Perhaps a brief introduction is needed.  Hi. My name is Genevieve and I’m Dance Houston’s new assistant.  I started two weeks ago and already I feel I’ve been here for much longer. In the best way!  It’s been really exciting and overwhelming getting my feet wet, especially just a few short weeks before our first (rather I should say) MY first show.  Everyday I learn something or experience something new or glean more insight into what we do here and last Thursday was no exception.  As posted previously, we’re preparing for our free festival coming up in exactly 3 days on November 21st! (see our previous blog: Free Festival Friday November 21st at Discovery Green)  So, yesterday, Al, our Sales Support Coordinator, who will, heretofore be known as “Boy Friday” coordinated with some of the performers in a photoshoot.  This was my first opportunity to experience a completely different vibe in the office. Up until then, it had just been either myself or Andrea, our multi-faceted lively director.  Quiet, in decibel, days spent learning new programs, and getting acquainted with Coco, our adorable shih-tzu mascot.  The word “treat” is a powerful motivating factor for her.  I could learn something from a power word like that.  I digress.

LO!  Early Thursday morning, Dance Houston’s studio is inundated with chattering, energetic dancers and my head began to spin. 

Photo by Whirling Hand Photographics

Photo by Whirling Hand Photographics

First, walked in Mike & Jessica, who will be performing a duet about the value of control, that which we place on ourselves and others, which I must admit I’m very curious to see performed and fleshed out on stage.  Mike is inquisitive and helpful.  Jessica, as a cute as a button and just as petite with a winning smile. 

Natalee will be performing a modern, hip-hop styled solo called “Energy”, and energetic she is!  Bright eyes and smile, I am certain she will fill up the stage with her performance. 

 

 

Photo by Whirling Hand Photographics

 

Liza, a flamenco dancer, came in full costume with a quiet intensity.  Liza will be bringing out the passion of Flamenco by dancing the Farruca.  Farruca is known to be one of the hardest dance forms of Flamenco.  The dance requires heavy footwork and is traditionally performed only by men.  I already know I will have shivers during her performance. 

 

Photo by Whirling Hand Photographics

Then, came ms. YET, the belly dancer.  Sultry eyes, vibrant energy, she makes her own costumes and is a one-woman powerhouse of intensity.  And that’s only 4 out of the 19 groups performing! 

All I can say is. WOW.  I haven’t even seen the other groups yet; though I’ve been listening to their music all week.  One group, Fyasko samples MIA’s Paper Planes (love that song!) and another group, Xtreme Productions samples Nelly Furtado’s Maneater (love love love that song! ) and I’m so curious to see their piece because they describe it as ”a hip hop piece with a very unique style. A lot of funky movement, and something fresh for the world of hip hop.” It is a mix of music… very up beat and It begins with a  short scene of dolls coming to life. The dolls soon realise they are alive and start dancing around to Missy Elliott as well as samples by other performers.  Hip hop and dolls that come to life???  I definitely don’t want to miss that!

Photo by Whirling Hand Photographics

Revolve Dance Company will also be performing and I’m really intrigued because I’ve heard so much about them but haven’t actually ever seen them.  Music has always been something that helps me connect to life more so than anything else and their song “Consequence” by the No Twist is touching and maybe just a little sentimental, and I have to admit I’ve had on repeat when I’m alone in the office.  At our last big festival they won Best Artistic Achievement and though they have some shoes to fill, I know I won’t be disappointed.  Wyld Styl is coming back too.  They won Best Performance at said festival and they’re performing a new piece with 20 dancers!  Pictured right is Hunter Hicks, one of the FLY Dance kids and he was named Outstanding Dancer as were others from the crew. Check out his pose!  I can’t help but be a little jealous at his flexibility and remember when I too could backflip and jump around without risk of a week-long backache.  Now, I barely look at a night out on the dancefloor and I’m sore.   But I think the performance I most intrigued about is one by Freneticore.  Two dancers decked out in furry costumes performing a piece entitled Donde Viven los Monstros (Where the Wild Things).  One, I love that book!  Two, it’s furry costumes.  Nuff said.

So much going on, but what this organization does; bringing art, communities, creativity, dance, people, life together in a really positive way inspires me to keep my nose to the grindstone and give everything I’ve got.  And yes, I get that I sound just a little corny and cheesy and I promise I’m not trying to Pollyanna out on you but there’s an energy and a vibe here that I’ve not experienced at any other job.  Maybe that’s because it’s not so much a job but a mission and a joy.  Come on!  I get to hang out with this fantastic cast of characters and brainstorm ways to get you guys involved with our guys.  How much fun is that?  So, thank you for taking the time to read my first post and I hope you’ll continue to view Dance Houston through my eyes as I sommersault through this journey.

Genevieve