Posts Tagged ‘performance’
Tuesday, July 5th, 2011 by Scott M.
Behind The Curtain is a unique opportunity to get exclusive insight into the inner workings of Malashock Dance performances, programs, and events through first-person accounts from those that make them happen. From performers and choreographers to directors, producers, and beyond, our varied cast of contributors will provide an entertaining insiders look at what happens "behind the scenes" at Malashock Dance.
Series # 6 - MALASHOCK ASSOCIATE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR MICHAEL MIZERANY TALKS SUMMER DANCE SAN DIEGO
MALASHOCK SUMMER INTENSIVE PERSONAL BLOG DAY 1
The Malashock Dance Summer Intensive started today. Wow! What an incredible experience. I cannot believe I am lucky enough to spend three weeks with these amazing students. They are smart, savvy and just a little bit sassy (probably the three best adjectives ever uttered and fun alliteration as well).
Here is recap of my day:
Of course, coffee and toast, that is a must. Then, hopped in my jalopy and was overjoyed when I made it to Dance Place in one piece. I wanted to arrive at the Malashock Dance Studio a little early to plan class and make sure our Education Director, Molly Puryear, had the help she needed. Not surprisingly, Molly had everything under control due to the fact that she is incredible and is an organizational dynamo.
When I walked in the studio at 10am, it was HOT! Then, add twenty-seven intensive participants, thrashed thoroughly by a Michael Mizerany technique class, and you get a roomful of sweaty, albeit incredible, dance students. I am also very fortunate to have Malashock Dance company member Nicholas Strasburg assisting me in both technique as well as repertory classes. Thanks, Nick!
In repertory, I am teaching the first section of John Malashock’s THE FLOATING WORLD and the last section of my work, BAD COMPANY, which premiere at Malashock/RAW last year. These pieces have some very difficult dance moves and the students were stellar.
Acting for Dancers is happening now, so I am going to go and take a peek. I’ll be teaching technique on Wednesday and Thursday and so come and get thrashed with the rest of the summer intensive students.
Michael Mizerany
Associate Artistic Director, MALASHOCK DANCE
Tags: Add new tag, contemporary dance, dance classes, dance place san diego, dance school, dance warm up, dancer, exercise, john malashock, keith johnson, malashock dance, malashock dance school, master class, michael mizerany, modern dance, performance, performing arts, southern california, summer workshop, the malashock dance school, what to do
Posted in About Malashock Dance, Behind-the-scenes, Malashock Events, Malashock Recommends | No Comments »
Thursday, November 18th, 2010 by Scott M.
Series #3 - NEW WORKS w/ John Malashock
This exciting two-day workshop provides dancers with a professional, creative experience, individual coaching, and a public performance opportunity. Hear directly from New Works host and Malashock Dance founder/Artistic Director John Malashock on the virtues of this unique experience.
Vol. 1 - John Malashock (Malashock Dance Founder and Artistic Director)
Hey, don’t get me wrong. I think dance class is great. Class is important for dancers to maintain and improve their skills. Dancers get new perspectives and philosophies from the variety of classes they take. Like Wonder Bread, daily class builds strong bodies 12 ways. But it is NOT where the art of dance is really learned!!!
Alright, I’m a heretic. I should be rolled up in a panel of Marley dance floor and burned on a pyre of smelly pointe shoes. But this is something I feel strongly about.
Dance is learned through involvement in creative process of choreography and the performance of that choreography. Dance is a handed-down art form and there is an unspoken osmosis of skill between choreographer and dancer. The better the choreographer you have the opportunity to work with, the more you are going to absorb. The more foreign the work is to you, the more your body is going to have to learn to adapt to it. The more challenging the work is, the deeper you are going to dig when it comes performance time.
It’s sink or swim, baby. You don’t really learn unless you are out of your comfort zone - which is where dancers should be most of the time. That doesn’t mean challenge and intensity can’t be fun. Au contraire, mon frère. A good choreographer always figures out how to work effectively with the level of dancers he or she has in the studio. But when you get pushed to the point where you don’t have a chance to over-think every little movement you are doing, that is where the REAL fun happens. That is the place I like to push dancers into. That is where dance is really learned!
- John
http://www.malashockdance.org/the-school/class-schedule/new-works-with-john-malashock
Tags: contemporary dance, dance classes, dance performances, dance place san diego, dance school, dance warm up, dancer, exercise, john malashock, malashock dance, modern dance, new works workshop, performance, performing arts, southern california, the malashock dance school, what to do
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Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 by malashockdance
With the economy in the tank, funding drying up and corporate and individual donations taking a nosedive, you think it would be a safe bet that local dance companies and artists would be performing less. Not true. Outside of the traditional stages, theaters and civic centers, San Diego dance performances are on the rise.
Dance N’ Dine, 4×4xFloor (formerly 4×4), The Movement and San Diego Dances have become a welcome addition to the San Diego dance scene. Sponsored by The PGK Project, these dance performances take place at restaurants, bars, cultural centers and, in the case of San Diego Dances, a different venue every six months (DK Hair Salon in November).
These performances unite a diverse group of companies and artists who, mostly likely, would not cross paths otherwise. Recently, Malashock Dance promoted their concert SURFACE TENSION at The Movement, The PGK Project presented a work-in-progress of a piece they will premiere at San Diego Dances, d’shire dance collective showcased a reworking of a solo at 4×4xFloor and Colette Harding highlighted her company at Dance N’ Dine this past month. Also on the list, Mojalet Dance Collective, Bradley R. Lundberg, OLIO, Natasha Ridley, Khamla Somphanh, Heather Dale, somebodies dance theater, among others.
Equally important – no one dances for free. Proceeds from donations taken at the door and raffle tickets sold during the showcase, go directly to the companies or artists performing that evening. The raffle serves as an important promotional opportunity for upcoming events as well. Sponsors can donate classes, theater tickets, and other items that promote their businesses to a new audience.
Dancemakers have never been stifled by a mere lack of funding. We’re used to that – it only makes us more creative, more resilient and more inventive. Dance always finds a way!
Michael Mizerany
Associate Artistic Director
Malashock Dance
For more information on 4×4xFloor, The Movement, Dance N’ Dine or San Diego Dances go to: thepgkproject.com/Calendar .
This post was originally written for DiscoverSD.com and published on 10/22/09.
Tags: contemporary dance, dance, modern dance, performance, san diego
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Friday, August 21st, 2009 by malashockdance
Today’s blog post comes from Theresa Anton, Malashock Company Dancer. See Theresa perform AFTER DUST and APOLOGIES FROM THE LOWER DECK in the Malashock Dance production SURFACE TENSION, October 10-11 at the Lyceum Theatre in Downtown San Diego.
Coming from Denver to rehearse a piece I knew nothing about and to work as half of a duet with a dancer I have never met was a bit risky, I know. But, I had met John, Michael, Nick and Matt while rehearsing “The Pearl Fishers” in Denver last spring and the opportunity to work with them again was not something I wanted to pass up. The duet is from “After Dust”, choreography by John Malashock, and the other half of the cast for this section, the beloved Christine Marshall.
Theresa Anton and Christine Marshall rehearsing AFTER DUST, choreography by John Malashock
I felt instantly at home with Christine and was struck by the physical similarities between us. Our first day of rehearsals went well as I got my bearings and started becoming familiar with a new style of work. One of the challenges of this duet is that as small as Christine and I both are (just barely 5’0”) we are accustomed to being the dancer thrown in the air and balanced precariously on others’ backs, arms, feet and so forth. This duet is different, we are not only the lifted, but the lifters; we not only had to learn to dance together as a pair, but work together to find the balance so important to partnering. My arms were sore for the first four days of rehearsal and I know that between now and when I return to San Diego to continue my rehearsals with The Company, I need to keep up the newly found upper-body strength.
Theresa Anton rehearsing AFTER DUST, choreography by John Malashock
It was a mild whirlwind of a week, flying in from Denver on Monday night, rehearsing all week and flying back home after rehearsal on Saturday, but I am so happy that I took that risk. I can’t wait for my return trip to Dance Place San Diego to learn “Apologies from the Lower Deck” and finish cleaning the sections from “After Dust”. It has already been such a treat to work with such a wonderful group of artists and friends…I can’t wait for the honor to take the stage with them.
Theresa Anton
Malashock Dance Company Dancer
Tags: contemporary, contemporary dance, dance, dance performance, dance performances, dance rehearsals, dancer, john malashock, malashock, malashock dance, modern dance, performance, performing arts, san diego, southern california, surface tension, theresa anton
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Tuesday, August 11th, 2009 by malashockdance
Today’s blog post comes from Matt Carney, Malashock Company Dancer. See Matt perform WAYWARD GLANCES in the Malashock Dance production SURFACE TENSION , October 10-11 at the Lyceum Theatre in Downtown San Diego.
My feelings heading into rehearsal with Malashock Dance Associate Artistic Director Michael Mizerany are usually filled with anticipation, interest, and maybe a little fear. You know the work will be guttural and athletic with a dash of passion and angst, but know that it will come at a cost.
Matt Carney and Blythe Barton rehearsing for Michael Mizerany's new work WAYWARD GLANCES
Honestly, a half hour into our first five-hour rehearsal for WAYWARD GLANCES I was already bleeding, sweating, and bruised and wondered how I would even finish. Before I knew it, I was caught up in my character and the safety of my partner that I started living in the piece. The movement began to develop meaning and a true partnership began. Working with a new partner takes, aside from time, trial and error to find a solid connection. Some lifts and partnered balances take many attempts, many falls to see what will work. Working with Blythe has made that process easy, with her focused work ethic and of course her long, beautiful body. I feel that I am finally doing movement that I was trained to do and am just enjoying the process. I look forward to seeing how the piece will develop.
As for the aches and pains…just part of the lifestyle of a dancer. When I walk, I am not just walking, I feel the sensation of my tight quads with every step. I’m forced to meditate as I fall asleep trying to find a part of my back that is not sore. Every time I stand up or sit down in a chair I feel every inch of my body. Such a crazy life to choose, I’m glad it chose me.
Matt Carney
Malashock Company Dancer
Tags: contemporary dance, dance, dance performance, dance performances, dance rehearsals, dancer, john malashock, lyceum theatre, malashock, malashock dance, matt carney, modern dance, performance, san diego, surface tension
Posted in Behind-the-scenes | 1 Comment »
Friday, July 24th, 2009 by malashockdance
THE MALASHOCK DANCE SUMMER IN SAN DIEGO WORKSHOP was a major success. 35 dance students and professionals from around the country joined Malashock Dance Summer Workshop Faculty John Malashock, Michael Mizerany, Julianne O’Brien Pedersen and Joe Alter for two weeks of technique classes, repertory classes and new works classes.
Michael Mizerany's Billet-Doux; Photo: Yvonne Portra
This year, the Summer Workshop Concert was performed at The Saville Theater on the campus of City College. Over 100+ dance lovers, family & friends attended the show which featured new works by John Malashock (Collision Course), Michael Mizerany (Billet-Doux) and Joe Alter (Etude 1a. & 1b.). Also included were two sections from LOVE & MURDER (Lovely Creature & People Ain’t No Good). As an extra bonus, Molly Puryear performed her solo, NEVER THE SAME TWICE, choreographed by Julianne O’Brien Pedersen.
John Malashock's Collision Course; Photo: Yvonne Portra
What a privilege it was for us to work with such talented, hard-working students and professionals. They all were truly amazing.
In August, Michael and John begin choreographing their new dances for the fall production. Michael will premiere SINNLICHE BEGIERDE, an evocative new work utilizing the vocals of German counter-tenor Klaus Nomi. John will premiere AFTER DUST, a triptych of duets featuring performances by several Malashock Dance favorites as well as newcomer Theresa Anton. These new works will premiere at the Lyceum Theater in downtown San Diego on October 10 & 11, 2009.
Additionally, Michael has been commissioned by Michigan Dance Collective to create a new work for their fall show. He travels to Traverse City August 22nd – August 29th to start initial choreography and teach several master classes.
SAVE THE DATE I: The Malashock Dance School will be performing at the Celebrate Dance Festival.
The Malashock Dance School at the Celebrate Dance Festival
Saturday, August 22nd at 3pm
Casa del Prado Theater in Balboa Park
Selected works by Malashock Dance faculty Molly Puryear, Erica Buechner, Julianne O’Brien Pedersen, Katie Griffin and Matt Carney. This show is free to the public.
SAVE THE DATE II: The season’s most fun fundraiser returns! For the last two years this event has SOLD OUT!
The Third Annual MALASHOCK Thinks You Can DANCE!
Saturday, September 26, 2000 at 8pm
Irwin M. Jacobs QUALCOMM Hall
5775 Morehouse Drive, San Diego, Ca 92121
Event Chair: Dea Hurston
Honorary Chairs: Robert B. Horsman and Katherine Kennedy
For more info on all listed events go to: MalashockDance.org
Michael Mizerany
Associate Artistic Director, MALASHOCK DANCE
P.S. Vote for us for Best Dance Studio on the 10news.com A-List! Click here to cast your vote!
Tags: contemporary dance, dance, dance classes, dance lessons, dance performance, dance school, la jolla, malashock, malashock dance, malashock thinks you can dance, modern dance, performance, performing arts, san diego, southern california, summer workshop, the malashock dance school
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Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 by malashockdance
Molly Puryear's Contemporary Choreography Class in "Lost." Photo by Yvonne Portra.
THE MALASHOCK DANCE SCHOOL SPRING SHOWCASE was held at Sushi: A Center for the Urban Arts this past weekend and was a great success. On Sunday, the show was completely sold out – we squeezed in more than 90 people – and the dancers “danced” amazingly. The showcase included performances by the students of The Malashock Dance School as well as the participants of the New Works Workshops. John Malashock premiered his new work, Unsettled , Michael Mizerany debut his work for eight women, Total Eclipse , and Katie Griffin and Matt Carney performed a new dance they choreographed jointly, Dreams .
Jaami Waali's Hip Hop Class in Swaggerific. Photo by Yvonne Portra.
Joe Alter
As a reminder, the MALASHOCK DANCE SUMMER WORKSHOP INTENSIVE is fast approaching. Plus a new development: Due to larger than expected enrollment, Joe Alter, associate professor and coordinator of the dance division at San Diego State University, has been added to the Summer Workshop Faculty. He is the Artistic Director of the Joe Alter Dance Group and also currently performs with Leslie Seiter’s Little Known Dance Theater.
On the touring front, MALASHOCK DANCE will be spending a week in the Midwest at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville in March/April of 2010. In addition to a company performance, we will offer three master classes including advanced modern technique, intermediate modern technique and a class in partnering.
And of special note: John Malashock has been elected to the Board of Trustees for DANCE/USA , the national service organization for professional dance. This is a tremendous honor for John, and he looks forward to being an enthusiastic representative. John will start his three year term on July 1, 2009.
John Malashock and Executive Director of DANCE/USA, Andrea Snyder.
Lastly, save the date for San Diego’s most fun fundraiser: MALASHOCK THINKS YOU CAN DANCE , Saturday, September 26, 2009 at 8 pm at Irwin M. Jacobs Qualcomm Hall.
Michael Mizerany
Associate Artistic Director, MALASHOCK DANCE
Tags: contemporary, contemporary dance, dance, dance classes, dance lessons, dance performance, dance performances, dance school, dance/usa, john malashock, leonard cohen, malashock, malashock dance, malashock thinks you can dance, modern dance, new works workshop, performance, performing arts, san diego, southern california, summer workshop, the malashock dance school, tour
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Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009 by malashockdance
This past week was very exciting! We ended our season with an encore performance of John Malashock’s critically acclaimed dance work SHADOW OF MERCY at the JEWISH ARTS FESTIVAL in downtown San Diego. The house was full, the dancing was wonderful, and the audience was enthusiastic.
Now we are gearing up for The Malashock Dance School Spring Showcase (featuring new work by John Malashock and Michael Mizerany) on:
MALASHOCK DANCE SCHOOL SPRING SHOWCASE
Saturday, June 6, 2009 @ 2 pm
Sunday, June 7, 2009 @ 5 pm
Sushi: A Center for Urban Arts
390 11th Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101
Tickets: $10
Call: 619-260-1622 or at
www.MalashockDance.org
Students from Michael Mizerany's New Works Workshop rehearse TOTAL ECLIPSE.
Also, the MALASHOCK DANCE SUMMER INTENSIVE begins on Monday, July 6th. It is looking to be a great workshop. 30 students and professionals from around the country will be converging on Dance Place San Diego to attend class, learn Malashock Dance repertory and participate in the Workshop Performance at the Saville Theatre on Saturday, July 18, 2009.
MALASHOCK SUMMER WORKSHOP PERFORMANCE
July 18, 2009
Saville Theater, Campus of City College
On the corner of C Street and 14th
San Diego, CA
Tickets: $15
Reservations: 619-260-1622 or
www.MalashockDance.org
If you would like to participate, there are still a few slots left. Go to www.MalashockDance.org for more information or to sign-up for classes.
Michael Mizerany
Associate Artistic Director, MALASHOCK DANCE
Tags: contemporary dance, dance, dance classes, dance lessons, dance performance, dance performances, dance school, john malashock, malashock, malashock dance, modern dance, new works workshop, performance, performing arts, san diego, summer workshop, the malashock dance school
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Thursday, May 28th, 2009 by malashockdance
Malashock Dance’s newest work, Shadow of Mercy, is based on the music of internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen.
Cohen blends profound human imagery, soulful musicality, heartbreaking wit, and stunningly original poetry. Malashock Dance’s extraordinary dancers express Leonard Cohen’s lyrics and John Malashock’s stunning choreography in this luminous pairing of two brilliant talents.
Shadow of Mercy made its debut to rave reviews this Spring and now the choreography will be showcased for only one night this weekend.
There are a limited number of tickets and only a few are still available, so purchase your tickets now for only $25 ($14 for students) by clicking here.
Tags: art, ballet, contemporary, dance, jewish, lyceum, malashock, modern, performance, performing arts, san diego, theater, theatre, what to do, where to go
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Tuesday, April 14th, 2009 by malashockdance
Make this weekend social AND cultural with San Diego’s Malashock Dance!
The highly-anticipated world premiere of SHADOW OF MERCY is this weekend in San Diego–the ONLY local show before Malashock Dance takes this powerful performance on tour. SHADOW OF MERCY blends the dark and humorous lyrics of Leonard Cohen with the provocative and deeply human choreography of John Malashock. This beautifully trained company of ten dancers sustains the powerful movement, exquisite partnering, and dramatic artistry that are signature elements of Malashock’s unique work at Garfield Theatre, 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla
Friday, April 17, 8 pm: Wine bar reception after the sneak preview
Discounted entry fee at $18 - $28 (students $14)
Saturday, April 18, 8 pm: The Premiere
tickets $20 - $32 (students $16)
Sunday, April 19, 5 pm: the twilight performance is the last chance to catch the show in San Diego!
tickets $20 - $32 (students $16)
get tickets at tickets.lfjcc.org!
Tags: dance, discount, grfield theater, john malashock, la jolla, leonard cohen, malashock, musical theater, performance, san diego, shadow of mercy, tickets, tour, wine bar
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