Dreams to Life: Community Hopes, Dreams and Aspirations Realized (Year 1)

Rik Daniels
Rik Daniels

Year: 2012-2013
DanceForce Member: Jim Self
Artists: Colleen Culley, Rik Daniels, Jim Self
Community Partners: Finger Lakes Independent Center
Audience: 12
County: Tompkins

The intention of the Dreams to Life project is to express, perform, exhibit and demonstrate the aspirations of individuals and groups in Tompkins and surrounding counties. (This has been the research/preparation portion and the first year of a two-year project.).

The first year’s focus has been research, planning and development for community partners. Informal movement workshops and lectures, installations by visual artists and group projects were scheduled to take place toward the end of the first year, and into the second year. Due to scheduling conflicts and other time constraints most of the work completed during the first year has been rehearsals, planning and costuming for Rik Daniels’ performance, and organizing/planning Colleen Culley’s workshop project with Fingerlakes Independent Center clients.

The first informal events were open rehearsals (May 24, June 4 and 29), showing the progress of the performance being created for Rik Daniels. Rik is an aspiring dancer/gymnast/entertainer working with Jim Self on a flexible, multi-tiered performance/dance piece to be used during motivational speaking events, dance performances and other gatherings. In this first year, the performances have been limited to informal showings. In the Fall/Winter/Spring of 2013/14 Rik will be showing his work as part of the Robert Treman State Park Camp for People with Disabilities (July 30), a choreographer’s showcase at CRS Barn in Lansing, NY (August 18) the October Greater Ithaca Art Trail Open Studios, and the Cornell Dance Concert in December. Workshops for the clients of Finger Lakes Independent Center (FLIC), led by Colleen Culley was originally scheduled for May 18, 2013, but has been rescheduled for two workshops (August 21 and 23). FLIC is an advocacy and assistance organization for a wide range of people with disabilities and special needs. Colleen has special training in the area of stress reduction through movement, and has worked with multiple populations with special needs.