NEWSLETTER: bring it or get off the floor

Whew!

I am so glad to have figured out the first part of the migration of the list to Gmail! The entire process put me in the mind of bureaucracy: you know, just when you think you've finally got the right form and talked to the right person, you have to start all over because you missed the first step that would've granted you access to the thing you figured out anyway? Yeah. And that's where we are as a nation right about now. The O-man's selections for cabinet members doth send the chilly chills down the spine, but maybe we should look at this another way: he ain't no dummy, and does not feel like wasting his time standing in the wrong line or talking to the wrong people during his first term, only to discover that he got absolutely nothing done once he gets into term two. Remember Clinton's Health Care Plan? Okay. So, the other side of the O's selection are the empty senate seats. If you know folks in those states, help them get an Obama supporter in the seat, cause the real deal is that the house of reps and the senate make the laws, not the prez. Are you following? If not, check out that Obama Hustle one more time. Those women really encapsulated the movement of this guy. But this is not to say that he's on the totally right track. He's just trying to figure out who's got the torch and who's got the fire extinguisher cause stuff is burning down to the ground! Speaking of burning, if you are or know ANYONE in a state college, university or especially community college, your access to an education was just severely curtailed. Here in California, the Cal State System has severely reduced enrollment and are not accepting transfers from Community Colleges. The UC is also considering similar moves and there are rumors that UC Berkeley and UCLA have already announced they will only consider the top 1% of applicants. I stress rumor. As I get info on this, I will let you know. As a dance educator, this directly impacts my life: most 4 yr dance majors come from the 2 yr CC experience. We could be looking at the suspension of our program if the numbers drop significantly. But what this means for all of us, are a whole lot of angry twentysomethings who were just trying to get ahead. And now, more than ever, it is imperative that you aim far higher than you think you should; there is more room at the top, and more help too. Go ahead and apply to the best, all they can say is yes or no. Write the president-elect every other day; someone is reading every line. Start that biz, write that novel, offer that service, preach, teach and BRING IT!

Afrolicious. Afrologia. Afrodelic. Afropoesia. Afrologica. How big is your 'fro?
Fractal, improvisational, polemical, but always moving with spirit and in service to lifting us all up!
That's the Logic of the Afro--sign up, read up, be up--you can move mountains, now make it beautiful

Now, BLOWIN BACK THE FRO this week, other than the fact that Gmail is not at all simple and the year is just about over, is the 99Cent Calendar Girl Competition, Holiday fairs and the great feeling that everything is gonna be alright.

TONIGHT
REDCAT, directions
David Gordon: Trying Times (Remembered)
December 3 - 7, 8:30 PM; $20/$16/$10
This one is for all of you who want to understand PoMo dance from inside the experiment. At this juncture, a bit of dance reconstruction, Trying Times is remounted by Pick Up Performance Co. and The Sharon Disney Lund School of Dance at Cal Arts. Just a few shows left, so try to make it if you can.

HIGHWAYS
1651 18th St, Santa Monica
Rudy Perez Performance Ensemble presents, Surrender Dorothy!
Friday, December 5 & Saturday 6th, 8:30 - 10:30; $20
Tis the season for the modern dance reconstruction! This is another great opportunity for the dance historian in you. From their press release:
All independent choreographers and performers, RPPE members Anne Grimaldo, Jeff Grimaldo, Stefan Fabry, Tamsin Carlson, and Sarah Swenson, have participated in work by Rudy Perez dating back to 1987. Inspired by the poems of Dorothy Parker, the tribute will include an assemblage of choreography by Perez and the Ensemble, with live music by Steve Moshier and the Liquid Skin Ensemble.

Rudy Perez is a major creative force in the field of American concert dance. Originally from New York City, he trained with the giants of traditional modern dance Martha Graham, Merce Cunningham, Mary Anthony and others. It was during his time with the 1960's avant-garde movement, Judson Dance Theatre - whose members included Yvonne Rainer, Trisha Brown, Steve Paxton, and Lucinda Childs – that he emerged as a post-modern dance pioneer.
So, you wanna check this one out, fo sheezy.

BOOTLEG THEATER
2220 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90057
99cent Only Calendar Girl Competition
Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 3pm
Tickets: $25 General Admission and $15 for children under 12
Mijo Marcus worked long and hard on some costumes for this show, so y'all better go justify his burns, I mean love! Opening night is SOLD OUT, so get your tix asap if you're planning on going. Cause aside from grooving music and hilarious antics, every body and they mamma wants some tips on how to rock the runway out of the 99cents Only stores, okay?!

Los Angeles Central Public Library, Mark Taper Auditorium
524 S. Flower St, Los Angeles, CA
"Peeping Tom Tom Girl" set to the music of Chola con Cello
Monday, December 8, 7 - 9 PM, FREE, but reservations strongly recommended!
Poet Marisela Norte reads from her debut collection, Peeping Tom Tom Girl accompanied on cello by María Elena Gaitán, aka La Chola con Cello. If you are on Face Book, look up La Chola! She is pretty amazing. Pay Payne hipped me to her, so now you know!


SANTA MONICA ART STUDIOS
3026 Airport Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90405
Darkness, an art opening with Performance Art by Jeremy Hahn @ 8:30
Saturday, December 6th, 6 - 10 PM; FREE
This will be a lot of FUN! I had the great fortune of doing this gig a few months back with Jeremy and the crowd is laid back, but engaged, the art is unusual, interesting and challenging and the space is great. If you are looking for a scene to make out on the West Side, consider it found.


THE ELI & EDYTHE BROAD CENTER
1310 11th St., Santa Monica, CA
Lula Washington Dance Theatre Annual Kwanzaa Show
Saturday, December 13, 7:30 - 10 PM, tickets?
My info on this show is still evolving, but I wanted to get it on the radar! This is a l o n g show, but you likely will not notice at all. I tend to hold my breath when these young dancers start to work it. Not to be missed.

"Now, where was that other thingamabob I wanted to see last week?" Check the Archives, search by location or artist, or just re-live the bright moments by reading older entries!


and since it is that time of year, I though I would include a special holy daze bazar/gift section...

HOLIDAY FAIRS/BAZAARS
THE GOOD SPACE
6824 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Local World's Fair
Saturday & Sunday, December 6th & &th, Noon - 5 PM
GOOD Magazine/Foundation comes to LA for a week of green good fun. Do your holiday in a different way. The Good Space will be open everyday from 11 AM until 5, the 5th - 11th. Most of the special RSVP events are booked and you have to become a member on the site to even RSVP. I actually ended up spending some money just to get you this info (!), but at least it goes to one of the organizations I was going to suggest you use for gifts. The Fair features music and indie arts and crafts. The website is cute, but oddly designed so basic info is hard to find. So, unless otherwise indicated, all events are at the address given above.

CALIFORNIA AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM
600 State Drive, Exposition Park, Los Angeles, CA 90037
Kwanzaa Fest 2008
Sunday, December 7, 11 AM - 5 PM; FREE
Part of shopping dollars spent at Target return to the "community" for a day of arts, crafts, music and dance. This show is packed with young talent, and some often overlooked seasoned performers as well. If you have kids, or want to meet a fantastic artist, make sure to show up for the mask making event at Noon, then again at 2 PM with Elliot Pinkney. The Pinkneys are giants in Af-Am Children Lit. This will be a real treat. Also of note on the bill is Maia, who has some of the most beautiful and loving songs I have ever heard composed for Kwanzaa. She starts her set at 2:40. Lula Washington's Dance Academy students will burn a hole through the stage and DJ Namdi will spin sounds of the diaspora for your hips' delight. Bring extra money for the Marketplace. Now, I don't see anything mentioned about food for sale, and that could be a problem, but likely, there will be a vendor or two outside. This is a must go, for the sheer range of performances and art!

LOCAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Near you! It is likely that your neighborhood elementary school is having a winter fair or art bazaar tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 6th. So go and check the fence for the poster and support your local schools! We host ours at Oakwood and Coeur D'Alene in Venice, 10 - 4!

MICRO- FAIR, FINANCE = MACRO LOVE
Great gift idea/ongoing lovefest/fair: KIVA.org!! In keeping with the "teach a man to fish..." idea, Kiva gives micro loans, mostly to women I might add, to start up their own businesses in the Global South (developing world, as opposed to the decaying world, where we now reside). Your money is invested and you get to follow the progress of the business. This is an awesome way to give a great gift with a little bit of cash that will do a lot of good.


ONGOING CLASSES/WORKSHOPS
I just found a new and unusual class for you! Mecca Vazie Andrews is offering a Burlesque Ballet Class at Heart Beat House on Glendale Blvd in Atwater Village Wednesdays at 6:30. First class is only $5! What pray tell, is burlesque ballet? Well, you have to go to find out. The Heart Beat House is on the Dance Map . Also out that way is Linda Yudin at the Dance Garden. East side!

DANCEBank has a great double bill the next two weekends with Simone Forti and Terrence Luke Johnson, working on language and movement. Classes on Saturdays 10:30 AM - 12:30 AM at the Farmlab/Metabolic Studio, also on the map.

Looking to get away? Kimberly Mullen is leading an ethnographic excursion to Trinidad & Tabago! December 13 - 21st. You gotta hustle, but there may be some slots left. Contact her immediately at mail@kimberlymiguelmullen.com


LOVELY!
Wow. So change change change. We are getting what we asked for, and if you are not feeling it in your personal life, my dear, you are in denial. Get your spaces clear (physical, mental, physiological, spiritual) so that you may see the abundant opportunities just within what appears to be a disasterous set back. I would love to hear from you about what you are doing to be the change as opposed to "getting changed up on." Post up to the blog, join Afrologica (which requires some more hands and maybe some j.o.a.'s--takers?) or email me back. Let us know how you are thriving.

in love,
-Anna

ps: The Kirov Ballet lands at the Music center soooooon!

NEWSLETTER: contract & release

ALAFIA!!!!

Gosh darnnit (wink*)! Okay, I had to do that. This morning I went for a power walk, ended up at the ocean and discovered some clarity in my calling. Given that nothing fiscal much matters any more (where is your 403b or 401k and do you know who its with?), we have been set free to start our society anew, in tiny pockets that will soon meet each other and become something else. Think, rain drops. They look completely whole, impenetrable, but if they meet each other, they become a bigger drop and bigger and bigger until a stream, and well, you get the metaphor. Like the Cook County Sheriff's Office in Chicago refusing to evict people anymore! So, starting anew, afresh, working to keep my ability to walk and doing dance as a civic duty, you are welcomed to join me on Thursday, Friday and Saturday's at 8:30 AM on the beach for Orisha moving and West African grooving. It's not a class per se, rather, an offering. Be prepared to get wet, but wear layers! Donations based @ Venice City Beach, by the rocks on the knoll where you can watch crab and sea anemone. E-mail me for further details. Possibility to do mini offerings on M & W at 6:30 AM.


Afrologic. Afrological. Afrologica. How big is you 'fro?
Multiple, fractal, improvisational, polemical, but always moving with spirit and in the service of lifting it/us all up.
That's the Logic of the Afro--sign up, get your community on.



BLOWIN BACK DA 'FRO is a mega video festival that we all need to go see! Makes me wish I had my t-shirts together; "I read Afrologica." Field trip! The fall keeps comin at us in this month where we pretend that Columbus did something first and that it was all good (don't get me started on my son's homework assignment), and the dance and performance art is looking swanky!


OPENING TONIGHT
Hollywood Blvd between Wilcox Ave and Orange Dr
Freewaves presents "Hollywould" 11th Media Arts Festival
This festival is so smart, I could just go back to grad school. Part of Hollywood BLVD will be closed for portions of the festival, but more importantly, video works and installations will happen in local businesses like laundry mats, restaurants, dollar stores and the like. There are projections on sidewalks and building sides. Basically, you will need to down load the program from Freewaves, the organizers, because there is so much that I would recommend. Did I mention that a great deal of it is free? GO SEE!


THE ELECTRIC LODGE
1416 Electric Ave. at California Ave., Venice 90291
The Other Venice Film Festival
Thursday, October 9th, 6:30 PM - Sunday, October 12th
A must see night is October 12th for the film "The Rising Tide," by Robert Adanto about the burgeoning Chinese po-mo Art scene. Right now, the cocktail and kick off party is happening! Food by Primitivo, Music by Black Cat and an desert arrangement by Edible. Wear your best art black.


POMONA COLLEGE
Seaver Theatre Complex/Allen Studio Theatre, 300 E. Bonita Ave. Claremont, CA 91711
October 10th Friday 4 PM, $10/$5
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf
Box Office Phone: (909) 621- 8525 or 607-4375
Ntozake Shange's memorable play still brings down the house, production after production. This one sold out its 3 night run an added a matinee because director Shakina Jared Nayfeck heard that you didn't have a ticket. So you best call and go see these girls WORK IT!


THE ACTOR'S WORKOUT STUDIO
4735 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood 91602
Sunday October 12, sign 3:15 $8; reservations @ 818.506.3903
Cornucopia
Mad as hell and wanna get up and tell somebody why? Show up early to get in the grab bag of this well-established afternoon of poetry.


HIGHWAYS PERFORMANCE SPACE
4th Annual Latino new Works festival, Dance night
Saturday, October 11th, 8:30 PM (however, Jose Reynoso is on LGBT night, the 10th) $20/$15
It appears to be one piece, investigating Afro-Cuban dance, salsa, capoeira and HIp Hop. Why am I pumping it if I don't know what it is? Gustavo Caldas and Emeka. Need I say more? Get some tickets and get your drool I mean groove on.


Looking for something mentioned last week? Check the archives.


THE OPEN SPACE
Monday, October 13th, 8 PM
Anatomy Riot #27, guest curated by Samantha Giron
A hearty number of sacred fools have been let loose in this one! Come out to see this always satisfying night of daring. On the bill: Dance Good Damnit!, Samantha Giron dance project, Ryan Heffington, Marcus Kuiland-Nazario, Nina McNeely, Alexandria Yalj, Serene Zloof / Datgirl



CARPENTER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Martha B. Knoebel Dance Theater
October 16 -17, 8 PM; $25/$20
Victoria Marks presents, "Not About Iraq"
Talk about dance as a civic duty...Launched here in LA last year, the piece is circling back to the general vicinity. If you missed it last time, here is your chance.


DIAVOLO DANCE SPACE
Peep Hole|People
October 17th -26th, Fridays & Saturdays at 8 PM; Sundays at 5 pm; $25 reserved/$20/$15
LA Contemporary Dance presents the choreography of Kate Hutter and Kevin Williamson, usually collaborators, but for this bill they each put in a piece to burrow deep into the alienated mind of, well people. Sounds like The Office meets Arrested Development but with dance and Michael Gondry filmmaking.


THE RED MERMADE
VISCERA hosts "Asphalt Sea"
Saturday, October 18th, 8 PM, $10
Come experience art out of the box, the building actually, and get your party on, too. The line up: Pat Payne (co-host aka La Negrita Maldita aka Spunky), d. Sabela Grimes, Michael Sakamoto, Maia, Anna B Scott, Cari Ann Shim Sham, Gregory Barnett and a bevy of special guests whom we can't announce cause we don't want to spoil the surprise! Juice, Beer, Wine, art, food all for sale, and maybe the DJ will save your life. Look for more info on Face Book.



ONGOING CLASSES AND SPECIAL WORKSHOPS
Field: A workshop with Rae S. Blum focuses on heightening your awareness of space from the inside out. The first four Saturdays in November, 2- 4:30 @ The Electric Lodge with a sliding scale of $75-$150 for the entire series or $20-$40 per class. Sign up now and pay by check. Contact orchidmoves@earthlink.net. Check the dance map for exact directions.

A living treasure is among us! Well, when we wake up face our greatness, we are each living treasures, but there are those of us who have already accepted that fact with grace and determination. One such individual is Dona Cici, who is the guest of Viver Brasil. She is giving instruction in the choreostories associated with all those exquisite dances in the Tuesday night class at Dance Arts Academy, the Friday gathering in the Dance Garden, and visiting Swing Brasil on Sundays at 10 AM at the Electric Lodge. At least once...you have to go at least once to take class from a woman in her 80s with a seized hip who is simply elegant when she moves...



LOVELY!
I'm moving to the new rhythm of the days and wishing you an upbeat tempo. The shifting economic terrain is really exhausting, but our focus must be squarely on each other. Got a yard? Turn it over to a neighborhood garden effort. Each yard devoted to something else. Plant fruit bearing trees. Car pool, ride your bike. Pitch in with the neighbors kids. Whatever you can do to be the value that we had collectively misplaced in a piece of paper, go ahead and do it. Up tempo, smile on face, dance as civic duty.

in love,
-Anna

NEWSLETTER: swirl

Peace & Time Y'all,

It's a full moon full of energy to get on the One, if you so choose, or at least go out and enjoy yourself IMMENSELY. There is a vertiable SWIRL of activity in the City of Lost Angels, defying demographics, grant makers and rush hours alike. Get your hover crafts ready because there is a Ben and Jerry's-esque palette of artistic offerings this weekend and the next. Time to call the sitter, get in a car pool, and hit the city with eyes and hearts wide open.


Afrologics...afroism, afronaut, afrolicious, Afrologica...how big is your 'fro?


BLOWING BACK THE 'FRO
Well, the FESTIVAL of course! The Republic of Santa Monica brings an overnight festival to the US this weekend and the REDCAT brings back artist from its local season for a two weekend extravaganza, and most likely, a neighborhood near you is throwing their own shindig; go investigate!

TONIGHT:
REDCAT
Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater
631 W. 2nd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
http://www.redcat.org
NOW Festival 2008, Series One
BUY TWO TICKETS, GET THE THIRD FREE (deal available through the box office only - not the web).
213-237-2800 and this is with purchase of either series , into a mix n match

The bill is nicely streamlined, while still covering a lot of LA artsoup. This festival will remind why it is so important to go and see each other's work: it takes momentum to propel an object, and the same is true for art of any ilk. In addition to being your duty, attending this festival is just going to be fun. It's the REDCAT, darn it! They can produce an event! Go Hassan, Edgar and George!
Of Afrological interest: Baker & Tarpanga Dance Project is up TONIGHT with "Sira Kan/ON the Road." They are also appearing at the Ford in a bit.

Free beer tonight, if that appeals to you.
Baker & Tarpaga Dance Project: Sira Kan / On the Road
Performed by three captivating male dancer-musicians and directed by Olivier Tarpaga, Wilfried Souly and Esther Baker-Tarpaga, On the Road layers movement, music, and personal and oral histories as it journeys through the physical dangers and political realities of West African men seeking new opportunities across borders.
Cloud Eye Control: Final Space and Subterranean Heart
With an ingenious blend of projected animation, live theater and upbeat music, Cloud Eye Control generates hyper-live performances of technological fancy.
Theatre Movement Bazaar: Model Behavior
In Model Behavior, the acclaimed team of Tina Kronis and Richard Alger shred the story of Jekyll and Hyde into a collage of movement, theater and song that careens through cultural obsessions with mesmerism, CSI, the modeling industry, and more.


THE UNKNOWN THEATRE
1110 North Seward Street, LA, CA 90038
"An Attic, An Exit" Lean to Productions San Francisco
July 17 - 27, 2008 Thursday, Friday, Saturday @ 8 PM; Sunday @ 6PM
Free parking at Lexington and Seward
$18 online at www.unknowntheater.com
$24 at the door or by phone (323) 466-7781

I just went for the first time ever last weekend to see Meg's show, and I am LOVING the vibe of this production collective. The stage is a wee wacky in its relationship to the audience, but make no mistake, these folks LOVE them some dance. Street parking was easy on that Sunday, but I wonder how it is on Fridays: there are three other theatre spots within a one block radius. Definitely a part of town to watch.
Lean to Productions San Francisco slams into Hollywood like a meteor. Check out the press here. If I survive the GLOW Festival, I will go to this show on Sunday.

FORD AMPHITHEATRE
2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood, CA 90068
26th Los Angles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival: OUTFEST!
Started on Wednesday, but they go through July 20th
$18 each day at 8:30 PM, but the 20th, which includes award ceremony, is $30 and starts at 7:30 PM

Under the stars and a full moon, this should be a pretty amazing night of film for those celluloid junkies out there. Come early and picnic...and avoid the traffic trying to get to the Hollywood Bowl. Tickets here.

GRAND PERFORMANCES
300-350 S. Grand Avenue in the California Plaza
Parking $7.50, and precious...
Friday, July 18th, 8 PM
TCHEKA
My fav free concert series has an afrolicious afternoon of Cape Verdean music for you! This music verges on the easy-listening, but in classic Cabo Verde style, is infused with deep soul and will instill a longing for more tropical climes without all the hustle--yeah we got to hustle a bit too hard here to remember to enjoy the beauty of where we live, but we are letting that go, right? Bring your lunch.

TEMPLE BAR - SANTA MONICA, CA
July 18th, 10 PM; $12 in advance, $15 at the door which open at 9 PM
AFRO-FUNK FESTIVAL 2008!!
1026 Wilshire Blvd. 323-391-6611
SAMBADA with SILA & The Afrofunk Experience
Plus DJ Jeremiah & The Afrobeat Nation
http://www.templebarlive.com
Not much to say other than, SHAKE IT!

SANTA MONICA PIER
GLOW Festival
Perhaps the public event of the summer, the GLOW Festival runs from 7 pm Saturday July 19 to 7 AM July 20th and boasts an international exhibition of art and performance. It launches by a performance by SHINE at Palisades park. Then during the night, you want to make sure to check out TAGTOOL and Sasas with DUBLAB. Sunday morning the festival is closed by a procession by Viver Brasil, leaving from Palisades Park down to the ocean. You just can't miss this. Pack your white clothing in your day pack so you can help gift the event to Mother Sea and get your groove on with the fabulous Viver Brasil.

THE MUSIC CENTER
135 North Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-972-7211
Fly to the Sky
July 25th, 8 PM
OMIGAWD!! if you know me well, you know that I have this goal of going to Seoul and dancing for 48 hours traight through various funk, soul, and hip hop clubs. So here comes a duet almost to my door. This is one of those scooby-head double takes, but don't sleep! The Soul is alive and well in Korea, and has been since 5th Century BC, yup, BC suckas! This particular crew used to come harder back in 2006, but lately, they have been crooning like lovesick puppies. Not sure what to expect, but it is worth checking out.

THE JAZZ BAKERY
Talita, Jazz Vocalist with special guest Maia, hosted by Nia Long
3233 Helms Ave, Los Angeles, CA
July 27th, 4 PM; $25/$15 for students
A sultry afternoon of avant-garde black 'oman music. Maia is a MUST SEE. You can check out a video I posted on Afrologica of a composition of hers. You must call to reserve your spot. 310-291-9039. Goodness, I'm gonna need me a press pass soon, lol!


Mercy!!! That's a lot in the next two weeks! I have not even included all the visiting artists and dance camps...


AFRICAN DANCE CAMPS
Fareta is a wrap, but the season has just begun with Alumuta here in LA launched and ready to take us through the rest of the month; Brazilian Dance on the platter this weekend. The Nate Holden hosts Yassinanga right now, literally, for $7 at 7 PM. Congolese Drum and Dance Workshop starts next weekend in Pike, CA July 25 - Aug 3rd. I think you can still pay online. And Chicago is home to Le Bagatae's dance camp in August 7 - 10, a very intense line up of master dancers. If you were unable to get it together to join Viver Brail's tour to Bahia, here is some late-breaking news for you:

Afro-Brazilian Dance workshop with Dandha of SambaDa!!! Friday July 18th, 4:30 - 6:00 hosted by
The Blankinship Ballet in Venice, at the corner of Brooks and Main, 132 Brooks AVe, Venice, 90291. $15 gets you in the door, and then you need to rinse off and head to SambaDa's show at the Temple Bar. Dandha throw down Ilê Aiyê stylee, so the funk will definitely be in da house. Bring a towel to wipe your sweat...

Oakland just launched Its 2nd Annual African Diaspora Arts & Culture Day last night, Wednesday July 16! Events will continue through the 20th. Covering everything from dance to film, to theatre and performance art, programmers show why Oakland continues to be a Chocolate City. For more info, contact organizers: [a Caribelinq intiative...510-451-6100]

ONGOING CLASSES
Even while traveling, classes will continue on Tuesday night for Viver Brasil at the Dance Arts Academy at 8th & Wilshire in LA. The line up:
July 22 Gracy Ferreguetti- from San Diego, combining Afro-Brazilian dance and capoeira.
July 29 Vida Vierra spirited orixa movement and samba
August 5 Badaró!! Back by popular demand with his brand of orixa dance movement and samba reggae.
August 12 Samantha Goodman- elements of Silvestre and orixa dance movement.
August 19 Badaró
August 26 Dani Lunn- back from Bahia full of energy and new movement
Live music by Viver Brasil drummers, Badaró, Mario and Sandie and guests.
Dance Arts Academy, 731 S. La Brea Ave,. Los Angeles, CA 90036
8-9:30pm

Sarita Louise Moore has also moved on from Shakti's Elements and is offering her class in Ozone Park, donation based. Class begins on July 20th.

Shelby Williams is on a much deserved vacation.

Rae Shaolan Blum is holding it down on Mondays at Katnap with an intermediate/advanced Modern class.
7:30 - 9:30 PM, 12932 Venice BLVD (between Walgroove and Beethoven)
She danced beautifully in 11 Missing Days and her class has been recommended to me by Ilaan Mazzini. This one we need to get to. She is also offering a special workshop FIELD: Improvisation Workshop:
Where: Farmlab and Under Spring
1745 N. Spring Street #4 LA, CA 90012
near the chinatown stop on the goldline
When: 8/2 & 8/3 11am-2pm
Cost: $40- both days (encouraged); $25- single day
registration and payments are appreciated in advanced. Please send checks (payable to Meg Wolfe) to
1631 Barry Ave., #10 LA, CA 90025

LA Contemporary Dance is offering the following:
PILATES FOR DANCERS!!! Wednesday, July 16th at 5:45pm- 7:00pm
Diavalo Dance Space, 618 B Moulton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90031
Are you interested in improving your core strength, flexibility, balance, turn out, leg extensions, foot/ankle strength and much more? Taught by LACDC company member and BASI certified Pilates instructor, Nichol Mason.
Come July 16th and take the class for only $8! Each additional class will be $15.
Please bring a mat if you have one or a towel. Therabands will be provided.
Please respond to Nichol Mason at nikida1163@yahoo.com to let us know if you will be attending.


The DANCEbank and SHOWBOX summer session courses are in full swing. The dance NInja, Meg Wolfe, continues to move us onward to our highest high. Go check out the schedule on her MySpace Page.

LOVELY!
The Watermelon Relay Race part one was very revealing! Just short of a full team, we managed to pull off a very amusing one hour of antics on Wilshire. Plans are in the work to do the full ethnic slur food olympics sometime in August on Hollywood BLVD. Video of our antics with the "time travel device" aka the watermelon, will be posted soon on YouTube. The NEST hosted by Pat Payne last Saturday was a real hoot. Please sign up at VISCERA on FaceBook to get details on how you can become a part of Pat Payne's NEST and work with me on future performance instigations through VISCERA. Meg Wolfe's show, "11 MIssing Days" was full, very very full. Unlike early work of hers which tends towards sparse staging and dense soundscapes, "11 Missing Days" was epic, and ultimately too large for the stage at The Unknown Theatre, which was shocking. It felt simultaneously too crowded and missing people! The themes were immense, and so was Rae Shaolan Blum's dancing. Jeremy Hahn needed some space to cut loose with his innate loveliness (I think he should play the femme fatale in the dress next time to see what happens). Mikki Delmonico surprised with her lust for performance, and her incredible abs (yikes!). The soundscape took up a lot of space, adding to the whir of images--both live and projected. Meg's solo was rapid and full of data, buzzing like those missing bees and already-dead divas. Perhaps in heels, it will take a different turn (Yes, I LOVE seeing Meg Wolfe in heels). All the makings of a masterwork are there. So Meg, can't wait to see the full, big blowout that this piece portends! Also on the bill, Caseboldt and Smith turned in a smoking, intense performance, though I was wondering what was gonna happen to the men on the floor. Meg's other guest punk rocked, leaving the 'fro stiff and a wee bored. A more complete review of these events and others will post at Afrologica just as soon as I manage to stop "relaxing" so hard. All in all, 11 Missing Days should be put up for a MAP grant so that our dear Dance Ninja can stop hustling so hard and deliver her masterpiece.

It's been great running into folks at shows! Let's stay connected. Send me your upcoming events! Missing you all dearly.

in love,
-Anna