Against the Odds Rockstar of the Day - Medford Arts Council

by karen Krolak


Uff, once again lawmakers are debating slashing the NEA budget. Listening to people argue that the arts are a luxury, I am so thankful for all the people who volunteer for their local cultural councils. These cultural councils understand how the arts improve the lives of their constituents.

Since Monkeyhouse has moved to Springstep, I have been especially impressed with the  Medford Arts Council.  They were one of the main funders behind the Two Road's Dance in the Fells, which just received one of six Gold Star Awards from the Massachusetts Cultural Council (6 awards out of  5000 possible programs...how about those odds?). Even though Two Roads was a brand spanking new organization, the Medford Arts Council recognized that their proposal would encourage people to explore a gorgeous set of trails in the Fells, introduce new audiences to 6 different choreographers, and attract hundreds of people to downtown Medford for the day. As one of the artists involved in Dance in the Fells, I was delighted that several of the Arts Council members attended the festival and took the time to chat with Monkeyhouse. Their dedication to the project was palpable.

During our conversation, Monkeyhouse's Production Manager, Jason Ries, mentioned that we  were planning Against the Odds: Stories of Adaptation, Translation, and Survival at Springstep and a council member immediately suggested that we apply for funding through them. We were so honored when the Medford Arts Council awarded Monkeyhouse a substantial grant for our moving smorgasbord, Against the Odds: Stories of Adaptation, Translation, and Survival. Through this funding, we are able to offer discounted tickets to Medford residents ($10 for the first two weekends, $15 for the second two weekend, $12 for any of the master classes). Thanks to everyone who keeps the Medford Arts Council thriving and relevant to this community. 

Against the Odds: Stories of Adaptation, Translation, and Survival is supported in part by the Medford Arts Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

The Against the Odds Rockstar of the Day -- Ashley Chandler

by Nicole Harris

When I was a teenager I was a class assistant for a young intro to dance class at Impulse Dance Center.  One of my sassy little dance students was a very small (and very loud) Ashley Chandler.  I have been on hand for almost all the milestones in Ashley's dance life, both big and small.  From the day she joined the Connecting Point Dance Company to the year I made her wear yellow overalls in tap class (I never lived that one down) to an infinite number of Monday afternoons with her as my class assistant to her Dance Adelphi performances.  I have always been proud of all of Ashley's accomplishments and I am honored that now, with a professional dance career of her own, I will be performing with Ashley on the opening night of Against the Odds on Friday, March 18th.  Please come out and see what a beautiful, strong and spirited dancer Ashley has become.

Ashley, thank you for being there through many milestones in MY life.  I love you.

For more information on Against the Odds and to buy tickets click here!

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.

The Against the Odds Rockstar of the Day -- Allie Fiske and Springstep

by Nicole Harris

Against the Odds wouldn't be possible without the help and support of Allie and all the folks at Springstep.  Between providing us with our home and being amazingly open and flexible to all our big ideas for Against the Odds we would be at a loss without them.

Also, as I mentioned yesterday we are going to be having a Friday Night Out Drawing and we have recently been given another fabulous drawing prize, a pair of tickets to SPIRIT: Native Music and Dance from Hawai'i and the Mainland at Springstep!  The drawing will be held the second weekend (March 25th & 26th) so you'll have to come to one of the first two weekends to enter!

Thank you Allie and everyone at Springstep!  We all love you!

(Allie will be moderating our post-show discussion on Friday, April 8th!  Don't miss it!)

For more information on Against the Odds and to buy tickets click here!

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.

The Against the Odds Rockstar of the Day -- Shelley Neill and CMAC

by Nicole Harris

As you know, we have always had much love for Shelley and all the folks over at CMAC.  We've held many a concert there over the years and are always excited to be part of their annual BOOMTOWN Festival!  We've just learned that Shelley donated two tickets to Movement Workshop Group's Wanderlust to our Friday Night Out Drawing!  (You'll have to come to the first weekend's performance and classes March 18th & 19th to enter the drawing, so see you there!)

Thank you Shelley!  We wouldn't be here without all your support!

For more information on Against the Odds and to buy tickets click here!

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.

The Against the Odds Rockstar of the Day -- Sarah Friswell

by Nicole Harris

Each of us here at Monkeyhouse have always considered ourselves amazingly lucky to have such a strong and dedicated group of students.  Today I was reminded of just how amazing they are when former student Sarah Friswell offered to help with not just one but FIVE upcoming interviews for Against the Odds.  You might remember Sarah from her article on audition advice, her interview with Michael Vernon or the tale of her first piece of choreography.  Keep an eye out for her here on the blog in the near future as she sheds a little light on some of the amazing people we have working on Against the Odds!

Thank you Sarah!  I love you!

(Are you interested in doing some interviews too?  

Let me know!)

For more information on Against the Odds and to buy tickets click here!

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.

Movement at the Mills 3/4

Monkeyhouse had a blast reworking Anti-ossification and Chor-i-dor for our performance at Movement at the Mills last fall. This free series is a fabulous way to become acquainted with local dance artists and/or could be a sassy addition to any date night. If you are in the South End tomorrow night, drop in and check out the next installation of Movement at the Mills featuring work by Zoe Dance, In Noon, and Luminarium Dance Company.

 Movement at the Mills

Friday March 4, 2011

6-9M

Free & open to the public

Performances will occur on three stages scattered throughout the evening.
Audience members are invited to walk through the Gallery & observe various styles 

of dance as visual art.

National Medal of Arts - Jacob's Pillow

Men Dancers in Kinetic Molpai ; photo courtesy of Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival Archives

by karen Krolak
Huzzah, in less than 12 hours, President Barack Obama will present the National Medal of Arts to Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival in the White House's East Room! If you are interested in viewing the ceremony, it will be streamed live from http://www.whitehouse.gov/live.

The National Medal of Arts honors exemplary individuals and organizations that have encouraged the arts in America and offered inspiration to others through their distinguished achievement, support, or patronage. The Medal’s genres and forms encompass arts education, crafts, dance, drawing, film, graphic/product design, interior design, landscape architecture, literature, classical and popular music, painting, patrons/advocates, photography, presenting, printmaking, sculpture, theater, and urban design. The President personally selected the recipients from nominations submitted to him by the National Council on the Arts, a group of Presidentially-appointed, Senate-confirmed individuals. The Council's recommendations are culled from hundreds of nominations submitted by citizens across the country.

I would write more but I really must scurry off to sleep. Congratulations to one of my favorite dance organizations.