DANCE-WISE, GROOVE, and GROVE

VISCERAL, 2020 performers Amanda Morretti, Kathy Lucas, Lauren Cranidiotis, Megan Nicloe, and Indira White. Photo from videos by Mee Ae and Marilyn Rivchin.
VISCERAL, 2020 performers Amanda Morretti, Kathy Lucas, Lauren Cranidiotis, Megan Nicloe, and Indira White. Photo from videos by Mee Ae and Marilyn Rivchin.

Year: 2023-2024
DanceForce Member: Jim Self
Partnering Member: Ivan Sygoda
Artist: Tatiana Desardouin, Jim Self
Community Partner: Cherry Arts Space
Audience: 536
County: Tompkins

‘DANCE-WISE, GROOVE, and GROVE’ has three components, each approaching community engagement and dance creation from distinct and unique angles.

Celebrating its fourth year, June Dance 2024 was the first component. A six day creative residency with ‘PASSION FRUIT DANCE Company,’ directed by Tatiana Desardouin, took place from June 3-9, 2024. The company performed their signature piece, “Dance Within Your Dance,” twice at the Cherry Arts Space in Ithaca. Also included were two House Dance workshops, and a party where the local community could try out new moves and dance with the company. These events were all accompanied by live DJ’s, adding an exciting and dynamic element. Additionally, Tatiana and Lauriane Ogay came to Ithaca from May 21- 23 to install an exhibition of their work-in-progress, “DIMENSIONS.” Included are company videos, and photographic works by Lauriane.

“DIMENSIONS” explores ideas of multiple layers/dimensions through different angles, visual media and street/club dance styles. The exhibition hours are on Saturdays and Sundays from May 25 – June 23. It was also open two hours prior to both performances, allowing audiences the opportunity to get a deeper understanding of the company’s work. A guest company performing in the Art Space as well as exhibiting a show in the Cherry’s Art Gallery, was a delightful and successful ‘first’ for both June Dance and the Cherry Arts.

‘SPEAKING DANCE WISE’ is an ongoing series of roundtable discussions providing opportunities for seasoned Tompkins County movement artists, (elders), to share their knowledge and experience through conversations and presentations rooted in 20th and 21st century practices, expressions, and aesthetic shifts over multiple decades. This project has evolved into a series of informal ‘Salons’ exploring the subject of Dance Legacy; preserving dance, and archiving dance projects. On June 14 the first ‘salon’ took place in the Cherry Art Gallery against the backdrop of the ‘DIMENSIONS’ exhibit providing stimulating and active dance references for the conversations. A second ‘salon’ is scheduled for July 10 at The History Center of Tompkins County, a new partner in the ‘SPEAKING DANCE WISE’ project, and a third salon will be on August 16.

‘Visceral II,’ a video project that records personal dance space in
natural settings, is an evolved iteration of the 2020 project developed by Mee Ae during the pandemic lockdown. There are four separate videos, with four separate dancers collaborating with Mee Ae. The first screening is scheduled for June 29 at the Ithaca Public Library. More opportunities for viewing will be available via on-line streaming.

In total, the estimated audience/participants are 536: (383 for Passion Fruit performances, gallery viewers, workshop and party attendance), (105 for filming/screenings of Visceral II), and (48 for Speaking Dance Wise salons).

Each of these provocative and engaging projects contribute to ongoing efforts to bring together inter-generational movement artists, supporters, and other dance-curious members of the Tompkins County/ Finger Lakes region of New York State.