On The Wire - Digitfest, The Lowry

THE LOWRY - DIITAL ARTS WEEKEND
Last night, Friday was the dance day of Digitfest at The Lowry. I booked for the Workshop, On the Wire with Dora DaCruz (dance) and Tim and Amanda Simpson Photography (lights)
We didn't really know what to expect. There were ten of us. Each session was available for ten people. Studio 2.
I'm not sure about the title, but wires, electrics...fair enough.
I love the idea of mixing technology with the arts so was keen to try something I've never tried before. Everyone was unsure about what was going to happen, but seemed excited.
A 'camera' was set up near the centre of the room, a white wall, and a screen, printer, equipment on a table and music. We were welcomed and it was clearly explained what we were going to do. Dora felt drums were the best to bring out our inner warrior so that played. Felt right.
We took turns to spin across the floor holding some form of light, a long cylindar, two small pin like shapes, a circular space ship looking one. And immediately the streaks and images we produced appeared on the screen. It soon became apparant that the best images came from walking and moving the lights. It was the lights that needed to move, best slowly, rather than our bodies to dance.
To watch, it was more interesting to see dancing with the lights, to see the image on screen, it was best to have made the lights move slowly.
And so we learnt. The poses or jumps that were photographed at the end of each turn, following a trail of light were impressive. 3-D trails, coloured squiggles, glowing spheres injected in. Shadows were created, powerful poses, Jackson Pollock trails, sciencefiction type tubes.
Dora inspired, Tim and Amanda, the lighting photographers instructed and encouraged and everyone applauded. It was a safe, fun, interesting, inspiring, creative environment.
It left me wanting more. To take longer to explore moving the lights, playing with them, finding out what you could do.
Tim said there is no right or wrong. Dora feels the same. It was a new experience that I would happily repeat. All sorts of groups would benefit. The combination worked perfectly.
The pace of the hour never flagged so we kept creating. A definite recommendation.

Glasgow West End Festival

Look this festival up on youtube and flickr - Juba do Leao and the Glasgow West End Festival 2011.

To be part of something bigger than yourself is possibly one of the best feelings you can experience. Having said that, I am high, high up emotionally from the weekend we have spent in Glasgow (I'm not explaining it and should do and will do, but wanted to get something down quickly) - I love standing on a hill top, dancing, hearing a song sung from the soul, the sound of the sea in the evening, the smell of wet gardens and roses and orange blossom and bread and a foreign place and....but right now, today, the feeling of belonging is strong.

The Physical

Editing

I've axed down to 80,044 words. Book agents and publishers have made me obsessed by the word count. I feel as if I'm on the bus in the film "Speed." If my book touches 80,000 words, the bomb is triggered and if I fall below that number, the bomb goes off.

I'm editing now for grammar, spelling etc on the computer. Can look forward to tense shoulders, stiff neck, aching back, heavy head...lots of long hot baths to ease the muscles.

Thankfully, it's Juba tonight. Will dance it all out. Need the physical to combat the cranial.

Juba Do Leao and Christian Aid - RNCM

We had a rehearsal yesterday with Juba do Leao. We have performed in many venues, from Festivals, Platt Fields, Picadilly Gardens, Oldham streets, clubs, The Attic, private parties, The Contact Theatre and now the Royal Northern College of Music. This is the first where we're working out the details of the exits and entrances, changes of costume in full detail. It's exciting. This band is unique in the way the drums, melodies and dance are created. They connect so that sound and visuals come together rather than occuring as separate unities. It makes your heart soar because it is so strong and vibrant and uplifting. Both performers and the audience feel it. And as in all the best shows, the one lifts the other.
Taking it one step further, for this show, it is to support Christian Aid, who help where help is needed around the world, this connection is magnified. The connection between the drummers, melody band and dancers connects the audience and both connect with the work of Christian Aid. It's joyful. Triple whammy.

Juba do Leao - Oldham Gig

JUBA DO LEAO GIG!!!
Hurrah!! We have a gig!! I dance with a Band run by the great Holly Prest who play North Eastern Brazilian rhythms with Holly's own take on the beats. There are drums, other Brazilian percussion instruments, guitars, violins, beautiful, haunting, sexy voices, and inventive, magical, wow-y dancers. And the band are performing on Saturday in Oldham town centre. If you're anywhere, be there!
It doesn't matter if the sun shines or not, this will make you warm and smile.. I can't wait.