Transitions, Pepsi and what we do

Over the past few years Kinesis Project has been getting known as a dance company that creates large and small scale, surprise experiences....
And now, that's we've had our first commercial experience - I have to say I LOVE being that dance company -- skilled at creating layered post-modern dance while constantly energized by the world outside -- the surprising places in both urban and natural settings, where dances can live ---

So, here is our first major commercial experience... Live and in person....

Kinesis Project partnered with Flavorpill and created a Pepsi commercial for the #gethypedforhalftime Superbowl campaign.
We created 3 pop-up halftimes in 3 cities over 3 days.
The first was NYC on Jan 20, 2014.
Remember Jan 20th? it was a Tuesday... it was a blizzard.  Did we do it anyway? YOU BET we did.

Madeline, her acro partner Ben, Anjuli and Mia were dancing rockstars in the SNOW, and our Referee, Danny Moser was amazing at leading the Stonybrook Band right into and through the entire experience at Union Square and in the West Village..... Completely satisfying experience for all.
We created surprise, lots of joy and even had the magic of snowfall on our side....

Here it is:

here's the 30second version for those of you with shorter attention spans than me...

 

filming and edits by The Shed

CASTS 

(go ahead - google all of these people, they are amazing)

NYC

Anjuli Bhattacharyya, Mia Orozco, Ben Weston 

Referee: Daniel Moser 

Stonybrook Marching Band

San Francisco

Zoe Klein, Rodolfo Guzeman, Liz Tenuto, Pearl Marill

Referee: Tommy Shepherd

Patriot Brass Band

San Diego

San Diego State University Dance Team

Referee: Michael Maury

San Diego State University Marching Band 

Secrets and Seawalls -- the beginning

Did you think I had left you forever?
Not a chance.
I was napping, kind of.

Let's step into process again....for the first time in a while.

The question series to begin this process was:

Think of a secret.

Where does it live in you?

How does it move through you?

Where would it reveal itself?

and finally...

How would you reveal it to someone.

Here are some images from our Open Studio in which we worked through the movement that had been created over a few weeks from this beginning point.

....These are the beautiful people I get to work with to make dances:
Jun Lee, Benjamin Oyzon, Hilary Brown, Zoe Bowick Levine (and sometimes her son, Leo) missing in action is Madeline Hoak, but she'll be back in the mix soon.

Hilary's Solo in Trio - Jun, Ben, Hilary

Zoe, Hilary during the "Community" walk

Hilary's solo/secret

Zoe, Jun

Ben, Jun "Seawalls" section

Jun, Leo, Ben's shoulder

Jun & Ben hiding secrets

Ben's reveal

Jun, Zoe in Zoe's phrase

Storms, Dances and Forward

It has been a while since I've sat down and written.
Since September, Kinesis Project has presented segments of Mapping Home in the parks of NYC as part of PARK DANCES in Battery Park's Bosque Gardens and Ft. Tryon's Cloisters Lawn.

They were beautiful, and thanks to Emil Baez, Homer Frizzell, Mike Trutt and my Dad, we have some incredible shots of the dancers on benches, rocks and in the fountains.

We've also landed squarely in the realm of Flash Mobs - Yes.
Kinesis Project now creates flash mob experiences.  I'm really proud of what we've accomplished so far...
Madeline choreographed this gorgeous Times Sq. Proposal:

Jun has choreographed a 30th Birthday surprise in Central Park

and I tried my hand at a "mob" for a rehearsal dinner right after the storm!

Yes. The storm.  A superstorm that ravaged beloved beaches in Long Island and in NJ.  The hours and hours I spent with friend Pete staring out over the ocean during our "let's drive to the beach" years, pleased to be looking out at something so much larger than ourselves - relieved to know that our tiny decisions about college or midterms almost couldn't possibly matter in a world so much bigger than us.

The superstorm (called because it was a Category 1 Hurricane, a large Nor'Easter and the full moon) triangulated in NJ to create, as one would say, a Perfect Storm - leaving a perfect mess of demolished houses, torn up beaches and two new inlets between the ocean and Barnegat Bay -- there is much, much more - damage on Staten Island, The Rockaways, and up and down the Jersey Shore, but I don't have the room, or the heart to list it all here.

And I find myself thinking of secrets. The secrets we keep and are kept from us...and vulnerability. What it is to admit to it, and how it feels when it is caught, seen and exposed - even if only for a moment.

A little Summer in Winter

Blues Hit Hard

First let me say - I LOVED doing our show this weekend. It felt Good and Right in the larger sense of things...
The bill we presented, the space in its craziness and Six Figures as a warm and welcoming company...all of it - I am comfortable and creative there - and that is wonderful.
So why is my brain so focused on the smaller things?
Well, perhaps because they are not smaller, they are actually unfortunate reality that has to get looked at when you stop moving....
and here I am.
I've landed.
After months of non-stop dance making and performance producing, I seem to have stopped, for at least a moment.
And in that moment I feel like I have been stabbed with something sharp.
Something that hits and then turns, questioning my ability to judge priority.
I am bleeding the green of serious financial issues and some red of heartache and fear that this company I have been working towards may not survive.
I watched Zoe and Madeline be exactly what they are: funny, smart, lovely, playful but intense performers and felt joy at their skill with our work together and a steep drop of loss at the fact that our audiences were so small.

And here's the rub - the audience that we had? They were wonderful and loving and LOVED the show...Loved Patrick's reminders to lick life just a bit more, Jeff's discovery of hats, light bulb eyes and cute girls in the dark....all of it. But. As the Artistic Director of a company it is my job to be sure that the company is following its mission (oh, we ARE) and making decisions based on the long term health of the company.

Am I?
How is it possible that what I seem to be requesting is one more reminder that we are loved - because, damn it, I know we are.
We are loved.
And Enjoyed and granted Laughter and many Gifts of Time and Finance from dear people that Believe in Us.

Its simply time to keep pushing. Giving birth one year at a time......

Sharing a Little Blue Love Party

Here it is!
A Pop a fast spinning and BANG I seem to have landed my work on stage with two warm talented and wonderful artists - conveniently enough they are also two of my favorite people in the world.
Jeff - living at Odin's Aviary
&
Patrick's Loose Ends

Jeff's Lloyd Schlemiel (who I misspell constantly, and may have again just now...)
is painfully funny and wonderful - he borrowed Madeline and the two of them stole the hearts of our audience!

Patrick's roaringly passionate and wonderful Bromios owns and I mean OWNS love and sensuality in an in your face reminder of life's small and gorgeous moments.....

My biggest failing in the show has been my inability to get Sharon's (knitsisters - sharon estacio) beautiful film to project on the vaulted ceiling! I am hoping I find a way this afternoon to make it happen..... wish me luck!

But, Sharon forgiving me my technical issues - I am incredibly proud of this show and the integration of characters and search we have created together - as Jeff said - we are absolutely not in this alone - we are support for one another and playing along with the band of the show as it brings us all together as a cast of wacky dancing characters!

Bluette

I am back and I feel like I want to tell you.....

I have spent the past week vaguely thinking about community, and the past 24 hours thinking deeply about sustainability, in action as well as lifestyle (Sweet Patrick, I know you think about this often as does Dearest Jeff...maybe we all think about it....) anyway - its been on my mind - will write more about it later (I promise!)
That aside, these things were upfront in my thoughts today, and it is amazing to me how my attention was turned to the small details of kindness as I went about my morning.....
I sent this in an email to H today:

.....serendipitous things are happening today -
1. stopped into Blue (Whatever it is) Bakery and spoke to the guy behind the counter a bit, then met a girl who is working there who is also a dancer and worked with Lynn in her Park project - if she was good to work with, maybe I'll kidnap her to dance this winter

2. walking from Ozzies to Q/B trains there was a kid who is clearly living on the street - he asked me to buy him something - at first I just said no, but then realized due to my hunger-lack-of-logic on 7th Ave - I had purchased not just an Olive twist from Blue whatever it is but also a Carrot Bran muffin at Ozzies with coffee #2 of the day -
So I gave him the muffin - he seemed genuinely pleased.

3. At Union square the farmer's market was out and going - bought a new muffin at Baker's Bounty and saw the girl behind the counter take money, then give money back to a guy that works the fish stall - he was grateful to get two cookies for free

4. Saw a woman stoop to grab errant earphones that had fallen from another woman's bag and give them back with smiles exchanged.

5. Found a new mobile health clinic - I love these things - have a soft spot for them because of my mom - but I love that there are some people out there who understand that to keep some populations healthy you have to go to them - they are afraid of hospitals/cost/immigration whatever - I got their info and talked for a bit (realized I should have had her take my blood for a lyme test) and left

Haven't felt this kind of socially circulating good-will in a while....

and received back from H this beautiful reminder of the importance of small moments (I'm sure most of you have read this - I seem to remember seeing it a while ago):

Just got out of meeting. Starving.

Your great day reminds me of this -

Dropped Into Still Waters
The Ripple Effect
In a world of six billion people, it's easy to believe that the only way to initiate profound transformation is to take extreme action. Each of us, however, carries within us the capacity to change the world in small ways for better or worse. Everything we do and think affects the people in our lives, and their reactions in turn affect others. As the effect of a seemingly insignificant word passes from person to person, its impact grows and can become a source of great joy, inspiration, anxiety, or pain. Your thoughts and actions are like stones dropped into still waters, causing ripples to spread and expand as they move outward. The impact you have on the world is greater than you could ever imagine, and the choices you make can have far-reaching consequences. You can use the ripple effect to make a positive difference and spread waves of kindness that will wash over the world.

Should the opportunity arise, the recipient of a good deed will likely feel compelled to do a good deed for someone else. Someone feeling the effects of negative energy will be more likely to pass on that negative energy. One act of charity, one thoughtful deed, or even one positive thought can pass from individual to individual, snowballing until it becomes a group movement or the ray of hope that saves someone's life. Every transformation, just like every ripple, has a point of origin. You must believe in your ability to be that point of origin if you want to use the ripples you create to spread goodness. Consider the effect of your thoughts and actions, and try to act graciously as much as possible.

A smile directed at a stranger, a compliment given to a friend, an attitude of laughter, or a thoughtful gesture can send ripples that spread among your loved ones and associates, out into your community, and finally throughout the world. You have the power to touch the lives of everyone you come into contact with and everyone those people come into contact with. The momentum of your influence will grow as your ripples move onward and outward. One of those ripples could become a tidal wave of love and kindness.

Residing

Patrick and I were sitting, sipping various beverages and talking yesterday and I said:
"Well you know, I have that residency that I'm going to in a couple of weeks...."
P:"What residency??"
M: "The one in Upstate NY, I'm there for 3 weeks"
and we realized that maybe, just maybe I had mentioned it, but maybe I hadn't with all of the talk of life and love that had been fluttering around in our brains.

Wow. How could one girl get so distracted.
Here is the wonderful scoop:
I was nominated and accepted to join the Dance Omi International Dance Residency as a dancer and choreographer who is curious about collaboration and process.
And yes, I am going-
To be fed good food (from all I've heard, its yummy stuff up there) be up in the Hudson Valley and dancing with other curious souls...I'm excited..and have been in a bit of denial that I am really going...

Looks like I have no choice but to accept and enjoy!
more on what my hopes are to work on soon -

Wandering to focus

Again. going for a walk in the woods helps get the work done.
I feel more focus, love (even focus in regards to that love) and openness then I did before I left the house.
Green stuff, sunshine and breezes will do that.......

-flicted ( love note to you)

empty and full simultaneously.
and it's because of you.

So.
thank you.

For
finding your way here -
sticking around when you arrived
and enjoying the dance

Fidgety

I am putting dances down and picking them up again.
like a pen on a desk that has a fun click release.
Click.
Click click.
Click. ok. now...STOP.
Breathing.

Lets focus on an event shall we?
ok.
I was asked to change the name of one of my dances to fit a theater's mission.
And I won't do it - I answered in a breath of time - not even! I twitched a little at the request
and Blurted a "No! I can't"
even though it was made by someone I am becoming friends with
and whose work I will enjoy being part of if it ever so happens....
But I can't and I won't -
name change not the point by the way -
the point is that the work Gull(ability) is inspired by (which usually in my work means more like "jumping off from", "bounding away from" or "with light touches of the concepts someone might have seen in" ) because when I say "inspired" I guess I really mean it -
it makes me think and dive off in a direction -
not necessarily the same direction the source may have gone or ended up -
Which I find darn exciting.

However - for things that could be chosen by this lovely theater are:
our Odyssey piece "My Steps Toward You"- which sticks a bit closer to story line,
and a (yet to be set on bodies) Macbeth piece "In the Lady's Words"

Time to send a link to my friend with the link! Ha! Words are funny.
Click. Click....

Steps in Tearing

Shred this

I am looking for a wedding dress to shred for Zoe's costume for the new duet.
I was trying to move the thoughts in my mind around to a point where I no longer see her in a destroyed emblem of vows of love...but, Love lost was once Love had and this duet is the layering of having and losing into the same space.
Since I can't shake the image...I need to go with it for now.
I found this website with these images (there are more)....I love them
The photos are by Kamp Photography

Broadway?

My parents are incredible - in the 10 years that I have been a professional dancer/choreographer in New York, their friends and our family often ask "When will we see Melissa on Broadway?"
Beatifically my folks (they've practiced I think) say (I am paraphrasing of course) "Melissa's work isn't that mainstream, it may be in those venues eventually, but thats not her goal."

So why, after years of poo-pooing the Great Disney Way - was I so DAMNED excited when my sweet Zoe and Daniel were up on the stage of the freakin' Lion King bringing down the house with grace and feeling?
A few reasons that I can fathom -
The lovely cast of Hairspray sang an amazing R&B version of Bridge Over Troubled Waters in memory of Leslie's (a cast member) father, Kelly McDonald, who passed away in the AIDS blackness of the early 90's - this work meant something and they did an amazing job vocally.

Two days in a row, thousands of people were seeing a dance I had built
(quickly, and with Daniel and I saying "um ok, what next? oh you like this lift? great lets do it" being sure to keep it in the character relationship that we really wanted (father/daughter) and then me improv-ing until I had found just the right movement for Zoe...teaching it to her, re-working a little and then calling it DONE - Not the most process oriented of the works I have ever built!)

The stage is HUGE - gigantic, enormous, and even... ginormous - I was proud to see our dance weaving through the vocalists - with the dancers taking up the space, owning and inhabiting it....

And in a larger sense, each of these things assured me that if the chance occurs for me to create something in a large traditional venue (note: I don't think I had a big concern before) I can do it - and I can do it keeping my sense of aesthetic present - I will make the dance take the space it deserves and use gestures small and large to express the sentiment needed to get the point across - oh - and big ol' theater? no biggie -
Guess my Leo sense of Where I Belong is quite intact.
I had thought I would be a little cowed by the size.
Nope.
I felt very matter of fact as I was in the moment of each part of the situation (rehearsals w/ the cast, tech with the b'way tech folks, etc)
Perhaps because it wasn't really that big of a deal, or all that different from what I normally do, and maybe because it takes a lot to star-strike me anyway...but it was just a first, and there will always be firsts...

However, I wonder if I would feel the same at venues I truly revere and have in my goals as a choreographer, like BAM, The Joyce or City Center...
I guess I'll just keep workin' towards 'em and I'll let you know when we get there!

Things I hold on to

Soft clothing
Text/Voice messages I find sweet or sexy
Pictures long after they are appropriate to keep
Random grocery lists
Paper with poetry on it
Postcards of shows I've been in, enjoyed or wanted to see
Scarves
T-shirts
Journals
Love notes
Birthday cards
Books

Setting a Piece...again

Last week I found the end of the duet -
This week, looking at it again, I am pretty sure it is the right one for now-

"What kind of commitment is that?" You ask - with one eyebrow up...
Its as much as I can give at this moment - as much as I know - and I will say this:
All of my dances are still changing and becoming...

Hopefully so am I.

Here's a text tidbit:

Curves and Questions

A New York rain
I am a woman shaped
Question mark
Curves in space

Left with a shortened
Kiss
Hanging on lips

Sprinting across wet streets
Your name
Pours from my mouth

Like a New York rain.

Here is the piece performed by Gina

Curves and Questions
Uploaded by kinesisproject

Why am I telling you this?
You'll see.

Someone Else

I've seen two shows by friends this week, well technically one was last week, and one was this week...
Anyway - The overall experience of all of it?
A deep and overarching joy that I am here, watching my friends make work that is good, well received and fulfilling for all involved.
(Audience and performer/choreographers)
the constant energy of this city is a gift and a curse. I know it -
But when the beauty is out - it is all over the place....and, yes, Kate - coming straight up through those gorgeous cracks in everything.

So I (thank you Patrick) Raise my glass - To Jennifer, for the depth of her dances and the strength in her limbs, To Wendy for the wild joints, mischief and the breath, and to Brian (and Weena), for the never-ending joy in moving and demonstrating fearlessness again and again.

Thank you for clearing my mind of worries- and keeping me in New York City. For now.

Somehow

I have made a duet that is loving-
Believe me folks, I'm as confused as you.
I told Zoe today that I don't think I am actually in charge of the creative part of my brain.
That somehow there is somebody else in there (some call it intuitive creation...I call it...um...I'll get back to you on that one) making the decisions then opening my mouth and giving direction.

Really -

Admittedly, it is also the dancers and what they are bringing into the room -
Zoe is very in love and happy planning her wedding (which is soon fyi - I'll be a bridesmaid hanging out in Georgia in weeks!) so asking her to dance empty and loss is kind of tough - add Daniel, who is also full of life and comes into our rehearsals because he loves the challenge of the work and loves dancing with Zoe....put those things in a blender...
and I guess it makes a loving duet.
Also maybe add in that for some reason that is what I need to make - and voila.

So. I guess that is what it will be -
It is a layered dance...and there will be more to come -

Of course NOTHING is permanent.
EVEN love duets.
Jennifer Harmer dancing "The Other Thought"
photo by min win

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