review by Amber Connors
The struggle to find peace amidst chaos
BosmaDance’s, “Sky Kisses Earth”
Joe’s Movement Emporium, 4th Annual Gala, June 14, 2008
Meisha Bosma- Artistic Director/ Choreographer

What this second “Sky Kisses Earth” performance lacks in formalities of live music, it makes up for in the intimacy of space. Having witnessed the premier collaboration with Alexandria Symphony Orchestra in the Rachel Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center, I prefer the live music presentation. However, in the narrow confines of Joe’s Movement Emporium, raw emotions in facial expressions are more readable and comprehensible to the audience.

Seven dancers in brightly colored silk move clumsily; tripping bumping and chugging like crowded pedestrians. One at a time, a dancer removes them self from the bustling mass, to settle peacefully and calmly in a second position squat, breathing from the gut with an organic sway. In an awakening duet, dancer and choreographer Meisha Bosma catches her partner forcibly between her palms; placing one hand on her forehead, and the other on her partner’s jaw. By forcing her eyes to look out into space, Bosma was commanding her to see the reality of now. Her partner resists, stubbornly insisting on the role of empty vessel, eyes extended out beyond the manipulative hands, ignoring the efforts of Bosma.

Gallantly bounding onstage, dancer Daniel Zook plunges into action with an expressive solo comprised of engulfing leaps and swooping turns. His mustard-yellow silk dress trails after his body like a noble’s cape. At the climax, the seven dancers fall in sync with one another, lunging and diving in a colorful, clean moving unit, repeating the same gesture-laden phrase on each of the diagonal facings, until eventually settling peacefully on the floor.

BosmaDance’s next performance is at Dance Place on June 21 and 22. Details can be found on the Dance Place website.

Related Articles:Review by Amber Connors of previous BosmaDance performance,http://choreo-grafitti.blogspot.com/2008/02/bosmadances-euphoria.html

review by Amber Connors

Historic choreography paired with legendary music
CityDance Ensemble, The Songwriters, Friday June 13, 2008 8 pm
Folksay- Sophie Maslow, music of Woodie Guthrie
Born to Run- Paul Gordon Emerson, music of Bruce Springsteen
Harmonica Breakdown- Jane Dudley, music of Sonny Terry
Falling- Paul Gordon Emerson, music of Otis Redding
On a Train Heading South- Brenda Way, commissioned score Jack Perla

Closing its 2008 season with a bang, CityDance Ensemble performed an eclectic mix of repertoire spanning the past 70 years. Last Friday, The Music Center at Strathmore was home to a full audience, excitedly anticipating The Songwriters.

Sophie Maslow’s “Folksay” (1942) is so timeless a piece of choreography that it still has resonance to a modern audience sixty-six years after its birth. “Folksay” began with a poetic exchange of commentary, folk songs of Woodie Guthrie, dancing, and small-town conversation. It was a brilliant combination of text and movement. The men danced squarely with flexed feet and ninety-degree-angled legs and arms, and wore cuffed jeans and flannel shirts. The women danced equally square but their three-dimensionality was highlighted in the swirl of their flowing cotton skirts.

“Born to Run,” (2007) a recent addition to the CityDance repertoire was choreographed by Paul Gordon Emerson. Set to the music and voice of Bruce Springsteen, the piece began in bold-colored silhouettes. An audience favorite, “I Ain’t Got You,” transformed a table into the jungle gym of dancers Delphina Parenti and Jason Garcia Ignacio. The couple flirted and fought over several cigarettes as they cart wheeled, slid, and tumbled above, under, and around the table. Later, a duet between two men unfolded to the sound score, “The River.” Dancers Bruno Augusto and Christopher K. Morgan successfully displayed a give-and-take tension during a Springsteen monologue about the relationship between him and his father in the late sixties. The two men log rolled over top of one another. Sporadically they paused, the weight of their bodies counterbalanced between them.

“Harmonica Breakdown,” (1938) choreographed by former Graham dancer, Jane Dudley, was a clean and concise solo filled with pelvic contractions. Slowly dancer Alicia Canterna glided across the stage, consistently maintaining a forward incline in her body. Composing herself, she planted her feet firmly in place and began to tremble and quake from the knees up to her head.

“Falling,” choreographed by Paul Gordon Emerson, was a seductive and entangled duet between Bruno Augusto and Kathryn Pilkington, rough with pauses. The audience was surprised when Frederic Yonnet strolled in from the back of the house blowing into his harmonica. He wailed away with a dirty-blues tone, steadily working all through the audience until he arrived on stage. “Falling” was tightly woven with unconventional lifts and inventive balances. It seemed despite the dancers’ conscience resistance, the physical attraction between them overpowered, bringing the two together like magnetic poles.

The evening ended on a political note with “On a Train Heading South,” (2005) a piece by choreographer Brenda Way, which addressed the issue of global warming. The stage was set with twelve dangling ice blocks that continued to melt as the stage heated up and the story progressed. The clairvoyant Greek figure, Cassandra, played by dancer Delphina Parenti, frantically warned her counterparts of the dangerous rise in temperature that was to occur. Despite her efforts she was continually ignored, until her dancing, like the liquefied ice blocks, gradually melted and was too heavy to leave the floor.

Collectively, the past and present fused to create a memorable evening at The Music Center at Strathmore. Farewell and best wishes to dancer Bruno Augusto who will be leaving the company in September to pursue a MFA in Dance from New York University.

Related Articles:
Article by Nora Guthrie on the collaboration between Woody Guthrie and Sophie Maslow, http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/guthrie110706.html

Interview of Brenda Way about "On a Train Heading South," http://www.grist.org/comments/interactivist/2005/02/28/way/index1.html

CityDance Blog, by Paul Gordon Emerson, on the restaging of Folksay http://powerpassionpurpose.blogspot.com/

Jenn Ruhl Contemporary Kollaborations....

This is the final name Jenn has decided on for her modern dance company. Our debut performance is going to be June 21, 2008 at the annual Chris Collin's Dance Studio Recital. Hosted at Hayworth Highschool on Telegraph Rd in Alexandria

Performance times are;
Saturday, June 21- 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM
Sunday, June 22- 2:00 PM

Jenn has shortened the piece that we auditioned at Dance Place, "Personifications," to be a better length for the recital. This is not a reccommended classical or modern dance show, but it would be entertaining for kids or family members of the performing students to watch. As far as I know, the studio offers most every style of dance imaginable. This is officially the first performance for Jenn's company. Let's break a leg!

Dance Critics Association Conference, June 13-15, Kennedy Center, Washington D.C.

I sent in my registration. Did you send in yours? This years Dance Critics Association Conference along with the Kennedy Center "Ballet Across America" program are being held at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. It's a three-day conference taking place on June 13, 14 and 15. This is a wonderful opportunity to take review writing workshop classes from well-known teachers such as Elizabeth Zimmer. Chief Dance Critic from The New York Times, Alastair Macaulay will be the keynote speaker and also speaking will be former NYT Chief Dance Critic, John Rockwell.

The Kennedy Center Millenium Stage is presenting dance performances of all types including BosmaDance, Jazzdance DC, and Silk Road. There will be mixed repetory performances from students of Bolshoi Ballet, School of Paris Opera Ballet, Royal Ballet School, and School of American Ballet. Here is a list of other area performances happening during this event.

My past experience at the National Dance Association and my current experience preparing for the NIRI Annual Conference has taught me that conferences are a great chance to both learn from speakers and workshops, but also to NETWORK with professionals in your field. I am extremely excited for the knowledge to gain and people to meet at the DCA conference. I hope to see you there!

Please allow me to reiterate to any college-age young adults that being independent is extremely stressful. However, I find it rewarding to be able to handle.





A change in the players... but the game stays the same....

Karen has decided that now is not the best time for her to move to NYC. But being reunited with GMU dancers at graduation brought face-to-face with Ashleigh Gurtler, who is simultaneously planning a move to NYC, and looking for a roommate. Therefore, that problem has solved itself.

In other updates, the Dance Place Audition with Jenn Ruhl and Company went well. Unfortunately, we did not get a place in the upcoming showcase. There were over 30 acts auditioning and only 9 spots in the show. It was a good opportunity for us to perform as a group and to see how well we really know the dance. Our next scheduled performance will probably be the annual recital for Chris Collins Dance Studio.

This Saturday at the Reston Community Center, The Young Actor's Theatre is performing "A Cinderella Story." But its actually different than the Cinderella versions you have heard before. With an original script written and directed by Mark Brutsche. This is a combination of stories, including Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and Rumplestiltskin. We have a lot of work to do to prepare for the show tomorrow. I won't give up until it is perfect.

I am moving at the end of July for sure, but happily sooner if I get one of the many jobs I have applied for. I have applied to dance companies, dance organizations, and tour booking companies. I have received responses from three. One is considering having me come to New York for an interview. And the other two responded to let me know they received my resume and are reviewing it as we speak. Each day, I search for new administrative and management jobs with a dance affiliated organization.

As soon is something becomes available, I blast my best, most polished cover letter in that direction altered to fit the exact needs of that company. The truth is, until I committed to moving to New York and beginning a dance administrative career, I never realized how much experience I actually had. I am confident that the right thing will come my way at the right time. But meanwhile, I am loitering the job ads. Something that the world of dance is lacking right now is help with writing dance-related cover letters and resumes. I have noticed resume tips aimed at dancers seeking performance careers, however there isn't much help available in the way of dance administration. I plan to change that in upcoming posts with examples of cover letters I have written.

Housing... is another road bump. I have found on Craigslist several decent two bedroom apartments in the Brooklyn area. Brooklyn is about twenty minutes away from Manhattan and conveinient if you have train access. Surprisingly, the prices for monthly rent are not too far off from what I have been paying in the Northern Virginia area. I realize it would be for a smaller space, but being a young women in the beginning of her professional career is all about sacrifice. I don't know where the money for a sudden move would be coming from either. I just know that when I need it, it will come to me. In the meantime, I am working as much as possible to stay ahead of the current bills that are rolling in. Thankfully my car will be paid off in two months (woohoo!) but then I also start paying back my student loans (boo!).

Karen, Hasan (my boyfriend), and I are traveling to the City in a week for Memorial Day Weekend. We will be arriving Thursday night and coming home Sunday or Monday. Thankfully, the generous, Dr. Madhu Boppanna, has offered his humble abode in Chelsea as a place to stay. We have all day Friday and Saturday to look at apartments. If I am lucky enough to have anyone schedule me for an interview, it could happen on that Friday. But realistically, if they wanted me there in three hours, I would make that happen too.

Having this new New York project is exciting and makes me so hopeful for what is to come in my career. I feel so good about taking a step in this direction. It feels right... and I like that feeling.

In other current events... tomorrow is GRADUATION DAY!!!!!!
I'm so excited and I just can't hide it! I am sending out graduation announcements today also. I am extremely proud to announce this to my family, since I am the first person in my family to graduate from college. (Go Me!). I am looking forward to carrying on the GMU Dancers tradition of walking across the Concert Hall stage barefoot. My callused feet will glide across the marley surface one last time in honor of the days I danced before the college audience. It is the closing of one chapter and beginning of another.

Saturday...
Saturday is judgement day for Jenn Ruhl Kubilis' Dance Company. We have our first audition for an upcoming showcase after about half a year of work to mature the company. Look out DancePlace, here we come!

Until next time, dance like your life depends on it.

All compasses, moral and polarized, are pointing North. I've pitter paterred long enough in hopes of finding some reason to stay here. When it comes down to it, the only thing holding me back is excuses. I thought that the temp agency was simply a necessary evil to sustain income until a better job came along. But it turns out to be a blessing in disguise because I have a steady income until just about the time I would like to be moving anyway.

Let the job hunt continue, but now I am honing in on the City of New York!
Here are a few of the sites I have come across that have been helpful in my NY planning.

dancenyc.org (affiliated with DanceUSA but way better, many helpful directories for dancers)

danceruniverse.com (affiliated with Dancer Magazine, good for the scoop on NY Dance Scene)

And don't think I'm doing this all alone, that would be pretty scarry (biting nails...eek). If I have to, I will do it alone. But if all goes as planned, the fabulous Karen Dunn will also be making the colossal life change as my once and future roommate. So I have begun scoping out housing on newyork.craigslist.org. Updates on this exciting endeavor to follow!

In other exciting news, The JRuhl Dance Krew (name change pending) led by choreographer and fellow alum, Jenn Ruhl Kubilis, will be having its first audition for performance at DancePlace. The audition is in two weeks, on May 17...( one day after my College of Visual and Performing Arts Graduation from George Mason University!) If accepted into the showcase we are auditioning for, we will be performing in late July.

The petitioning for signatures week is finally over. It was an experience and I am thankful its over. So the permanent job hunt ensues and along the way I have accepted another temp job, this time as a data entry clerk/ receptionist. This is a more long term assignment, it should last about 2 or 3 months. But I intend to continue interviewing while still working at this job.



Tonight is the Spring Concert for the GMU Dance Company held in Harris Theatre. I am excited because Karen Dunn, my college roommate and fellow dance alum will be attending with my boyfriend and I. I am also looking forward to the alumni gathering beforehand at Damon's Grill on campus. I can't wait to see what the dancers have choreographed for the concert tonight.



I must hurry today because I have to prepare for rehearsal with Jenn Ruhl Kubilis. Only three weeks until my college graduation, and also our audition for the upcoming Dance Place Performance.

Sadly, my class with Curt Haworth was the last dance class I have taken. My priority of securing an income with a steady full time job has taken front seat to dance class attendance. This is due to the fact that the average dance class in the DC area costs $16. Buying class cards are usually a much better deal, but only if they don't expire and you fully intend to use every last class you bought. $16 becomes $48 a week if I take three dance classes. The creditors are closing in on me and my free-pass-because-I'm-a-student-ride is officially over. In a semi-regular call to transfer more credit into my checking account to pay bills, I was not only denied the money I requested, but my credit was cut back by $2,000. Fair enough because I am really not supposed to be living off credit, but now the desperation to secure employment becomes even more necessary.

So in my continuing saga of the job search I have been to three interviews last week and worked two temp jobs. Interestingly enough, last Tuesday I worked as a medical assistant at a dermatology office in Vienna. This involved constantly chasing the doctor from room-to-room to examine the skin of a variety of men and women old enough to be my grandparents and crusted with "barnacles." Despite its reminder to me of a dormant great whale, I assure you that "barnacle" is a medical term and made me laugh a little each time I heard it. Most of the patients were being checked for signs of skin cancer, but possible basil cells were removed in a punch biopsy which I saw and then witnessed the stitches closing the gaping hole. I also had the fantastic opportunity to witness a surgery removing basil cell carcinoma- the most deadly skin cancer. This lasted longer because it involved cutting out a deeper layer, cauterizing the open wound, and then closing with stitches again. This wasn't too disgusting, but I did get worried that I may faint due to the heat in the room. I had happily forgotten about the experience until I went home that evening and decided to help my boyfriend cook hamburgers on the grill and was reminded of the sound of cauterizing flesh. Great experience of a paid workday, but I declined the full time job offer in hopes of finding a less career-track job in a place that I wouldn't be so exposed to the probability of getting warts.

Somewhere down the road, I agreed to interview with a temp agency, Robert Half International, and accepted a temp job for this week. Today was my first day at the temp job that I was informed would involve helping Julien Modica (D) in his campaign to run for U.S. Senate. I have heard about the process of campaigning before so I openly asked my recruiter if this job would involve petitioning for signatures. "No," he replied, "nothing like that." He said it would be organizing the already collected signatures and also doing administrative work including scheduling, typing, and answering phones. With the decent pay that was offered and the party affiliation that Modica is a Democrat, I agreed to help for the week. So guess what i found myself doing at 10AM this morning... petitioning for signatures at George Mason University to get Modica on the ballot for the Democratic Primary on June 10. All of my coworkers were also from the same temp agency and had also received very incorrect information as to what the job would entail. i hated when people in the quad used to be doing political crap and chasing me down, I would often walk far around them or fake a phone call just to get through there as quick as possible and once again I find myself doing a job that I have always been against.

But I just said, "What the hell!? It's a job for the week, and its guaranteed to be a memorable experience." So besides the fact that it was freezing cold and half drizzling wet, I managed to get a good amount of signatures. It definitely helped that I was comfortable at my Alma Mater and ran into many of my friends or old acquaintances that I recognized. But I think I reeled most people in with my cute hair and adorable smile. So Mason was so successful as a place of gathering signatures that we are planning to go back again tomorrow morning and try all over again. We will be there approximately all day, but definitely in the morning and noon time. Please come out and help petition if you are a registered VA voter. It's not a promise to vote for him, it's just giving Modica a chance on the ballot for Senate.

Maybe I'll learn so much in this one week, that I'll be able to run for office and make some positive changes to benefit the dance population. Here are some of the campaign platforms that I would support if I were in office; more dance curriculum in public schools, better foreign policy with Cuba to allow the dance program that Jim Lepore loves, better health care support for independent artists, and capping the tuition rates for college students. I also strongly oppose affirmative action. I think it is outdated and unnecessary- it's basically reverse discrimination and personally all it has done is harm me from getting things I needed to fund a college education like certain financial aid and scholarships.

My mother always told me that God never gives you more than you can handle, so even if I was mislead to get to this place, maybe it will prove to be a valuable and useful experience. And plus at least he is a Democrat.