield

Tonight, I joined a number of my co-workers to see the Trisha Brown Dance Company at Dance Theater Workshop. The company performed Foray Forêt (1990), Watermotor (1978) and For M.G.: The Movie (1991). This performance was the DEBUT of the company at DTW…yes, I too was surprised to learn that they had never performed there previous to this run. What I enjoyed most about this performance was being able to watch the company in such an intimate space…and really up close.

A highlight: the revival of  the solo work Watermotor which was performed by Neal Beasley. This is the first time that this solo has been danced by anyone other than Brown. Watermotor is a wonderfully exciting and quick solo that travelled through the space like a spinning top. The solo captured a nonchalant execution of highly particular and detailed movement. During intermission I watched a video of Trisha performing this solo in 1978…I think her hair added a whole new body of movement to the piece.

You can see this video (and more!) for yourself by heading to DTW’s lobby over the next few days…they have archival TBDC videos that are playing most of the day. DTW is also live streaming the performance and post-show talk on Friday March 25th starting at 7:30: http://www.dancetheaterworkshop.org/blog/2011/03/23/live-streaming-trisha-brown-dance-company-performance-post-show-talk/

[Member Blog] Lori: NYLA Welcome Session

New York Live Arts Welcome Session at DTW

Our Dance Community gathered at the beloved Dance Theater Workshop on Saturday, February 19, for the much anticipated New York Live Arts Community Welcome Session, presented in partnership with Dance/NYC.  Since announcement in early December of the merger between the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company and Dance Theater Workshop, there has been notable concern for the future of DTW and its programming.

The session, moderated by Michelle Coffey, allowed both Bill T. Jones and Carla Peterson to address their dedication to their mission and excitement for their future collaborations together.  Executive Director Jean Davidson fielded many questions regarding the merger and future operations of the organization, and  introduced the staff of NYLA, an amalgamate of DTW and BTJ teams.  As Coffey opened up the discussion to questions from the audience, the NYLA directors posed as many questions as were asked.  Bill T. Jones jokingly set dates with several audience members for 18 months out, when he will have the answers to the dance community’s questions.

Both organizations will finish out their seasons, yet NYLA is already present on the web, live tweeting the Welcome Session, @NewYorkLiveArts and making connections through their Facebook page.  For more information on the future of New York Live Arts visit newyorklivearts.org.

Writing on Dance Workshop!

Exciting opportunity from DTW:

Writing on Dance with Eva Yaa Asantewaa
Announcing the return of the dance criticism workshop, Writing on Dance, taught by Eva Yaa Asantewaa, writer for Dance Magazine and InfiniteBody. The workshop will be held at Dance Theater Workshop on Wednesday nights from 5-7pm, from March 30-May 11, with a final class on June 1. Further information and request for applications will soon be available at dancetheaterworkshop.org. Any questions regarding the Writing on Dance Workshop may be addressed to Ben Kimitch, Community Liaison/Programming Assistant, at ben@dtw.org.

[JOURNAL] Nolini Barretto, Producer of New York Sitelines Festival

Submitted by Christina Rinaldi

Nolini Barretto

Nolini Barretto’s resume reads like a Who’s Who of the NYC Dance Community. She worked for the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance for thirteen years, was the Director of Marketing for Dance Theater Workshop and was the founding Director of the Emergency Fund for Student Dancers. She is an Advisory Board Member for Buglisi/Foreman Dance and the Emergency Fund for Student Dancers. She is currently the Producer of the Sitelines Festival, a free site-specific choreography festival presented by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council & the River To River Festival.