"Deep Fountain Dives and MS Word Into Light"

I am a bit confused as to which title is best. Some days I Dance Into Light and other days I MS Word Into Light. Yet, there are days when I Google or Network Into Light.

A.D. - Artistic Director, Administrative Director, Appropriate Direction, Alas Dance!

Yes, I know it needs to be done, but last time I looked the sun was out and now I prepare dinner under the night sky.

There is a blessing in being an A.D. no matter what the definition. The holy fountain runs deep into the earth's core. I gladly today, but at times reluctantly get that tight wet suit and occasionally stifling, but necessary oxygen mask on and dive. Those waters offer purification, but only when diving deep and I am able to cut through the stone wall of breadth-ful marble. There is some thing cleansing about it when I return to the surface, I mean the studio I am able to move with new insight. Thank you!

I proudly wear A.D. on my vest.

"A Squirrel LEAPs in Queens"

The Dance Into Light tree shook Mr. Squirrel out tonight to gather winter nuts for our family. He found nuts ripe with age, rich with experience, and cracked open enough to taste the treats while seeing the light right on through.  Our little furry friend's full cheeks are quite pinchable. He weightlessly dashes back home from the evening's great gathering to share with the others. 

And this is what I learned...

I was privileged to have a 1 to 1"Peer Leadership Circle" meeting tonight through the LEAP program*. I actually felt selfish to have this opportunity to speak with my peer leader for our 2 hour monthly meeting. I didn't have to share my time with anyone.  I did miss hearing about my peer's experiences while offering them the best reflective questioning that comes to my mind. Yet, I was grateful for this rare experience to pick a brain.

Advice was given based on questions that have been swimming through my mind. Tonight's moon offered a favorable tide. It allowed me to drift into a safe space where I could inquire about seeds beginning to Dance Into Mr. Squirrel's tree of Light. 

I learned about the requirements for keeping our tree appropriately trimmed within our governmental regulations. I reflected on its continued growth and potential. 

Thank you to my peer leader who let Mr. Squirrel in and generously showed him to the pile of nuts for the taking.  I feel clear and prepared tackle realistic goals. See you at next month's fruitful 'circle.'


*Artist professional development program offered through Queens Council on the Arts and LaGuardia Performing Arts Center.

"Give Me Time, Give Me Space, Give Me Money, Please"

Last night I had the privilege to attend the Queens Council on the Arts Grant Writing Workshop with Melissa Sandor/Melissa Sandor Inc. Well... I left bubbling with so much excitement and a running faucet of ideas. I hope the valve doesn't bust!

 

What a concept to gather artists, a.k.a. "like minded folk," together to be professionally developed. Something very exciting happens when minds meet as it is, but this structured workshop allowed me freedom to fly on my imagination cloud. So, we gathered. The usual formal introductions were had, light applause appropriately followed, and photos were snapped at opportune moments. Ms. Sandor began...

We were given a task to present ourselves, in writing, to a potential funder. Let's figure out a concise way to define Dance Into Light, Inc. and turn heads. Hell, let's find ways to snap those necks until they are seeing the chiropractor for whiplash cures. We shared out and lots of peer feedback flew around the room. 

Then Ms. Sandor begin to break down the ingredients of a grant proposal. My hand cramped several times as I simultaneously tried to scoop up Sandor's wisdom in the air while getting my own ideas down on the next page. Valuable questions were asked and answered. My synapses were on overdrive and I thought the smoke coming out my ears would alarm the other artists or maybe inspire them to explore spontaneous combustion in one's brain. 

Let's take 5, 30 minutes on the clock.  Have a cookie, eat a piece of fruit, grab a free bottle of water. People like tangible things they can take with them. Schmooooooooze.....get those business cards ready and distribute. Catch up - How's the new work? What's your medium again? I know so in so who knows of you from my brother's cousin's mother's sister. No kidding. TIME! Back to seat. 

Genius Part Deux

        Let's continue. Sandor gives us time! Loving the time and space to think, listen, learn, discuss, revise, brew, marinate, etc. Task = Revise your work based on what you learned. Okay, I revisit my paragraph and this time I get the opportunity to read aloud. I pretend to sell Dance Into Light to a panel of the most important critics I ever met, other than my mother and I. I received feedback from the impassioned crowd of my peers. Ooooh I feel so safe and warm. Flash backs of the womb. It's nice, it really is.

Wrap It Up and Send

  I was a simmering pot of salty water ready for the rice to be put it. Couldn't wait to get to work. I am thrilled that there is a follow up session. I am ecstatic that I have meaningful homework to complete before the next session. I look forward to seeing my peers again. Through this LEAP QCA program* I am finding that I have an outer body bloodline that exists. Thank you universe for allowing me to ask and receive. Thank you QCA for giving and supporting. Thank you Melissa Sandor for sharing your experiences, knowledge from your travels, and giving us much needed time and space.    

*The LEAP Dance Project is a professional development program designed to support individual dance artists and foster a community of dance professionals in Queens. Created by QCA in partnership with LaGuardia Performing Arts Center, this nine month program features professional development workshops with experts in the field; peer leadership circles to promote the exchange of information, resources and ideas; admission to local performances; rehearsal space, and a performance opportunity in conjunction with the Queens Art Express that is free and open to the public.

"Inspiration From a Likely Source"

Yes, it would be cliche of me to say "inspiration from an UNlikely souce," but this particular source was staring me right in the face. I was set to task. Choreograph, make the dance, then dance the dance. Easy enough, right? My task proved more difficult as I heard the accompaniment of not my choice.

I moved right into the studio. (no pun intended) I started with something familiar. I piece that we new, but didn't finish. Although, I was grateful for the starting point, I didn't want to taint the concept in progress. With hesitation, I continued to move along. We moved along. Here a formation, there a formation, everywhere a formation sprinkled with some movement manipulation. It then hit me. The spark shocked me into realizing that it is always what I tell my students; "it's about the movement." The inspiration was looking at me and reacting to the electric currents we all through into the air with each breath. Great! We can do this and complete the task at hand successfully with confidence.

Sometimes we have to keep walking into the same thing over and over again. Sometimes we need to keep talking about it until it evolves; unfolds a little bit at a time. Sometimes we just need to stare a little longer to realize that the answers, the inspiration is already at our fingertips. I am so grateful.

Thank you and please keep it coming.

Welcome to The Dance Into Light, Inc. Blog

In 2003, Ms. Denis founded Dina Denis Dance / Dance Into Light, Inc. which is a Queens based Modern Dance Company. The Company produces original dance works of an interdisciplinary & multi-cultural nature. The company uses dance as an avenue for personal healing, a means for self-expression, & as an approach toward building confidence. We carry out our mission through performances, artist-to-youth mentoring services, hands-on creative movement workshops, & live dance performances to nursing homes & senior centers throughout Queens. As part of the Company’s goals for encouraging collaborations, Dina Denis Dance annually hosts “Art and Business Alive in Queens” in order to bring together artists, business owners, and patrons.

 Artistic Vision 

Dina Denis’ work explores themes of spiritual awareness and awakening, relationships, along with interactions that contribute to our continued evolution while cultivating kinship among people. Her choreography supports ideas of human connectivity through dance stories that speak about life, love, and the spiritual quest. Ms. Denis’ creative process includes artistic input from the dancers, musicians, and artists of other mediums. Ms. Denis’s choreography is the result of one strong voice from the collective consciousness established by the group of Dina Denis Dance / Dance Into Light, Inc. artists. Cross-cultural collaborations have even further advanced Ms. Denis’ choreographic goal for human connectivity. Ms. Denis’ goals for the audience are to be engaged in the performance by drawing from their past experiences, as well as encourage new methods of thought. Ms. Denis hopes to awaken audience members in a way that supports both personal reflection and self-discovery. 

www.dinadenisdance.org

www.dinadenisdance.org