You breathe, I dance

just a small ravioli tryna get her life together

[lum1natrix]

…a-are you sure

[hairstylesbeauty]

[number1fanofsam]

[lum1natrix]

you heard the man

[isabelscpsarts]

COFFEE & CRAFTS: POTATO STAMP/GIFT PAPER - 11/29/17 - 5:30pm

Bel Air Hall College Park Scholars Lounge

I had a great time meeting new people and making friends at Coffee & Crafts. My inner second grader was especially thrilled to hear that we were going to be making potato stamps! I loved this project and am going to be using the paper I stamped to wrap a Christmas present for my roommate. 

[isabelscpsarts]

[isabelscpsarts]

TERRAPIN THEATRE TROUPE CABARET - 11/17/17 - 7:00pm-8:00pm

Adele H. Stamp Student Union Baltimore Room

The Terrapin Theatre Troupe Cabaret enabled me to travel through the years of musical productions, while cheering on my incredibly talented friends. Song themes ranged from classic Broadway to more contemporary pieces developed in recent years. I thoroughly enjoyed attending this professionally run event and relished reminiscing with some of my favorite shows through powerfully passionate performances.

[isabelscpsarts]

“IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE” PLAY PERFORMANCE - 11/10/17 - 7:00pm-9:00pm

Mount Hebron High School in Ellicott City, MD

Nostalgically appearing at my old high school to see old friends perform my father’s favorite movie/play was 100% worth the wait for the rare tickets. I have never felt so many emotions watching a play performance before. Not only was I observing the talents of my friends, but “It’s a Wonderful Life” covered themes of suicide, loss, aspiration, determination, and drive. I found myself relating to George Bailey in a number of scenarios, and could not have been happier to visit home for this legendary Thomas Sankey production.

[isabelscpsarts]

[isabelscpsarts]

GLASS ANIMALS CONCERT - 10/09/17 - 9:30pm-12:30am

9:30 Club in Washington, D.C.

I have been to a plethora of concerts during my lifetime, but none compare to last night’s Glass Animals concert. The epic combination of 80s-vibe, electronic beats and musically-timed light display intensified the music experience as a whole. I have never seen a concert conduct such an intense and intricate light show, and it was incredible. The old soul counterculture was truly alive that night as thrifted-clad hipsters crowded to gawk at the British band throwing a pineapple into the audience and singing about mayonnaise.

[isabelscpsarts]

KREATIVITY OPEN MIC NIGHT - 09/29/17 - 7:30pm-9:30pm

Cafritz Foundation Theatre in The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center on the University of Maryland, College Park Campus

As a new member of Kreativity, the audition-based, multi-art club on campus, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase my own art in collaboration with another dancer in addition to admiring the talents of club members and non-members. Overall, I felt a deep connection with the more emotional pieces, especially the poetry and spoken word about the struggles of depression. Inevitably, I found myself feeling lucky that I had the opportunity to witness a snippet of the vast talent present at the university. 

[isabelscpsarts]

Reflection #3

How might one or more of the performances/experiences relate to the Arts Scholars theme of "Going Viral"?

I felt that the third dance piece in the NextDANCE performance represented the virality of conformity. It began with all of the dancers still on stage, with one dancer moving. The other dancers all watched the first dancer until everyone started doing the same movements. This theme continued through the majority of the piece, until pairs of dancers broke free from the conformity to explore different realms of movement. I also thought the Silent Disc-Glo experience could relate to the Arts Scholars theme of “Going Viral” because whenever familiar songs were played through the headphones, it felt like the whole room was singing the lyrics or dancing the popular choreography. The viral power of music and dance was definitely showcased in this event.

[isabelscpsarts]

Reflection #2

What was your favorite performance/experience? Why was it your favorite?

My favorite performance was the NextDANCE showcase in which graduate and undergraduate students presented their spring semester final works. I was especially enthralled by the piece with the trash, contortionist, and emulation of society versus the individual. As a dancer, the pieces sparked by creative imagination and I was truly impressed by their control of the craft. Before the NextNOW Festival, I did not perceive lighting production as a form of art. However, after the incredibly tripping lighting and projections in the Silent Disc-Glo, I really respected the complexity behind this electronic art form. Overall, the Silent Disc-Glo was by far my favorite experience because it combined new technology with a club-like atmosphere. The headphones gave listeners the freedom to choose what music they wanted to listen to, and the competing DJs brought a new dimension to the whole experience.

[isabelscpsarts]

Reflection #1

What did you see/hear/learn that was completely new to you?

The NextNOW Festival was a truly eye-opening experience complete with innovations, breaking boundaries, and bringing the future a little bit closer in today’s society. I learned about how far virtual and augmented reality has come in the technology world in addition to the programming steps and strategies taken in order to actualize a polished product. I also had the opportunity to really dive in and comprehend the true sense of unity that artwork brings to a community. This was especially true with the Unit Mural Creation in which I was able to contribute firsthand to the creation of a stunning piece of art.

[isabelscpsarts]

Silent Disc-Glo

[isabelscpsarts]

Transcend Virtual Reality Demo

[isabelscpsarts]

NextDANCE featuring Lynne Price & Kristen Yeung