Post-Contact Improv thoughts

Here are a few quick thoughts following a two day Contact workshop with Noam Carmelli...

I haven't done much contact at all since Kirstie Simson's class at U of I, which is now quite a long time ago!  It felt amazing to feel moving bodies again and to have that sense of touch awoken.  At the end of the first day, I felt a little knot in my throat like a was close to crying, I'm not even sure why, but just such an awesome emotional and physical release.  My muscles, on the other hand, felt relaxed, like a lot of tension I've been holding these last couple weeks was let go.

At the end of both days, I had gathered a huge sense of affection for the group and being protective over everyone.  When you move and dance with someone else, you must sense them, and there is a mutual idea of understanding when you "listen" with the body.  There is a deep sense of empathy when you contact in this way.

We talked about the idea that if everyone sensed movement in the way that we (dancers) do...can we create a better world in which to live?  One of my favorite former teachers, Erika Randall, used to say, "Modern Dance for world peace!"  I believe it!

Of dancing, noshing, exploring, and recharging

Two weeks now into MASA dance journey, and having experienced two eventful weekends on Kibbutz Ga'aton, I am now semi-integrated into Kibbutz-dancer life.

Last week was challenging, but I'm better figuring out how to space out my meals and snacks and what specifically to eat to give me the right amount of energy.  I have the sort of metabolism that seems to require food every couple hours, especially when dancing...which makes me feel like I am constantly either preparing food, eating, or thinking about eating.  While my meals and snacks are very healthy and wholesome, I am also totally indulging in chocolate, which is extremely popular here (the chocolate bars with pop rocks inside are a unique Israeli treat), amazing coffee drinks at the delicious cafe, and pastries.  It's quite strange, but also nice, because I feel like I can eat whatever I want and I'm still maybe even losing weight here.  Sometimes at school or at home I would get a bit too obsessed with counting calories and sugar/fat grams.  It's nice to really not worry about that at all.

Hmmm enough rambling, onto more interesting things.  We have SO much choreography to remember, it's a little insane.  We have learned a number of sections of KCDC Rep, mainly from "Transform," and a few other pieces.  I really like KCDC style.  I love dancing big, athletic movement that shows the body's physicality and of which it is capable.  We are also learning sections of the modern take on "Giselle" by Swedish choreographer Mats Ek--Our teacher, Yamit, used to dance in the Ballet Cullberg, so she has played Giselle herself.  This choreography I am not enjoying as much thus far.  It is quirky, odd, and highly theatrical.  This can be fun, at times, but really I would rather dance than stand with my mouth open in a silent scream....Anyway, parts of it, when the music gets exciting (the storm of the willis), we get to do more physical movement--jumping, turning, frenzied running--I like this better, though some of it is really hard on the body.  There a movement that requires a slide out to a second position pike on one hand and on your toes.  That's really hard to explain, but we're supposed to be up on our toes, not on the balls of our feet, and it really hurts!  I don't think my big-toe-bunions can handle it, so I might have to figure out a "cheat" for that one.

Overall though, I really am enjoying all the dancing we're doing.  The teachers all have their own individual styles.  We have a floor class in what seems to be release-technique style once a week in the mornings, and it feels amazing.  What a great way to start the day, rolling around on the floor and warming up your body...I don't even realize I'm warming up and working hard, because it's so gushy and mushy and nice.  It's taught by a company member named Dori, who is so cute and sweet.  We have had about three different teachers for ballet so far, and I have really enjoyed them all.  One of them plays popular/rock songs, which is quite entertaining for ballet, and occasionally a bit distracting, but I really like the change of pace.  What a relief it is to smile and giggle during what is traditionally such a serious art!  We have also had a pianist accompanying some of our ballet classes, who is extremely talented and emotive...it makes such a difference, dancing to live music versus just recorded piano music, which always seems so bland in comparison.

Both of our main modern classes are Graham-based or influenced.  I nearly forgot that Martha Graham was such an important figure in Israel!  (She co-founded and was the first director of Batsheva!)  One class is pure Graham, which is hard for me (hip flexors...ouch), but I think it will also be really good for me posturally.  Before I left to come here, I was dealing with some back issues due to my really hyper-mobile spine and liking to collapse in my lumbar area, which has been causing a lot of pain lately...Graham is really about staying tall and long and using your core, so I think that should be good for me...The other class uses a lot of Graham and Horton exercises.  I'm having a difficult time in it so far, because the teacher noticed asymmetry in the way that I stand, and she asked me to shift.  I told her I have a slight scoliosis (also contributing to these back problems).  She wanted me to shift my rib cage over to the right so that I stand symmetrically.  I don't really agree with that, because I have a skeletal reason for not being straight (and am already over-tight on one side, so I'm not sure, this shift may result in even more tightness).  In college, my professors too noted this problem, but it was more visibly pronounced at the time--the scoliosis manifested itself in holding my arms and shoulders crooked.  I have since corrected this, so I now stand as symmetrical as I can, despite my back/hips still being a little off.  I don't agree with making a shift just so I can "appear" superficially straight.  Hmmm...the teacher seems really knowledgeable though.  I am trying very hard to come into this program without judgment, keep an open mind, and not dismiss a teacher's advice (or discard a fellow dancer as a potential friend) due to one thing they do or say.  We'll see what happens. :-)

The other day we had conferences with Mika, our KCDC rep teacher/one of the directors of this MASA program, and Roni, the coordinator/admin.  We were asked to speak about our backgrounds, both in dance and out, family life, other interests, and why we're here and what we hope to gain from the program.  It was really nice to put into words explicitly why I'm here, and to see them nodding in support of me.  In addition to various technical things, I expressed my hope to improve upon picking up combination more quickly and retaining this information.  Mika was surprised, and said that she had not noticed that that is an issue for me.  It was nice to hear that apparently my confused thought-processes are not visible and hidden behind a fascade of "confidence."  Mika and Roni were also interested and impressed when I told them of my musical background, and very supportive of my hope to choreograph for Nitzotzot, the showcase of our own work.  I arrived at the meeting apprehensive, but left feeling very supported and that this is a really good place to be for me right now....in dancing and in life.

Thursday night, some friends and I went to Nahariya, where we saw a beautiful sunset on the beach, as a full moon appeared overhead.  So beautiful!  It was my first time being at the Sea this trip; I nearly forgot how liberating and freeing it is!

My friend from home, Abra, visited the kibbutz this weekend; she did the MASA program last fall, and is now living/working in Tel Aviv.  It was so great to see her again and hear her insights about the program and teachers and hear about which boys to watch out for because they mean trouble, (and which ones are decent :-P ).  Moreso than that, when you are in a faraway country, it's a simple but wonderful thing to have someone with whom to talk about home.  We talked about people and places that are mutually important to us; and it's a bit crazy, but really awesome, talking about home so far away from home.

We also took a tour of the kibbutz, and saw some of the other industries here--Growing various vegetables, a paper/cardboard producing factory, a medical supply company, and raising poultry (a bit of a turnoff to me; being an animal-rights person, I really like to eat only humane or free range meat, and this did not seem to be this way....I'm curious if it's Kosher.  I may try to investigate this further).  We also had some time to play with Kindergarten kids and have kabbalat shabbat with them; this means welcoming the Sabbath, which involved lighting candles, blessing wine (aka grape juice), and eating absolutely delicious challah!

Friday evening, we were placed with host families for a home-cooked Shabbat dinner.  I was with my roommate, Bec (from Australia--And yes, two Rebecca's in a room!), and Abra came along too, because it was her old host family.  The food was amazing (hummus and challah, eggplant, mashed potatoes, rice, about four kinds of meat, and various pastries for dessert), and the family was so sweet.  The father knew the best English, so I mostly spoke with him, but practiced a bit of the Hebrew I've learned as well.  He also is fluent in Spanish, so I spoke a mixture to him.  He seems to be an avid history buff, spouting a wealth of knowledge about Israeli history, the linguistic history of Hebrew/Aramaic/Semitic languages, and even Chicago history that baffled Abra and me!  A truly wonderful night.

This weekend I have been able to explore the surrounding areas a bit more.  Today I ventured to the Arab shuk (market) in Tarshiha, which was an amazing sight to behold.  There's nothing like a market where many-colored fruits and vegetables are arrayed before you, smells of spiced nuts and freshly squeezed oranges are wafting in the air, and men are shouting at you in languages you can't understand.  I bought some colorful rugs for our apartment, and probably the best cashews I have ever tasted.  I hope at some point to become more adventuresome in my fruit/vegetable choices (I'm still relying on my old staples like apples, bananas, tomatoes, cucumber (my favorite word in Hebrew: melafafone!), and strawberries).  Maybe I'll make it a goal to get something I've never tried each subsequent time I go.  I will definitely be going back to this market, as it's by far the cheapest, and has an amazing selection.

My friend that I went with and I were able to "hitchhike" to the market by standing at the Kibbutz gate and getting a ride with fellow kibbutz members.  On the way home, we were a bit stuck, since hitchhiking outside of the kibbutz is far more dangerous and not allowed.  We called a taxi, which was going to be expensive, and when they arrive in Tarshiha, they couldn't understand my English very well and couldn't find where we were.  Just then, some guys from our kibbutz and a fellow dancer pulled up, and offered us a ride.  We ended up telling the cab that we were so sorry but ended up not needing the lift.  I feel absolutely terrible about it.  I'm pretty sure he was swearing at me in Hebrew as I hung up.  I know that's a really awful thing to do, but in the situation, we felt much better going with people we knew.  I guess maybe you're allowed a quota of least a couple really ****-y moves in your life.  I fulfilled my quota for this trip...

That's been my main problem here, is the lack of easy transportation.  Because we're a bit in the middle of nowhere, to get to Nahariya or the neighboring kibbutz of Yehiam (where a lot of nightlife happens), you can often get a ride there, but cannot be guaranteed a ride back.  I'm the type of person who really likes to be in control of those kinds of things.  If I am going out with friends, I like to be able to leave when I'm tired and do not want to have to depend on other people.  I don't think I will have that type of freedom here.  Some people walk half an hour or more to get home from Yehiam, but as a woman, I don't feel comfortable doing that, especially not alone and in the wee hours of the morning.  At the same time, I am getting better at figuring out buses, taxis, knowing which people have cars, and how to hitch rides safely.  I'm sure I will learn more as time goes on.  I'm definitely going to be safe about whatever I do, because I know from experience (getting into a wrong taxi-van in Jerusalem one time and being taken in the direction of East Jerusalem, a place I don't really want to go alone) to be on high alert.

Speaking about Jerusalem....we are making our first trip there on Wednesday and Thursday of next week!  I'm so excited to see this beautiful city again.  No matter how many times I go there, it will always inspire awe.  I am also exited to share insights and stories to fellow dancers who haven't been there.

Tomorrow and Monday, we also have all-afternoon contact improvisation workshops.  So psyched!

Anyway, sorry for the massive amounts of long rambling in this entry, about things that are possibly quite uninteresting...Thanks for reading and check back!

First Weekend at Ga'aton

After a long, physically intense, but extremely fulfilling week filled with dancing on Kibbutz Ga'aton, we celebrated with the arrival of the first weekend as MASA dance journey participants.  Weekends here are Friday and Saturday, due to the observance of Shabbat in Israel, so it was a strange feeling to be done for the week come Thursday afternoon....Much appreciated though, as I've been feeling massive choreography overload lately!

Friday was just a much-needed lazy day, filled with reading and journal-writing.  I've been finding myself spending a good deal of time at the "Cafe in Motion," which has amazing coffee and delicious pastries...Oy, I know I will spend too much money here, but coffee shops are a favorite haven of mine, and this one is excellent.

Today, Saturday, we attended a performance of Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company's Second Company, which was amazing.  Their talent, endurance, and physicality blew me away, and it was hard for me to believe that they were not even the first company.  They performed "Transform," which is where some of our Rep is from, so that was cool to see it performed live.

The rest of the afternoon was spent on a walk/hike with three other friends to the nearby Kibbutz of Yehiam, where there is a crusader fortress ruin (you can see the castle from Ga'aton, and from first seeing i, I knew I wanted to check it out).  The walk was beautiful, and when we got to Yehiam, there was a gorgeous view of the Mediterranean, and you could make out a misty Haifa in the background.  By the castle was an artist's area, and there was a mosaic studio and another painting and sculpture studio.

When we finally arrived at the fortress, the gates were closed to visitors....So we will have to return another time.  But I feel the walk was worth it. :)  There was hike on a downwards slope past the castle that opened up into a gorge.  There were so many thousands of trees, and farther down than you could see, and they almost looked light and fluffy in the hazy late afternoon setting sun.

Both evenings of the weekend we had the opportunity to get to know our fellow dancers at a potluck Shabbat dinner, and outings at the local kibbutz pub.  I'm really enjoying everyone's company and talking to my new friends about their backgrounds.  Each person is so vastly different from the next.  Some come from small towns, others large cities.  I know I already said this in another post, but I am still constantly amazed by those getting around without knowing much English and virtually no Hebrew!  Many of us are Jewish but may not be observant at all, and some friends are Christian or grew up secular.  All are interested and fascinated by Israel's spiritual and historical significance, and everyone is so excited for our upcoming trip to Jerusalem, coming up in a couple weeks.  I feel lucky that this is my fourth trip here (!), so I can share my insight with everyone, but at the same time feel equal excitement about new encounters.

Upon arrival on the Dance Village...

I have arrived in Israel for my program with Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company, here on Kibbutz Ga'aton in northern Israel!  It's only been a few days, but I can already tell it's going to be an incredible, multi-cultural, physically intense, mentally challenging, totally unique, and illuminating experience.  The main attraction of the Kibbutz is the "Dance Village," and is a beautiful mix of international cultures and languages, green fresh nature, and moving bodies and spirits.

I knew that we would be from all over the world, but until I arrived here, I didn't realize what a truly diverse group we would be, or from what drastically different backgrounds we would come from.  We are from...Australia, England, France, Portugal, Hungary, Russia, Lithuania, Norway, Denmark Belgium, the Netherlands, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico and the United States.  It's amazing hearing all of these different languages and accents, and people speaking in their third or fourth languages in order to communicate.  I feel like my English, decent-but-not-fluent-Spanish, and extremely limited Hebrew are inadequate compared to some of the Europeans who are so versed in multiple languages (though I had a neat moment in the train station in Tel Aviv...The girl at the coffee shop didn't speak English, so I tried Hebrew and didn't do so well, but ordered my latte in Spanish to a man who translated it to Hebrew :-) ).

The dance studios are beautiful.  The main big studio ("Big Raya") has full glass windows that overlook the northern Israeli countryside.  There is so much green surrounding me, I feel supported by natural beauty and the elements.  We have only had two days so far and the first day was introductory.  But thus far, the ballet classes have been challenging, motivating, and truly fun.  Sometimes I forget that ballet is such a beautiful art, and I get caught in the struggle and effort.  In these classes I've found the two (work and pleasure) can coexist.  The first piece of Rep we started learning (from "Naked City") is incredibly physical and demanding.  It's fun but it's also proving hard for me to get through.  I feel like I'm eating and drinking enough, but I need to change it up to figure out what the right things are...maybe more protein...to get me through the day.  I'm already feeling sore tonight!  It will be a long week...We also learned a second piece of Rep that was about two minutes of all gestures.  This was difficult for me to follow along, and I have a really hard time memorizing these patterns.  By the end, we added music for one run-through, which really helped me ("Send in the Clowns").  Music really informs my movement and stimulates my brain in the way that I work.  I know I will work better when we rehearse again with the music.  Finally, we had improv class, which was incredibly fun.  Partially simple scores, a bit of contact, and a long open jam at the end.  I was reminded of the amazing contact classes we had with Kirstie Simson at school, and here I felt alive and energized.

Backing it up a bit...Before I arrived at the kibbutz, I spend a few days in Tel Aviv.  I was able to take Gaga class at the Susanne Dellal Center, the home of Batsheva as well as other Israeli dance companies.  I went to class with my friend Eldar, who I met in Gaga class 2 1/2 years ago, so it seems like coming full circle.  I'm so grateful to have started my dance journey by taking this class.  I took Gaga in New York once, but for some reason, taking it here in Tel Aviv, where the whole movement began, seemed so much more of an authentic experience for me.  I love the physical and emotional release it provides by allowing us to really feel pure movement with nothing else affecting or layered on top of it.

Tel Aviv is such a fantastic city as a whole.  The cafes and restaurants are all so delicious ("taim maod"...I am learning), and all the food is so fresh and fantastic.

Well, enough writing for now, time to rest my tired body and mind.  Check back soon for more writings from the Dance Village in the Galilee...

A new dance journey abroad

I am now less than a week away from my dancing adventure in Israel...I will leave on Saturday to study for five months with Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company, and I'm entirely psyched about it.

The KCDC "Dance Journey" program is essentially an apprenticeship/training program with the modern dance company in northern Israel.  About twenty-five of us from around the world will study alongside the company members and take technique class from the directors, create choreography of our own, learn KCDC repertoire, and perform around Israel.  I have already begun communicating with some of my fellow dancers...So far, I have "met" (and by met I mean via Facebook) dancers from all over the States, the Netherlands, and Australia.  I can't wait to meet them in person and learn and dance together.  We will be living on a kibbutz, which is an Israeli commune/village--This one is dance-centered, which is possibly the coolest concept ever. :)

The technique classes will be mainly ballet and modern, but will also encompass other Israeli forms, that I think/hope will include Ohad Naharin's Gaga technique...oh how I want to get back to Gaga!  I will also spend four days in Tel Aviv before I head north to the Kibbutz, and I definitely hope I'll have the chance to revisit Gaga at the Batsheva studio (If you want to know more about Gaga, read this post here: http://artinmotionblog.blogspot.com/2009/01/gaga-class-in-tel-aviv.html).

When I was first accepted to this opportunity abroad, I was ambivalent and nervous, worried to leave home for so long and unsure about the opportunities back in Chicago that I will miss.  Now, of course there is still a part of me that feels this way, but I have reached the point where most of what I feel is excitement and an eagerness to welcome what has come my way.

I will be blogging about the experience here...Read and check in with me, and keep in touch.


"It's a dangerous business, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no telling where you might be swept off to." ~Bilbo Baggins in JRR Tolkien's The Fellowship of the Ring

A return writing, running, dancing

Well, I've been on a bit hiatus from writing.  Not by choice, but more by the increased amount of craziness in my life right now, which has been impinging on my time to blog, but also to take class.  It's ironic how when jobs pick up, and I'm doing more teaching and choreographing, it impedes my personal time to myself to dance.  I guess you just can't have it all.  I'm looking forward to February, when I head to Israel for Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company's five month apprenticeship/training program.  I'm so incredibly excited to get back to dancing hard-core and studying intimately with a company, in a place where I can be focused on nothing but this art.  I'm nervous for many reasons, like leaving home, leaving my friends and missing things and opportunities here.  I will miss my fantastic jobs that I have been lucky enough to obtain here.  But ultimately, I'm excited, and ready to dance.

One inspirational thing I did recently...I ran the Hot Chocolate 5K in Chicago last Saturday, and it was surprisingly fun and inspirational.  I only began running about two years ago (I always used to hate it!), and have done one other 5K over a year ago.  This race was at 7:40am on a chilly fall morning in Grant Park in Chicago.  I woke up at about 5:15 and drove to my friend's apartment when it was still dark, and I was wondering the whole time, "What...am I DOING?"  It was still dark when we went into the underground parking garage, but when we came up, the dawn was just breaking.  The clouds looked like mountains, it was the craziest sight.  The race went through the park and Museum Campus, and when we came around the east side of the Aquarium and saw the view of the misty lake, less than an hour after sunrise, and the Planetarium in the distance, it was truly a sight to behold.  The gorgeous views and crisp air inspired me, and even though I'm not much of a runner, I was able to keep a steady pace and finish in a time I was happy with.

Running is a truly beautiful sport, and the simple motion is pure physicality and grace.  I really appreciated what a body can do in this moment, and it felt good to be alive on that fall morning.  I ran through AthletiCo Physical Therapy, where I work, and the charity we chose was Cry For Justice, which aides children who have been abused by sex trafficking.  Many other charities were benefitted by various teams, and I heard that the races combined (5K and a 15K) had around 20,000 participants.  What a wonderful thing, to get a bunch of people together to run for a cause in beautiful Chicago!  Plus, we had chocolate fondue and hot chocolate at the finish line.  What a perfect idea!

The only downside was catching a terrible cold afterwards....suggestion to anyone who reads this: Make sure you get enough sleep (not just the night before, but don't be depriving yourself for weeks before, like I was) and dress in layers to throw on afterwards so you're not freezing in your sweaty clothing afterwards!  I learned my lesson...But it was worth it.  I could tell I was going to get sick eventually.  But this feeling of inspiration that kept me on a high for the rest of the weekend...you can't take that away.

Interlochen Center for the Arts--"Art Lives Here"

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This past weekend I visited a place that is incredibly special to me--Interlochen Center for the Arts.  While visiting family in the pinky that is the mitten of Michigan, I spent a day at my former summer camp that was the epitome of artistic inspiration for three summers in high school. And yes, I know I already have a blog post about Interlochen (http://artinmotionblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/reflections-of-interlochen.html), but inspiration calls for writing, and you can never abandon inspired writing, despite the risk of being redundant. :)

I can't even find words to describe the feeling of being back in that haven of art and nature, where music emanates from everywhere.  I have visited once before since being a camper, so it was not quite the same shock of emotion I received last time.  Still, I did tear up a bit when I approached Kresge auditorium, the beautiful pavilion with its large glass windows lining the upstage wall so that you can see the lake, shimmering behind the performers.  I noticed that overall, the campus seems a bit smaller than my high school-self remembered (perhaps due to spending four years at a Big Ten university...).  Kresge, however, still seems epic in stature to me, and the words "Dedicated to the Promotion of World Friendship Through the Universal Language of the Arts" that are written above the windows are hopeful and comforting in this crazy world we live in. 

I spent the day watching orchestras and bands rehearse, meeting new teachers in the dance building, having a moment in my favorite, sunlit studio, and wandering the campus (including finding my name and a quote I had written on the walls of a former cabin!).  As I sat on the grass outside the Bowl, another outdoor pavilion, I thought of the final closing performance of every summer, Les Preludes, in which a 500-piece orchestra performed Liszt's piece of the same name.  Us dancers waited eagerly for our cue to enter toward the end of the piece, and we danced on top of the roof of the Bowl, a thrill I will never forget.  Not to get too mushy with things like destiny, but when I step foot on the grounds I feel as if I have arrived home.  I have always thought that some day I want to teach there.  Now I feel that desire with more power and certainty.  I want more performance experience, and definitely need more teaching experience, before I could be hired at Interlochen.  But I know in a couple years I can see myself spending my summers there as I did before, this time, on the other end of the studio.  Thinking about the time that has passed still saddens me in some way, and I know I can never go back to being the innocent, excited, youthful recipient of knowledge like I was at age 15 to 17.  But I hope that being the bearer and deliverer of knowledge with the power to transpire information and plant a seed of inspiration can be just as powerful.  I know that when you teach art, it can be a truly shared experience.

On a more practical topic, without much transition...I have always been surprised that Interlochen has no physical therapist on staff...When I was a camper there, I was dealing with some extensive ankle injuries and remember going to the "Infirmary" after every intense day to get ice.  Working in the physical therapy field, I am increasingly aware of the need for performing-arts-specific PT's who understand dance-specific injuries.  I also know that musicians are incredibly prone to injuries of intricate, intrinsic muscles of the wrist and hand, and I remember a cabin-mate of mine, a violin player, who did exercises every night for tendinitis.  During my visit, I inquired at the Infirmary if they have since hired a PT, and the nurse did not seem to understand the necessity and said it would not be cost-effective (they send students down the street to a hospital if one needs physical therapy).  It's amazing to me that even during the school year, when Interlochen runs the Interlochen Arts Academy (boarding high school), they still do not have a PT.  So, of course, in the back of my head, here I am thinking that I can change all of this and might have a future job in store, granted I go for  DPT.  Perhaps if I do not end up teaching dance at Interlochen, I can be hired as the first on-staff physical therapist!  Maybe....:-)

So, in conclusion, visiting Interlochen has brought about a lot of wishful thinking....But among the goals that are stretches might be some realistic ones as well.  In any case, it's wonderful to have a reminder for why I do what I do and why art matters.