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Malashock Dance on Tour!

Friday, February 12th, 2010 by malashockdance

Malashock Dance is back on the road! We have been working with NY booking agent Jodi Kaplan of Kaplan & Associates and will be traveling to the St. Louis area. We are excited to be touring and sharing our work.

On March 30th, Malashock Dance will travel to Southern Illinois University (SIU) to perform in their Arts & Issues Series.  Malashock Dance will perform on April 1st at Dunham Hall.  The concert will feature work from LET’S DUET, SHADOW OF MERCY and will also showcase Michael’s first work for the company, WAYWARD GLANCES.  Additionally, John and Michael will lead master classes at the university and in the Edwardsville/St. Louis community.

Help us make this tour a success!

Our goal is to raise $9,100 to help cover the cost of the tour. Malashock Dance is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and your generous support enables us to continue sharing our artistic vision across the country—raising the profile of Malashock Dance and attracting more attention and resources to the San Diego arts community.

As of this morning, we have raised $1,800 toward our goal.  Help us reach our goal by donating toward the tour or sponsoring a specific dancer:

Michael Mizerany
Bradley R. Lundberg
Christine Marshall
Greg Sample
Lara Segura
Nicholas Strasburg
Blythe Barton

No gift is too small!  Please click on the “Donate now!” icon below and write the name of your dancer in the comments.  Can’t pick a favorite?  Write “Tour” in the comments to support the entire tour.  Everyone who donates will receive a special video thank-you message from the dancers!

Track the progress of our tour fundraising and learn more about how you can support this tour on our website.

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A Huge Thanks to SCPA & Francisco Ruvalcaba!

Monday, February 1st, 2010 by malashockdance

Yesterday, we had the pleasure of presenting a lecture demonstration with the San Diego School for Creative and Performing Arts.  Students from SCPA and COSA performed an excerpt of Missa Brevis , a piece choreographed by José Limon.  Francisco Ruvalcaba, a San Diego native and principal dancer for the Limon Dance Company, has been working with the students and also presented a lecture for the audience.

Congratulations to everyone involved!  The students have been working incredibly hard, and they looked amazing.  We will be excited to welcome some of them back to our studio for our upcoming Master Class Series and our Summer Intensive!

We can’t share the entire performance, due to copyright issues, but we have been given permission to share the following clip from yesterday’s event.  Enjoy!

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Lecture Demonstration: Jose Limon, The Artist as Outsider

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 by malashockdance

Malashock Dance and the San Diego School for Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA) present a Lecture Demonstration:

Missa Brevis José Limón, The Artist as Outsider
Reflections of his Life and Work

Sunday, January 31, 2010 • 6 pm
Dance Place San Diego
2650 Truxtun Road, Studio 200
San Diego, CA 92106

Tickets: $10 ($5 students)

Featuring dance excerpts from Missa Brevis , choreographed by Jose Limon, performed by the dancers of SCPA and COSA. Lecture and Q&A by Francisco Ruvalcaba, principal dancer with Limon Dance Company.

Francisco Ruvalcaba

Francisco Ruvalcaba
Principal Dancer, Limon Dance Company

The dancers of SCPA and COSA

The dancers of SCPA and COSA

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Get ready for next semester at the Malashock Dance School!

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009 by malashockdance

Classes are wrapping up this week, and we are getting ready for next semester’s dance classes!  Winter semester begins January 11, 2010.

I am personally excited about all the new adult classes we will have to offer.  Along with our Beginning through Advanced Modern classes with great teachers like Erica Buechner, Matt Carney, Julianne O’Brien Pedersen, and Katie Griffin, we will have an open Company Class taught by Michael Mizerany twice a week!  It’s a chance to get professional-level training and take a technique class with our Company members.  Of course, I’m not quite in shape for that one yet…

Erica will also begin teaching a Workout class, great for dancers and non-dancers alike!  Erica is an NASM Certified Personal Trainer, and her students will get cardio conditioning, strength training, and stretching.  I might choose her class over the gym on Saturdays!

Speaking of the gym, my favorite Pilates teacher from my gym will be joining the Malashock Dance School this semester.  Marianne Olsson will teach Pilates Flow every Thursday, 7-8 p.m, with a mix of traditional pilates exercises and dance-inspired movements and stretches.  I think this semester will be a chance for me to get back in shape, for sure!

Some of you also know that I love to dance Argentine Tango.  I have been dancing tango for several years now, but I have never really tried Ballroom Dance.  (I have enjoyed watching the ballroom dances in our annual Malashock Thinks You Can Dance! fundraiser, though!)  Ballroom champion Irina Chalkevitch will be teaching a Malashock Thinks You Can Dance! Ballroom Dance Series this semester, and I’m very tempted to try it out.  It will be a six-week class for singles or couples, covering a different style each week.  Sounds like fun!

Stay tuned to the blog for more about next semester’s classes—I will also be highlighting the guest artists in our "4 Sundays in February" Master Class Series .

Don’t forget: New adult students can purchase a 4-class card before December 31 and get another 4-class card for FREE! Class cards can be used for any of our weekly adult classes, and it comes out to only $6 per class!  It’s a great deal!  Try out some of these classes for FREE on December 26th at the Free Day of Dance.

Check out more information about all of our dance classes, fitness classes, and special events happening at the Malashock Dance School.

Rachel McRoberts
Communications Manager
Malashock Dance

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What do the Directors do after a show ends?

Monday, October 19th, 2009 by malashockdance

Associate Artistic Director Michael Mizerany shares what it is like once the curtains have closed on a show—and what he does with the rest of his time.

What was the best part of seeing your choreography on stage?

Seeing WAYWARD GLANCES come together as a dance piece, as an idea.  Also, seeing the audience react the way I wanted them to react—you never know how the audience will respond to a dance piece!

What do you like most about SURFACE TENSION being over?

I don’t have to stress anymore about my first time premiering a work with Malashock Dance!  And I don’t have to worry about compartmentalizing.  It was hard to dance in two pieces plus be the choreographer for another.

What do you like least about SURFACE TENSION being over?

Now I have to go back to the day-to-day work of running the company: booking tour dates, talking with presenters, making sure the information on our website is up to date.

What is going on now that SURFACE TENSION has ended?

Our performance for Classics 4 Kids is coming up in just three weeks—It’s never over!  I am also back to the administrative side of my job.

Check out EVERYBODY WANTS YOU , an excerpt from the Malashock Dance performance of Michael Mizerany’s WAYWARD GLANCES :

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Malashock Thinks You Can Dance – and Donate!

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009 by malashockdance

Time flies when you’re having fun, and we’ve been having an absolute blast preparing for our Third Annual Malashock Thinks You Can Dance! Don’t miss your opportunity to be a part of the audience this Saturday night for the big production.  This high-energy performance competition pairs your favorite local San Diego celebrities with professional dance partners – and faces them off head-to-head in an exciting dance contest.  It’s all taking place in just a few days – Saturday, September 26th at 8:00pm (with the VIP reception starting at 6:30pm) at Qualcomm Hall .

It’s important to note that this event serves as Malashock Dance’s biggest fundraiser of the year – and proceeds benefit the Education Outreach & Scholarship Programs of The Malashock Dance School, which provides quality dance performance and instruction to thousands of children throughout San Diego every year. Added this year to Saturday night’s competition is a new and unique feature through which our contestants can battle it out.  On our website , contestants are matched-up against each other to see who can garner the most monetary support pre-show for their dance duo!  The suspense builds to see which partner pair will have prompted the most donations for this worthy cause.

Right now, KPBS General Manager Tom Karlo and his partner Irina Chalkevitch are at $915 and racing to catch up with the team that is in the lead right now, Kristy Gregg and Pepe Alvarez – who have $2,550 credited to their efforts.  Perhaps it’s a bit helpful that people know Kristy from San Diego National Bank!  No matter which hard-working dancers win, at the end of the night, raising the goal amount of $100,000 to support Malashock Dance efforts makes everyone involved a winner in the San Diego arts community.

For tickets, visit www.malashockdance.org or call 619-260-1622.

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From the Dancers: Rehearsals for WAYWARD GLANCES

Wednesday, September 9th, 2009 by malashockdance

Today’s blog post comes from Blythe Barton, Malashock Company Apprentice. See Blythe perform WAYWARD GLANCES in the Malashock Dance production SURFACE TENSION, October 10-11 at the Lyceum Theatre in Downtown San Diego.

Pure excitement was what I first experienced upon being asked to dance for Michael Mizerany’s in his new work, Wayward Glances, however as the first rehearsal approached the nerves kicked in. Of course once we were in the studio, my apprehension was quickly assuaged.

Working with Michael is challenging, in that he pushes you (and your body) in ways that your didn’t think were possible, always experimenting and adjusting to achieve just the right sequence of movement, flattering angle, or lift. The duet he is creating for Matt Carney and me revolves strongly around character development as well. I am working to bring out my inner dominant woman. Thankfully, dancing with Matt makes this process enjoyable and comfortable. As a taller girl, I have often been the “base” in partnering situations, so this is a new challenge to tackle. So far, I spend most of the dance standing on, balancing above and hovering over Matt.

As we moved into the second week of rehearsal, I was again unsure of what to expect. I had grown comfortable in working with Matt and Michael and was curious to a new group dynamic. I was once again pleasantly surprised… Rehearsals were fun and productive. Michael worked to create partnering sequences and to teach us movement phrases. It was most interesting to watch our choreographer look at a two bodies and shape an intricate phrase of momentum and shapes.

My first set of rehearsals with Michael for Wayward Glances has gone very well, and I am extremely excited to head full force into September. Blythe Barton Malashock Dance Apprentice

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From the Dancers: Rehearsals for AFTER DUST

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.

After Dust

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.

After Dust

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.

TheresaHeadShot Theresa Anton
Malashock Dance Company Dancer

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Summer in San Diego Performance, PLUS Save the Date!

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

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

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!

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Looking ahead to this summer and next season at Malashock

Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 by malashockdance
Molly Puryear's Contemporary Choreography Class in "Lost."

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.

Jaami Waali's Hip Hop Class in Swaggerific. Photo by Yvonne Portra.

Joe Alter

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.

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

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