Looks like Chop Shop is gaining ground...check out these links!

http://www.cityartsmagazine.com/blog

http://www.cityartsmagazine.com/issues/eastside/2010/02/speechless

The community outreach classes (Experience The Arts in collaboration with the City of Bellevue) have been amazing. These are free lectures and dance classes (Reading Dance and Introduction to Modern Dance) created to bring new viewers to this art from. I start each lecture by confessing my greatest wish...that everyone would love this art as much as I do. This creates a few smiles...and more blank stares. But eventually I am able to get everyone on my side. I swear I should have sold real estate. I would have made a killing.

The Reading Dance lectures are almost more beneficial for me than for the viewers. Being forced to quantify WHY I put these phrases in this particular or in accordance with the overall arcing purpose of the work AND THEN expressing this to people who know very little about dance has proven to be an exciting challenge. One can't get too philosophical or repetitive. And one can't bullshit either. I have caught myself doing a little of both, but I somehow get there in the end. One recurring theme that seems to pop up in my work, that I only recently discovered, is the theme of hope. I am a serial optimist. Maybe that's why I can never get any funding.

The dance classes are some of the most rewarding I teach. People show up in jeans and high heels or with their babies, but by the end of class they are utilizing sustainment and force and rise and fall and it's absolutely glorious. I tell them how special they are...that they are no different from the prima ballerinas of the world, or the Barishnikov's (sp)...that those people only had the fortunate opportunity to hone their craft. I tell them that their love of dance is exactly the same...special, rare and amazing.

CHOP SHOP: BODIES OF WORK

MASTER CLASSES

On Stage At The Theatre at Meydenbauer

A unique opportunity to study with some of the leading instructors/choreographers in our region. Classes are open to dancers ages 12+ to adult and require a minimum of two years of training. Classes are taught at an Intermediate/Advanced level. All participants must sign a release form (on the day of the class) and those under 18 years of age must have an adult sign for them. Fees are due on or before time of class. Cash only, please.

Saturday, February 13^th:

10:30 to 12:00 Contemporary Improvisation Aiko Kinoshita

12:30 to 2:00 Contemporary Technique Michael Rioux

3:30 to 5:00 Modern Technique Sonia Dawkins 



Sunday, February 14^th:


10:00 to 11:30 Contact Improvisation Cyrus Khambatta


11:30 to 1:00 Modern Technique Mark Haim

Fees:

1 class - $18.00


3 classes - $45.00


5 classes - $50.00

Spots are limited. To reserve your place, please email stonedancecollective@hotmail.com or call 206-799-6004.

Reading Dance - FREE Event - 

Sunday, February 14th, 1:00 to 2:00 
 “Reading Dance” is a free event for those who want to learn more about how contemporary work is created and the meaning and imagery within this abstract movement language. Get a “behind the scenes” look at the inspiration and utilization of a choreographer’s artistic processes. Lecture hosted by Eva Stone with choreographers and dancers from the Festival. Location: The Theater at Meydenbauer.