dancetravelplay @sarahvynevassallo - Tumblr Blog

Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence.

Leonardo da Vinci (via purplebuddhaproject)

Very true..

Ive been everywhere man..

Where have I been?

Sydney America LAX San Francisco Oakland United Kingdom Heathrow Paddington Cheltenham Gloucestershire France Paris St Pancreas Whitstable Oxford Knightsbridge Dalston Stanmore Canonbury Greenwich Kings Cross Birmingham Paddington Kings Cross Dalston New Cross St Pancreas Nottingham Chesterfield Bournemouth Derbyshire Sheffield Rowsley Gatwick Spain Orgiva Granada London City Heathrow JFK New York DUMBO Brooklyn

Manhattan Liberty Island Queens JFK Sydney Australia

Who have I seen?

AXIS Dance Company Artistic Director - Judith Smith Choreographer - Marc Brew GDance Company Director - Caroline Bowditch StopGap Dane Company Lisa Simpson Company Practitioner - Jurg Koch Candoco Dance Company Co Artistic Director - Pedro Machado Co Artistic Director - Stine Nilsen Learning Manager - Hannah Dye Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance The Place - London School of Contemporary Dance Birmingham Dance Festival Stans Cafe (With Sam Chester) Punchdrunk and London National Theatre Frantic Assembly Prince of Whales Theatre Goldsmith University Head of PHD - Anna Catherine Hickey-Moody Dance4 Pavilion Dance South West Foundation for Community Dance Diverse City Unlimited Atick Dance Arc Dance Company First Movement Project Coordinator - Katie Ward Cortijo Romero 5 Rhythms

How did I get there?

8 Planes 105 Trains 26 Buses 8 Taxis Miles and miles of walking

#ivebeeneverywhere

“Life has many ways of testing a person’s will, either by having nothing happen at all or by having everything happen all at once.”

Paulo Coelho

All aboard the Paris train..

TRAVEL PLAY

For the Easter long weekend.. Off we go to Paris.. Four days of non stop tourist action are you ready for the express tourist train..

Met by the wonderful Girardin family at St Pancreas International train station was a delight. I waited with anticipation to see my lifelong friends beautiful smile and was greeted with a running embrace.. In the background played ‘sing us a song you’re the piano man’, (I kid you not) by random travellers that would sit down to play the blue ‘street piano’ located in the piazza dining area of the station.

We grabbed a quite bite to eat and I had the yummiest, spelt, raison, almond and sesame scone with ricotta and one of the best coffees I have found thus far in London. It was my slice of Easter.

Instantly we pick up conversation and chatter like we just saw each other yesterday.. Thankfully husband G was on time watch and hustled us to get up and happening as the Eurostar was departing in 30mins..

The Eurostar was very comfortable and the french service started immediately, sparkling water, wine, cheese and olive bread.. Followed by tea and coffee and more wine.. Mmm that bread..

Tour guide Mrs G extraordinaire arranged the whole trip and French Canadian hubby was our personal interpreter and daddy sitter.. Let the cheese and wine begin..

We arrive in Paris and find out very quickly that you have pay to go to the toilet.. How hilarious and ridiculous, anyway we are all in good spirits and make our way to the hotel, Paris Castille..

A fabulous location in the heart of Paris known as the 1st Arrondissement, and it turns out we are on the legendary street neighbouring Coco Channels’ original headquarters. Which are now now retail premises that take up the entire corner block.. Window shopping only over here.

With just a short stroll to the Louvre, Opera Garnier and Place Vendôme we are very comfy in our new home away from home...

We unpack, settle in and then Mr G sorts out a recommended restaurant from the ever so helpful concierge.. She recommends a less tourist strip just off the Champs Élysées unfortunately there was literally a line up around the block. However on the same strip we found a delicious organic steak house.. More bread and more wine to go with.. Of course..

Day two - The next morning we are up at 9am for a bike tour but unfortunately due to bad weather and an unsettled baby we decide to rearrange plans.. Hubby and bubby head back for some R and R and the girls head off to the Eiffel Tower.. Being a long weekend we couldn’t get tickets on the lift so we decided to brave the 1700 stairs.. The line moved quite quickly and the experience was so breath taking, even waiting in the cue meant you were able to see so many different perspectives and angles of the stunning architecture.

By day...

We made it!! We may or may not have had a few stops and breathers on the way.. Just to see the sites of course nothing to do with our age or decreasing level of fitness..

What a picture perfect day accompanied by the best company, in one of the most stunning cities in the world.. I am breathing it all in..

The walk and climb also enabled plenty of time to talk about life, love and other catastrophes. Even after 17 years of friendship somehow we have never tired of good conversation.. A true sign of freindship in my books..

Heading back to the hotel we discover the ever so sheik designer shirt.. Umm sorry is that a VB can on your shirt or are you just happy to see us?!?

We returned to the hotel to check in on bubba and then ventured out for some French cuisine.. We were sure to tick a few boxes regarding classic French foods to try before you die.. Foie Gras, Escargot, Baked Camembert with Baguettes and Champagne.. The service was delightful, the food was exquisite and the champagne went down way too easy.. We found ourselves in a very happy place.. In our enlightened joyous 'oh so French' moment we realized that it really doesn’t take much for us to be happy.. Mmmm that could be questionable?!?!

We grab the fam and head back to see the tower by night.. Just magical, transformative and so watchable all over again..

We wouldn't be ticking all the boxes if we didn't head home in a Tuk Tuk, whilst a fun and necessary experience it was also kinda scary and I must say now it is off the bucket list it shall not be returning..

Day two was off to the galleries and a hop on hop off bus tour..

The Lourve blew me away, so much decadence, so much beauty, so much art! It was also inspiring to hear that the collection of works started with a mere 12 paintings.. A friendly reminder that we all start somewhere and now one of the largest museums and historic monuments in the world exists because of those 12 paintings.

From the classic collections of Michelangelo to Egyptian Antiques you could get lost in here for days..

In the exhibition of Mona Lisa the room was packed. Thankfully I ended up standing near a giant, like literally I know I am little, but this guy was an easy 6”6, and towered over everyone else taking images of the infamous Mona Lisa. I politely asked him if he can help a smaller women out and he managed to take a few pics for me.. This shot was the best of the bunch.. I came, I saw, I snapped..

Whilst this may not be my personal taste in artwork it was really something special to see a piece of art painted by such a legendary artist, an image that has been celebrated by so many people, enticed them, transfixed them, she has been written about, danced about and longed for and she has lived on for multiple centuries.. Thank you Leonardo da Vinci..

Dinner was once again recommended by the hotel and was a delightful authentic French Bistro, red and white checkered table clothes, bay window, baguettes, more baked cheese, grilled duck, fresh salad and French fries just so we can could feel extra French.. Again impeccable service by some very ‘unattractive’ extremely hospitable male waiters..

Day three, and now to get to the roots of Paris, off to Montmartre we go, home to the Moulin Rouge and nightclub district, where many artists had studios or worked around the community, such as Salvador Dalí, Amedeo Modigliani, Claude Monet, Piet Mondrian, Pablo Picasso and Vincent van Gogh. You know just a few of my old mates.. Phoah!

What a unique village, there is certainly a common and universal thread that where the artists have been, magic has happened and traces of that magic live on.. Every city so far it has been the artist voices, impressions, inspirations and work that has resonated the most in leaving some kind of cultural imprint and legacy on its parts..

Montmartre is obviously also known for the ever so enchanting and gothic white-domed Basilica of the Sacré Cœur.

Our timing was impeccable as there was a service starting, so we walked into the church being lit by 1000's of candles partnered with the sounds of hymns being sung in french, the stain glass windows are extraordinarily detailed and some of the most beautiful I have seen.. There are no photos allowed inside however the images of the large scale stain glass murals has been etched in my mind.. Talk about an existentail experience..

The view over Paris was breath taking and something you could stare at for hours and this image barely does it justice..

Day four, last but certainly not least the Musée Rodin..

Now this is an artist I truly respond to, his work is so emotive, almost heart wrenching.. It draws out passions but also suffering, striving, pain and sorrow.. Yet the sculptures are so brilliant you are also driven to joy and satisfaction.. Shall we call it the roller coaster of Rodin..

His statues are living, they capture motion and emotion in stillness…

And there I sat beneath 'The Thinker'.. Him looking down at me and me looking up at him.. For me, he triggers wonderment, intrigue, contemplation, decision making, procrastination.. Framed by an exquisite blue cloudy sky (no filter used) I could not have asked for a more satisfying backdrop..

Then we head to Rodin's The Gates of Hell inspired by the work of Dante.. Goose bumps explode all over my body as I walk in closely to see the tormented souls, one after another, after another, intertwined lost beings, reaching out and pulling in. Hundreds of images come to life in this sculpture it is certainly one you have to see to truly feel..

The gallery itself is incredible, gardens, water fountains, the house of which was once his studio, indoor work, outdoor work, people having picnics, laying low, day dreaming and apparently you can even get married there..

The contrast of his strong iron and transfixed statues with the green, vulnerability of nature, earth and natural light is a curation many would die for..

What an exceptional way to end a wonderful Paris experience.. I must return to Rodin I believe I could spend many days there, slowly making my way through the grounds mesmerised, moved and inspired..

I found Paris to be the city of art, passion, wealth, war, religion, poverty and beauty… No wonder people fall in love with you Paris you are full to the brim and bursting over with all that life itself contains intertwined with magic..

Now for some cheese and bread before our final bon voyage..

#therodinrollercoaster

Where you say?

TRAVEL

Less than a hundred miles from London, Cheltenham is a quaint little town, that was designed in its 18th and 19th century heyday as a pleasure health resort for wealthy visitors, the legacy of which is an exceptional range of quality accommodation, restaurants and entertainment in an elegant spa town. Oooh lala!

Home to literature, jazz, music and science festivals, with plenty of cafes, culture, couture and colourful gardens.

Cheltenham is filled with regency town houses, with intricate ironwork balconies and painted stucco facades, historic buildings line the leafy Promenade, squares and terraces. Street after street of beautiful heritage..

This made me giggle.. Fancy heading down to the slots?!?!

While I was visiting, local artist Banksy managed to take over another wall with one of his political and satire murals.. Perhaps making comment on the hometown of the Government Communication Head Quarters GCHQ.

Cheltenham is also known for its beautiful and award-winning gardens, stylish shopping, restaurants, bars (apparently hapenning nightlife) and horse racing.

It was the perfect time to experience Cheltenham in Spring, as there were flowers and trees blossoming everywhere, a timely reminder of new beginnings.

Whilst I was visiting the Young Ignite program, I stayed in the quaintest Cottage that was a home away from home. I shared a magical courtyard, cups of tea and a lovely night of french cuisine with my beautiful host. FYI memory foam mattress = best sleep in years.. Yes I mean years!! Note to self, save for memory foam!

My host was truly amazing and I managed to end up on the door step of a kindred spirit a mere 18,000+ kilometres away from home, oh and I cannot forget my new little furry friend who made my stay even more pleasurable..

I hope I return one day, such a pretty place and I only managed to play a little.. Didn't get into a spa either.. None the less I am more than satisfied with my journey in Cheltenham, I have found two new friends and a wonderful travel destination for the future.

#sprinhassprung

Fuelling young creatives flames

DANCE

Young Ignite 2014 is a three day residential training and professional development program for young dance creatives with disability. Held at the University of Gloucestershire, Oxstalls Campus, Gloucester and facilitated by the innovate production and training dance company GDance.

The Young Ignite initiative took place from Tuesday 15 - Thursday 17 April, and included 5 participants who were nominated by integrated companies from across the United Kingdom. Nominating regional partners included Candoco Dance Company London, Diverse City Dorset, Paragon Music Glasgow, Braene Dance Company Sunderland and GDance Gloucester.

Five support dancers in training from Gloucester University were an integral part of the process incorporating integration, education and awareness throughout the program. The legendary Louise Brown, GDance’s Education Associate, supported these roles through; goal setting, regular meetings, and monitoring professional conduct and equality. Louise has been intrinsic in the development of Young Ignite over the passed 3 years and has been responsible for the systemic growth, mapping and strategies undertaken throughout its life span.

Image of morning class with participants led by Jurg Koch

This year the course focused on the gathering of talented young creatives to develop their choreographic and leadership skills and is tailor made to support the disabled young people involved.

With excellence at the forefront of the program, choreographer, performer, advocate and fellow Australian, (now Glasgow based) Caroline Bowditch was engaged as the course director. Having paved the way as a leader and an in demand disabled artist, Caroline’s knowledge and experience was core to the program’s planning and development.

Image of Caroline and dancers in NQR for Scottish Dance Theatre

Young Ignite was an intense, 3 days of round the clock training, networking, work shopping and debriefing, a significant amount of time was also spent with each participant to set goals, future planning, debriefing both before, during and post program.

Following the completion of Young Ignite each participant has the opportunity to continue a mentoring relationship with Caroline through Skype sessions every second month for 6-months, the nominating companies also provide ongoing artist development support for 6 months.

What an amazing opportunity for these young developing artists and it doesn’t end there!

There were training sessions each morning with choreographer and educator Jurg Koch who specialises in an integrated dance training methodology that he has developed, the Universal Design of Instruction. His framework promotes access in all areas of dance training and practice and is a result of his experience with Candoco Dance Company and his vast experience in higher education in America. Instead of a disability specific approach of ‘adapting’ movement, Jurg’s approach is about everyone in the class working within the same set of universal principles and finding individual ways to work, move, extend and to be challenged within themselves and those principals.

Jurg Kock teaching at Washington University

Caroline also facilitated a ‘Choreographic Toolkit’ session inviting dancers to develop and respond to their own movement language and points of inspiration. Several compositional tasks were explored looking into use of space, dynamics, spoken word and contrast. Layers were added to this process, props come out (which always make me happy), duos or trios were formed, call and response was opened up and it was a fun and exploratory afternoon.

For the rest of the afternoon, we had a session with Lisa Simpson on ‘Communicating Choreographic Ideas’, through the use of the Simpson Board, a choreographic scoring system developed by Lisa and Adam Benjamin (Co-Founder of Candoco). The Simpson Board is a choreography tool that enables disabled people with non-or limited verbal communication to choreograph their own piece of work. Lisa is the Director of Inclusive Dance Limited and is a choreographer and workshop leader with a disability. Lisa has quadriplegia Cerebral Palsy and has no verbal communication; Lisa choreographs and developed professional dance work using the Simpson Board. I now own one, and will be bringing it home with me to share with Oz.

Next in line the Young Igniters had a visit from the all-inclusive Dance Company, Stopgap. Known for their exhilarating dance productions combining people with and without varying kinds of disabilities, the companies’ ethos is that of a collaborative and discovery based process.

Stopgap company dancers Laura Jones and David Willdridge facilitated their ‘Leadership Workshop’, which incorporated both dance skills training along side educating participants in how to lead their own workshops. The class included group warm ups, dance theatre exercises, discussion and observation and Laura led some insightful conversations about the many different ways of leading and creating dance. All the while David scribbled madly to notate and provide visual examples of the discussion.

Image of Laura leading progression exercises with the participants

Visual examples of teaching and learning approaches

I felt really fortunate to be part of Young Ignite, not only was I thrilled to be shadowing Caroline whom accepted my placement for the week, I had hoped to meet with both Stopgap and Lisa Simpson, however due to a very full and already demanding program I was unable to make time to visit these companies..

Well there I was in the borough of Gloucestershire meeting both these companies and being introduced to the ‘wizard’ as Caroline calls him Jurg Koch and the wonderful dance organisation Gdance. I was able to gain a very privileged insight to the in’s and out of the whole Young Ignite program and given that Catalyst Dance 2014 is a residency based artist-development program, this was very timely and insightful experience.

There continues to be a very auspicious and synchronised trend happening on this trip, which is both affirming and confirming for the strong integrated dance community developing in NSW. This only continues to fuel my own flame even more!

The whole Young Ignite team, participants, staff and nominating companies

GDance developed Young Ignite in response to research conducted by Dance4 and Trinity Laban’s (2012), Barriers to Dance Training for Young People with Disabilities and Development of Talented Young Dancers with Disabilities. Another resource I have now obtained.

The program was a well oiled, accessible, exciting and innovative program led by the powerhouse Program Coordinator Ailsa Hardy with support from Director Cath Wilkons and several staff members.

#itsgettinghotinhere

Divide and conquer

DANCE

AXIS Company season poster at the BART and me realigning my curve!

What an amazing first week (10 days) of information and inspiration, my brain is already in overload and overdrive with the possibilities and prospects of our integrated dance work back home. Excitement is bubbly for what we can achieve, encouragement is bursting with what we are already achieving and my passion has been intensely fuelled to continue to foster and develop the work of integrated contemporary dance in NSW, and this is only week one!

AXIS has been pioneering the space for physically integrated dance for 27 years and their presence and work is considered revolutionary. It was such a privilege to be able to see this work in motion and watch dancers who are wheelchair users defy their chairs and to witness different bodies integrated in a poetic and seamless way. As it should be it was all about the dance, the dancer, the work, the message and the artistry.

Image credit Divide Rehearsals - AXIS Dance Company ©

Here is little bit about AXIS Dance Company;

“If art is supposed to change how we think, how we view the world, then credit AXIS Dance Company for a blazing artistic vision.” Sid Smith, Chicago Tribune

AXIS Dance Company, one of the world’s most acclaimed and innovative ensembles of performers with and without disabilities, will change the way you think about dance and the possibilities of the human body forever. Founded in 1987, AXIS has become a jewel of contemporary dance and disability culture and is recognised as America’s leading integrated Dance Company. AXIS has paved the way for a powerful contemporary dance form - physically integrated dance - performing nationwide, as well as in Russia, Europe, and Siberia, in over 120 cities.

Amongst many honours, AXIS has received seven Isadora Duncan Dance Awards with equal number of nominations. The Company has been featured to great acclaim on FOX Television’s series, So You Think You Can Dance! Additionally, AXIS was featured on KQED’s SPARK program and KRCB’s One in 5 Stories. AXIS was one of 5 named ‘Best Dance Companies in San Francisco’ by CBS San Francisco (2011) and one of the Bay Area’s top 10 high-impact arts nonprofits by Philanthropedia (2010).

Under the Artistic Direction of Judith Smith, the company has commissioned works by many leading movement innovators, lighting designers, composers and set and costume designers. Through its model education programs Dance Access and its youth component Dance Access/KIDS! AXIS offers classes and workshops, school assemblies, presentations, lecture demonstrations and residencies locally and abroad for adults and youth of all abilities. AXIS is the primary organisation that provides pre-professional training to adult dancers with disabilities: consisting of advanced level master classes taught by well-known dance educators and choreographers, in week-long Summer Intensives and university residencies.

"AXIS Dance Company expands the boundaries of performance" - Podcast Interview with Judith Smith at KALW San Francisco Radio.

Marc Brew has been the Guest Artistic Director in residence with the company this year and I was able to shadow Marc for the 10-days of my placement with AXIS. We were together from 10am to 10pm most days and we hit it off like a house on fire. It was a very insightful experience being able to closely shadow, support, observe, assist and be with Marc every step of the final stages of putting his new work Divide onto the stage.

For this work Marc draws his inspiration from minimalism, gravity and chance, the division of space and time, attachments and connections. Conceptually Marc is inspired by the work of visual artist Carl Andre recognised for his ordered linear format of sculptures ranging from large public artworks to tile patterns arranged on exhibition floors.

Carl Andre Installation - Spill

Carl Andre Installation - Copper Ribbon

Carle Andre Installation - 8 cuts

Divide interview -Choreographer & Guest Artistic Director Marc Brew talks about the creation of his second work for AXIS Dance Company.

Marc was interested in the visual division of space through the use of lighting and this was brilliantly captured with his collaborator, lighting designer Allen Willner. The music score was also a beautiful partnership and collaboration to Marc’s work, composer Caroline Penwarden created a diverse score that supported the choreography and drew the movement out whilst also reaching you in. The costuming was designed by Keriann Egeland and represented angular and sleek designs, drawing on the motif of division the dancers costumes had cut out backs and hand stenciled symmetrical patterns.

Image credit Divide - AXIS Dance Company ©

As a choreographer Marc seeks to challenge and be challenged. Providing the dancers with a new vocabulary that enhances their creativity, he tries to redefine expectations of physicality for both performers and audiences. - Artist Statement – Marc Brew

I have witnessed Marc’s process first hand and he certainly captures the above. Having gained some insight to his new work Divide before I entered the studio it has been greatly beneficial to be a fly on the wall and see all the final pieces come together, from the sound score, to costuming, lighting, staging, tech-ing, dress rehearsal and then of course opening night.

The Malonga Arts Centre was packed to the brim with over 300 audience members in attendance for the opening night and reception of Realign the Curve, AXIS Dance Company’s home season. The program presented four works and opened with the re-staging of the legendary work of Yvonne Rainer‘s Trio A that was originally choreographed, in the Judson Church period in NYC from 1961 – 1970. For the first time in almost 50 years, the work was translated onto dancers with disabilities. What a privilege to be witnessing history in the making, dancers Joel Brown and Marc Brew had a credit in the program notes from the Rèpètiteur, Linda K Johnson thanking them for “their generative work in creating a translated version” these men are now also going down in history as the first dancers with physical disability to translate and perform Rainer’s piece!

A dance film, The Gift of Impermanence by Alex Ketley was premiered which was a retrospective of sorts featuring both current, past and present company dancers and directors. The film was very dark and moody recapturing the spirit of Film Noir.

Marc Brew presented a film and dance solo, Remember When that has been in repertoire since 2008. Marc plays with nuances of exposure and peeling away at layers, folding and unfolding, it was quite a vulnerable piece, performed to perfection.

Divide closed the show and was a very thought provoking, visually stimulating, audibly electrifying feast of contemporary dance at its best.

Image credit Divide - AXIS Dance Company ©

There was a refreshing synchronicity between myself, Marc and AXIS, I see potential for cross-collaboration and exchange in the future. Artistic Director Judith Smith has had a dream that the Company would tour to Australia for quite sometime, this would be a great benefit to the dance sector and in particular the integrated dance community in OZ.

I have been invited back to attend their Summer Intensive program in August, soooo who is coming with me?

AXIS Company, staff, dancers and collaborators were so welcoming and opened up their creative process and minds to me, I was able to be an assistant to Marc, observe rehearsals, conduct interviews, join in staff meetings and share in a few post work drinks . Thank you for having me AXIS I know this is not the end but merely the beginning of many more conversations and opportunities to come, a new home away from home.

From left to right - Axis Dance Company - Sarah Clautero Soto, Mark Brew, Annika Presley, Karl Cronin, Christy Rotman, Julianna Monin, Sonsheree Giles, Judith Smith, Joel Brown, Sebastian Grubb (in spirit) and visiting meee!

#inspirationandinformation

Happy Easter from Paris!

All American Diner with a twist

PLAY

I couldn't possibly leave America without a diner and cheese burger experience.. Of course being San Francisco there was a twist and the traditional diner had a decor fusion of street art.

Marc was a great host, ensuring he took me to the diner of the town Rudy’s Cant Fail Cafe located next to the historic Fox Theater in the center of Oakland’s Uptown district.

All day breakfasts, pancakes of choice, burgers (vegan and vego options), gourmet salads and part of the ethos is that all the ingredients are of quality and locally sourced.. Well that information assisted me in relieving a little bit of the guilt from ordering the cheeseburger and fries!

The restaurant also came about from the desire to create a place where people of all walks of life can feel welcome and at home, and eat at affordable prices in an atmosphere of fun and creativity.

This was definitely the experience I had with both friendly and spunky wait staff, good tunes, interesting artwork, a mixed crowd and a great burger.

There is also private dining available and coincidentally some of the AXIS dancers, friends and myself managed to score the ever so quaint indoor converted caravan on opening night. Tucked away into the corner and accessible the caravan is art deco meets meets retro haven. Great experience all round..

It is really refreshing that a community can care so much about preserving culture whilst partnering and/or infusing it with progression, below os the philosophy of Rudy and I think it is very inviting..

"At Rudy’s Can’t Fail Cafe we consider everyone to be Rudy. We are all Rudy and this is everyone’s place. This philosophy, combined with attention to detail, and the highly creative business sense of the founders is what has made our first location in Emeryville such a grand success".

#rudysdoesntfail

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sarahvynevassallo

What you do today will be who you are tomorrow. Grow stronger every day.. Embrace who are you today.. Trust your choices today that lead to new tomorrows..

Observation in motion

DANCE

I am on day four of my secondment with Marc Brew at AXIS Dance Company home to the Malonga Centre for the Arts, Oakland, California.

Marc is currently the Guest Artistic Director in residence for the company and has been developing their home season Realign the Curve. The season is presenting 3 works; Yvonne Rainers – Trio A, which is being re-staged and performed for the first time by an integrated dance company, a dance film by Alex Ketley, The gift of impermanence and a new work by Marc Brew Divide. Dancers performing include; Marc Brew, Joel Brown, Sonshéree Giles. Sebastion Grubb and Juliana Monin.

Marc is an Artistic Director and choreographer and trained as a professional dancer at the Victorian College of the Arts and The Australian Ballet School. He has been working in the UK and Internationally for the past 17 years as a dancer, choreographer, teacher and speaker; with the Australian Ballet Company, State Theatre Ballet Company of South Africa, and Infinity Dance Theatre in New York and for 5 years up until early 2008 with CandoCo Dance Company. Marc was a guest performer, collaborator and media spokes person for the London Hand Over Ceremony for the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games Closing Ceremony and in 2009 was appointed Associate Director with Scottish Dance Theatre.

Recent works have included commissions by Touch Compass, AXIS Dance Company, DadaFest International, Velcro Dance Company, Candoco Dance Company, Scottish Dance Theatre, Without Walls Consortium, Greenwich and was part of Unlimited, a series of commissions across the UK celebrating the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad. (FYI the list goes on!) He has been particularly focused on dedicating his time to his own choreography with Marc Brew Company based in Glasgow.

Marc has been so generous in opening his creative practice to me particularly at a time in the process that is very intense as it is production week, with the dress rehearsal Thursday 10th and performances Friday 11th, Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th April. Marc has been working in collaboration with lighting, sound and costume designers whilst overseeing the whole season, so he is one busy boy.

Yet on Sunday he made time to show me our neighbourhood, (I happen to be staying literally round the corner from him), we took a stroll on the lake and had a relaxing late lunch with some of the company members which rolled out to more conversations about dance, process and life over dinner and laundry washing.

I have been observing Marc’s process for the last two days and his beautiful open nature is indicative of his creative process also. Marc has a very clear vision and purpose for his work and he combines this with an invitation for input and collaboration from his dancers, staff and designers.

I have been privileged to observe his task based warm ups which cohesively bring the dancers together both in mind and body whilst providing pathways into the work, his discussions on where the work is sitting on the dancers and how they are going in bringing Divide to life in preparations for the performances. I was also able to be an informal outside eye on his first full run of Divide with the musical score and costumes.

Last night Marc and the AXIS company dancers and staff led a workshop that was open to the community through the AXIS audience development program AXIS Explored where 22 participants with and without physical disabilities came together for 90minutes to dance, create, move and be inspired. I had so much fun and it was lovely to move and explore with the community and the company after all that flying and travelling. It was a very open and supportive process that provided further insight to Marc’s practice and the companies’ ethos. We did some theatre exercises, creative tasks, explored some contact work and then learnt a small phrase from Divide that we then manipulated and shared in small groups. A wonderful way to end two wonderful days..

Right now, the lights are getting bumped in downstairs, in a black box theatre while the dancers are in rehearsals upstairs. There is a hub of activity from the office where staff members make final preparations for opening night whilst multi-tasking the next projects and program developments.

Tomorrow I will be meeting with the Education Manager Annika Presley following interviews with the long-standing Artistic Director of AXIS Dance Company Judith Smith. More to share soon alongside some dance writing on Marc’s new work in development Divide.

#iheartAXIS

Where the rainbow flag flew first..

PLAY

With limited tourist time in one of the most eclectic cities in the world I decided to take myself on a site seeing tour.

The weather showed up perfectly for the double decker open seated bus and I took the hop on hop off tour, which loops around Downtown San Francisco. 15 stops highlighting famous landmarks which also gave me a good sense of the city.

How many favorite cities can you have in one lifetime? This place is magical with a very unique sociology of liberation, multi-cultures, art, music, environmentalism, a very progressive city with an evocative history, many ‘first times’, social revolutions and lots of peace love and moonbeams.

I loved every minute of the tour and the town, me and SF are going to get along just fine!

The Golden Gate Bridge was built in 1933 and constructed over 3 years spanning 4200 feet. I didn't get to cross it but enjoyed the view and coincidentally matched my surroundings. It felt very special being there and seeing such an iconic bridge that has been represented in so many films, television and pieces of art.

Historic street cars (trams) that have been restored and are back in service add to the new historical nuances and preservation of both San Francisco and living history of rail transport.

The infamous Civic Centre where the law was first passed for gay marriage to be a state constitutional right.

Victorian architecture lines every street and in some cases has been revived in many colours to match the vibrancy and diversity of the community.

Golden Gate park one of the man made wonders of the world spanning 1017 acres approx 4.8 kilometres, this park has everything and more! Meadows, groves, lakes, horse riding, baseball, rugby, biking, tennis courts, a buffalo park (as in real life buffalo), boating, polo, a skate park, archery, lawn bowls, an aquarium, a carousel, a museum, conservatory of flowers, a rainforest, a swing club, a model yacht club, arts and crafts.. Are you getting my drift?!? I could have spent a week just exploring the park.. Next time for sure!

I shared a pizza and copped a squat, with a lovely young family from the tour, in the park next to Saint Peter and Paul Church, where Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio had their wedding snaps. Highly recommended by the family we grabbed Tony's Pizza from Little Italy.. Just a regular size.. $5 a slice I might add but well worth it.. So goooood!

Haight-Ashbury known as the roots of San Francisco, the hippie town where the liberation all began. I felt at home here of course, kind of like Newtown, meets Byron Bay plus adding 50 years of history! The ethos of this summer loving town was to constitute a community based on counterculture ideals, drugs and music and that essence still lives on today. Shops don't open till midday, parks are filled with groups laying around, psychedelic shops on every corner, street performers, street art, tattoo studios, good vegan and vegetarian food and lots of bars.

A beautiful look out point of The Bay that resembles; home, past, future, present, change, beauty and travel. The uniqueness of a diverse city filled with joy, freedom, controversy, sorrow, dreams, technology, affluence, homelessness, friendly faces and beautiful sites.

I can see now why the song I left my heart and San Fransisco rings true to many people.

"I left my heart in San Francisco High on a hill, it calls to me To be where little cable cars climb halfway to the stars The morning fog may chill the air, I don't care

My love waits there in San Francisco Above the blue and windy sea When I come home to you, San Francisco Your golden sun will shine for me".

By Tony Bennet

#sanfranyougotme

We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.

T. S. Eliot

80 days, 11 trains, 9 planes, 6 coaches, 4 countries and 2 bags!

TRAVEL

I cant believed I managed to squeeze 3 months of living into a medium sized suitcase and a day backpack.. I am very proud of myself and I hope you are too?!?!

It was a very meticulous process of which I laid out on the floor.. Folding and rolling, culling and organising, then reorganising then adding then culling again..

It was interesting the important questions that arose.. How many bangles does one person need for 3 months and which bangles will be the most versatile?

Do I pack spare phone chargers? Do I take the iPhone, laptop and iPad? Ended up ditching the iPad and I am happy for it.. Do I pack an umbrella or buy one there? Anyway I was determined to not over pack and I believe I have done well.

I tell you though one of the best tips from my fellowship orientation was to pack a power board so you only need the one adapter, then you have 4 power outlets for all your gadgets.. Genius I tell ya.. Genius! I get excited every time I plug everything in..

Anyway just a fun update to let you know I am now all settled in my beautiful water-view apartment in Oakland, San Francisco. I spent some time exploring the neighborhood and stocking up on organic goodies at Trader Jo's in preparation for a big week ahead.

#settledinsanfran

Where am I going? What am I doing?

DANCE

I realised I need to rewind a little and start from the beginning of how this ‘dance travel play’ journey has come about.. I think an overview is in order so we can share in the whole picture before it gets a little wild and/or confusing!

In July 2013 I was awarded a Winston Churchill Fellowship to undertake research and professional development exploring choreographic processes for creating and presenting contemporary dance theatre within an integrated environment. The three main areas of investigation are;

1. To explore and engage with varying artists and integrated companies’ approaches and processes in creating new work for dancers with and without disability;

2. To study adaptive methods and tools for working with people with all kinds of disabilities in teaching and training environments;

3. To investigate the curation process of producing and presenting integrated dance theatre.

After months of planning, proposal writing, researching, googling, phone calls and emailing, a very elaborate, awesome and what I deem a very privileged program has developed.

I arrived in San Francisco today, which kicks off the adventure with a wonderful opportunity to shadow Marc Brew for 10 days. Marc is currently the Artistic Director in Residence for Axis Dance Company. (More of that to come)

I then travel to the United Kingdom to assist and shadow Caroline Bowditch at the Young Ignite Festival at the University of Gloucester. Young dancers from all around the country will come to together and share their passion and love for dance in a 5-day intensive festival.

Following Gloucester there will be some playtime in Paris with my lifelong friend, confidant and soul mate Elise.

I return to London for a 6-day placement with Candoco Dance Company, where I will be attending company classes, observing rehearsals, checking out their youth program and meeting with the arts management team.

I then have the ever so amazing, quirky, generous and inspiring Sam Chester meet me for a week of play, site seeing and dance floor dancing in Dalston.

This time in a rehearsal stage of her new work Falling in Love with Frida, I re-unite with Caroline Bowditch and her cast at Dance4 in Nottingham.

As fate should have it I am in the country for a national Integrated Dance Summit presented by Pavilion Dance South West and Foundation for Community Dance on the waterfront in Bournemouth.

I then head out to the region of Derby to spend a week with First Movement a purpose built fully equipped hybrid arts centre.

Now just when I thought it was coming to an end I had some funding left and an opportunity arose in the south of Spain to do a short course in the practice of 5Rhythms.

Then when its all said it done I head over to New York to play, see shows, wonder Central park and recover in DUMBO.

I am hoping to blog with each placement and area I visit and some of the places in between.. More to come real soon..

#carpediem

“We travel, some of us forever, to seek other states, other lives, other souls.”

Anaïs Nin, The Diary of Anaïs Nin, Vol. 7: 1966-1974

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