Introducing: A head of time

In 2010 I kept a video diary of short dances: most were improvised; some were set after a short bout of choreography, instantly performed for the camera, then forgotten. The video clips capturing these dances constitute the largest portion of this blog.

Supporters had the option to “sponsor” a particular clip by making a donation, which ensured that the material in the clip was used in some form in A head of time, which I began to work on in 2011.

In April 2011, I was invited to contribute an installed version of the work–in-progress at The Art Gym for the exhibit “Dance: Before, after during” featuring the collections of videos and a preliminary version of the set composed of a wall of folded blankets. The dancers and I performed at the opening. That summer I also did a month-long series of solo studies towards the piece and we also did a version at for the Dance Truck at TBA.

The fully-stage version of A head of Time premiered at Imago Theatre in Portland Oregon in March 2012. I had the chance to spend almost a year (on and off) working with a wonderful group of people: dancers Philippe Bronchtein, Jin Camou, Catherine Egan, Keyon, Gaskin, Esther LaPointe, Danielle Ross & Lucy Yim; sound artist Seth Nehil; lighting designer Jeff Forbes; videographer Karl Lind.

Catching up…

Today I am finally finally finally catching up on some rewards to the fabulous Kickstarter backers for A head of time!

I also moseyed into the Silver Streak trailer sitting under the Doug fir in the yard at PWNW and spent a few pensive moments in deep regard of the piles of blankets: plaids, solids, stripes, prints, quilts; poly, wool, cotton and mystery fabrics; deep saturated colors, classic neutrals, pastels, and neon.

What to do?Sell some of the good ones to raise $$ for other PWNW activities like the upcoming A.I.R. program? Give a bunch to shelters when the cold weather starts? Maybe so. As much as we wanted, still want, a chance to do A head of time again, it seems unlikely. Other things brewing….

For the sake of completion and closure, I will post some performance video soon. In the meantime here are links to reviews and a few choice photos by Chelsea Petrakis:

TWO REVIEWS:   Culturephile    Oregon ArtsWatch

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So far…

As this ensemble work A head of time has been developing we have

• installed blankets, TVs, video projection at The Art Gym in April and May, performing an ensemble work-in-progress at the opening
• performed more potential group material at the Conduit Fundraiser in June
• performed a series of solos every Sunday in July: (except for the 17th, a day devoted to celebrating the life of my sister Kathy). A Month of (5) Sundays
• performed another group iteration at Holocene on a bill with visiting artists MGM, Allie Hankins and others.
• performed in the Dance Truck at TBA:11 on September 17!