Body and Soul

It's not unusual to discover a dance artist with a strong talent in other arts or areas of interest. But as a longtime Tarot counselor and teacher, I was intrigued and delighted to learn that choreographer Fiona Dolenga has designed a Tarot deck of her own, featuring photos of colleagues from New York's dance community. I spoke with her about the creation of this beautiful deck and her dance work-in-progress.

The Web site of Hidden Arena Dance/Fiona Dolenga and Company is at http://www.hiddenarenadance.org.

For more information about Tarot imagery, I highly recommend Aeclectic.net at http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot.

And my own Tarot-related site is at http://mysite.verizon.net/magickaleva.

(c)2009, Eva Yaa Asantewaa, http://infinitebody.blogspot.com

Aki Sasamoto and Arturo Vidich of Culture Push discuss "Domestic Partner"--their provocative new installation/simultaneous performance, hosted by The Chocolate Factory (Wednesday-Saturday, April 8-11, 8pm).

Learn more about Aki Sasamoto and Arturo Vidich at http://www.culturepush.org.

The Chocolate Factory, 5-49 49th Street, Long Island City, New York

Complete information, directions and ticketing at http://www.chocolatefactorytheater.org/home.html

Movement Research --

http://www.movementresearch.org/

(c)2009, Eva Yaa Asantewaa,http://infinitebody.blogspot.com

For the past few years, Paul Singh--who has performed for some of New York's most innovative dance makers--has started branching out as a choreographer in his own right with his company, Singh & Dance. In our recent conversation, he talks about what drives his creativity and the unusual risks he takes for authenticity in movement.

Learn more about Paul Singh at http://www.paulsinghdance.com.

(c)2009, Eva Yaa Asantewaa, InfiniteBody, http://infinitebody.blogspot.com

Danspace Project will present "Sound Memory"--a full-evening world premiere by the talented young dancer-choreographer Julian Barnett.

Barnett joins me to talk about this work, inspired by the influence of old audio technology--music cassette tapes--on memory and imagination.

"Sound Memory" at Danspace Project at St. Mark's Church, Thursday-Saturday, 8:30pm.

Schedule and ticketing information at http://www.danspaceproject.org or 866-811-4111

Julian Barnett Web site at http://www.julianbarnett.com

Dance critic and blogger Apollinaire Scherr's essay on a preview of "Sound Memory" can be found at

http://www.artsjournal.com /foot/2008/06/julian_barnetts_sound_memory_a.html.

(c)2009, Eva Yaa Asantewaa, InfiniteBody (http://infinitebody.blogspot.com)

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Ivy Baldwin Dance premieres 'Bear Crown" at Dance Theater Workshop next week, March 18-21. Baldwin's dance-theater aesthetic immerses viewers in mysterious environments with an aura of darkness and twisted humor.

Wednesday-Saturday, March 18-21, 7:30pm. Post-show talk with Heather Olson (3/18). Pre-show coffee & conversation with Sara Nash (3/19 at 6:30pm). 10th Anniversary Benefit Gala performance and party (3/19).

For schedule and ticketing details, visit http://www.dancetheaterworkshop.org.

For company information, visit http://www.ivybaldwindance.org

Special note: Justin Jones's Minneapolis-based dance podcast--Talk Dance MPLS--is available through iTunes.

(c)2009, Eva Yaa Asantewaa, InfiniteBody

(http://infinitebody.blogspot.com)

Dancer-choreographer Heidi Latsky presents the New York City premiere of "GIMP"--a full-throttle, passionate ensemble work that expands expectations and perceptions of the body, disability and performance.

Thursday-Saturday, March 19-21, 8pm. Opening night reception honors The Wounded Warrior Project (http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org)

Abrons Arts Center at Henry Street Settlement, 466 Grand Street (at Pitt); 212-598-0400

Further information at http://www.thegimpproject.com

Boston premiere at the Institute of Contemporary Art, April 24-25 (http://www.icaboston.org)

(c)2009, Eva Yaa Asantewaa, InfiniteBody (http://infinitebody.blogspot.com)

Brian Rogers talks about The Chocolate Factory--an influential multidisciplinary arts space and gallery in Long Island City, Queens--and about his new full-evening work "redevelop (death valley)."

Brian Rogers, a graduate of Bennington College, is the co-founder and Artistic Director of The Chocolate Factory Theater. His works for the company include "2 Husbands" (2007), a collaboration with playwright Ken Urban; "GUN PLAY" (2006); and "AUDIT" (2004). Brian curates The Chocolate Factory's Visiting Artist Program and has collaborated as a sound, video and performance artist on numerous projects. He is also Director of Operations for Dance Theater Workshop and curator of the newly-renovated cabaret space at Queens Theatre in the Park.

See "redevelop (death valley)" on Thursday-Saturday, February 12-28 and Monday, February 24, all at 8pm. Further information at http://www.chocolatefactorytheater.org. Ticketing at http://www.chocolatefactorytheater.org or at 212-352-3101.

InfiniteBody blog: http://infinitebody.blogspot.com

(c)2009, Eva Yaa Asantewaa

Valerie Green joins me to talk about Green Space--her dance studio and performance space in Long Island City--and its many services to the artists, audiences and families of Queens, New York's most ethnically-diverse borough.

See Green perform her solo "Underground" at 92nd Street Y's free Fridays @ Noon program on January 23. Information at http://www.92Y.org or at 212-415-5435.

InfiniteBody blog at http://infinitebody.blogspot.com

Valerie Green bio and company information at http://DanceEntropy.org

Green Space Studio at http://www.GreenSpaceStudio.org

(c)2009, Eva Yaa Asantewaa

My guest, the emerging choreographer Tara O'Con, will make her Danspace Project debut with the eerie, intriguing "Walk It Once"--a trio originally presented at The Chocolate Factory in June 2008. She shares a program with choreographer-puppeteer Enrico D. Wey, January 22-24, 8:30pm.

Tara O'Con graduated with honors in 2003 with a B.A. in dance and performance from Roger Williams University. Currently residing in Brooklyn, she has presented her work in showcases at Dixon Place, The Brooklyn Arts Exchange, WOW Café Theater, The Chocolate Factory Theater (Fresh Meat Festival), and by Dancenow NYC. In 2007, O'Con was among six emerging choreographers to be chosen for Dance Theater Workshop's Fresh Tracks Performance and Residency Program. She returned to The Chocolate Factory Theater for the presentation of the first full-length production of her work in June of 2008. As a dancer, she has enjoyed fruitful collaborations with Stephan Koplowitz, Ellis Wood Dance, Jillian Sweeney, Megan Sprenger/mvworks, Sam Kim, Red Metal Mailbox, Ben Munisteri Dance Projects, Mina Nishimura, Rocha Dance Theater, Shannon Hummel/Cora Dance, Tami Stronach, and Third Rail Projects.

Additional guest and concert information at http://www.danspaceproject.org

Read Eva's InfiniteBody blog at

http://infinitebody.blogspot.com

(c)2008, Eva Yaa Asantewaa

As the arts world struggles to cope with the global economic crisis, dancer-choreographer Benjamin Ford Asriel outlines his strategy of using the Internet to open the process of creating new work to his donors. Learn more at Project Paper Trail (http://www.basriel.com).

Program notes at http://infinitebody.blogspot.com. Guest information at http://www.basriel.com/Project_Paper_Trail/me.html

(c)2008, Eva Yaa Asantewaa