Body And Soul

Carissa Kranz (see photo at http://infinitebody.blogspot.com) is a ballerina and studies law at the University of California, Berkeley (Boalt). She's also one of many Berkeley students protesting proposed budget cuts that would greatly diminish the school's much-respected physical education department and its dance classes. Hear why this program is important to the 5,000 students it serves each year and how students like Kranz are organizing to save it. Berkeley crisis--Pt. 1 featured David E. Garcia, a graduate student in the Chemistry department, dancer and choreographer. "Don't Hurt the Body for the Mind" by 12 Lecturers of The Physical Education Program, The Daily Californian Online (March 13, 2009) http://tinyurl.com/bp9abg The Daily Californian -- http://www.dailycal.org UC Berkeley Department of Physical Education -- http://pe.berkeley.edu (c)2009, Eva Yaa Asantewaa, http://infinitebody.blogspot.com

David E. Garcia is a graduate student in Chemistry at the University of California at Berkeley. He's also a dancer, a choreographer and one of many Berkeley students protesting proposed budget cuts that would greatly diminish the school's much-respected physical education department and its dance classes. Hear why this program is important to the 5,000 students it serves each year and how students like Garcia are organizing to save it. Berkeley crisis--Pt. 2 will feature law student and ballerina Carissa Kranz. "Don't Hurt the Body for the Mind" by 12 Lecturers of The Physical Education Program, The Daily Californian Online (March 13, 2009) http://tinyurl.com/bp9abg The Daily Californian -- http://www.dailycal.org UC Berkeley Department of Physical Education -- http://pe.berkeley.edu (c)2009, Eva Yaa Asantewaa, http://infinitebody.blogspot.com

Jody Oberfelder received a dream commission from the Brooklyn Philharmonic--to choreograph Stravinsky's "A Soldier's Tale" for a May 9th performance at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM). Little did she realize that her project would become a casualty of New York's economic crisis when, like so many other arts institutions, the Philharmonic was forced to slash its budget. Oberfelder joined me today to talk about her re-imagining of "A Soldier's Tale," the ironic relevance of its theme and her renewed efforts to bring this production to life. Web site of Jody Oberfelder Dance Projects: http://www.jodyoberfelder.com Daniel Goode's Critical Mass (U.S. premiere), with choreography by Jody Oberfelder, Thursday, April 30, 8pm at Greenwich House Music School, 46 Barrow St., (near Bleecker and 7th Avenue), Manhattan. For more information, call 212-242-4770 http://www.myspace.com/northrivermusic http://www.danielsgoode.com (c)2009, Eva Yaa Asantewaa, http://infinitebody.blogspot.com

It's not unusual to discover a dance artist with a strong talent in other arts or areas of interest. But as a longtime Tarot counselor and teacher, I was intrigued and delighted to learn that choreographer Fiona Dolenga has designed a Tarot deck of her own, featuring photos of colleagues from New York's dance community. I spoke with her about the creation of this beautiful deck and her dance work-in-progress. The Web site of Hidden Arena Dance/Fiona Dolenga and Company is at http://www.hiddenarenadance.org. For more information about Tarot imagery, I highly recommend Aeclectic.net at http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot. And my own Tarot-related site is at http://mysite.verizon.net/magickaleva. (c)2009, Eva Yaa Asantewaa, http://infinitebody.blogspot.com

Aki Sasamoto and Arturo Vidich of Culture Push discuss "Domestic Partner"--their provocative new installation/simultaneous performance, hosted by The Chocolate Factory (Wednesday-Saturday, April 8-11, 8pm). Learn more about Aki Sasamoto and Arturo Vidich at http://www.culturepush.org. The Chocolate Factory, 5-49 49th Street, Long Island City, New York Complete information, directions and ticketing at http://www.chocolatefactorytheater.org/home.html Movement Research -- http://www.movementresearch.org/ (c)2009, Eva Yaa Asantewaa,http://infinitebody.blogspot.com

For the past few years, Paul Singh--who has performed for some of New York's most innovative dance makers--has started branching out as a choreographer in his own right with his company, Singh & Dance. In our recent conversation, he talks about what drives his creativity and the unusual risks he takes for authenticity in movement. Learn more about Paul Singh at http://www.paulsinghdance.com. (c)2009, Eva Yaa Asantewaa, InfiniteBody, http://infinitebody.blogspot.com

Danspace Project will present "Sound Memory"--a full-evening world premiere by the talented young dancer-choreographer Julian Barnett. Barnett joins me to talk about this work, inspired by the influence of old audio technology--music cassette tapes--on memory and imagination. "Sound Memory" at Danspace Project at St. Mark's Church, Thursday-Saturday, 8:30pm. Schedule and ticketing information at http://www.danspaceproject.org or 866-811-4111 Julian Barnett Web site at http://www.julianbarnett.com Dance critic and blogger Apollinaire Scherr's essay on a preview of "Sound Memory" can be found at http://www.artsjournal.com /foot/2008/06/julian_barnetts_sound_memory_a.html. (c)2009, Eva Yaa Asantewaa, InfiniteBody (http://infinitebody.blogspot.com)

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Ivy Baldwin Dance premieres 'Bear Crown" at Dance Theater Workshop next week, March 18-21. Baldwin's dance-theater aesthetic immerses viewers in mysterious environments with an aura of darkness and twisted humor. Wednesday-Saturday, March 18-21, 7:30pm. Post-show talk with Heather Olson (3/18). Pre-show coffee & conversation with Sara Nash (3/19 at 6:30pm). 10th Anniversary Benefit Gala performance and party (3/19). For schedule and ticketing details, visit http://www.dancetheaterworkshop.org. For company information, visit http://www.ivybaldwindance.org Special note: Justin Jones's Minneapolis-based dance podcast--Talk Dance MPLS--is available through iTunes. (c)2009, Eva Yaa Asantewaa, InfiniteBody (http://infinitebody.blogspot.com)

Dancer-choreographer Heidi Latsky presents the New York City premiere of "GIMP"--a full-throttle, passionate ensemble work that expands expectations and perceptions of the body, disability and performance. Thursday-Saturday, March 19-21, 8pm. Opening night reception honors The Wounded Warrior Project (http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org) Abrons Arts Center at Henry Street Settlement, 466 Grand Street (at Pitt); 212-598-0400 Further information at http://www.thegimpproject.com Boston premiere at the Institute of Contemporary Art, April 24-25 (http://www.icaboston.org) (c)2009, Eva Yaa Asantewaa, InfiniteBody (http://infinitebody.blogspot.com)

Brian Rogers talks about The Chocolate Factory--an influential multidisciplinary arts space and gallery in Long Island City, Queens--and about his new full-evening work "redevelop (death valley)." Brian Rogers, a graduate of Bennington College, is the co-founder and Artistic Director of The Chocolate Factory Theater. His works for the company include "2 Husbands" (2007), a collaboration with playwright Ken Urban; "GUN PLAY" (2006); and "AUDIT" (2004). Brian curates The Chocolate Factory's Visiting Artist Program and has collaborated as a sound, video and performance artist on numerous projects. He is also Director of Operations for Dance Theater Workshop and curator of the newly-renovated cabaret space at Queens Theatre in the Park. See "redevelop (death valley)" on Thursday-Saturday, February 12-28 and Monday, February 24, all at 8pm. Further information at http://www.chocolatefactorytheater.org. Ticketing at http://www.chocolatefactorytheater.org or at 212-352-3101. InfiniteBody blog: http://infinitebo

Valerie Green joins me to talk about Green Space--her dance studio and performance space in Long Island City--and its many services to the artists, audiences and families of Queens, New York's most ethnically-diverse borough. See Green perform her solo "Underground" at 92nd Street Y's free Fridays @ Noon program on January 23. Information at http://www.92Y.org or at 212-415-5435. InfiniteBody blog at http://infinitebody.blogspot.com Valerie Green bio and company information at http://DanceEntropy.org Green Space Studio at http://www.GreenSpaceStudio.org (c)2009, Eva Yaa Asantewaa

My guest, the emerging choreographer Tara O'Con, will make her Danspace Project debut with the eerie, intriguing "Walk It Once"--a trio originally presented at The Chocolate Factory in June 2008. She shares a program with choreographer-puppeteer Enrico D. Wey, January 22-24, 8:30pm. Tara O'Con graduated with honors in 2003 with a B.A. in dance and performance from Roger Williams University. Currently residing in Brooklyn, she has presented her work in showcases at Dixon Place, The Brooklyn Arts Exchange, WOW Café Theater, The Chocolate Factory Theater (Fresh Meat Festival), and by Dancenow NYC. In 2007, O'Con was among six emerging choreographers to be chosen for Dance Theater Workshop's Fresh Tracks Performance and Residency Program. She returned to The Chocolate Factory Theater for the presentation of the first full-length production of her work in June of 2008. As a dancer, she has enjoyed fruitful collaborations with Stephan Koplowitz, Ellis Wood Dance, Jillian Sweeney, Megan Sprenger/mvworks, Sam Ki

As the arts world struggles to cope with the global economic crisis, dancer-choreographer Benjamin Ford Asriel outlines his strategy of using the Internet to open the process of creating new work to his donors. Learn more at Project Paper Trail (http://www.basriel.com). Program notes at http://infinitebody.blogspot.com. Guest information at http://www.basriel.com/Project_Paper_Trail/me.html (c)2008, Eva Yaa Asantewaa

Zahava's mission encompasses not only dance as aesthetic expression but also its role in individual and societal healing. She writes, "My body has led me to teachers, rhythms, techniques, abandon, containment, ecstasy, erotic languid prayers, rituals geometry, discipline, storytelling and healing. Through these journeys I have found spirit guides, competition, self criticism, deep reverence, the practice of life in uncomfortable and pleasurable tempos." In this conversation, Zahava discusses her practice as a dancer and her understanding of how racism gets played out in our relationship with our bodies, the source of discord and of peace. Program notes: http://infinitebody.blogspot.com; guest information: http://www.LoveMakingDances.com and http://www.WhiteFolksSoulByAnyDanceNecessary.wordpress.com (c)2008, Eva Yaa Asantewaa

Annie-B Parson--co-founder and choreographer of the Bessie Award-winning Big Dance Theater--joins forces with the exciting post-classical string quartet ETHEL and dancer Elizabeth DeMent for a site-specific production in the Winter Garden at World Financial Center. "Wait for Green"--ETHEL's third Winter Solstice concert at WFC--premieres on Friday, December 19, in two free performances--12:30pm and 7pm. "Wait for Green" has been commissioned by arts>World Financial Center for its 20th Anniversary celebration. Program notes: http://infinitebody.blogspot.com Guest and venue information: http://www.bigdancetheater.org; http://www.ETHELcentral.com; http://www.ArtsWorldFinancialCenter.com (c)2008,Eva Yaa Asantewaa

This season, Brenda Neville's Neville Dance Theatre brings a contemporary Nutcracker with a world of difference to Brooklyn's Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts (Long Island University). With a Brooklyn-based setting that features techie toys for kids of all ages and a party mix of capoeira, tango, Irish dancing and more, this production puts a fresh spin on the beloved winter classic. Program notes--http://infinitebody.blogspot.com. Guest information at http://www.nevilledance.com and http://www.kumbletheater.org (c)2008,Eva Yaa Asantewaa

Kyle Abraham--native of Pittsburgh and MFA graduate of NYU Tisch School of the Arts--has danced in the companies of Nathan Trice, Bill T. Jones, Mimi Garrard, Kevin Wynn, among others, and is now making a name for himself as an independent choreographer with promise. This week, Abraham joins Bessie winner Layard Thompson on a program of new work at Dance Theater Workshop (Wednesday-Saturday, December 3-6, 7:30pm). Program notes--http://infinitebody.blogspot.com. Guest information at http://www.abrahaminmotion.org and http://www.dancetheaterworkshop.org (c)2008, Eva Yaa Asantewaa

Bessie Award winner Layard Thompson joins me for a wide-ranging discussion of the interrelatedness of dance and watcher, art and the world in which we live. This week, Thompson will share an evening of new work with choreographer Kyle Abraham of Abraham.In.Motion at Dance Theater Workshop (Wednesday-Saturday, December 3-6, 7:30pm). My interview with Abraham will follow shortly. Program notes--http://infinitebody.blogspot.com. Guest information at http://www.dancetheaterworkshop.org. (c)2008, Eva Yaa Asantewaa

Dancer-choreographer Gesel Mason--of the DC-area based Mason/Rhynes Productions and Gesel Mason Performance Projects--discusses her wide-ranging work on behalf of diverse artists and audiences, as well as her celebrated project--"No Boundaries"--featuring historic and contemporary dance by Black choreographers such as Donald McKayle, Bebe Miller, David Roussève and Jawole Willa Jo Zollar. Program notes--http://infinitebody.blogspot.com. Guest info at http://www.mason-rhynes.org and http://www.gmasonprojects.com. (c)2008, Eva Yaa Asantewaa

Bessie Award-winning choreographer Luciana Achugar brings a new work--"The Sublime is Us"--to a studio space at Dance Theater Workshop, beginning October 21. Program notes--http://infinitebody.blogspot.com. Guest info at http://www.lachugar.org and http://www.dtw.org. (c)2008, Eva Yaa Asantewaa