• June 5, 2009

    Stephen Pelton Dance Theater

    By Published On: June 5th, 2009

    Dances for the Next Depression Stephen Pelton Dance Theater Thurs.-Sat. June 11-13, 8pm Sun. June 14, 7pm, $20 (Members $15) Depression? Again?? SPDT’s sixteenth annual home season will see you through with the premiere of Sugarfoot Stomp. Created in collaboration with playwright-in-residence Brian Thorstenson, this new dance will be performed to the irresistible sounds of

  • June 3, 2009

    Words, words, words

    By Published On: June 3rd, 2009

    This has been a season of firsts for me and the company: our first gallery installation in May, our first time at CounterPULSE, my first truly whimsical, comic dance—and now my first time out blogging. I’m the kind of person who re-writes and re-punctuates texts messages before sending them, so the idea of publishing my

  • June 2, 2009

    Traditional dance does not put the “no” into innovation (with apologies to the shredded wheat commercial)

    By Published On: June 2nd, 2009

    The essence of the esthetics of Indonesian dance, and that particularly from the islands of Java and Bali, can be explained through three words: wirama, and wirasa. Wirama means the harmony and internal rhythm of the movement. Wiraga is the intensity and fullness of the movement not in term of its external power, but more along the lines of being filled with chi (in Chinese) or prana (Sanskrit). Soft and delicate movement can be wiraga while movement that is seemingly strong and powerful can lack it altogether. Wirasa is the feeling of the movement. The word “feeling” here is used not in sense of emotion or passion, but in term of the sensation when emotion and mental construct are set aside.

  • June 2, 2009

    Colette Eloi, Performing Diaspora Artist-Defining my Art

    By Published On: June 2nd, 2009

    If I were being safe I would say my art form is Haitian Folkloric Dance, then I would expound on it. However this would not be absolutely accurate. I am Haitian blooded African American raised in the United States by Haitian immigrants...."black". The two cultures are quite distinct yet share a "way","taste", "movement". This gives

  • June 2, 2009

    The Revolutionary Roots of Mexican Folk Dance

    By Published On: June 2nd, 2009

    Mexican folk dance has been a part of California since the the late 18th century. In those days the itinerant dance "maestro" went from Rancho to Rancho teaching the latest European dance fads to a multigeneretional clientele. When the Californios held their "meriendas" and "bailes", this was the perfect opportunity for every elegible bachelor and

  • June 2, 2009

    Devendra Sharma for Performing Diaspora: Let us reclaim the respect for the indigenous folk artist

    By Published On: June 2nd, 2009

    Colonialism does strange things to a culture. Ignoring one’s own indigenous “ordinary” culture, and blindly imitating others’ “legitimate” culture is one of them. It takes years and a lot of efforts before a culture realizes its self-worth during the post-colonial journey. At present, urban culture in India and Indian diaspora around the world is undergoing

  • June 1, 2009

    “Bihag”, my choreographic take on the Hip hop Tinikling

    By Published On: June 1st, 2009

    This week, I frantically drove to a graffiti exhibit and documentary screening in Downtown Los Angeles of the movie "GraffLife" directed by Randy DeVol. It follows the secret night missions and on the run daytime activities of urban taggers living in my home and city. I thought I was late; this was one of the

  • May 31, 2009

    Scott Wells & Dancers present What Men Want

    By Published On: May 31st, 2009

    Fri.-Sun. May 22-24, Thurs.-Sun. May 28-31, 8pm, $20 $25 at the door) Macho Ballads; dances with aggressive overtones & romantic undertones. New works & the recent Litquake collaboration with writer, Michelle Tea--“an aesthetic-pleasure-overload fantasy” SF CHRONICLE. The dances for 10 men & premiere with world class jugglers will rock. Buy Tickets Now!

  • May 31, 2009

    in/divisible

    By Published On: May 31st, 2009

    from brittany: (www.danceceres.org) In this work, I am reminded how many times it takes an idea/concept to enter the body before it actually sinks into to my bones? Some times a feeling is instantaneous- other times it takes years to absorb and safely reside. How long does a new experience rest quietly in the bones

  • May 30, 2009

    Guqin and me

    By Published On: May 30th, 2009

     What is guqin? The guqin, a seven-stringed zither, is China’s oldest stringed instrument with a documented history of about 3,000 years. It became part of a tradition cultivated by Chinese scholars and literati and has been associated with philosophers, sages, and emperors since the time of Confucius. Perhaps because of this illustrious history, following the

  • May 29, 2009

    Charlotte Moraga for Performing Diaspora: Contemporary Traditional Kathak Dance

    By Published On: May 29th, 2009

    What is kathak? Kathak is a unique dance form which incorporates rhythmic virtuosity, compelling storytelling, poetry, recitation, song, swift and subtle movement, and a rich philosophy whose roots extend thousands of years. In 1992, I enrolled in a Kathak class at SFSU with world-renowned master, Pandit Chitresh Das. Little did I know the vast ocean

  • May 28, 2009

    I guess Scott Wells & Dancers really do know what men want….

    By Published On: May 28th, 2009

    Wow!  I can honestly say I have never been so turned on by a group of men before.  I don't mean this in any strictly sexual way, after all I tend to label myself as a straight male, but the essence of these pieces delves so much deeper than the visceral.  It was poetic to