Tuesday, January 28, 2014

New Faculty Work in the Community!

Ellen Bartel is currently one of our Modern teachers, if you’re not in one of her classes you’re missing out! I have yet to leave her Modern II class without being drenched in sweat, which every dancer knows is the first sign of a successful dance class.

This Thursday at 8 PM at the Hyde Park Theater, Ellen is presenting a new work, Hazy Eyes, as a part of the 21st Annual FronteraFest in Austin.


Dancers from Left to Right: Dany Casey, Amy Myers, Angie Johnson


Living in Austin since 1994, Ellen holds an MFA in Dance from UT and has her own company, Spank Dance Company.

Q: What kind of work do you like to do and what are you trying to show your audience?

A: I’ve done site work, butoh, and worked with a lot of different levels of movement. Butoh improvisation for me is about practicing performance. If there’s an audience, there’s nothing for [them] to gain. But I like challenging the audience in what they see and challenging myself to be a better performer.

Site work is all about understanding places and the impact of those places on the people who use them. It’s about the audience seeing space and place differently. It’s a quality of life thing; knowing about shared space and recognizing the differences and similarities of the people who share that space. People know all this but they forget. This work is about snapping people out of their busy lives to be present. 


Amy, Angie, and Errin Delperdang (on the far right) have a moment together mid-dance.


Q: What was your choreography process for this piece, Hazy Eyes?

A: Since grad school, I’ve been working more with dancer generated movement. So I didn’t always show up with steps to be memorized. I did start with an idea. I can’t just show up and say “let’s play!” That doesn’t work for me. But the dancers did work a lot with improv and setting.

Q: Is there a difference between presenting a work at a festival and producing your own dance concert?

A: Yes, the outcome is different. For festivals, it’s about sharing the diversity of modern dance, or any dance form, it doesn’t have to be modern. But it’s about showing something that speaks to different hearts and minds. Concerts are about sharing my own idea. They’re both a lot of work though.


Dany and Angie reaching together.


Q: Do you want to eventually produce you own dance concerts again?

A: I’m trying not to over plan my life – that feeling of being scheduled until 2015. I don’t want to miss out on different opportunities because of obligations. Looking back at 45, I feel like I’ve missed so much and I want to be more present. I don’t mean going wherever the wind blows but breaking out of the rat race. Getting out of the rut of obligations.

Q: Would that be your advice to dancers or choreographers? Not to get overwhelmed?

A: It’s good to have experiences, sitting in rehearsals every night. It’s important to build your resume, to show “I can do this and this.” But it can make you sick if you can’t slow down, and it’s really hard on relationships. It all comes down to finding that work-life balance. And some people choose not to be in relationships or not to have children and that’s totally fine; especially for women. But you have to be aware that it’s a choice.


Dany and Amy doing floor work. 


Here’s a link to purchase a ticket to see Ellen’s piece, Hazy Eyes, this Thursday at 8 PM at Hyde Park Theater: http://www.fronterafest.org/site/index.html 
You have to do a little searching to find the right day or you can call the box office: 512-479-PLAY

Ellen’s piece has a chance to make it to Best of Week and Best of Fest based on your votes. Go support your teacher and your community!

Check out Ellen’s dance company, http://www.spankdance.com/, and watch their great repertory videos!

Pictures by Anne Wharton


Monday, January 6, 2014

The Top Ten Reasons to Register for Dance Classes at ACC


1. It’s a new year and you have this resolution to get in shape:
I suggest Dance Performance Workshop with Darla (Mondays and Wednesdays at Rio Grande from 4:50-7:00). Not only will you firm up with her kick-ass exercises but it’s a lot more motivating to work out while creating a dance than forcing yourself to get on a treadmill.

2. You’ve got a crazy schedule and you’re going to need a way to stay sane:
Check out Julie’s Dance Improvisation II class (Mondays and Wednesdays at Rio Grande from 7:10-8:30). It’s the perfect class to end a stressful day. Reconnect with your body after being stuck in a desk all day. Feed your creative side to balance out the academics.

3. You want to be a better dancer: (and who doesn’t!)
You need to take Julie’s Anatomy for Dancers (Fridays at Rio Grande from 2:00-4:30). Get ahead of the curve with this class and learn to be a better dancer from the inside out.

4. You’re looking for a great technique class that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg:
Come take Ellen’s Modern II class (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at Rio Grande from 12:10–1:40). This is the perfect lunchtime workout that costs you less than $4 a class. I kid you not  - $166 total for tuition and fees divided by total number of classes (46) and voila!

5. You want to get up there!


It all starts with Julie’s Practicum/Principles of Choreography class (Mondays and Wednesdays at Rio Grande from 12:10-2:20). Learn how to discover your own movement. Everyone can choreograph and this is the class that teaches you how!

6. You want to start dancing again:
Ellen’s Modern I class is perfect (Tuesdays and Thursdays at Rio Grande from 5:15-7:20). Jump back in with this great beginner class. No pressure, no competition, just having fun dancing.

7. You want to start dancing again but Tuesdays and Thursdays are out:
No fear! Roxy’s Modern I class has you covered (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at Rio Grande from 10:30-12:00)! And that nifty math equation I did for Ellen’s Modern II class? Works here too – each class for less than $4!

8. You want to start dancing for the first time:
Well, really any of the above but how about Kathy’s Ballet I class (Tuesdays and Thursdays at Balance Dance Studios from 3:00-4:20)? Learn the basics from one of Austin’s renowned Choreographers and Teachers. Just google Kathy Dunn Hamrick Dance Company to see what I’m talking about.

9. You just need a few more credits to get that financial aid:
José’s History and Appreciation of Dance gives you three credits (Tuesdays and Thursdays at Pinnacle from 10:30-11:50). Nice bonus – it takes care of that core requirement for Visual and Performing Arts. And dance majors? Yep, you need this class to graduate.

10. You want to support your community, find friends, and just dance:
All the above!
Share this list with your friends and help support Dance right here in Austin.


Don’t waste time! You have until Wednesday the 8th at 5PM to sign up for these awesome classes!


Picture by Darla Johnson