Alternative Motion Project
Presents
Move to the Max:Virtual Edition
Friday, November 20th | 7:00pm | Zoom (link sent to attendee directly)
Good evening and welcome - to Alternative Motion Project presents Move to the MAX: Virtual Edition. We are so excited to celebrate Give to the Max Day and the vibrant and eclectic movement within Minnesota. Alternative Motion Project is thrilled to join, Analog Dance Works, Concerto Dance, Crash Dance Productions, DanceBARN Collective, Jagged Moves, Ragamala Dance Company, and Rhythmically Speaking in this community performance event.
Enjoy this compelling program from the comfort of your own home that includes a variety of distinct performances and films by each company. Don't forget to click on the links below to find out more about the work we do for our communities. Thank you for supporting these impactful organizations!
Enjoy this compelling program from the comfort of your own home that includes a variety of distinct performances and films by each company. Don't forget to click on the links below to find out more about the work we do for our communities. Thank you for supporting these impactful organizations!
PROGRAM
Alternative Motion Project
What Never Was (2020)
What Never Was (2020)
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Produced by - Kristin Howe + Joanna Lees
Directed and Edited by - Joanna Lees Assistant Director - Kristin Howe Cinematography by - V. Paul Virtucio Lighting Design by - Tony Stoeri Movement by - The Performers in collaboration with Kristin Howe, Joanna Lees, Erinn Liebhard, Brenna Mosser Performed by - Alternative Motion Project: Stephanie Flanagan, Harper Foote, Karin Jarvise, Laura K Johnson, Julia Moser-Hardy, Brenna Mosser, Jesse Schmitz-Boyd, Addie Smith, Bridgett Tegen, Lauren Vanchina Music Score Composed by Michael Wall |
Sound Mixing + Design by - Joanna Lees
Filmed on location on stolen land at - The Lab Theater, Minneapolis, MN Special Thanks to Metropolitan Regional Arts Council The Lab Theater E'lise Jumes Mary Kelley Leer Bobby Snyder Jessie Storovich Michael Wall This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from theMetropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. More information on the work and AMP. |
Rhythmically Speaking
Feist(meist)er
(excerpts from stage premiere at the Southern Theater in Minneapolis in August 2019)
Feist(meist)er
(excerpts from stage premiere at the Southern Theater in Minneapolis in August 2019)
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Choreographer - Erinn Liebhard (Artistic Director), with contributions from and improvisations by the dancers
Dancers - Nora Anderson, Doug Hooker, Sara Karimi, Kathleen Pender and Betsy Schaefer-Roob Music - “Grown Folks” and “Jefe” by Snarky Puppy Costumes - Erinn Liebhard |
Note: Feist(meist)er is a lively romp exploring the cacophony of everyone in the room wanting to be the leader, and the harmony that can be found when that role gets shared. This piece finds its shape from the feisty interactions of the dancers with the groove of the music and one another, and features quite a bit of improvisation, a key element of jazz aesthetics. Celebrating the process of opening up to one another, Feist(meist)er uncovers the joy of human connection during isolating times.
More about Rhythmically Speaking here. |
DanceBARN Collective
Chase the Flying Hours
Chase the Flying Hours
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Choreographer & Co-Director - Annalisa Ledson
Co-Director - Jamie Watkins Cinematographer & Editor - Kristofor Gieske Composer - Evan Johnston Sound Mastering - Mark Van Hare Dancers - Molly Johnston, Annalisa Ledson, Amanda Lewis & Ayumi Shafer Community Dancers - Adeline Stalboerger, Aly Stalboerger, Stella Stalboerger, Andrea Everts, Mary Bertrand, Grace Hauglie, Ila Osman, John Heine, Lowell Carpenter, Judy Carpenter, Sue Lewis, Deb Wallwork, Claudia Loll, Deb Forstaer, Mary Waller, Michael Loreno, Mary Loreno, Clara Wegscheid, Kristi Everts, Ashley Quam, Rebekah Ekelund, Hannah Ekelund, Timothy Ekelund, Sarah Ekelund, Elise Pribbenow, Bert Johnston & Melissa Hurtig |
Chase the Flying Hours was inspired by the spirit of the Fergus Falls community rallying around the pending demolition of The Kirkbride Hospital, a decommissioned occupational therapy center built in the 1800s. The film communicates the shifting role of this astonishing physical building within a tight-knit community, and the unique power of dance to bring people out of isolation, into moments of collective celebration. Inspired by midwestern square dancing, choreographer Annalisa Ledson blends traditional with contemporary dance. Director Jamie Watkins and cinematographer/editor Kristopher Gieske strive to capture the haunting beauty of this unique space and its renewed potential for community use. More information about the work and DanceBARN here. |
Ragamala Dance Company
SACRED EARTH
SACRED EARTH
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Concept and Choreography - Ranee Ramaswamy and Aparna Ramaswamy
Original Artwork - Anil Chaitya Vangad (Warli), Ranee Ramaswamy (Kolam) Original Compositions - Prema Ramamurthy Development of Musical Score - Ranee Ramaswamy and Aparna Ramaswamy, with Lalit Subramanian, Anjna Swaminathan, Rajna Swaminathan Dancers - Aparna Ramaswamy, Ranee Ramaswamy, Ashwini Ramaswamy, Tamara Nadel, Jessica Fiala Musicians - Preethy Mahesh (vocal), C.K. Vasudevan (nattuvangam), Sakthivel Muruganantham (mridangam), Ramanathan Kalaiarasan (violin) Light Design - Jeff Bartlett |
Video Projection Design - Perimeter Productions
Lighting Supervisor/Production Manager - Alex Clark Sound Engineer - Maury Jensen Venue - Filmed in live performance by Caitlin Hammel at the Sheldon Theater (Red Wing, MN), February, 2020 Sacred Earth explores the interconnectedness between human emotions and the environment that shapes them. Inspired by the philosophies behind the ephemeral arts of kolam and Warli painting and the Tamil Sangam literature of India, Sacred Earth brings both internal and external landscapes to life. As Sacred Earth builds from silent, meditative beginnings, the performers create a sacred space to honor the divinity in the natural world and the sustenance we derive from it. We surrender to the beauty of this sacred earth that has been given to us to safeguard, cherish, and pass on to our future generations. |
FIRES OF VARANASI
(Premiering in 2021)
(Premiering in 2021)
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Concept and Choreography - Ranee Ramaswamy and Aparna Ramaswamy
Choreographic Assistant - Ashwini Ramaswamy Dramaturg - Ranee Ramaswamy Choreography of Bho Shambho - Padmabhushan Smt. Alarmel Valli Original Compositions - Prema Ramamurthy Development of Score - Ranee Ramaswamy and Aparna Ramaswamy, with the musical ensemble Dancers - Aparna Ramaswamy, Ranee Ramaswamy, Ashwini Ramaswamy, Tamara Nadel, Jessica Fiala, Chaitra Chandrashekar, Sri Guntipally Kasi Aysola, Alan Yu Wah Tse Musicians: Preethy Mahesh (vocal), C.K. Vasudevan (nattuvangam), Sakthivel Muruganantham (mridangam), Ramanathan Kalaiarasan (violin) |
Maulav Ganga recorded by Vidwan Sri T.M. Krishna (vocal), with
K. Arun Prakash (mridangam), R.K. Shriram Kumar (violin),
and Bhagyashri (tanpura), included by special permission from the artists
Bho Shambho Muscians - Gomathi Nayagam (vocal), C.K. Vasudevan (nattuvangam), Sakthivel Muruganantham (mridangam), Akkarai Subhalakshmi (violin) Scenic/Lighting Design - Willy Cessa Production Manager - Maury Jensen Filmed by Caitlin Hammel at the Nothrop Plaza in August, 2020 Ranee Ramaswamy and Aparna Ramaswamy’s Fires of Varanasi evokes a richly elaborate ritual where time is suspended and humans merge with the divine. Through images that reflect the cosmic trinity of Varanasi, India—sacred pilgrimage routes, The Ganges River, and the patron deity Shiva—the choreographers imagine a metaphorical crossing place where one may leave the mundane and enter into the world of immortality. More on the works and Ragamala here. |
Jagged Moves
Homage to Touch Code: Now, and Then, and Onward
Homage to Touch Code: Now, and Then, and Onward
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Presented by - Jagged Moves
Director and Film Editor - Jennifer Glaws Music Composer - Julie Johnson, original composition created and performed for Touch Code |
Dance film Performing Artists - Emma Marlar, Gemma Isaacson, Julie Johnson, and Sharon Picasso
Performers featured in original production footage - Emilia Bruno, Tori Casagranda, and Marisol Herling Videographer of theater footage - Cully Gallagher More about Jagged Moves here. |
Analog Dance Works
Abritrarium (2020)
Abritrarium (2020)
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Concept, dance, edit - Brenna Mosser
Sound - Singing Lake by the National Parks Service/Jennifer Jerrett, 2013 For about a year now, I have been developing a choreographic work about whitetail deer. My goal is to create something that could facilitate a connection to the wilderness of Minnesota via this iconic animal. Then the pandemic happened. This disruption to our lives unveiled an opportunity to stop, reevaluate, and get creative. How could I pass up making a deer movie?? |
When I got into the field, dressed in my deer costume, I was struck with loneliness. Originally a quartet, I was now attempting to dance and film alone. It did not feel right or justified to my research. It was not the right moment to make a film about deer.
As this pandemic has taught many of us, I stopped, reevaluated, and took time to follow my creative impulses. I tried not to worry where these impulses were leading me. I followed my instinct, and played with beauty, beastiality, and minimalism. Is it a coincidence or reality? Arbitrary or beautiful? Drama without a cause. |
Serve Id: Movement Study #3 (2020)
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Concept, edit - Brenna Mosser
Dance - Nieya Amezquita, Brenna Mosser Sound - Singing Lake by the National Parks Service/Jennifer Jerrett, 2013 Serve Id is a quartet that draws inspiration from an iconic animal found in Minnesota’s urban and rural landscapes: whitetail deer. This dance is influenced by the anatomy and behavior of deer and will bring Minnesota’s environment to the stage. |
This first movement study was performed as a work-in-progress at the Candybox Dance Festival in May, 2019 and a second rendition at the Good Night at the Southern August edition.
Deer are a common animal often found throughout greater Minnesota and within green spaces of the cities. They are an animal that many Minnesotans have memories of in relation to a nature experience. Brenna uses the anatomy and behavior of this animal to develop a unique movement vocabulary and choreography. By drawing attention to deer, the audience can reflect on their relationship with the animal and by extension, its environment. |
Cloud Cover
(Rehearsal footage, 2019)
(Rehearsal footage, 2019)
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Choreography, design, footage - Zoë Koenig
Dance - Brenna Mosser, Addie Smith, Paula Vasquez Alzate, Mio Yoshizaki This work focuses on the future of Minnesota in relation to one specific consequence of climate change: cloud loss. Cloud loss remains one of the largest sources of uncertainty in climate change models. |
Cloud Cover uses this as an entry point to explore the different ways humans respond to indeterminate, impending catastrophe. The work moves through states of helplessness, personal aggression, social instability, displacement, and others while also searching for ways to make space for joy within the individual and social breakdown.
More about the works and Analog Dance Works here. |
Concerto Dance
Awakenings (excerpt)
Awakenings (excerpt)
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Music - Traditional Norwegian Folk, Arranged by Danish String Quartet
Soloist - Sarah Steichen Stiles Dancers - Nieya Amezquita, Betsy Gaasedelen, Sara Karimi, Helena Magalhães Director/Choreographer - Jolene Konkel |
Videographer/VFX - Nate Sheppard Costume Design - Amy Hill Special Thanks - The Goodtree Farmstead and Christdala Church More about Concerto Dance Here. |
Crash Dance Productions
Prologue
Prologue
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Choreography - Rachel Doran
Music - David Wiesjahn You are who you are, but now let’s play a game. #13 will be the Con. Maybe it’s you. Or maybe it’s me. This performance was recorded at The Lab Theater on February 29, 2020 and is the opening from CDP’s show "Domino." The Dreamer. The Socialite. The Boss. The Con. In “Domino,” 13 unique personalities converge in an interplay that establishes a hierarchy of vulnerability and influence. |
When identities collide, some rise to power, and others become prey; but when a real Con is playing the game, it’s only a matter of time before they all fall down, one by one.
“Domino” incorporates a chance procedure: a choreographic device used to provide an element of surprise. In our Prologue, dancers draw cards — assigning them a number of 1 to 13. Each number represents a role they’ll play throughout the performance. Dancers are required to know a variety of different parts based on the chance procedure guidelines. Even they do not know what role each dancer will play, until it’s all revealed in Act II... More about Crash Dance Productions here. |
Thank you for your presence this evening and for your continued support of movement and dance in minnesota.
MORE ABOUT THE PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS...
Alternative Motion Project
Website: alternativemotionproject.org
Alternative Motion Project (AMP) is a professional modern dance company founded in 2011 and passionately striving to create accessible, entertaining, and meaningful dance work throughout the Twin Cities area. Since 2011, AMP has produced 12 full-length shows and 40 original works with over 50 local artists. Whether it is through our choreography and performances, collaborations with other artists, engaging audience members, or education and exposure to those in need, we can come together as a community and acknowledge that we serve a purpose that is greater than ourselves.
Photo Credit: V. Paul Virtucio
Website: alternativemotionproject.org
Alternative Motion Project (AMP) is a professional modern dance company founded in 2011 and passionately striving to create accessible, entertaining, and meaningful dance work throughout the Twin Cities area. Since 2011, AMP has produced 12 full-length shows and 40 original works with over 50 local artists. Whether it is through our choreography and performances, collaborations with other artists, engaging audience members, or education and exposure to those in need, we can come together as a community and acknowledge that we serve a purpose that is greater than ourselves.
Photo Credit: V. Paul Virtucio
Analog Dance Works
Website: https://www.facebook.com/analogdanceworks
Analog Dance Works is committed to exploring the intersections between dance and science through high-quality dance works and roundtable discussions.
Photo Credit: Bill Cameron
Website: https://www.facebook.com/analogdanceworks
Analog Dance Works is committed to exploring the intersections between dance and science through high-quality dance works and roundtable discussions.
Photo Credit: Bill Cameron
Concerto Dance
Website: concertodance.com
Concerto Dance by Jolene Konkel is a technical movement company driven by musicality and athleticism seeking to balance innovation with tradition in a context of community and hope. Our work draws upon and expands rooted codified forms of movement across genres of American dance including jazz and modern dance to express the vibrant and compelling nature of musicality. Additionally, we aim to explore work that seeks to open a door to the human spirit, strengthen and uplift hearts and minds, and connect communities through artistically compelling and entertaining concert dance that engages a broad audience.
Photo Credit: Bethany Jackson
Website: concertodance.com
Concerto Dance by Jolene Konkel is a technical movement company driven by musicality and athleticism seeking to balance innovation with tradition in a context of community and hope. Our work draws upon and expands rooted codified forms of movement across genres of American dance including jazz and modern dance to express the vibrant and compelling nature of musicality. Additionally, we aim to explore work that seeks to open a door to the human spirit, strengthen and uplift hearts and minds, and connect communities through artistically compelling and entertaining concert dance that engages a broad audience.
Photo Credit: Bethany Jackson
Crash Dance Productions
Website: crashdanceproductions.com
Crash Dance Productions is a Minneapolis-based company that presents contemporary dance as a creative collective. Crash Dance Productions conceives and performs interdisciplinary dance works that seam philosophy and science through a dynamic, visceral, and technical aesthetic. Since 2007, CDP has staged 15 original full-length contemporary dance works, undertaking themes that intersect objective human realities with observational commentary. Company artists are predominantly- and proudly- homegrown, uniting their various artistic pathways by contributing to their beloved Twin Cities through performance and outreach.
Photo Credit: Tim Knox
Website: crashdanceproductions.com
Crash Dance Productions is a Minneapolis-based company that presents contemporary dance as a creative collective. Crash Dance Productions conceives and performs interdisciplinary dance works that seam philosophy and science through a dynamic, visceral, and technical aesthetic. Since 2007, CDP has staged 15 original full-length contemporary dance works, undertaking themes that intersect objective human realities with observational commentary. Company artists are predominantly- and proudly- homegrown, uniting their various artistic pathways by contributing to their beloved Twin Cities through performance and outreach.
Photo Credit: Tim Knox
DanceBARN Collective
Website: www.dancebarncollective.org
DanceBARN Collective is a nonprofit organization committed to building community by connecting dancers, educators, choreographers, and community members through rural-based programming, events, festivals, camps, residencies, and classes.
Photo Credit: Rosanna Yerke
Website: www.dancebarncollective.org
DanceBARN Collective is a nonprofit organization committed to building community by connecting dancers, educators, choreographers, and community members through rural-based programming, events, festivals, camps, residencies, and classes.
Photo Credit: Rosanna Yerke
Jagged Moves
Website: jenniferglaws.org/jagged-moves
Jagged Moves creates dance experiences that explore athleticism and conceptual depth, that engage, open dialogue, and challenge perspective. We aim to produce immersive, interactive, performance experiences that push notions of space, time, and human connection. Our research topics are driven by the activating belief of the social and developmental rewards of the arts evident in our pursuits in performance, audience engagement, and arts education.
Photo Credit: Bill Cameron
Website: jenniferglaws.org/jagged-moves
Jagged Moves creates dance experiences that explore athleticism and conceptual depth, that engage, open dialogue, and challenge perspective. We aim to produce immersive, interactive, performance experiences that push notions of space, time, and human connection. Our research topics are driven by the activating belief of the social and developmental rewards of the arts evident in our pursuits in performance, audience engagement, and arts education.
Photo Credit: Bill Cameron
Ragamala Dance Company
Website: www.ragamaladance.org
Ranee and Aparna Ramaswamy's Ragamala Dance Company is the embodiment of an immigrant story. We are a woman-led, family-run organization driven by a quest for artistic excellence. Through the South Indian dance form of Bharatanatyam, Ragamala’s work—on stage, in the community, and educating the next generation—exemplifies the intercultural identity of millions. At home in the Twin Cities and on tour worldwide, we welcome challenging modern dialogues that lead to a shared sense of humanity. Ragamala is committed to the idea that, while history is time bound, the stories we tell each other—through emotions and imagination—are timeless.
Photo Credit: David Johnston
Website: www.ragamaladance.org
Ranee and Aparna Ramaswamy's Ragamala Dance Company is the embodiment of an immigrant story. We are a woman-led, family-run organization driven by a quest for artistic excellence. Through the South Indian dance form of Bharatanatyam, Ragamala’s work—on stage, in the community, and educating the next generation—exemplifies the intercultural identity of millions. At home in the Twin Cities and on tour worldwide, we welcome challenging modern dialogues that lead to a shared sense of humanity. Ragamala is committed to the idea that, while history is time bound, the stories we tell each other—through emotions and imagination—are timeless.
Photo Credit: David Johnston
Rhythmically Speaking
Website: rhythmicallyspeakingdance.org
Rhythmically Speaking sparks vibrancy and connectedness through performance and education work inspired by jazz and American social dance ideas. We believe that grooving together creates danced understanding and appreciation of our differences and similarities, because rhythm is at our human core. The work we create and present is united by a core of rhythmicity and shares the elements of groove, interaction and improvisation that are present in all American social dance-inspired forms. We support exploration within not only jazz, but also tap, hip-hop styles like house and popping, and many other approaches to dance. Since our founding in 2008, we’ve enthusiastically nurtured vibrant local, national and international connectedness sparked by jazz and American social dance ideas.
Photo Credit: Bill Cameron
Website: rhythmicallyspeakingdance.org
Rhythmically Speaking sparks vibrancy and connectedness through performance and education work inspired by jazz and American social dance ideas. We believe that grooving together creates danced understanding and appreciation of our differences and similarities, because rhythm is at our human core. The work we create and present is united by a core of rhythmicity and shares the elements of groove, interaction and improvisation that are present in all American social dance-inspired forms. We support exploration within not only jazz, but also tap, hip-hop styles like house and popping, and many other approaches to dance. Since our founding in 2008, we’ve enthusiastically nurtured vibrant local, national and international connectedness sparked by jazz and American social dance ideas.
Photo Credit: Bill Cameron
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