Getting to Know Felipe Galganni

by Nicole Harris
Earlier this summer I spent some time in New York City working on Tap It Out with the amazing Lynn Schwab and the folks from the American Tap Dance Foundation.  While there I had the opportunity to get to know an brilliant young tap dancer and a all around fabulous guy, Felipe Galganni.  Since moving to New York from Brazil three years ago Felipe has been busy teaching, choreographing and performing all over the city.  While in town I got to see the premiere of his piece "Reverie in Rio", performed by Felipe himself alongside Lynn Schwab and Chikako Iwahori and singer Jackeline Ribas.  Here is a little conversation with Felipe about his work, moving to the United States and dancing in a foreign language!  Also, Felipe celebrated a birthday last week, so make sure you send your love!

 NH:  Who are your favorite choreographers (tap & otherwise)?
FG:  Chikako Iwahori, Brenda Bufalino, Max Pollak, Lynn Schwab, Michelle Dorrance. I love Bob Fosse.

NH:  I know that meeting Heather Cornell had a big influence on your life.  What is it about her work/dancing that speaks to you?
FG:  I met Heather in January of 2010. I am from São Paulo (BRA), and she was teaching a workshop in Rio, so I flew to take that.  São Paulo is not the most tap dancing city in Brazil so every time someone came to the area I tried to go.

When I met Heather I instantly felt in love. Her kindness, humbleness and the way she talked about tap dance and music inspired me so much that I decided I wanted to take her summer intensive, here in NY.  I think it's a Master thing, this power of inspiring people! Two months before I come I decided to sell my car and move to USA. Here I am since then.

NH:  I know you grew up studying other forms of dance besides tap.  Do you still take any of those classes?  Do you feel like having studied jazz etc. has had an effect on your tap dancing?

FG:  I grew up dancing samba like most Brazilians. And academically taking jazz, later tap, ballet and contemporary. I was never a strong ballet dancer but I feel it was very important to develop some basics,  like turns and balance. And even to "awake" the upper body as a tapper.

 
NH:  You recently told me a wonderful story about your first pair of tap shoes and your subsequent first tap class.  Can you share that story here?
FG:  Sure! When I was 14 years old I got some money from my family as a birthday gift. So I decided it was finally my chance to buy a pair of tap shoes. I was always putting them on to "practice" and even to do performances at school. Without having ever taken class at that point.  

So when I was 15, I finally find a school that I could go by myself and take a tap class. I remember it was not very affordable for my family, but they know I really wanted to do that. So they supported me.  When I got in class the teacher came to me and asked: "have you ever tap danced before?" and I said , very confidently "YES!"..."oh, so please show me your favorite step"... And I started my very unique style of tap. Later on she told me that it was the most funny experience she have ever had.  Her name is Valeria Petroni, and she was an amazing instructor for those first tap years. I am very thankful of all I learned from her.

 NH:  Can you tell me about the tap community in Brazil compared to New York?
FG:  As I mentioned before, I am from São Paulo and the tap dancing scene is pretty small in there. I was always traveling to another cities, or bringing people to teach me and my tap friends.  New York tap community is big!  Just so you have and idea, in Brazil I had situations that I had to explain to people what tap dance is.  The community is growing though. Go Brazil !!!
 

NH:  It has now been three years since you moved from Brazil and in talking to you you would think you'd been speaking English for much of your life.  Can you tell me about teaching in the early years in New York when your English was much shakier?  What sort of tools did you use to communicate in moments where language failed you?
FG:  I remember the fist class I taught here in US. It was for Lynn Schwab at Steps. It's hard when you have to communicate in a foreign language to native people, and explain stuff that you're so use to in your first language. It was a little frustrating, but I had to work on that, not been afraid to say the words wrong, and also asking the students in the class and learning from them.
 
But honestly my English still pretty shaky, and sometimes language does failed on me. Like in today's class the only way I found to tell my students what I wanted to express was "imagine you're wearing a baby diaper" and then later on I said "put your diapers on"... and of course by the end of the class I reinforced: "Don't forget your diaper for next week". LOL. It's fun!

Outside Voices

by Courtney Wagner Eva Dean Dance joins us for Against the Odds! Photo by Jonathan Keith Remember how I mentioned how important musings are and how so many great ideas come out of them?  This has included the chance to work with other artists during guest-led musings like Eva Dean, Risher Reddick, and Lynn Schwab  as part of last year's Against the Odds.  Since it was such a success, Karen decided to make Season 11 about including Outside Voices, citing that it would be good for the company to work with other established artists and broaden our horizons and repertoire.   Nicole performing a piece choreographed for Against the Odds by Lynn Schwab Photo by Jonathan Keith What an exiting opportunity to have new works set on us!  For the upcoming season we already have several works in mind with some Outside Voices.  This includes Mariah Steele, who met with Karen after the January 2010 installment of Movement at the Mills and subsequently performed with us for with her company Quicksilver Dance in Against The Odds.  While she's been secretive with the details of what she has in store for use, she will be setting a new work on the company and it may or may not be based on some of the work she was creating for her thesis project.  Risher Reddick opened our eyes to the world of choreographed combat which proved to be a fun an enlightening study in body language, tone, and communication with the audience.  Who knew that the same simple movement performed in two distinct ways could have such a different read within the audience.  We look forward to delving deeper into this.  Happily cleared for dancing again, Nicole is excited to start working with Josh Hilberman on a new solo.  Meanwhile Karen and Nikki have been working on a piece dedicated to reversibility and a movement palindrome to be set to Master Palindromist Barry Duncan will even be featured in a documentary! Karen's and Monkeyhouse's support for Outside Voices can be seen not only in bringing in guest artists for new work, but also the C2C positions and residencies and mentoring programs.  We are happy to announce we are looking for new interns for the C2C internship for 2012 and Nicole and Karen are excited to continue to develop this program.  As you can see we have lots of exciting things in store for Season 11 and Outside Voices will definitely be playing a key role.  However, all of these extra influences will require some extra support. If you are interested in seeing more collaborations with area choreographers and opportunities for us to develop and expand, then think about supporting Outside Voices as part of our new Yearly Campaign Program.  This program is designed to allow supporters to have their donations funneled toward a certain part of the organization.  This can include infrastructure and keeping us in our beautiful Springstep home, individual company members, special projects like Nicole's work with PD, or fostering creativity and blossoming with musings and visiting artists.   For less than a dollar a day ($25/month to be precise) your donation could help directly support and fund future projects with fabulous people.  Although the Yearly Campaign is designed for recurring monthly donations, the recur option is not required and information about personalizing your donation is available on our website.   Click HERE to be redirected to our website for further information about the Yearly Campaign.  You'll find descriptions about the other facets of Monkeyhouse to sponsor as well as links and instructions.  And keep an eye out for future posts about more facets of Monkeyhouse!

My Favorite Things -- OnTap

by Nicole Harris

Last night, after a day of wandering the city and a visit to Degas' dancers at the Met with longtime Monkeyhouse supporter and dear friend Laura Scanlan, we headed up to SummerStage in St. Mary's Park to see On Tap.  Created by Novisi Productions' artistic director Awoye Timpo, the show was a diverse collection of choreography from across the tap community.

The show opened with choreography by Michelle Dorrance, performed by our new Blogger in Residence Ryan Casey, Claudia Rahardjanoto, Carson Murphy, Tamii Sakurai and Elizabeth Burke.  Extraordinary Machine showcased the dancers' ability to communicate with their bodies-- not just their feet and Michelle's skill at creating distinct characters within her choreography.

At Against the Odds this spring I premiered The Shed, which I had the pleasure of learning from Lynn Schwab.  As you might remember, it was an adaptation of an excerpt from a larger work she is creating with Chikako Iwahori.  Probably Maybe Know, is an excerpt from that larger work and was the second piece in On Tap.  These two amazing women have a true gift for combining the physical storytelling of dance theatre with beautifully complex tap rhythms.  I can't wait to see the rest of the piece!

You might remember Ray Hesselink from the interview he did with Kelsey Griffith a few years ago, or from his fabulous performance in Derick Grant's Imagine Tap!, or maybe from his work with those sensational young dancers in the Broadway hit Billy Elliot.  Last night he shared his tribute to "man's better half" with Red Hot, performed by five red hot tap dancers, Claudia Rahardjanoto, Carson Murphy, Lisa LaTouche, Pam Lenker and my good friend Megan Bartula.

The whole evening was hosted by Dewitt Flemming and he took a moment to share a few of his own thoughts with us.  Soon he was joined by Patrick Mangan on electric violin.  Talk about exciting!  I'm pretty sure I could have watched another hour or so of the two of them!

If you do not know who Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards is please drop whatever you are doing, go to YouTube and start watching.  Once you've collected your jaw from the floor, come on back and I'll tell you about her Michael Jackson tribute.  It started with a fierce version of Smooth Criminal performed by an outstanding group of dancers who managed to make Dormeshia's incredibly challenging footwork look like a walk in the park.  The second half was performed by Dormeshia herself to Gone to Soon, a song Michael Jackson originally dedicated to the young Ryan White.  Used now to remember her relationship with Michael Jackson, Dormeshia's dancing was as beautiful and awe inspiring as ever.

To close out the show Dormeshia, with her brand new baby on her hip, explains the history of The Track, a traditional number where each dancer gets a few bars to step out and say their thing, then hurry back into the line to keep time for the next.  As always, I am astounded by the diversity, talent and strength of the tap community.

For all of you that missed On Tap, don't you worry!  You'll have a chance to see most of these dancers and many more at  

Salute to the Copasetics, 

Saturday, July 9th at  

Symphony Space.  See you there!

Tap Dance in New York City!

by Nicole Harris

It's summer in New York which means there is so much to do!  How do you decide which fabulous events to check out when?  Well, here are just a few of the upcoming tap events to choose from.

On Tap @ SummerStage -- FREE
Friday, July 1st @ 8pm
St. Mary's Park (South Bronx)

This amazing night of tap dancing contains many of my favorite dancers and choreographers including Ray Hesselink, Chikako Iwahori, Lynn Schwab, Michelle Dorrance & Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards.  And it's free!  What better way to spend a Friday night!


Copasetic Boat Ride -- $35
Thursday, July 5th @ 7pm
Circle Line Marina, Pier 83

Pack a picnic and set sail on this picturesque evening of music, dancing and fabulous company.  Meet the folks from Tap City and a whole boatload of tap dancers, fanatics and fans!
Call (646) 230-9564 to purchase your tickets!


Salute to the Copasetics -- $36/$20
Saturday, July 9th @ 8pm
Symphony Space

Join in the celebration of the Masters of Swing with performances by legendary performers along side hot new tap dancers.  As always, Tony Waag's performances are not to be missed!
Buy tickets at the Symphony Space Box Office at 212.864.5400

Keep an eye out for more upcoming events soon!

Everybody Loves Lynn Schwab! -- Part II

by Nicole Harris

I am very excited that the one and only Lynn Schwab will be in Boston this weekend!  And even better, she's teaching class and YOU can come take it!

Photo: Lois Greenfield

This past Friday I premiered The Shed (choreographed by Lynn Schwab) and I will be performing it again this upcoming Friday (Buy your tickets now!)  On Saturday (March 26th) Lynn will be teaching two classes at Springstep:

Body Percussion

2:00-3:30

Beg/Int Tap

3:30-5:00

Classes are $18 each ($12 for students/seniors/BDA & Springstep members/Medford residents) 

Purchase your classes now!

Against the Odds: 

Stories of Adaptation, Translation & Survival

March 18th-April 15th

Springstep, 98 George P. Hassett Drive, Medford, MA

For more information and to purchase tickets please visit our website!

 

Against the Odds is supported in part by the Medford Arts Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Thank you to Springstep for its support of this event.

Against the Odds - Popping Up on 3/18

Greetings!

Recently, Monkeyhouse has been inspired by pop up stores and gourmet food trucks (Did you know that you can get escargot pops at  Spencer On The Go's French food truck in San Francisco? Yum!). So, on March 18th we are launching a pop up, mashup of dance, visual art, and conversation entitled, Against the Odds: Stories of Adaptation, Translation and Survival. That's right, you and all of your friends, family, and lovers are invited to this four week long celebration at our artistic home, Springstep (98 George P Hassett Drive) in Medford, MA .

Against the Odds is a moving smorgasbord with a rotating array of opening acts, master classes, and guest artists alongside a smattering of Monkeyhouse pieces (including premieres choreographed by Eva Dean and Lynn Schwab). Each week holds a different adventure for audience members through Friday Nights Out and  Sassy Saturday Classes.

No two performances will feature the same Monkeyhouse pieces or dancers so feel free to attend as many weeks as you like. Oh, and during the course of the festival, we will change venues within the building (The first two weeks are in the Medium studio and the last two weeks are held in Hawkins Hall.) giving repeat audience members a chance to see how the rooms shape our perspective on individual pieces. And did we mention that  Hannah Verlin, who just received a Massachusetts Cultural Council Fellowship for sculpture, is creating an installation for us? Get your tickets now as seating is limited and be sure to follow us on twitter or the blog to gather up more insider details.

Friday, March 18th: Friday Night Out #1
with performances by Karen Krolak & Nicole Harris
Opening Act: Mariah Steele
Guest Artist: Ashley Chandler
Short Contact Jam led by Karen Krolak
Spork (Post Show Talk- Forking out questions & stirring up conversation) led by Jason Ries

Friday, March 25th, 7:30pm: Friday Night Out #2
with performances by Karen Krolak, Nicole Harris, Nikki Sao Pedro & Caitlin Meehan
Opening Act: TAProject
Spork (Post Show Talk- Forking out questions & stirring up conversation) led by Roxanna Myhrum

Friday, April 8th, 7:30pm: Friday Night Out #3
with performances by Karen Krolak, Nicole Harris, Courtney Wagner & Caitlin Meehan
Opening Act: A puppetry performance curated by Roxanna Myrhum, Artistic Director of Puppet Showplace Theatre
Guest Artists: Anne Howarth & Bari Rosenberg
Spork (Post Show Talk - Forking out questions & stirring up conversation) led by Allison Fiske

Friday, April 15th, 7:30pm: Friday Night Out #4
with performances by Karen Krolak, Nicole Harris, Courtney Wagner, Nikki Sao Pedro & Caitlin Meehan
Opening Act:  Eva Dean Dance
Guest Artist:  Eva Dean
Spork (Post Show Talk- Forking out questions & stirring up conversation) with Hannah Verlin
And be sure to join us after the show on Friday, April 15th for our CLOSING NIGHT PARTY! (9:00-10:30 in the Springstep Atrium)

The Saturday after each performance we will be holding classes  so please join us for anything and everything!

All Against the Odds events take place at

Springstep, 98 George P. Hassett Drive, Medford, MA 02155. 

Tickets for Friday, March 18th & Friday, March 25th:

$15/$10 Students/Seniors/BDA & Springstep Members/Medford Residents

Tickets for Friday, April 8th & Friday, April 15th:

$20/$15 Students/Seniors/BDA & Springstep Members/Medford Residents

Classes:

$18/$12 Students/Seniors/BDA & Springstep Members/Medford Residents

To purchase tickets or get more information please visit our website!

Against the Odds is supported in part by the Medford Arts Council, a local agency supported by the Mass Cultural Council.

Thank you to Springstep for its support of this event.

Everybody Loves Lynn Schwab!

by Nicole Harris

One of our goals within Monkeyhouse is to support as many choreographers as possible so when we started putting together a list of who and what we'd like to have in Against the Odds I immediately thought of Lynn Schwab.  I have been lucky enough to perform her work at the past two TAP CITY shows and I am always amazed by her creativity, story telling and overall dedication to the art of choreography. 

While I have loved spending Monkeyhouse's 10th Anniversary Year in Boston, having the chance to study, work and spend time with Lynn is one of the biggest things I miss when I'm not in New York.  I am honored to have spent this weekend learning a new solo she created for me.  The piece is an adaptation of an excerpt from a larger work she is building which I'll be sure to tell you more about as it progresses.  

Here is a short sneak peek at some rehearsal footage from yesterday's rehearsal at ATDF.

Look out for more news on Lynn Schwab (and her upcoming trip to Boston!) soon!

My Favorite Things -- TAP CITY 2010

by Nicole Harris

As I mentioned yesterday, last night I was lucky enough to perform in Tony Waag's TAP CITY Show.  What I could only begin to hint at was how AMAZING some of the things that took place on that stage were.  I performed in the concert last year, so I had some sense of what to expect, but I was completely blown away by the dynamic, inventive, engaging work that was presented this year.  The show opened with Cartier Williams, a young powerhouse of a tap dancer who set the bar for the evening, and he set it high.   I wish I could tell you about every piece in the show, but for time's sake I will just give you the highlights (aka My Favorite Things).  

Xander Weinman's new tap company Sophisticated Sounds performed TwentySomething, and his company of twenty somethings is something to watch.  A strong performer, Xander danced in practically every piece in the first act and I am excited to see him putting his own work on stage too. 

I was fortunate enough to dance with Chikako Iwahori at last year's TAP CITY and I was thrilled to finally see some of her work.  Baiao Destemperado is a beautiful piece that made me secretly wish that I was on stage with them!  Danced by six of the hardest working tap dancers I know, I loved every swirling and flowing moment of it.

Another piece I actually told the choreographer I wanted to dance in was Danny Wallace's Inception.  ("Your piece was wonderful, I would love to dance in it", is apparently not how most people introduce themselves to stranger.  Who knew?)  His work was quirky and sweet and rhythmically intoxicating.

Barbara Duffy's Speedball is a high energy barrel of fun that had everyone dancing in their seats.  What more do you need?

(Since I'm telling you about all my favorite things, those last three pieces I mentioned had Carson Murphy and Claudia Rahardjanoto dancing in them, and they are both an absolute JOY to watch on stage and lovely women to boot!)

In a tribute to the ever wonderful Dormeshia Sumbry Edwards, who received a 2010 Hoofer Award, Jason Samuels Smith, Chloe Arnold and Derick K. Grant turned, slid and jitterbugged themselves and the audience into a frenzy with their high tempo, crystal clear tapping.  I have known Derick for a number of years now and I still marvel at his ability to enrapture an audience every time I have the chance to see him perform.  (Jason and Chloe are pretty amazing too!)

Last, but certainly not least, Lynn Schwab.  Since I danced in it myself, I can safely say that Lynn's Waters of March was BRILLIANT.  Of course, the brilliance came from Lynn's ability to wrangle fifteen dancers of all different levels into what can only be described as a simply beautiful piece.  It took you on an emotional ride, was visually stunning and filled your ears with delicate counterpoint.  Lynn is an amazing asset to the New York tap community and to my life. 

There you have it.  And that doesn't even begin to cover the range of pieces Tony presented this year.  There was Nicholas Young and his ukulele, a whole segment called Tap Internationals, Tony himself singing Just in Time and so much more!  I hope next year you can all make it down to take in this amazing evening of tap dancing.

TAP CITY -- TONIGHT!

by Nicole Harris

Tonight is a big night here in the New York tap community.  It's Tony Waag's TAP CITY Main Event!  Tap dancers and tap dance fans come from far and wide to see this amazing collection of performers.  The show has work from crowd favorites (like Derick K. Grant and Jason Samuels Smith), young choreographers (like Xander Weinman and Cartier Williams) and some of my personal favorites (like Michelle Dorrance and Chikako Iwahori) and it ranges from improvisation based solos to large group choreography.  This is a night of tap dancing you aren't going to want to miss!

Once again, I am lucky enough to be dancing for the ever wonderful Lynn Schwab in her new piece, Waters of March.  For many of my fellow Waters of March dancers it is their first time on the TAP CITY stage and I am so honored to be able to dance with them. 

If you're in New York tonight, you are going to want to be at Symphony Space at 8pm to be a part of this amazing event.  Also, if you're in New York this morning, I am teaching Beginning Tap from 11:30-1:00 at Steps on Broadway!

Congratulations Claudia!

by Nicole Harris

I just wanted to say a quick congratulations to Claudia Rahardjanoto who was listed as one of Dance Magazines 25 to Watch for 2010. I was lucky enough to perform with Claudia in Lynn Schwab's Cross Fibres at TAP CITY this summer. I am looking forward to watching her take the world by storm.

Congratulations Claudia!

(psst... There's going to be an interview with Claudia coming soon! Watch out!)

TAP CITY

Summer's finally here and with it Tony Waag's TAP CITY festival. This week tap dance has taken over Chelsea Studios here in New York City with classes, residencies and workshops for dancers of all ages and levels. In the evenings there are tap jams, showcases and performances. For me, the highlights of the week so far have been: participating in a residency with Michelle Dorrance, who used our four days of classes and end of week performance to nod to Michael Jackson with a tap dancing Thriller tribute; getting to watch another MJ tribute at the Tap Youth/Tap Future showcase last night with Chloe Arnold's Pre-Professional Program; and a Tap Talks & Films panel on choreography with Brenda Bufalino and Barbara Duffy, moderated by Michelle Dorrance.

And then of course there's tonights "Main Event" featuring performances by many fabulous tap dancers including Jason Samuels-Smith, the Tap City Youth Ensemble, Michela Marino- Lerman, Derick K. Grant and the premier of Lynn Schwab's "Cross Fibers" (which I'll be dancing in).

Unfortunately the show tonight is sold out, so unless you are one of the lucky ones who already bought tickets you'll have to wait for the video to hit the archives at the Performing Arts Library... If you want more information about TAP CITY check out the American Tap Dance Foundation's website.

What's New in New York?

Last week it rained. And rained. Everything was dreary and muggy and everyone was soggy and cranky. It was my friend Kay's last week in New York before she moves across the country. There was a leak in my apartment my landlord is still trying to convince me is in my imagination.

Needless to say I arrived to Derick Grant's tap class on Wednesday ready for a vacation.

Somehow by the end of that hour and a half things had begun to turn around. Derick had put a piece of choreography together for some of the dancers in class, myself, Megan Bartula, Di Omiya and Richard Yoder. The piece, Four of a Kind, was then performed in the Faculty Showcase at Steps on Broadway this past weekend next to pieces choreographed by Karen Gayle, Nathan Trice and Jolea Maffei, to name a few.

While the rest of my week then exploded into a flurry of unexpected dress rehearsals, goodbye parties and performances on top of my usual classes and work, the rain began let up and everything started to dry out. Kay has safely arrived in LA and I started rehearsing for a new piece by Lynn Schwab that will be performed at Tap City this July. I think it's safe to say that Spring and all its insanity has finally hit New York City.

Catching up with Monkeyhouse's Nicole Harris

By Nicole Harris

There have been a lot of changes going on in and around Monkeyhouse since And What Do You Want?. It's hard for me to believe that it has been eighteen months (!!) since all four Monkeys were together on stage. Reading all of Karen's adventures and shenanigans from her sabbatical made me take a look at my own escapades for the last year and a half.

I moved to New York City last summer. There were a lot of things that went into my choice to leave Boston, the largest of which being the chance to study more extensively with Derick Grant. I've also been taking classes with Max Stone, Lynn Schwab, Karen Gayle and a number of other people in the city. In addition to developing some new work involving former Monkeyhouse intern Ashley Chandler and music by Pinataland's David Wechsler, this summer I performed with a tap company at the Edmonton Fringe Festival.

I've been trying to see as much dance in the city as possible, including A Quarreling Pair by Bill T. Jones, ShowDown by David Parker and The Bang Group, and next weekend I'll be at the return of Doug Elkins' Fraulein Maria (with an appearance by David Parker! It's really fantastic and everyone in the New York area should check it out!) at Joe's Pub.

Despite all the excitement of living in the Big Apple, I am thrilled to be performing with Monkeyhouse in First Night, and to have Monkeyhouse visiting New York for the Cool New York Festival this winter. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and I look forward to seeing you on New Years!