September 2009 News
September 2009 News
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AXIS Upcoming Home Season Performances
Guggenheim Fellow David Dorfman’s hallmark wry wit, athleticism and inclinations toward intricate partnering will be on full display this Fall when AXIS Dance Company performs their ’09 home season, November 6, 7 & 8.
Also on the program are:
For information and tickets visit Brown Paper Tickets.
David Dorfman & AXIS piece commissioned by "Insert Your Name Here"
Interested in having your name associated with the AXIS/David Dorfman piece for all perpetuity?
If you would like to help AXIS engage preeminent choreographers in the creative process to bring new work to stage, join us in commissioning the David Dorfman piece! As a commissioner, your name will be forever associated with the creation of this work in all programs and promotional materials. You'll be invited to an exclusive sneak-preview of the new piece and a donor reception on Sun, October 25th and receive other benefits like complimentary tickets to our Home Season performances, an AXIS t-shirt and DVD and a private dinner with Artistic Director Judith Smith and other artists involved in the project. Minimum donation $150 - $249 (Dancer), $250 -$499 (Designer), $500 - $999 (Composer), $1000 and up (Choreographer).
YES I WOULD
LIKE TO BECOME A COMMISSIONER: 
I WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION:
The Alameda County Arts Commission is pleased to announce Judith Smith as a 2009 Alameda County Arts Leadership Award Recipient. Twenty-two outstanding individuals were nominated for this year’s program. The Members of the Alameda County Arts Commission acknowledge all of the nominees for their commitment to enhancing the quality of life in Alameda County, providing leadership in the arts, and serving as a role model to others.
2009
Alameda County Arts Leadership Award Recipients*
Representing
Alameda County Board of Supervisors, District One: Susan L. Rose
Representing
Alameda County Board of Supervisors, District Two: James Petrillo
Representing
Alameda County Board of Supervisors, District Three: Debra Owen
Representing
Alameda County Board of Supervisors, District Four: Marion Coleman
Representing
Alameda County Board of Supervisors, District Five: Judith Smith
This program recognizes individuals for their outstanding achievements and contributions impacting the arts community and the residents of Alameda County. Arts Leadership Award nominees must be residents of Alameda County and involved in any arts discipline such as music, dance, visual arts, literature, theater, film and video, traditional crafts and folk arts, and new media. The nominees participate in a wide range of arts activities in Alameda County. The nominees may be artists, staff or board members at arts organizations, volunteers, donors, supporters, or arts advocates.
The Alameda County Board of Supervisors commendation ceremony to recognize the Arts Leadership Award Recipients will take place during the Board’s public meeting on Tuesday, September 29, 2009. The meeting will begin at 10:30am and will end at approximately 12:00 noon. The event will take place at the Alameda County Administration Building, Board Chambers, 1221 Oak Street, 5th floor, Oakland. Friends and family members of the award recipients are welcome to attend. Award Recipients: Please RSVP regarding your attendance to the September 29th event to Rachel Osajima at (510) 271-5162 or rachel.osajima@acgov.org.
Photo by Mike Koozim, mikekoozmin.com
Artistic Happenings
by Judith Smith, Artistic Director
It's a bit daunting to realize that our 21st year is flying by and it's Home Season again-already! As we prepare for our big event, we are busy at work both outside the studio and in!
Outside the studio, our team has been taking a long look at how we're perceived as part of an intensive marketing grant program we've been selected to take part in. We conducted a survey of our donors and asked what three words they'd use to describe their most recent AXIS experience. Inspiring, innovative, exciting and dynamic were most often used. Based on these responses, it's clear that our work is conveying the strong image that we aim for!
But, we also know that with AXIS seeing is believing. Our dance form is not like ballet or hiphop, familiar genres that you can conjure up an image of almost immediately. What AXIS ‘does' is still difficult to articulate with words and somewhat unimaginable if you haven't experienced it.
It's a conundrum for us but it's also a boon to not be like any other dance company. That said, prepare to be transported at our Home Season Nov 6-8 at our home base, the Malonga. Bring along some AXIS newbies-they'll be blown away.
I'd like to leave you with a small part of my favorite Martha Graham quote that I feel resonates with the incredible group that is AXIS!
There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique, and if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium; and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, not how it compares with other expression. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open.
Warmly, Judy
J
oel Snyder first encountered AXIS Dance Company nearly 20
years ago in his work as coordinator for funding of arts presenters at the
National Endowment for the Arts.
It is gratifying for Joel and his wife, Esther Geiger, to provide
support for AXIS in more direct ways.
Joel is known internationally as one of the first audio describers; audio description is a narrative technique that provides access to the arts and media for people who are blind or have low vision. Joel is the President of Audio Description Associates and Director of the American Council of the Blind's Audio Description Project (visit www.audiodescribe.com or www.adinternational.org ). Esther is a Certified Movement Analyst, trained to observe, analyze and describe movement; describers, of course, must observe carefully in order to translate visual images to language for audience members who cannot see.
Sounds like a perfect marriage! And the link with AXIS has made it even more fulfilling. Esther and Joel have worked with AXIS to describe the company's live performances and DVD excerpts-in Vermont, they joined the company to conduct a unique session, "Enjoying Dance In Extra-Ordinary Ways: A Workshop for Blind and Sighted Dance Lovers." The workshop focused on the joy of moving / dancing together; provided a glimpse of the choreographic process; and presented moving and listening experiences that broadened participants' awareness of dance.
Joel and Esther, based in the Washington, DC area, look forward to promoting the AXIS performances at DC's Dance Place next June-and helping to make them accessible to all lovers of dance. Indeed, as Joel remarked at a recent reception for Judith Smith in Washington, "There is no reason why a person with a physical disability must also be culturally disadvantaged."
See a complete list of AXIS current donors here
With the summer getting to a close, I'm looking back at a month of amazing collaborations. One of them the workshop we did with David Dorfman (read more on our Dorfman project here http://axisdorfmancollide.blogspot.com/) the other great event was our Summer Intensive. Instead of me talking about it I'll let one of our participants Danielle Fellguth speak to you:
"The AXIS Summer Intensive 2009 was fun, yet challenging and intense. I was able to add to my movement vocabulary and learned more about my body and dance than I ever had before, all while keeping a giant smile on my face. During the intensive, I met plenty of amazing dancers, and was able to really let go of everything and just be myself. Of course every day wasn't perfect, there were a few mornings where I'd get to the studio not in the mood to dance at all; but twenty minutes later I was just as into what we were doing and having as much fun as I had been the day before. With each day that passed, I was able to push myself a little bit harder and my relationships with all the other dancers grew stronger. Overall, the summer intensive was an amazing experience and a great way to spend part of my summer!"
Wanna
dance yourself? Check out one of our upcoming classes.
Adults,
Monday 6-7:30pm
Kids,
Tuesdays 3:30-4:15pm
Teens,
Tuesdays 4:15-5:15pm
More information:
http://axisdance.org/education_danceAccess.php
Experience the thrill of seeing an interactive AXIS performance in a formal theater setting. AXIS will present this exciting Dance Access Day presented by TARGET during Disability Awareness Month. AXIS dancers with and without disabilities perform innovative choreography that demonstrates how people with differences can work together. This 50 minute show includes interactive participation by audience, plus candid discussion and Q&A with AXIS dancers. AXIS' groundbreaking work inspires audiences and broadens perceptions of dance and disability. It's a thrilling experience not to be missed!
To sign up your class or group contact Annika at annika@axisdance.org
AXIS Assembly at your (kids') school? Apply for a TARGET Field Trip Grant
http://sites.target.com/site/en/company/page.jsp?contentId=WCMP04-031880