More fun tonight...

The ladies kicked some a**, last night, at the EINSTEIN'S DANCE auditions. So grateful to all that turned out. I'll be casting, officially, on Monday! Tonight the guys come and dance at 9pm @ IDA. Send your dancin' friends, please!


Thanks all. 

God, I hope I get it...

We are holding dance auditions tonight for my short film, EINSTEIN'S DANCE. I can't wait to be inspired by the talent and efforts of all of these beautiful dancers. 


I must admit, it is super fun to be on this side of it - I like getting to watch. :) If you know of any fabulous female contemporary or ballet dancers, please send them to IDA (6755 Hollywood Blvd.) at 9pm tonight to audition! 


More on the project here:


http://www.kickstarter.com​/projects/664182630/einste​ins-dance


Thanks, thanks! 


MJ

Betty

"At 20, she was in New York, living on the fringes of Greenwich Village and attending dance classes with Martha Graham. She also joined her troupe..." I didn't know Betty Ford was a dancer too. A great NY TIMES article celebrating the outspoken, inspiring, healer, and dancer, Betty Ford. RIP: 
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/09/us/politics/betty-ford-dies.html?pagewanted=1&hp

Dancer call!

Dancers, Come & audition for my short film EINSTEIN'S DANCE next week....

·      *Where: IDA (6755 Hollywood Blvd)

·      *When: Wed. July 13^th & Thurs. July 14^th  

     8:00pm - 9:30pm

·      *Email: maryjohn.frank@gmail.com to book an audition time/appointment

^{We need FEMALE contemporary, jazz, & ballet dancers. And MALE contemporary, tap and/or hip-hop dancers for an upcoming short dance film entitled, EINSTEIN’S DANCE! Rehearsals & shoot days are PAID and this is a non-union production.}

^{You MUST be available for all shoot dates: the evening of Friday August 19th, and full days on Aug. 20th, and 21st. We will have 3 rehearsals leading up to the shoot. Potential rehearsal times TBD at the audition. More info below…}

^{*Casting 8 female dancers (contemp, jazz, ballet - pointe a plus)}

^{*Casting 3 male dancers (contemp, tappers, acro, hiphop). This includes a Martin Luther King-type (african american, roundish build) for some dance/silhouette shots, an Einstein looking silhouette (we will provide costumes for all), and one dancer with GREAT partnering skills.}

^{Check out my website for more info: www.movementmatters.com}

^Thanks!

^MJ

New Photos

Hi all! Check out the new photos from my piece, "Beings Reborn," performed on 6/18 at the El Portal Theater. The piece was to Mumford & Sons', "Sigh No More". I got to work with beautiful dancers and I had an awesome time playing with the lighting...my new obsession.  I have so much more respect for set designers now! 

Einstein's Dance

Hello. I've been busy doing everything but blogging for the past 8 weeks; however, I'm back and pleased to post some new info on my upcoming short film entitled, EINSTEIN'S DANCE. I'll be choreographing & also directing (my first time!) and I can't wait.  We are currently in pre-production and are still raising funds on Kickstarter... 


Also, I'm holding dance auditions on July 13th & 14th at IDA (8pm - 9:30pm). If you know any experienced dancers who might want to audition have them e-mail me their resumes: maryjohn.frank@gmail.com. It is a non-union, paid gig. 


More info on the film here: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/664182630/einsteins-dance


Lots of love & happy to be back to blogging. Xx, 


MJ

Want to see some dance??

Four not to be missed contemporary dance shows in LA in the next 3 weeks...

1. Saturday, April 30th @ 8pm - DanceSpot at Studio A in Silver Lake. Studio A is a low key, oasis-of-a-studio. They have an eclectic show this year featuring up-and-coming choreographers and local dancers. DanceSpot has an indie, east side vibe and Studio A is a great place to take class too (a bit of shameless self-promotion here, as I have a piece in the show and teach there too). :) Tickets & info here: http://studioadance.com/special/dancespot.shtml

2. May 5-8th - Mark Morris @ the Music Center - Their 30th Anniversary and the first EVER collaboration with the LA Opera. Not to be missed!! More ticket and show info here: http://www.musiccenter.org/events/dance_1011_morris.html

3.  May 6-8 & 13-15 - Los Angeles Contemporary Dance Company at the Diavalo Dance Center.  LACDC's spring concert features new works from Kate Hutter, Nehara Kalev, Seth Zibalese, and Genevieve Carson. Can't wait to see what they do. The photos and clips from rehearsals are intriguing. Get tickets here. http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/163135

4. May 14th & 15th - Invertigo's "Fun In Limbo". This spring show feature's Invertigo's athletic moves and whimsical concepts. Tickets here. https://www.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/813875

Sing it, Sisters!

I went to see the Apple Sisters musical comedy show last night at Largo. They are cute, clever, and totally comfortable taking comedic risks. They don't hold back in the slightest and their jokes deliver, for the most part, and are tasteful as well. My favorite moments of the show were the little bits where one of the girls would improv or throw in something new (was it a mistake or not!?) and the cast would all bust out into laughter. Don't get me wrong, this trio is fully rehearsed and professional, but they were definitely having a good time on stage.  The show is an excellent cure for anyone who is tempted to take themselves too seriously!  I highly recommend you check them out in July if you can. More info here: www.theapplesisters.com

Good times and a nice reminder to performers to have fun on stage...it shows and there is nothing better to witness!

Barak Marshall's 'accidental' leap into the spotlight

On Friday night, I had the pleasure of seeing Barak Marshall's "Monger" at Royce Hall. This is the 2nd piece of Marshall's that I've witnessed, "Rooster" (performed at REDCAT in January) being the first. I left both performances impressed with Marshall's muscular floor work, the distinct worlds/contexts that he creates, the professionalism of his dancers and the overall production value. Equally inspiring was the Q & A with Marshall after the show. Apparently, he has never taken a proper dance class, which leads me to believe that his movement comes from the heart and is then trimmed and tailored by his very cinematic eye. RESPECT!

I did, however, leave the production questioning Marshall's process. Could he enhance his dance vocabulary by collaborating more with his dancers? Marshall said that he arrives at rehearsals with "over 90% of the choreography" already mapped out. There was some repetition in "Monger" and I felt it could have been 5-7 minutes shorter without losing meaning or altering the story. Maybe a bit more interaction with the dancers' individual styles of movement (in rehearsal) could take Marshall's work from really good to amazing!? I would vote for a show with an abridged version of "Monger" followed by an intermission and "Rooster" in Act II.

All of this said, I believe that dance and non-dance fans should check out Marshall if he comes to a theater near you! For more info on Marshall and his segue into the dance world, check out this "LA Times" piece: Barak Marshall's 'accidental' leap into the spotlight.

Forgotten Time - Ailey

I went to see Alvin Ailey at the Music Center on Wednesday night and saw "Program C" as I had never seen "Love Stories" or "Revelations" in person (confession). Both pieces were gorgeous, high energy, and possessed a warm, soulful vibe that could only seep out of the pores of Alvin Ailey dancers. After the performance, however, my mind continued to wander back to the ethereal world created in Ailey's "Forgotten Time" - THIS was my favorite piece of the evening! Video snippets here: http://vimeo.com/16903927?ab


The dancers were beautifully lit and transcended human form. I swear I saw giraffes, elk, an eagle, Adam and Eve, & even Adam and Adam on the Music Center stage. The gold and/or red lines woven into the costume looked like glorious veins and I melted as the women seamlessly swept their bodies from arabesques into relaxed lifts, effortlessly perched on their partners shoulders.  I felt the dancers created a sort of Brigadoon-like world and I'm not sure if I returned to see "Program C" again that "Forgotten Time" would even be there...

Next dance stop - BARAK MARSHALL tonight at Royce Hall. More dance reviews to come...

Instinct vs. Intellect

I am humbled as I continue to explore the difference b/w first instincts vs. first ideas.  First ideas are often not the best ideas - especially in regards to movement. I am learning to walk the fine line of being true to my initial vision, while being open to ALL of the possibilities, suggestions, new choreography, or different versions of a project. Here's an example: I have been choreographing a piece that was inspired by "Falling Angels"...

When I saw "Falling Angels," I felt in my guts that I needed to try something similar.  I would find the right number of dancers, find clean and simple costumes, and very rhythmic/upbeat music.  My piece, however, has since evolved into something that looks nothing like "Falling Angels" and not a soul would connect the two. 

I don't have the same dancers, the same experience, the same anything as Kylian and I've had to let go of my first ideas about what this piece should be. "Falling Angels" has already been created -- why was I trying to recreate something that has been done and done quite brilliantly? As I continue to surrender my first ideas about what the piece should look like I'm becoming more connected to my own creative instincts and voice. New things are emerging that I am excited about and I'm going about  choreographing with an open mind and heart. The piece will be performed on June 18th at the El Portal theater. Come and see if if you are curious...I'm curious to see what it will look/feel like too! :) 

pina

Nature and dance - yes, please! I can't wait to see Wim Wenders 3D dance film...a brilliant idea. The choreography and sets/backdrops look amazing.

A Dancer's Delight

The "Taste of Dance" event today at the Music Center was a lot of fun. I attended the morning portion of today's event - classes lead by Alvin Ailey dancers, teachers from the Edge, and more...

There were 4 dance floors set up in the Music Center's courtyard. Horton, Limon, Dunham, Jazz, and Hiphop classes were offered for $1.00 a piece.  Dancing in the sunshine with dancers and non-dancers/young and old was refreshing...I learned so much!  

Keep events like these coming Music Center and advertise more so we get an even bigger turn out (no pun intended). I'll keep obvious dancer jokes to a minimum from here on out.  :)

Jamie Oliver takes on LA!

Okay, this is not really dance related, but LA and health! I can't wait to tune in on April 12th to see Jamie Oliver take on the Los Angeles Unified School District. I'm scared to see what he finds and I'm eager to learn more about the mobile kitchens he has set up. I wish there were more of his kitchens all over LA and OPEN LATE. This city has great vegan, vegetarian, and health spots, but what about more healthy "fast food" options? I know when I get out of rehearsal after 11pm it is hard to find anything open, but Jack In The Box. What about a 24 hour Tender Greens or Trader Joe's truck/joint!?  Just a thought. More info on Season 2 of "Food Revolution" here:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dailydish/2011/04/season-2-of-jamie-olivers-food-revolution-set-for-april-12.html

Virtual Dance!

I'm excited about Eric Whitacre's virtual choir! I've been working on a virtual dance project and this makes me even more eager to get it up and running. It promotes talent and gets any and everyone to choreograph and upload their fabulous creations. I'll be sharing a song on YouTube (preferably from a celebrity musician - singer is tbd) and people from all over can upload their dances. We will find the most interesting and unique dances and edit the clips into a video. I hope to get the compilation on the big screen to play behind the star/dance with the star at a live concert. A work in progress, but moving along. Stay tuned for the opportunity to upload your dance...

More info on Whitacre's project: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2011/04/eric-whitacre-virtual-choir-revealed.html

A Taste of Dance...

I am attending A Taste of Dance at the Music Center in downtown LA on Saturday, 4/9! I think it is fantastic that the Music Center is putting this on to promote Ailey and the art of dance. I want to take the Limon session, Horton warm up, and more. $1 a session. Anyone else going? More info here: http://musiccenter.org/events/aa_tasteofdance.html

Come with!