:ppNEWSAbout The

Showcase Series! “Loni Landon is also the

founder of an amazing choreography workshop...

:pushing progress top songs from The Showcase Series

June 2011

”

Noetic

Noetic:2

[noh-et-ik] –adjective 1. of or relating to mental activity or the intellect.Words from a :pushing progress Director

Past, Present and FutureAs May approached and we were heading into the final month of the 2010/2011 :pushing progress Contemporary Training Program, I found myself in a huge state of reflection. This state was not quite peaceful, but rather calming in the midst of the chaos surrounding the upcoming Showcase Series event, and the culminating performance for the program. With a conglomeration of new ideas and company projects, this year has been a rather large and exciting learning curve for the year to come.The Showcase Series event itself brought a moment of clarity. Standing on the floor of the Manhattan Movement and Arts Center black box theater, I introduced this year’s Showcase Series and experienced a truly pinnacle moment in my focus for the upcoming year. This moment was maybe the first moment in a long time that I truly found appreciation for my Present, and respect for the Past which had lead me there. As artists, we constantly struggle with insecurities, fears, wants, and needs, and an endless sea of imperfections that we are trying to change. The process is littered with negativity, a habit created since the beginning of our artistic incep-tion. Very seldom do we understand the beauty of such words as chaos and death. And even less often do we comprehend that these are synonyms for life and change. The way that we train and set goals becomes tedious and task oriented, and becomes some-thing of a to do list of check marks and barred lines. Somewhere, the process, the life of that moment, the chaos in improvement, is lost, and we lose true sight of where we are: truly who and all that we are in that present moment. Standing on the floor of the Manhattan Movement and Arts Center black box theater, I finally allowed myself that gift. The importance of this year’s Showcase Series event was to bring together artists at all walks of their careers, and to celebrate the process they were in. The Showcase was a reminder of our journey of past and present, and a reminder of the gift that inspiration brings to our future. Standing on that stage for the third year in a row, I scanned the audience and thought back to our first Showcases at the Ailey third floor studios in folding chairs, with an additional 12 rows of onlookers, sitting and laying on the floor. I then looked back even further and remembered my first dance class in the small city of Prince Rupert, British

Columbia, at the age of 7, in the backstage rehearsal room of our theater. I was a young boy with an uncertain passion for all that this could be. This memory filled me with an honest respect to remember that dream, and to understand at that moment my present process as an artist on this journey.Twelve days later, I am writing this and am still inspired by the weekend, the talent, the artists, the energy, and the honesty we have to bring to our lives. I’m excited for the chaos, the rise and fall of the year to come, and the growth of life and all its majesty. I’m moved to create and recreate, to teach and be taught, to dance and to appreciate.I’m looking forward to this year.

- Calen Kurka Director/ Founder of :pushing progress

The Buzz

A 2011 Showcase Series choreographer and friend of :pushing progress, Loni Landon is also the founder of an amazing choreography workshop for professional dancers in the New York dance community called The Playground. Conceived by Gregory Dolbashian and Loni Landon, The Playground is an open forum for professional dancers to participate in the processes of New York City’s most exciting up-and-coming choreographers. This open-door workshop series builds a community of movement and artistic exchange in a non-competitive and highly motivated dance environment. The program functions on a $5 entry fee for participants, allowing dancers to freely experience each choreographer’s methods and ideas while the choreographers showcase their brands of movement and concepts, all without financial strains. A recent run of The Playground this past February to March featured classes taught by Sidra Bell, The Nederlands Dans Theater’s Alexander Ekman, Batsheva’s Danielle Agami, and many more! The Playground is currently on hiatus, but will soon be brought back to the NYC dance community. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for the return of The Playground...

News from the Dance World

the buzz 3

Loni Landon/Gregory Dolbashian @ The Playground

On May 20th and 21st, :pushing progress brought the New York City dance commu– nity together to share its work and celebrate its passion. At the long awaited 2011 Showcase Series, an eclectic group of dancers shared the stage to present the artistry of 22 choreographers from all walks of their careers. Both nights of performance were full of highly spirited entertainment, but that wasn’t all the Showcase weekend had to offer. The vision of this year’s Showcase Series, much in line with the :pushing progress mission, was to combine dance education and perfor-mance in one event by incorporating a One Day Workshop into a weekend of performance. Through Kickstarter, an online fundraising platform for creative projects, :pushing progress was grateful to receive over $4000 in generous donations to fund the Workshop on Sunday before the final show. The Workshop allowed young dancers to spend seven hours taking classes with five well-known Showcase choreographers. Through the Kickstarter funding, :pushing progress was able to open the Workshop doors to all dancers with donation-only admission. The combination of perfor-mance and education is at the heart of the company’s ideals.The main attractions, though, were certainly the two nights of unique performances, witnessed by over 400 audience members. Both nights began with an exciting and intricate use of props as Dana Foglia’s choreography interwove metallic soccer balls and funky choreography. Both shows also featured the work of Tine Erica Aspass, one of Norway’s most successful dancers and choreographers, who traveled overseas with a group of dancers just to be a part of the Showcase. Aspass took to the stage with her dancers in an emotional piece about the patterns we fall into in our deepest relationships. During the Saturday show, Brian Carey

What’s Going On?

Chung presented a piece which combined incredible strength and careful delicacy, sparking spirited conversation from the audience. Another piece that raised discussion was student choreographer Nate Hunt’s “Because Everything Doesn’t Fit and Everything Doesn’t Work,” which featured a live spoken soundtrack as his dancers stuttered poetry as their bodies found movement. Sunday’s show was graced with a shift in atmosphere when Lauren Adams brought a fiery display of sensuality to the stage in a piece so gripping, blinking was not an option.What made this Showcase so spectacular was that it brought together such a diverse group of artists. Some of New York City’s most prominent and respected choreographers were joined by emerging talents still taking their first steps onto professional stages. Among those young artists bursting onto the scene was Julia Mayo, a student at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, who inspired excitement for her future work. The nine month old company, A Corps Perdu, made their debut performance as well, under the direction of Stephanie Landouer. Also on display both evenings were the members of the :pushing progress Contemporary Training Program, who completed eight months of intensive pre-professional training to develop their physical and mental tools and to prepare them for the professional world. As a culmination of their hard work and dedication, the girls performed a piece choreographed by :pushing progress directors Calen J. Kurka and Chris Hale, entitled Back To The Waves. The girls danced with a maturity that served as a testament to the impact of their training under Kurka and Hale.Perhaps one of the most moving moments was the finale of each evening. Debuting his first piece in two years, :pushing progress Director and Founder Calen J. Kurka ended the night with a

the buzz 4

most honest display of virtuosity. Emotion– ally raw, the piece highlighted the talents of four members of the :pushing progress family. A mirror of the Showcase Series itself, it joined emerging artists and prominent choreographers, as a recent Contemporary Training Program graduate took to the stage with a choreo– grapher from another performance piece as well and a :pushing progress Director.To give back to the community of artists, :pushing progress teamed up with non-profit Artists Striving To End Poverty (ASTEP) for this event as well. Together, they were able to raise over $800 worth of raffle tickets and put 100% of profits towards using arts to empower under-privileged youth across the globe. For those who were given the opportunity to present their choreography, for those who got to dance on a prestigious stage, for those who got to appreciate a stimulating day of dance education, and especially for those who were able to watch it all come together, the entire weekend was a great success. It reminded us all of why we do what we love to do, and how sharing this love can be the most gratifying reward.

The Showcase Series By Talia Ergas

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everyday happenings of cleaning the apartment, paying bills, hanging out with friends, and phoning my family, I am starting to think drowning was very fitting for where I have been this past year of my life. I realize compared to many, I have it easy and great. All of the changes in the past year have equated to a life I enjoy more. But nonetheless, this year reflects drown-ing through all the growth and change, dramatic and everyday.With “Back to the Waves,” what I learned through the music I used to inspire me, the visuals of water and tides to set my mood, and also through simply dancing the choreog-raphy, very much parallels many of my recent reflections on what I’ve learned this past year. I can always do more, and push myself harder. Things often don’t look to me how they feel and what I feel isn’t always easily seen. It is necessary for me to rely on others, whether I want to or not. Sometimes I need to cry, and other times I need to skip down the sidewalk with joy. If the sun isn’t shining, I still have to work. Finding my confidence can only happen when I show others who I really am. I’m not getting there…I am there. The work never stops. One puzzle piece does not show the whole

It all ended with drowning. I was standing there, waves swirling around my body and paralyzing me with the fear of it overcoming me until I would take my last breath. That’s how my experience with the :pushing prog-ress Contemporary Training Program ended. Okay, more accurately, that’s how the beginning of our choreo-graphed piece, “Back to the Waves,” began, but it was our choreographed piece that we performed in the :push-ing progress Showcase Series that ended our time in the program. Quite a dramatic ending for what has been a dramatic year for me. One year ago, I married my wonderful husband. Ten months ago, I decided to step away from a growing career and put my heart back into my pas-sion for dance. Nine months ago, I adopted a toy poodle who had health issues and separation anxiety. Eight months ago, I became a member of CTP, and entered a dance family full of fun, laughter, drama, frustration, and lots of work. Six months ago, I lost my job. Four months ago, I began training to become a Pilates teacher, and put my belief in my new career. Last month, I got a new job, working the front desk at a fitness studio. All these changes along with the simple

:pp CommunityKristen’s Corner

picture, but it’s necessary to complete it. I must be true to my beliefs while respecting others beliefs. I have to forgive myself when I mess up. I find it important to be honest, patient, considerate, and to be present. I will not quit. It has been a pleasure to write for the :pushing progress newsletter and to share my experiences here. Thank you for reading!

Kristen

Contemporary Training Program The vision of the Contemporary Training Program is to provide an avenue for dancers to gain awareness of their body and personal potential. Dancers are given a focused environment in which they can gain a new way to approach dance at various points of their professional career. The pro-gram focuses on three main components of expanding each dancer’s awareness: Technique, Mindset, and Artistry. Each aims to help the dancer achieve and elevate their personal goals.The program includes 14 hours of dance training a week in ballet technique, contemporary, improv, conditioning, GYRO-KINESIS®, pushing progress repertoire, guest teachers, and the opportunity to perform in the :pushing progress Show-case Series. Duration- September 13, 2011 - May 18, 2012 For more information, please contact: Chris Hale: chrishale@pushingprogress.comThe program will be limited to 20 select dancers, aged 17+ (if you turn 17 after the commencement of the program and are interested, please contact Chris Hale at chrishale@pushing-progress.com) Full year tuition $5000.00. Half Year tuition $2500.00Once accepted each dancer will be required to put down a deposit of $1000.00 to hold your place in the program.

2011 Summer IntensiveThe :pushing progress 2011 Summer Intensive is a pro-gram designed for dedicated individuals with a passion for their artistry and a hunger to continue a strong develop-ment of self. The Summer Intensive serves dancers who are either striving for a professional career or looking to be inspired and guided in the right direction for their current goals in dance. It is designed to challenge each individual to explore their own artistry as well as their technique and understanding of the human body. Workshop classes include: Ballet, Jazz Technique, Contem-porary, Jazz/Lyrical, Tap, Modern, Hip Hop, Body Align-ment, Core Training, Anatomy, Music Composition/ Analysis and Improvisation/Artistic Exploration.The intensive also includes choreography sessions that run in the evenings after daily workshop classes end, and culminate to a studio showcase performance. Dancers are also given bonus extras such as a Broadway show, a night out in New York, an audition class for :pushing progress Contemporary Training Program, and much more.Registration Deadline: July 31, 2011Total Cost:Register by June 15th: (Including $200.00 Scholarship) $950.00Register after June 15th: $1150.00

Summer Intensive 2011Contemporary Training Program

:pp tops 6

:pushing progress Top Songs from the Showcase Series

:pushing progress Top Videos

:pp Tops

1. Alejandro by Lady Gaga From Lauren Adam’s Alejandro

1. “Sea Monkeys” by Lauren Adam’s

2. Infra 5 by Max Richter From Leslie Scott’s Thread

2. CTP Invite Class - “Turning Tables” by Chris Hale

3. Grow Till Tall by Jonsi From Anna Vollmar’s Grow Till Tall

3. “Sky Fits Heaven” Combo by Calen Kurka

4. First_Contact by Robert Henke From Loni Landon’s If You Really Knew Me

4. “Back to the Waves” - CTP by Chris Hale and Calen Kurka

4. “Slate Planes/Vast Emergence” by ppii

4. Girls Duet by Loni Landon

5. Camel by Flying Lotus From Dana Foglia’s Camel

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:pppuzzle 7

Across________ is Leslie Scott’s dance company.

Choreographer _________ traveled from Norway to showcase her work.

This student chore-ographer attends Shenandoah University.

The funding platform used to partially fund the showcase was _______.

:pppuzzle

DownShelly Masenoir choreographed this piece.

The vocal performer at the showcase was _______.

Lauren Adams used music by this pop icon.

Chris Hale and Calen Kurka _________ on choreography for “Back to the Waves.”

This financial district restaurant was one company who donated food.

In the 2011 Show-case Series, :pushing progress established a new partnership with this charitable organization.

All About The Showcase! (may be more than one word, spaces are not included)

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