Cedar Lake, JOURNEY TO A NEW WORLD

As the Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet performs Orbo Novo, meaning “New World”, that is exactly what they discovered this weekend! No longer a stranger to any theatre but their own, Cedar Lake explodes upon new territory, infiltrating The Joyce Theater like the European explorers for which their work is named!

Orbo Novo is an absolutely stunning, fascinating piece of artistry in every way. If Cedar Lake really does journey to a new world, the choreography, sets, dancers, and sound are the elements they need for their journey. Not one element goes underused, and the journey to the New World could not have been made without every tiny, immortal detail.

The Set- (THE SHIP)

Walking into The Joyce Theater, the set is masterfully laid out in front of you before anything even begins. A towering 12-foot high wall of movable, interconnecting grids, created by Alexander Dodge, creates the animalistic, harsh realities we all face as social, emotional, and physical beings. The connecting grids force the dancers to question the ideas of individuality and the ways we connect with the world around us. At times it resembles a giant cage, trapping the dancers inside like birds. At other times it is a defense mechanism, and even further a means of play for fun discoveries. One thing is true, these dancers are NOT afraid of heights! At any moment, a dancer could’ve tumbled to the floor…but noooo, not Cedar Lake. They are fearless, calculated perfection.

The Choreographer– (THE CAPTAIN)

Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, the Belgian choreographer who has taken home many awards internationally, leads the troupe fearlessly into uncharted terrain. He has these dancers all over the place like wild monkeys, (birds, dinosaurs, squirrels, clouds, Olympic gymnasts, autumn leaves caught in a tornado)… You name it -the imagery is there. The movement is so seamless and fluid that it is impossible to discern where one movement stops and another begins. Are the dancers in charge of the movement, or is the movement in charge of the dancers? Some stunts are just completely inhuman….( a male duo where they convulse intensely in seizure-like tremors)! Some stunts leave me unsure whether to commend the choreographer’s imagination or the dancers’ outrageous skills!

The Sound- (THE SEA)

The musical score, created by composer Szymon Broska, oozes out from the back of the stage as we dimly see the strings and piano. The music often is beautifully liquid and builds from one instrument to the entire sound system, capturing the dancers’ turbulent energy and taking them where they need to go. The score is literally like an ocean current, hurling the dancers from scene to scene. For a portion of the show, the dancers make their own music as they recite entire monologues from the book ”My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist’s Personal Journey.” The dancers SPEAK the words in PERFECTLY rehearsed unison, yet insanely natural sounding, as if they are saying this all for the first time… making the dance more of a sign language session than a dance. At points, everyone is lip-syncing, except one dancer who is actually speaking. We, the audience, can’t tell who is actually doing the speaking! It is truly awesome to watch. The speech deals with how our brains have two sides and how our relationship between the two hemispheres make us who we are.

The Dancers- (THE CREW)

The 16 dancers come from all over the globe and many of them boast professional ballet credits and are now living here in our city. Lucky for Cedar Lake! The mix of ethnicities is absolutely breathtaking and every dancer is such an individual, sharing one common thread – being the most ABLE, pliable, flexible, strong, relatable contemporary dancers out there! They portray the determination and intelligence (Imagine memorizing a 15 minute monologue AND dancing!) needed to make Orbo Novo completely surreal.

Finally, after what seems to be a too-short show, Cedar Lake flawlessly steers itself and the world of contemporary dance to new fascinating heights, quite literally. I can’t wait to see what artistic director Benoit-Swan Pouffer comes up with next for this fearless company.

iDANZ Critix Corner
Official Dance Review by Sheena DiMatteo
Performance: Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet
Venue: The Joyce Theater, New York City
Choreographer: Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui
Date: October 23, 2009
www.iDANZ.com

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CUTSKIES! (CUT-skees): exclamation announced after being cut from an audition.

I got cut. Again. A telephone call to Mom we all have made, some of us more times than others… not depending on talents, but on how many auditions we’ve put ourselves through! The truth is, it’s a dirty world out there…. and landing a job from an Equity chorus call is just about as easy as skinning a rhino. I mean, living in Queens, who knows where to even FIND a rhino, let alone chase it down, not get mulled or trampled, buy a tranquilizer gun, actually learn how to use such a thing on said rhino, find a knife sharp enough to skin it (would one even use a knife?), not pass out from utter exhaustion….or nausea, the list goes on and on.

Then, once one does go through all the atrocious steps required to skin a rhino, he runs the risk  of not even wanting a skinned rhino anymore! You think to yourself, why did I want to do such a thing in the first place? I now, hereby have this big dead rhino with his organs all exposed and I’ve made quite a mess. Splendid. Such is the auditioning world. ….

We run around from building to building, signing our names list upon list, donning our “cutest” 42^nd Street outfits, laughing mindlessly at casting directors’ jokes, and making our best small talk... most of the time to be turned away before we even get to do a proper time step. Wish we could invent some kind of computerized rhino catcher, but we just can’t. So I am raising a toast to us, the brave hunters of NYC, and saying let’s celebrate the chase we all know and don’t love. Below are some real live ways some fellow hunters ease the punch-in-the-gut I like to call…CUTSKIES!!

When I get cut, I pamper myself by:

(Name, followed by recent credit)

“Going shopping at Lush with the money I don’t have.” Mark Roland, La Cage Aux Falles

“I'm with Mark...shoe shopping is what I like best...although I've had to stop that b/c my credit card to a little ridic!"Amanda Holt, dancer, HAIR Italy tour

“Going to Starbucks or Cosi with friends and eat a real breakfast or lunch without feeling guilty for not being at work! Joice Passos, dancer, Evita National Tour 

“Get S***faced”- Ben Bryden, Jazz Musician (not recommended)

“I’Il spend an evening with my two favorite gentlemen, Mr. Ben and Mr. Jerry. Usually we feed our Phish or sample some creme brulee. ;)” Cara Kierzkowski, actress, How To Succeed

"Caramel frapuccino from Starbucks! It helps everytime :)" Robin Masella, dancer, Candide

“Having an 80s dance party in the kitchen.” Kayleen Simon

“Getting on the train and going home.” Kara Prete, Stiletto Ent. (cue trombone WAAA WAAA)

“Retail therapy! Or eat until I’m numb. Either one!...I also like to come to auditions under the idea that I am hired by Equity to be the entertainment at the auditions….kinda like a court jester.” Jessica Rochwarger, HSM

“Besides eating? Immediately changing my facebook status to an inspirational quote”.                        Lindsay Bracco, Joseph and the ATDC

“Considering my alternative careers… the most recent development? Starting a fake mustache company.” Maxim Gukhman, HSM

 “Well… it depends on how well you felt you did, and what reward matches the same level of the deserving actions...” Ben Byrd (Zumba instructor/Ballroom dancer)

Feel free to comment with tactics of your own! Get out there and keep auditioning. Someone's got to get hired... might as well be you!

EURO-graphers JAM 2009 - You're Up in New York!

New York City choreographer and teacher, of Manhattan Movement and Arts Center, Ryan Daniel Beck had a wish… a dance wish.  After working extensively overseas with esteemed European choreographers, he wished for some way to bring his NYC students to Europe - sans the jet lag and weeping bank accounts.

(Cue light bulb!) Why not bring fresh choreographers from across the Atlantic right here to NYC?  And that is exactly what went down this Wednesday night, September 9^th, (09-09-09, hehe) during the 4-hour long, boot-camp-esque EURO-graphers JAM!  Beck organized the first of what he hopes to make a monthly event.  The master classes, in which I partook fully as a student (one of the cool iDANZ perks for being an iDANZ critic), were MERAVIGLIOS!  (Italian for wonderful!)

EURO-graphers JAM RECAP:

5 PM  The lineup starts off at at MMAC with the Italian beauty, Desi Storani, who offers an INTENSE no-nonsense warm-up similar to our American advanced jazz warm-up, but with some noticeable and welcome differences.  “Fast-paced”, “unique”, and “dynamic” just begin to describe it.   Storani attacks her warm-up as if she is performing for a crowd of millions.  It is truly inspiring.  Once the onslaught of plies, developpes, and releves commence, she explains in her limited English an across the floor combination and eventually leads into the combo.

 

5:45 PM  Storani’s style of movement blends classic jazz with the contemporary edge that has infiltrated the whole world of dance.  Most interesting is her ability to be completely effective despite a serious language barrier.  It just goes to show that you can hold a great dance class without even saying a word!  She uses the Foo Fighter’s “Best of You” and produces an artistic interpretation of the music as she hears it… free from an American’s perception of lyrics.

6:30 PM  The sweaty masses take 15 to shove down Luna bars and sneak a text.

6:45 PM  Beck introduces the dainty Julie Bour of France, for an hour-long crash course in exploratory contemporary movement to an eclectic mix of songs from classical to techno!  Bour stresses the importance of “going there”.  Whether it be high, low, or side to side.  My favorite quote from her, “Don’t SHOW your dance.  DO it.”  

7:45 PM Surviving students wish they had remembered a 5-hour energy drink.

 

8 PM French contemporary master Manuel Vignoulle, with his fiery hair and long-limbed physique, defines the home-stretch of the “Eurographers Jam” with floppy “arm-tastic” choreography.  Set to music that I’d like to say would accompany a duck-hunting outing…. we put our hands to our face “Home Alone” style and did everything but cartwheel our way to the end of the combo. This Cedar Lake dancer stresses details and not giving a long combo but one that is refined and worthwhile!

9:07 PM That’s a wrap!  Beck applauds the “survivors” of the night- those students who didn’t trickle out early! Eyes glazed over, we feel proud!

Overall a huge success, Mr. Ryan Daniel Beck surely must be proud of the evening he has presented.  Not only do the dancers receive an astounding workout, but get to experience the advanced, out-of-the-box choreography that Europe’s finest have to offer.

iDANZ Critix Corner 
Official Dance Review by  Sheena DiMatteo 
Workshop: EURO-graphers JAM 2009 
Facilitated by: Ryan Daniel Beck 
Venue:  Manhattan Movement and Arts Center (MMAC), New York City 
Date: September 9, 2009 
www.iDANZ.com

CLASS WATCH:Elisabetta Spuria @ STEPS ON BROADWAY

When dancer Elisabetta Spuria bought a one-way ticket from Italy to New York City 10 years ago, she had big ambitions, just like the thousands of dancers who flock here dreaming of bright lights and high kicks. However, only a tiny percentage of those dancers move on to teach and choreograph at one of the most prestigious dance schools in the entire city – which is exactly what she has recently achieved. After a windy road of class-taking, performing, teaching, and choreographing, this budding talent can be now be found subbing regularly at STEPS ON BROADWAY, teaching “advanced contemporary jazz.”

Just 5” tall, this spunky little ball of energy may be small, but Spuria’s talent and passion for dance is massive.  Don’t let her fun-loving personality deceive you, because although she can make you laugh, she will also make you sweat while critically correcting each dancer in class.

In Spuria’s class, you can expect a fast-paced warm-up that is clean and concise, well-thought out, and feels good on the body. Complete with plies, tendus, releves, ronde de jambes, and extensions- technique is not left behind. She adds in fitness value with a hard-core abs section, and tons of stretching.

Spuria doesn’t waste any time after the warm-up and always includes a few across the floor patterns to get the dancers moving and comfortable. Finally, in the nurturing environment that she has created, we are ready to dance her fun and fresh choreography!

Spuria’s choreography is sultry jazz with a contemporary kick, laced together by impressive technical elements. She has  recently used dynamic music “Feelin’ Good” by Adam Lambert, and a sexy cover of “Seven Nation Army”. A dancer’s difficulty level is challenged no matter his or her level of ability. Do a single or five pirouettes, kick your face or keep it low, and always work towards developing style. By the end of class Elisabetta is constantly urging people to push themselves farther, and to throw fear and pride to the wind. “It’s class!!! Mess up! Fall down! Who cares!”, she yells with a smile. When a student apologizes for asking a question, she exclaims, “Are you kidding me? Don’t apologize! I’m here to TEACH you, not show off my choreography.”

It is highly recommended that any advanced dancer challenge her/himself to this fantastic new gem of a class. Check out the guest teaching artists schedule as she teaches different time-slots each week thus far. Recent slots have been in place of Jason Parsons, Suzi Taylor, and Wes Veldink. Hopefully, with enough buzz she can lock down her own well-deserved schedule at this monarch of studios, STEPS ON BROADWAY.

Click here for Elisabetta's bio, reel, galleries, and more!

"Fall"-ing in Love with NYC

I'm deciding to take a little break from my oh-so-serious dance reviews and comment on how I spent a lovely Friday in early September. (Say that sentence with a British accent, it's fun.) 

Today I went and taught Zumba at Alvin Ailey. So much fun. So much sweat. Then afterwards caught a sushi lunch special with my two great buddies, Mark and Mandy. Mark and Mandy. Sounds like a sitcom. Don't really know where "Sheena" would fit into that sitcom... but I do!

After a day of roaming around in our sunglasses we went and saw the movie, Julie and Julia...or is it Julia and Julie... hmmm, not so sure. Too bad I'm too lazy to look it up and see. Let's just say it inspired me to cook 500 recipes in the next two weeks and transform my blog about dance into a cooking blog!! 

Ok, no it didn't. If I did that I'd have to get the fire department on speed-dial because I am a terrible cook.  Enough about me, Meryl Streep was to-die-for adorable. Just stunning!! That woman can bring anything to life. The joy she brought to the screen filled my heart until it wanted to burst. She is such a beautiful actress and even in the smallest moments she makes you feel that she truly understands every human emotion that has ever been felt. Just lovely! Go see her! Amy Adams is cute, but nothing compared to the strength of Streep. 

Sigh.... I really do love this city. You can just stroll up to a movie on a lazy Friday evening and have a grand old time in some comfy AMC chairs. Plus, good news, the Starbucks "Pumpkin Spice" drinks came out this week for which I am eternally grateful!! One sip and you're in a light jacket, on a hayride, picking out the perfect pumpkin, running through a cornstalk maze.... Even better, you can take coffee drinks into movies now, blatantly- out in the open- with no backlash! The days of hiding them in your purse, hoping they don't spill all over your cell phone... are over!  

Oh, Autumn in New York. A whole new adventure to discover. Jumpin' in.

NYC Fringe Festival presents "Face the Music...and Dance"

Thursday night I packed my bags for New York’s Best Staycation…  a trip to the FringeNYC… a festival of over 201 shows breaking onto the city’s performing arts scene. “Face the Music… and Dance!”, produced by Rachel Routh and directed by Tina Croll, celebrated 5 contemporary modern choreographers and enjoyed sold out crowds this weekend at 440 Studios on Lafayette Street! From nudity in blow-up swimming pools to microphone wires to the live music of Japanese shakuhachi flutes…. it was an evening to remember.

The show begins shortly after I treat myself to a Starbucks iced caramel macchiato and casually stroll down the street toward the theatre space…. Suddenly a sprite little dancer, shadowed by her team of live musicians, catches my eye. It is Noa Sagie, choreographer and dancer for the evening’s first piece- giving away a free pre-show in the streets to a throng of passer-bys… all sporting facial expressions that range from intrigue to utter confusion. I study her for a while as she whirls her way through passing strangers, playfully flirting in her red dress with lots of heightened animation.

Once I decide to leave the curious street dancer behind I find myself in the elevator, uber-cheerfully greeted by yet another dancer in character, Hyosun Choi, telling everyone to “keep clean” as she wipes down the walls of the elevator frantically. Another bit of foreshadowing?

Finally I reach the 3^rd floor where many disappointed Fringe-show-goers are turned away… SOLD OUT. Very exciting for the production team! I, with my iDANZ ticket firmly in grasp, enter proudly and take my spot in the front row! Go iDANZ! Once seated, I take note of yet another pre-show dancer, lying in a tiny blow-up kiddie pool, looking relaxed and exploratory while the crowd files in. The music team attempts to butter up the audience with some “Tell me your name, I’ll tell you mine” jokes…which may or may not have fallen a little flat.  Good intentions though. They get me to remember their names - Rick, Brian, and Perry!

The first piece is by far my favorite. Danced ever so graciously by all four female dancers, “Degas duck dag” fuses artful nudity with silly humor, then hits it home with intensely choreographed , athletic contemporary movement. Choreographer Noa Sagie truly understands how to make the most of a musical moment and doesn’t take herself too seriously which makes for an uplifting refreshment.She opens the piece with her “pool dancer” standing up in her bathing suit, turning to the back, and removing her top. Hair flowing, she explores the landscape of her body, which I must say was stunning, conveying the experience of taking a shower for the first time. As she discovers herself, so does the audience… in a big way. What starts out as profile nudity, turns quickly into a ready-or-not full frontal experience! Not sure how I feel about it, but one thing is certain, this dancer has guts!

The piece quickly changes gears when her three sidekicks enter wearing buckle-under-the-chin swimcaps and shimmering cocktail dresses. They galavant about the stage like characters from a strange dream, armed with squeaky rubber duckies and big personalities. The piece gathers momentum and really shows off Sagie’s gift for utilizing contemporary movement while simultaneously delving into the quirky colors of the music. The intention is to awaken Sagie’s view of Edward Degas’ paintings. Let’s hope we see more from her soon! Dancers: Noa Sagie, Hyosun Choi, Madelyn Biven, Meredith Blouin, and Sara Genoves-Sylvan.

Wooden Heart, featuring choreography by Julian Barnett offers some interest to the evening with two dancers, male and female, dancing around a microphone and wire. The piece opens with Jocelyn Tobias, microphone in hand, anxiously pacing around the stage- “Dare I speak into the mic?”, her body says. In the background, we hear a radio hour talking about how men can hold their liquor better than women.  Eventually, to the sounds of Portishead, she sings (quite well) and then partners with Julian Barnett himself. Barnett offers vivid, fresh choreography – my favorite part being the final section- Barnett acting as a puppet as Tobias stands behind him, arms on top of his, maneuvering his body in a seamless necklace of transitions.

Jet Stream, by Maura Ngyuen Donohue, adds live music, the three flute players with big personalities, into the mix. Donohue offers solid choreography, danced by herself and Julian Barnett, plus the well-placed musicians, (playing serene tunes reminiscent of a day at the spa), but I must admit this is the least memorable piece of the evening.

Choreographer Heidi Latsky jolts us with testosterone in What Would You Have Done?,  a modern duo between dancers Jeffrey Freeze and Luke Murphy. Inspired by the ending scene of the Reader, (which I have yet to see) this piece explores humanity and unity in response to hate. The staggeringly tall and lean Murphy contrasts greatly with the compact Freeze, and intensity only rises from the start of the piece to the finish. Highly physical and mind-numbingly serious, we wonder what is coming next as the two boys throw themselves and each other around the floor in an urgent shirtless frenzy!

Finally, director and choreographer Tina Croll brings a party in black to the stage with The Stamping Ground.  Croll uses a cornucopia of dancers, with a wide range of shapes, sizes, ages, and abilities to convey her message that gathering people together is our only hope in supporting each other through these difficult times. The pack runs around in circles, seemingly following each other, then performs simplistic choreography in unison to display the beauty of individuality- joined together. Dancers: Einy Aam, Mona Afable, Philippa Anderson, Erin DeLuca-Benson, Celia Devoe, Michelle Durante, Michelle Gilligan, Andrea Gise, Scott Lewis, Marissa Maislin, Ashley Marinelli, Alicia McConnell, Alexandra Mount-Campbell, Carla Reitano, Rossana Russo, Morgelyn Tenbeth-Ward, Helena Teply-Figman

 Overall, a successful evening for dance!  I highly recommend for any of you bored dancers… Take a staycation and take advantage of the many Fringe and NYMF shows coming up in this city! Remember, in supporting each other, we all succeed in sharing this art we all love.

 

Sheena DiMatteo

Read more reviews on: www.iDANZ.com

Nature's Wonders Highlight Downtown Dance Festival

Spotlighted by shots of sunlight poking through the greenery of Battery Park's trees, the Downtown Dance Festival came to life this Sunday, August 23rd. Although the morning teased NYC with the threat of rain, it turned out to be a gorgeous day for dance in the park.

The 28th Annual Downtown Dance Festival is presented by the Battery Dance Company, in addition to a generous package of sponsors, offering a free show and opportunities for companies of the city to strut their stuff. Although it highlighted 13 companies, I had the pleasure of witnessing only three of these, the Rebecca Kelly Ballet, Figures in Flight Dance Company, and the Chase Brock Experience. 

Figures in Flight Dance Company performed three consecutive pieces in the style of contemporary modern dance- War/Peace On Earth, Unexpected Moments, and Stranger in Moscow. Director Susan Slotnick bragged of her students' ability to pull off modern pieces conceptualized for adults, despite being no older than your average Hannah Montana fan. The preteens impressed me with their ability to focus on such serious subject matter- they seemed truly eager to present the work- but the pretentiousness of the work was a little off-putting on such fresh little youngsters. With technique class and age, they may actually grow into the work they presented. 

I must applaud the daughter of Slotnick, whose choreographic debut was shown, using eye-catching colorful umbrellas that popped to Michael Jackson's haunting vocals. Also, Slotnick's intention for the company - to promote peace in schools and youth, is commendable, as she offers to let the kids perform for schools via assemblies. If only the style and tone were a touch more relatable, the message might shine brighter, remembering that kids these days are busy texting and usually just waiting for the next bell to ring. 

Dancers: Tara Abularrage, Liam Appelson, Ruby Bard, Lizzie Clarke, Jane Cole, Sophia Ender, Claire Factor, Madeline Freidman, Lakota Karl-Krupp, Cali Kircher, Cassidy Kristal-Cohen, Kayla Ludwig, Ryan Ludwig, Maya McClatchy, Gwen Nahnsen, Lucia O'Corozine, Sophie Rust, Isabella Vitti, River Wasser, Molly Rust Ayako Shapiro, Sophia Ender, Elianah Slotnick

The Rebecca Kelly Ballet only presented one piece, although the two dancers were seen several times as part of the Battery Dance Company. Kelly choreographed a lovely duo, utilizing dancers Sean Scantlebury and Robin Cantrell. The tiny Cantrell, with her sleek lines, Ivory soap skin and pixie haircut, contrasted with the tall, dark musculature of Scantlebury. Kelly's choreography, infused with beautiful lifts and pasted against blue skies and leafy greens, is a true vision to be seen.

The final company I experienced, and I do say experience... is the Chase Brock... Experience. Brock's website calls himself out on the arrogance of calling his company an "experience", but I must confirm that he knows how to hit it out of the park and is totally credible in his claims. Brock's first piece, Curious Episode, shoots a breath of fresh air over the audience as Assistant Artistic Director Ashley Eichbauer and company member Erica Furst frolic about the stage in a playful duo, their quirky personalities competing with their not overly forceful display of technique for a splendid "encounter". 

Brock's "Seeing Stars" leaves pretentious at the door as all six dancers stumble about onstage, drunkenly leaning on each other, smiling those embarrassingly carefree smiles, and once again, breathing a playful energy over the crowd. Brock basically slams home the point that serious attitudes don't necessarily define serious art. In essence, the silly joy of flying through space and capturing an audience (while maintaining beautiful technique and apparent training) IS essentially a "serious" art.

CBE saves its best for last with a Laura Nyro tribute, Slow Float. The absolutely gorgeous 70s-style late Nyro gives us an acquired taste of jazz mixed with slow blues, gospel, show tunes, and rock. Brock showcases her music beautifully by costuming the ladies in Bohemian style sundresses - hair flowing in the wind and the guys looking casual into eventually shirtless. The backdrop of sun, clouds, and flourishing trees only add bonus points to what is already a hit. The movement is human, hitting on emotions rather than shoving technique to the forefront... despite the technique being evident. I overheard an elderly man in the audience admit that the piece brought tears to his eyes. Brock is the perfect blend of professionalism and relatability. Dancers Kendrick D. Carter, Nathan Duszny, Ashley Eichbauer, Erica Furst, Neil O'Brien, Emily Oldak, Connor Kilian Weigand, and Micki Weiner brought the piece to life in a series of different songs, each showcasing different dancers and various personalities. Kudos!

The Downtown Dance Festival commenced Sunday evening and hopefully will be back next year with the greatly appreciated contributions from its sponsors and growing community participation. Thank you to the Battery Dance Company for this great opportunity to share and witness our favorite art in some beautiful nature.

Sheena DiMatteo

http://www.idanz.net