Bouand DanceCompany re-worked and re-organizing In spite of everything, we're still here and working hard to organize, re-organize and come up with viable solutions to all the challenges we, as a small arts non-profit face in this economy. Just food for though...If anyone has any question if there is interest or money for the Arts, witness OBT's raising $800,000 in 3 weeks!
Thank goodness we don't have to pay any bills at the moment, but we do need to capitalize on our successes of last month and forge ahead. On the horizon is new choreography from Walter Kennedy (Professor at University of Oregon and long-time Bela Lewitzky Co member), possibilities for additional rehearsal space in Portland, projects for 2010/2011 with 2, possibly 3 European-based choreographers and adding much-needed administrative help and new Board members.
Artistic Director Alexandrous Ballard attended the "Right Brain Initiative" workshops sponsored by Young Audiences, and we are slowly re-working our own new Young Audiences show in preparation for the Fall. Our appearances at the Dragon Moon Festival were cancelled, along with everyone elses, but we are looking forward to more community Outreach in the Fall and Winter.
Hope everyone has a wonderful 4th of July!!
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Friday, May 8, 2009
1 month away!
Well, getting dancers to blog is like herding cats, so i'll just blog myself.
The preparations are growing in number, expense and dimension as we get closer, I have some wonderful help from Renee, Leslie, David, Kevin, Cait and Bruce and although we're feeling the pinch from so little rehearsal time, things are generally going well.
Having to drive down to Eugene twice a week is a problem for time management and scheduling, but not insurmountable.
I started a Tumblr blog with pictures about the OPB Project (http://opbproject.tumblr.com/) and will be updating that frequently this month. Mary has the costumes to adjustments, Peter is working on a new piece of fabric for the backdrop and in general everything is progressing.
I still have hair left!!
The preparations are growing in number, expense and dimension as we get closer, I have some wonderful help from Renee, Leslie, David, Kevin, Cait and Bruce and although we're feeling the pinch from so little rehearsal time, things are generally going well.
Having to drive down to Eugene twice a week is a problem for time management and scheduling, but not insurmountable.
I started a Tumblr blog with pictures about the OPB Project (http://opbproject.tumblr.com/) and will be updating that frequently this month. Mary has the costumes to adjustments, Peter is working on a new piece of fabric for the backdrop and in general everything is progressing.
I still have hair left!!
Friday, April 3, 2009
2 months and counting down
Haven't blogged in a while...It's been a real roller coaster ride the last few weeks. Wasn't sure the Project was happening, lining everything up with hope, but nothing concrete, then at the last minute 2 people steped in with real help.
People are stepping up to the plate for the OPB Project, and it's a great feeling. I started my teaching at UofO this week, lost my wallet for 3 days and started writing big checks for various parts of the Project. Renee and I did a film/interview thing for Paul Ramsey, I'm sure I look like Quasimodo with no sleep. I've asked Melissa to ballet mistress "Within..." which she's doing with characteristic ease and skill.
Our new boy, Andrew knows most of "Curse" now, and is already taking it in and to another level...great to see. Edgar is back!! Saucy as ever, but back in there and dancing away. Scott even smiled a little in rehearsal.
Peter's on Board, we've lost our lighting designer, Megan is readjusting to life as a full company member, Cait's kickin' butt and happy, Renee also. Things are good again.
Now if I can just get a little sleep....
People are stepping up to the plate for the OPB Project, and it's a great feeling. I started my teaching at UofO this week, lost my wallet for 3 days and started writing big checks for various parts of the Project. Renee and I did a film/interview thing for Paul Ramsey, I'm sure I look like Quasimodo with no sleep. I've asked Melissa to ballet mistress "Within..." which she's doing with characteristic ease and skill.
Our new boy, Andrew knows most of "Curse" now, and is already taking it in and to another level...great to see. Edgar is back!! Saucy as ever, but back in there and dancing away. Scott even smiled a little in rehearsal.
Peter's on Board, we've lost our lighting designer, Megan is readjusting to life as a full company member, Cait's kickin' butt and happy, Renee also. Things are good again.
Now if I can just get a little sleep....
Monday, March 2, 2009
Renee's Blog:
Work. It’s a funny thing that we do to ourselves every day. Drag our tired bodies out of a deliciously comfortable bed. Trick our mind into alertness with quick showers and bitter coffee, and trudge, endlessly trudge to work.
My father owns his own business. Red-Worm Landscaping. He installs irrigation systems, mows large fields, designs gardens and yards for Yakima (Washington) residents, and sells rich compost and fertile worms to gardeners and 6th grade science teachers alike. To say the least…hard work.
I learned the meaning of ‘work’ from him. Waking early, working hard, returning late, sleeping well. I watched my father throughout my childhood do back breaking work from sun up to sun down. Until my last years at home, that work was the only thing keeping food on our table.
As I begin to grow into an adult I heard my mother describe him in a simple, yet truly profound, way: “Your father is doing what he always wanted to do. We both are. Ever since he was a boy, all your dad wanted to do was drive trucks and play in the dirt.”
Wow. Even though his body aches and some days it seems like he is too exhausted to continue, my dad loves dirt, working with machinery, and building things; and he has shaped his life to reflect that component of his being. It was truly a life changing realization that my simple parents from a small-minded community, have made choices that have lead them to their own life, not one that they feel they must participate in, but rather one they feel compelled and happy to participate in.
Work is a funny thing. But being able to appreciate how work can be an expression of myself and a reoccurring event of thrilling joy is a tribute to the intelligent, graceful, loving, and complete people that my parents are.
(Renee Adams is a Dancer with the Bouand DanceCompany, and acts as an executive assistant for the Director.
You can learn more about Renee in these places:
http://www.teachstreet.com/teacher/renee-adams
www.bouanddancecompany.org
www.bodyvox.com
My father owns his own business. Red-Worm Landscaping. He installs irrigation systems, mows large fields, designs gardens and yards for Yakima (Washington) residents, and sells rich compost and fertile worms to gardeners and 6th grade science teachers alike. To say the least…hard work.
I learned the meaning of ‘work’ from him. Waking early, working hard, returning late, sleeping well. I watched my father throughout my childhood do back breaking work from sun up to sun down. Until my last years at home, that work was the only thing keeping food on our table.
As I begin to grow into an adult I heard my mother describe him in a simple, yet truly profound, way: “Your father is doing what he always wanted to do. We both are. Ever since he was a boy, all your dad wanted to do was drive trucks and play in the dirt.”
Wow. Even though his body aches and some days it seems like he is too exhausted to continue, my dad loves dirt, working with machinery, and building things; and he has shaped his life to reflect that component of his being. It was truly a life changing realization that my simple parents from a small-minded community, have made choices that have lead them to their own life, not one that they feel they must participate in, but rather one they feel compelled and happy to participate in.
Work is a funny thing. But being able to appreciate how work can be an expression of myself and a reoccurring event of thrilling joy is a tribute to the intelligent, graceful, loving, and complete people that my parents are.
(Renee Adams is a Dancer with the Bouand DanceCompany, and acts as an executive assistant for the Director.
You can learn more about Renee in these places:
http://www.teachstreet.com/teacher/renee-adams
www.bouanddancecompany.org
www.bodyvox.com
Thursday, February 19, 2009
It's On!! BDC on OPB
Hello past and present supporters.
We’re going to be filmed for Oregon Public Broadcasting!
This will be a 1 hour documentary-style program, filmed in high-definition by Paul Ramsey of RAMMedia and broadcast on OPB late this year.
This is a wonderful opportunity for us and we will be highlighting our supporters and donors in the broadcast credits, and in all of our advertising.
We’ve raised about 60% of the funds needed to realize this project, so now is the time to come to you all and ask for your support for 2009. We understand these are hard times to give money, but we have to get this filmed now or lose the opportunity.
We’re asking you to step forward and give what you gave last year, perhaps a bit more, or to join in our “Grassroots funding drive” by giving $25.00
We’ll have buttons to give you that when worn will qualify you for discounts at a number of small businesses and restaurants around town. We’ll also have cool black T-shirts with the logo for people who can give more, and for everyone who supports us; their name on the OPB broadcast!!
We’ve scheduled a number of open rehearsals but be warned, if you come and watch you might be filmed for TV, so come looking good!
We are trying to mobilize our community around this “OPB Project”, since it’s a unique opportunity that will not be repeated any time soon.
Please help!
You can donate by sending money directly to the company at:
Bouand DanceCompany
7327 SW Barnes Rd
Portland, OR 9722
Or by going to the website (www.bouanddancecompany.org) and clicking the “Donate by PayPal” button.
We’re going to be filmed for Oregon Public Broadcasting!
This will be a 1 hour documentary-style program, filmed in high-definition by Paul Ramsey of RAMMedia and broadcast on OPB late this year.
This is a wonderful opportunity for us and we will be highlighting our supporters and donors in the broadcast credits, and in all of our advertising.
We’ve raised about 60% of the funds needed to realize this project, so now is the time to come to you all and ask for your support for 2009. We understand these are hard times to give money, but we have to get this filmed now or lose the opportunity.
We’re asking you to step forward and give what you gave last year, perhaps a bit more, or to join in our “Grassroots funding drive” by giving $25.00
We’ll have buttons to give you that when worn will qualify you for discounts at a number of small businesses and restaurants around town. We’ll also have cool black T-shirts with the logo for people who can give more, and for everyone who supports us; their name on the OPB broadcast!!
We’ve scheduled a number of open rehearsals but be warned, if you come and watch you might be filmed for TV, so come looking good!
We are trying to mobilize our community around this “OPB Project”, since it’s a unique opportunity that will not be repeated any time soon.
Please help!
You can donate by sending money directly to the company at:
Bouand DanceCompany
7327 SW Barnes Rd
Portland, OR 9722
Or by going to the website (www.bouanddancecompany.org) and clicking the “Donate by PayPal” button.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
OPB Project
Why would I help? What can I do to help? Why is this important?
Typically the Arts suffer quickly and immediately in an economic slowdown, regardless of the initial reasons for the slowdown. This reflects a feeling that the Arts are an easily dispensible part of our society, a cultural phenomenon not worthy of serious thought in difficult times. Certainly food, shelter and security take precedence but for 95% of us, while perhaps suffering a temporary downgrade, these are not seriously at risk.
These kind of times make the Arts communities push to become more efficient, more competitive and practice financial caution. These are all good things, since undisciplined spending and the substitution of artistic prerogative over fiscal responsibility has sunk many an organization.
I urge you all to think seriously about whether you can spare a little to support your favorite Arts organization. When we all come out of these times, and we WILL come out, you will be glad to know that you helped your preferred Theater Company, Dance Company, Orchestra, Gallery or Educational institution survive to continue to work towards entertaining and challenging you in the future.
Bouand DanceCompany is slated for broadcast on Oregon Public Broadcasting, an honor and a privilege we are trying to bring to a larger slice of the Arts community here in Portland than just BDC. We need your help! To cover the costs of producing the performances, pay the dancers, musicians and designers, advertise and cover the costs of filming and editing.
To potential major sponsors we can offer acknowledgments during the OPB Broadcast and in all media, articles, events and programs associated with the program. As BDC is happily debt free, you can be assured that your contributions will go directly to fund the event.
We think this opportunity is a unique way to differentiate your charitable giving this year, and a terrific way to show your commitment to supporting Portland's vibrant Arts community in these difficult times.
Sincerely
Alexandrous Ballard
Typically the Arts suffer quickly and immediately in an economic slowdown, regardless of the initial reasons for the slowdown. This reflects a feeling that the Arts are an easily dispensible part of our society, a cultural phenomenon not worthy of serious thought in difficult times. Certainly food, shelter and security take precedence but for 95% of us, while perhaps suffering a temporary downgrade, these are not seriously at risk.
These kind of times make the Arts communities push to become more efficient, more competitive and practice financial caution. These are all good things, since undisciplined spending and the substitution of artistic prerogative over fiscal responsibility has sunk many an organization.
I urge you all to think seriously about whether you can spare a little to support your favorite Arts organization. When we all come out of these times, and we WILL come out, you will be glad to know that you helped your preferred Theater Company, Dance Company, Orchestra, Gallery or Educational institution survive to continue to work towards entertaining and challenging you in the future.
Bouand DanceCompany is slated for broadcast on Oregon Public Broadcasting, an honor and a privilege we are trying to bring to a larger slice of the Arts community here in Portland than just BDC. We need your help! To cover the costs of producing the performances, pay the dancers, musicians and designers, advertise and cover the costs of filming and editing.
To potential major sponsors we can offer acknowledgments during the OPB Broadcast and in all media, articles, events and programs associated with the program. As BDC is happily debt free, you can be assured that your contributions will go directly to fund the event.
We think this opportunity is a unique way to differentiate your charitable giving this year, and a terrific way to show your commitment to supporting Portland's vibrant Arts community in these difficult times.
Sincerely
Alexandrous Ballard
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