Posts Tagged ‘shadow of mercy’
Thursday, April 30th, 2009 by malashockdance
Michael Mizerany and Christine Marshall in Everybody Knows. Photo by Manny Rotenberg
The premiere of SHADOW OF MERCY went wonderfully well. The audience was enthusiastic and the reviews were glowing. (Read Pat Launer’s review at SDNN and CJ McKee’s review at Examiner.com !) Now, you would think MALASHOCK DANCE would have some time off, right? Noooooooooooooooooooooo!
Nicholas Strasburg and Bradley Lundberg in The Future. Photo by Yvonne Portra
The very next week we began rehearsing for an encore presentation of THE LEGEND OF THE PERSIAN CARPET at the San Diego Museum of Art (SDMA) for The Young Artist Reception. This production would be a little different because we had to replace Jeff Bulkley (who had prior commitments) with Bradley R. Lundberg, and we would be performing in the grand foyer of the museum. The grand foyer is considerably smaller than a stage, but very workable. Or, so I thought.
When I went to look at the space, I realized that, yes, it was in the grand foyer, but we would be performing on two staircases separated by two landings. It is the type of staircase that Joan Crawford would slowly slink down in many of her old MGM movies or that Linda Evans would tumble down every season on “Dynasty”.
I was especially worried about the Dance of the Thieves. It has many high-flying and gasp-inducing lifts and, to be frank, I didn’t want to alter them. Thanks to the tenacity and bravery of Nick and Brad, most of the lifts remained intact. Katie, Matt and Christine also proved to be quite adept at navigating narrow spaces, protruding banisters and plate glass windows.
All in all, the performance looked great. The dancers pulled out all the stops to make this an enjoyable and memorable evening for all the families and museum VIPS who attended. A special thank you goes out to SDMA’s Amy Briere who managed to get us a little more danceable space.
John and I are now in preparations for our NEW WORKS WORKSHOP which runs for two weekends (May 23rd & 24th and May 30th & May 31). These new works will premiere at THE MALASHOCK DANCE SCHOOL SPRING SHOWCASE on June 6th & 7th at Sushi: A Center for the Urban Arts .
Also, if you missed SHADOW OF MERCY the first time or want to experience it again, there will be an encore performance at the Lyceum Theater on May 31st at 7 pm. For tickets, go to sdrep.org or call 619-544-1000.
Michael Mizerany
Associate Artistic Director, MALASHOCK DANCE
Tags: dance, dance classes, dance lessons, dance performance, dance performances, dance reviews, john malashock, la jolla, malashock, malashock dance, modern dance, san diego, shadow of mercy
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Friday, April 17th, 2009 by malashockdance
You saw the show—now give us your review!
Would you recommend Shadow of Mercy to a friend?
What was your favorite dance?
Who was your favorite dancer?
From the entire show, what stood out to you the most?
Leave us a comment with your review. We would love to hear what you think!
Tags: contemporary dance, dance, dance performance, dance performances, garfield theatre, john malashock, la jolla, leonard cohen, malashock, malashock dance, modern dance, san diego, shadow of mercy
Posted in Malashock Events | 2 Comments »
Wednesday, April 15th, 2009 by malashockdance
Malashock Dance’s highly-anticipated premiere of SHADOW OF MERCY is almost here! This one weekend only event, set to the lyrics of acclaimed song-writer, Leanard Cohen, is not an event not to be missed. Tickets to the emotionally charged, dynamic performance are selling out quickly - and for good reason. Don’t miss your chance to be at the ONLY local showing before this talented group heads out on tour!
Garfield Theatre, 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla
April 17, 8 pm: Discounted sneak peek: $18 - $28 (students $14)
April 18, 8 pm: Saturday opening night performance: $20 - $32 (students $16)
April 19, 5 pm: Sunday twilight performance: $20 - $32 (students $16)
Tickets on sale now at tickets.lfjcc.org!
Tags: dance, discount tickets, family activities, garfield theatre, jcc, la jolla, leonard cohen, malashock, modern dance, performances, san dieg, shadow of mercy, theater, theatre, what to do
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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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Tuesday, April 14th, 2009 by malashockdance
SHADOW OF MERCY (The Leonard Cohen Project) opens this weekend. This is going to be a week full of promotional appearances, preview articles, spacing, tech and dress rehearsals and finally, the opening of SHADOW OF MERCY on April 18th (after a discounted sneak peak on Friday, April 17th) at the Garfield Theater in La Jolla.
On Easter Sunday, the promotional push began with an appearance on Good Morning San Diego (KUSI Channel 9). John spoke about the premiere and Nicholas and I performed an excerpt from THE STORY OF ISAAC. On Monday, John appeared on Fox Morning News (San Diego 5) to speak about SHADOW OF MERCY , and Christine Marshall & Heidi Kershaw performed an excerpt from BY THE RIVERS DARK. Also, be on the look out for the preview article in the San Diego Union-Tribune on Thursday.
Make sure to make your reservations today. You can get all the details and order online by going to www.MalashockDance.org .
Hope to see you there.
Michael Mizerany
Associate Artistic Director, MALASHOCK DANCE
www.malashockdance.org
Tags: contemporary dance, dance, dance performance, dance performances, garfield theatre, jewish, john malashock, la jolla, leonard cohen, malashock, malashock dance, modern dance, performance, performing arts, san diego, shadow of mercy, southern california
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Thursday, April 9th, 2009 by malashockdance
…Famous Blue Raincoat by Leonard Cohen, performed by Malashock Dance that is.
As a kid, Easter is about pretty pastels, chocolate bunnies and finding the 10-dollar egg. In San Diego, Sunday BBQs and mimosa brunches are Easter weekend staples that keep the Hallmark holiday fun for the slightly older crowd. However, even if April showers threaten the festivities, this city is still full of gems to uncover, like the Malashock Dance performance to the music of Leonard Cohen at the 1st annual NTC Spring Fling this weekend.
At 12:45 at Liberty Station in Point Loma, Malashock Dance will perform a number from the upcoming show Shadow of Mercy, which debuts April 17 at Garfield Theater in La Jolla. The show promises an emotionally-charged collaboration between a musical icon and powerful choreographer, John Malashock.
The Spring Fling will include events for all ages, including San Diego’s largest Egg Hunt, performing arts demonstrations and fee giveaways. Malashock Dance has been instrumental in the creation of Dance Place, a center for the performing arts community of San Diego housed in a historic building at the NTC Promenade.
Don’t forget your Famous Blue Raincoat this April!
Tags: blue raincoat, choreography, contemporary, dance, dance place, Easter, Easter bunny, Egg hunt, emotional, john malashock, leonard cohen, Liberty Station, malashock, NTC Promenade, NTC Spring Fling, performing arts, shadow of mercy
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Wednesday, April 8th, 2009 by malashockdance
WOW!!
Yes, I think that is the word. I am having the time of my life!!! If you had asked me a year ago if I would be a Company member dancing with Malashock Dance , I would have thought you had lost your mind! How would it have been even remotely possible that a classically trained twenty-year old ballerina, with less than a year’s exposure to any type of modern training, get that type of an opportunity? Yet that is exactly what happened.
It’s curious how this amazing journey started for me. I was invited to see Malashock’s Let’s Duet last December during the Mainly Mozart series in Chula Vista. I was so taken with the choreography that it inspired me to step out of my comfort zone (ballet) and audition for the Company. I had no idea that, at that time, John was actually looking for a female dancer to complete his cast for his upcoming production SHADOW OF MERCY .
Walking into the first rehearsal I was both excited and nervous—hey, I had never done anything like this before. I can tell you that after that first week I discovered muscles that I didn’t even know I had… and they were in pain! What a great feeling! Then I was introduced to the music and lyrics of Leonard Cohen. Putting “emotion into motion” came to life. Malashock’s dynamic and sensitive choreography, Cohen’s stirring poetry and music, and a “dream-team” of professional dancers with which to work have made this whole experience extraordinary.
SHADOW OF MERCY is not simply the title of Malashock’s most recent exceptional work. It is, as the name itself implies, an artistic blessing to those of us who are a part of it.
Bernadette Torres
Malashock Dancer — SHADOW OF MERCY
Tags: audition, bernadette torres, contemporary dance, dance, dance audition, dance performance, dance performances, dance rehearsals, dancer, garfield theatre, jewish, john malashock, la jolla, leonard cohen, malashock, malashock dance, modern dance, performance, san diego, shadow of mercy, southern california
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Monday, April 6th, 2009 by malashockdance
SHADOW OF MERCY (The Leonard Cohen Project) is fast approaching and all the pieces are looking great. We are putting the final touches on all the dance works and will have a full program run on Thursday.
This concert is going to be quite the endurance test. Though we are employing ten dancers (5 men, 5 women), there is no way around a few of us doing 3 or 4 pieces in a row. Stamina, of course, is always an issue but also a challenge: getting in and out of costumes quickly and efficiently, usually with minimal lighting and lots of sweat. As any dancer can tell you, this can prove to be the most stressful part of performing.
On Saturday, The Malashock Dance School had the Scholarship Auditions for both the MALASHOCK DANCE SUMMER IN SAN DIEGO WORKSHOP and THE NEW WORKS WORKSHOP . Attendance was great and the dancers were terrific. We also had 8 DVD auditions including three students submitting via YouTube. Technology has made my life much easier. Who knows, in the future we may do our entire workshop audition via DVD and YouTube submissions. That way, I can stay in my pajamas.
Students at The Malashock Dance School Scholarship Audition
On the promotional front, Danielle Gano, our PR Associate from Elle Communications, and several of her interns were making the rounds in San Diego hanging posters and distributing postcards. Keep your eyes open for the preview article in the UNION TRIBUNE next Sunday, as well as Carla Hockley’s segment on Cox 4.
Also, if you want a preview of the SHADOW OF MERCY concert, Lara Segura, Heidi Kershaw and I will be performing TAKE THIS WALTZ as part of SPRING FLING on Saturday, April 11th at 12:45 pm on The South Promenade at Liberty Station .
In addition, Lara Segura and I will perform the duet from THE GYPSY’S WIFE at 4×4xFLOOR at The Bluefoot Bar and Lounge on April 14th at 7 pm. THE GYPSY’S WIFE (the story of a none-too-chaste woman and her long-suffering husband) is one of those pieces, as Karen Walker from WILL & GRACE would say, “It’s funny because it’s sad.”
Michael Mizerany
Associate Artistic Director, MALASHOCK DANCE
www.malashockdance.org
Tags: audition, contemporary dance, dance, dance audition, dance classes, dance lessons, dance performance, dance performances, dance rehearsals, dance school, dancer, garfield theatre, jewish, john malashock, la jolla, leonard cohen, malashock, malashock dance, modern dance, new works workshop, performance, san diego, shadow of mercy, southern california, summer workshop, the malashock dance school
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Wednesday, April 1st, 2009 by malashockdance
CPR: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation…a procedure using compressions or electric impulses to restart a persons heart and breathing…
Arabesque: Perhaps the ultimate pose in ballet, in which the body is balanced over one foot with the other leg fully extended behind.
CPRabesque: "…then I’d like the women to turn around and walk up the the men and do an arabesque standing on their chest…"
Huh?!? Really? He wants us to put all of our body weight onto one foot and stand on their sternums? Wow, the trust it takes to be a dancer in Malashock Dance. And the number of directions that trust can lead us…
When asked to take part in SHADOW OF MERCY I jumped at the opportunity. In my second season with MALASHOCK DANCE , I was excited to see what was in store for me as a dancer … and for the company as a whole. The production is being set to musical compositions by Leonard Cohen—being a huge fan of his, I couldn’t wait to see what John was cooking up for the show.
Lara Segura and Katie Griffin in FAMOUS BLUE RAINCOAT (Photo: Elazar Harel)
I was most excited to take part in my favorite piece, FAMOUS BLUE RAINCOAT . This dance is so simply composed but so intricate and beautifully executed by the dancers, and as I’ve gotten the chance to watch it a little more closely in rehearsals, extremely uncomfortable to watch at times. Each dancer takes their role and lives the intensity of it to its fullest, bringing to life a world of control and intense discomfort, all mixed with beauty and surrender.
Then we have CLOSING TIME , a new work being composed by John for eight dancers, four men and four women. Being a tall, strong woman, my dance experience has usually involved me being at the base of partnering and lifting other dancers into the air. I have often been envious of those who get thrown around and lifted all the time. That isn’t so in this case. Now it’s my turn for a taste of the air above me. I am having to go outside a level of comfort that I am used to and trust someone else to do a job that I am more at ease doing myself.
In this case, my problem has not been trusting that my partner Trystan isn’t capable and strong enough to lift me, but in getting myself past a mental block and some self confidence issues that a lot of dancers have. It was becoming frustrating for me in rehearsals that we couldn’t seem to get a particular lift to work. And being pressed for time during rehearsals, I was becoming even more flustered—I couldn’t seem to get my body to do what I knew was necessary to make the process easier for everyone. That said, I couldn’t appreciate enough the patience that everyone had with me, especially Trystan. And that helped me to find the determination to just get over my fears and go for it.
After our second rehearsal, and much input from a room full of colleagues and friends, I was ready to take a break and come back to it the next time we saw each other. But Trystan kept me from giving up, and we tried one more time … SUCCESS!!!! Not only did we nail it, he held me above his head for the duration of the standing ovation and hoots and hollers we were getting from our fellow dancing friends. I was so relieved that I had let go and just trusted him to get me where I needed to be. I felt that I could get through the rest of my day without feeling as if I wasn’t cut out for the job.
So I look forward now to the next rehearsal, where I will enter the studio with the confidence that I am able to do whatever is thrown at me. I will also remember the support and patience that my friends gave to me and the trust they had in me to do what they had already mastered. And so you see that we all have to trust one another in many different ways when working together as a company. I see it every time Christine throws herself into blind jumps, where her physical well being is at stake, and she does it knowing that whomever is supposed to be there to catch her will be. And I see it as John brings new bodies and energies into the space and takes the time to mold them into the dancers that he needs them to be to do his work. And finally, I see the silent trust that there is between friends, knowing that we will come together to bring an evening full of work to life and that it will be the best that we can make it.
Even with the CPRabesque, it won’t be the dancers who are left breathless, but the audience instead …
Katie Griffin
Malashock Dancer — Shadow of Mercy
Tags: contemporary dance, dance, dance performance, dance performances, dance rehearsals, dancer, garfield theatre, jewish, john malashock, katie griffin, la jolla, leonard cohen, malashock, malashock dance, modern dance, performance, san diego, shadow of mercy, southern california
Posted in Behind-the-scenes | 3 Comments »
Tuesday, March 31st, 2009 by malashockdance
It was a hectic week here at MALASHOCK DANCE . We finished up our performances of THE LEGEND OF THE PERSIAN CARPET and started preparations for THE STUDIO SERIES , our in-studio preview of our upcoming production of SHADOW OF MERCY (The Leonard Cohen Project) .
Heidi Kershaw and Christine Marshall in BY THE RIVER DARK
On Saturday, we showcased six works: TAKE THIS WALTZ, STORY OF ISAAC, IN MY SECRET LIFE, IF IT BE YOUR WILL, THE FUTURE and TOWER OF SONG. On Sunday, we replaced TAKE THIS WALTZ and TOWER OF SONG with BY THE RIVER DARK and TACOMA TRAILER.
As usual, this was a great opportunity for the audience members to get an up close and personal look at the choreographic process. As one person commented, “I like to see the sweat!” Well, she wasn’t disappointed!
Michael Mizerany and Trystan Loucado in IN MY SECRET LIFE
Our wonderful PR Associate, Danielle Gano of Elle Communications , also booked us on the CW 6 Saturday Morning News . (Click the link to watch our segment!) John spoke about THE STUDIO SERIES as well as the premiere of SHADOW OF MERCY and Heidi, Lara and I performed an excerpt from TAKE THIS WALTZ. Though the space was very small, we managed it well. Courtney Dwyer, one of the wonderful anchorperson at CW 6, made it a great place to be — even at 7 am.
Also, the news piece that Carla Hockley did on Malashock Dance and SHADOW OF MERCY will air on Saturday, April 4th on Cox Channel 4 .
We are also gearing up for two scholarship auditions on Saturday, April 4th . The first, for THE MALASHOCK DANCE SUMMER INTENSIVE (July 6th – 18th ), will take place from 12 noon until 2 pm. The second, for THE NEW WORKS WORKSHOP (May 23rd and 24th – Michael and May 30th and 31st – John), will take place directly afterwards from 2:30-3:30 pm. Due to a generous gift from The Fieldstone Foundation , we have many scholarships to award – so make sure you don’t miss it.
Michael Mizerany
Associate Artistic Director, MALASHOCK DANCE
www.malashockdance.org
Tags: contemporary dance, dance, dance performance, dance performances, dance rehearsals, dancer, garfield theatre, jewish, john malashock, la jolla, leonard cohen, malashock, malashock dance, modern dance, performance, san diego, shadow of mercy, southern california, studio series, tour
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