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uma blog

rejoice / technique

2/14/2019

 
If you're not on our email list, you're missing some of Vince Johnson's personal reverie's on dance. Sharing his latest below:

In operating a school that stems out of African Diaspora traditions, there is one thing that I hope that we all activate in our lives, which is the ability to emote in dance, or even better--Let's call it rejoice. Rejoice shows up in a variety of life circumstances. It can take many forms. In Hip Hop dance, I'll argue that it is as fundamental as bounce and groove.  For some, the experience of rapture is tapped into easily. Let's take me, for example. When I first began dancing, "snappin," "getting open," going off," (all synonymous with the occurrence of rapture when dancing) were easier for me than "getting busy," which is knowing your vocabulary and being able to speak eloquently, laying it down righteously.  Snapping without getting busy at the same time does't work in Hip Hop, which requires adherence to vernacular and thereby intelligibility. Subsequently, I'll argue that there is a fundamental order of progression in hip hop required to truly transpose into rejoice, which is expressed through this theorem: its first through a rigorous process of sensing one's environment while simultaneously self-examining, self-controlling and deliberating and applying unique concept that one is able to unlock the door for true rejoice within the ritual of hip hop dance. Keep in mind that this order is occurring in the moment of improvisation or dancing choreography.  Might sound complicated and that you need to be an expert in order to tap such a state.  But the truth is this formula can be applied early in ones practice. You simply must have some grasp of the basics and the ability to move to the beat. The key point is that many of us get our two step to the beat, but never unleash into full rapture. But this experience of ecstasy is there for all of us.  We all will know when it happens for you, as it happens in testimony. UMA exists to promote this moment for all who step to the floor. 

So that we know more about what this looks like, let's take a look at the clip of Meech and Tasha that I've shared. It's worth taking a closer look from 2:49min to 2:53min. Notice the shift in Tasha's attention. At 2:49 she is smiling from enjoying Meech's round. But when she looks back at 2:53min, it is clear that she is somewhere else. It is important to immediately note that this is beyond her being engaged in performance. She is sensing the environment and transfixing on a variable of sensations. She is locked in by 2:55, all with just simple bounces to the tempo, the basics. Then by 3:00min, she raises more complex technique. Now it is a mix of feeling the external and feeling herself. Lift off into Ecstasy (sans the pill). By 3:27, she is hopping on one leg, flapping her arms like wings. The MC is going "aww shit." Meech is drawing his hands to his chest at the same tempo. Tasha is providing access for the entire room to witness and grasp what she is feeling. At 3:33min there is a magnificent sychronisity of Meech touching his chest as Tasha gives space for herself to stand glorified and in perception of what she is generating. Furthermore, the qualities of this being beyond a plotted theatrical performance exists in the expressiveness of her face. Her facial expression at 3:47min shows where she has landed and what this place is doing to her. She grasps onto the moment, for the expression of the face is both a reaction to what she is feeling and a device for her to sustain and feed her present moment. Meech wants some and successfully takes his own trip on the bridge that Tasha has drawn. The room is pumped not by how cool and sophisticated Tasha's moves were, but by the contagion of jubilee yielded from her public rapture. 

​UMA is the space for this. Let's recognize so that we can snap and show out more!

two for one valentines special :  dancing is better than  roses

2/3/2019

 
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VALENTINES VIBES: Bring your Valentine (or just a friend) to select classes 2/11 - 2/17  FOR FREE

For general participants: two for the price of one per class (class card holders can apply one class. this will also work for anyone purchasing a drop in. This special doesn't apply to $40 intro month pass holders)

UMA Members: bring one friend free / per class (keep in mind that the class cards and the $40 intro month are not considered a monthly membership)

See list of eligible classes.Eligible classes: 
  • Movement Flow with Ron (All Days and Levels)
  • Morning Dance Fitness with Laurel (All Days)
  • Solo Salsa with Laurel
  • Afro-Cuban Movement on Thursday with Leilani
  • Locking and Funk Styles with Dru
  • B'more Afro House with Sanchel    ​

2019 summer Artists in  residence  open call

1/4/2019

 
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Urban Movement Arts (UMA) is seeking dancers, choreographers, movement and/or performance artists as Artist in Residence for the summer of 2019. Our summer residency season will take place May - July 2019 at the UMA studios in downtown Philadelphia. We are looking for artists eager to directly engage with our community and challenge the technical, aesthetic, and conceptual assumptions of their genre. This residency offers free studio space, dance classes of the African diaspora/American vernacular, artistic support, and professional videography. There will be a public showing of the residents work, flexible in nature, at the end of the residency.

Who this residency is for:
Dancers, choreographers, performance and movement artists in any/multiple genres. We want to partner with artists prepared to approach this residency as a laboratory space and research process. We are looking for artists willing to get their hands dirty learning production skills of DIY lighting, sound, and scenic design. We will consider artists in graduate school (but not undergraduates.) Womxn, POC, immigrants, and all artists working in intersecting or under-represented disciplines are encouraged to apply. We have capacity for two resident solo artists in summer of 2019. However, we are open to collaborative duos or trios applying as together for one of the two residency slots.

Who we are:
Located in downtown Philadelphia, Urban Movement Arts (UMA) welcomes adults of all ages and experience levels. We guide movers and dancers to develop connection to community and style growing out of Hip Hop, American vernacular,  and African Diaspora genres. We are dedicated to supporting strength, flexibility and overall physicality to promote creativity and adaptability in dance and life. Our classes include House, Breaking, Waacking, Hip Hop, Swing Dance, and Yoga. At UMA there is a strong social component of each-one-teach-one. Urban Movement Arts is directed by Vince Johnson. Johnson has toured internationally with Rennie Harris Pure Movement and is an accomplished martial arts coach and competitor. This residency is co-directed by Lily Kind, a producer and promoter of experimental dance making.

Dates:
  • The residency will span May 1 - July 21 2019. Exact dates are flexible.
  • Applications are due by 5 pm EST March 15, 2019.
  • Residents will be notified by April 3, 2019.
  • Public Performance expected weekend of July 13 (subject to change).

The residency includes:
  • Free membership to Urban Movement Arts for the months of May - July ($300 total value), allowing the artist to take unlimited classes in various movement disciplines.
  • 10 hours per week of studio time determined in collaboration with UMA staff. Available hours are: Mon - Friday 7 am- 2 pm and 9:30 pm to 12:30 am. Studio time will be scheduled in advance via email sign up and a shared google calendar. Please read through the “Understandings” carefully.
  • Production coaching and dramaturgy. The artist will be guided in producing their own show, including DIY methods of lighting, sound, set design, and marketing.  
  • Professional video footage of the performance.

Duos and trios may apply as unit to one of the two available residency slots. Every individual within a duo or trio will receive free membership.

Requirements:
  • A public performance at Urban Movement Arts studios. This can be work in progress. We welcome a rigorous conversation with the audience. This low-tech showing will be produced in collaboration with Lily Kind.
  • Cooperation in the documentation of the residency, as will be used for promotional and archival purposes. Photos, videos, and interviews may be taken, and will remain property of UMA. To this end, we expect to schedule open studio visits with each resident.

Understandings:
  • We want to support artists who are interested in becoming part of our movement community. Interested artists are strongly encouraged to come take class before the application deadline. Classes for students/movement professionals/vets/seniors are $10.
  • Privacy & Sound: Complete privacy or total silence are unlikely at most times of day. UMA consists of three studios and a lobby on the second floor of a downtown building. Studios A and B  share a wall, the top ⅓ of which is a transparent, allowing visibility between the studios. All of the studios have floor to ceiling windows that overlook downtown Philly. There are no curtains. At most times of day, Studio B serves as an access hallway between Studio A and the lobby. The studio with the most privacy and least sound bleed is the Studio C, the smallest studio. For photos and dimensions please visit our website. If your privacy is precious, this may not be the space for you.
  • Our space also hosts various practicing crews, private lessons, and staff use studio time.
  • This is mutually beneficial partnership with a busy, welcoming, risk-taking community and environment. We are small but mighty organization of working artists and this residency is a labor of love.
  • The residency does NOT include: Housing, meals, transportation, or high end technical production.

​To apply, please submit via email to Lily Kind at urbanmovementarts@gmail.com.
Emails with Subject: 2019 Residency Application: [First Name Last Name].
All attachments as PDFs and named [2019 First Name Last Name].
  • A letter of interest of 1- 2 pages.
In your letter, please tell us about:
What is your current movement community/ who are your people?  
What is your heritage as an artist?
How do you want to challenge your genre?
What are you trying to shift in your own practice, process, or performance?
What can you contribute to the UMA community?
  • CV or Resume.
  • 1- 2 links to video (under 5 min each) of your work. This can be past performances or works in progress.
  • We will also accept, in moderation, supplementary non-traditional application materials such as lookbooks, script excerpts, photographs, or project-mapping, submitted as URLs (not attachments) with brief contextual explanation.
  • If you use your social media as an artistic or promotional platform to your work, be sure to include your name/handles. This is not a substitute for a work sample.
  • There is no fee to apply. Because we think that’s bullshit.
  • We recognize the labor that goes into the application process. Thank You! If you need an encouraging word, please feel free to contact us with questions or for a general pep talk if we’re available. Contact Lily at urbanmovementarts@gmail.com

virgil 'lil 0' talks about finding hip hop in philly

1/2/2019

 

Masterclass: January 13, 2019.  
6:30pm-7:45pm 
$15 advance ticket purchase / $20 at the door 
free for UMA monthly members.
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"​Growing up in Philadelphia, dancing was always a tradition in my family: Cookouts and bbqs with home movies of myself three years old dancing to Mc Hammer and imitating Michael Jackson on my aunt Barb’s patio. I learned to dance from friends and family in my neighborhood. The city’s dance culture really shaped my life because of the history and community Philadelphia has. Things changed for me when I’ve moved to New York City for a Broadway show called After Midnight. I was able to incorporate all of my experiences and skills into that performance. It prepared me for my journey into a new culture or art scene. 
Doing a master class in Philly means a lot to me. It reminds me of why I dance and why I teach. It’s giving and sharing a part of my history, culture, and inspiration for anyone else to learn and pass down." 
-Virgil 'Lil O' Gadson, 2019

congrats to winter artists in residence mattie & kayla

12/22/2018

 

Boom boom Ba! laurel's squad rolls deep.

12/18/2018

 
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In case you missed the last Workinonit (works in progress cabaret), the students of Laurel's Dance Fitness and Solo Rhythm Salsa classes put together and awesome surprise for Laurel. In anticipation of Workinonit, Laurel rallied her nearly two dozen of her students, most of whom have never done any kind of latin dance before, to perform three short routines. Not only did all the students bring amazing energy, but, in appreciation of all Laurel has given then, they threw down a sweet surprise: team T-shirts. Laurel had no idea! The shirts read: BOOM BOOM BA! Laurel's scats for half of a salsa basic step. We'll post a video soon with highlights from the whole night. 
Check the schedule to sign up for any of Laurel's super saucy, body positive classes!

missing summer...?

11/26/2018

 
UMA has a few ways to stay warm as it only gets colder outside. 
The classes we added this fall: Locking with Drew Ramsey, B'more Afro House with Sanchel Brown, and Hip Hop with Majesqitue, among others are SWEATY. 
There's also a lot to warm the spirit. WORKINONIT, our next works in progress showing is Nov 29 at 9 pm. It's about seeing what different kinds of movement artists within the community are up to, as well as celebrate the progress of our adult students, with demos from different classes. Informal and friendly, BYOB if you fancy, it's cozy vibes. 

But really, this blog headline is just an excuse to share this video of excerpts from this summer's Artists in Residence performance.  Hot. Hot. Hot. 

Winter choreographic fellows: Maddie & Kayla

10/24/2018

 
update: for info on their final showing, visit the Upcoming Events page HERE.
Maddie & Kayla take class at UMA nearly every single day. When they applied for our summer residency, it became clear I needed to create a longer-term program for movers to do some slow cooking of creative ideas alongside their  committed training in our classes. As two young women recently out of college and settling into Philly, they also were asking questions about the technical side self producing. They were diligent and excited about helping with other productions in the space, and thinking about dance in Philly at large. Kayla helped run lights and sound for me fringe show with Metal (and had a dancing cameo). Maddie performed at our works-in-progress-cabaret  workinonit this past July and has written about UMA and other aspects of dance in Philly for thinkingDance. And so, I present to  you, UMA's first Choreographic Fellows: Maddie & Kayla. They will present a full evening performance on Sunday Dec 16 at 7 and 9 pm! 
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I asked the duo (Kayla left, Maddie right) to write about what's changed for them over the past six months, and also what they are thinking about as they move towards presenting a full length work on Sunday Dec 16.
From Maddie:
I want to work with the challenge of Kayla and my different instincts, the constant hum of the space, the challenge and joy of feeling the weight of the community in the room, feeling like you are making with and for the community. The feeling that you are not acting alone.

I am in the process of re-thinking preconceived notions of who performance is for-- thinking about how making something for a bunch of strangers is just one mode of making, and one with a certain history (which I’ve yet to really understand), and that knowing the people you make it for isn’t “cheating” but rather a different way of crafting and like, living life that just feels so much fuller and appreciative of multiplicity.
I’m more confident physically-- in general and in the forms I’ve been studying here for the past year. They feel more like my own, materials I can feel a respectful agency in exploring. I’m excited to address my initial question from several months ago about how to make my performance resemble my movement interests... that feels more rich and approachable now.
Our content has arisen seemingly by chance, but I love that we are exploring verbal communication, because it’s becoming so much a part of how we have to work together. Some days we are on the same page and also
many days we are not -- it’s just that practice of being able to say where we are over and over again, out loud, to each other. Excited, frustrated, confused, out of it, nauseous, giddy, stressed, happy, obsessed.
​
From Kayla:
Since beginning to work together in Philly we have come up against differences in aesthetic preference. I
think that this namely stems from my continued interest in formalism and Maddie’s growing interest in
dance theatre. I am interested in structures and how the shape/ pacing/ tone of what we experience affects
people. Maddie is more interested in character and creating content driven work that pulls from multiple
mediums. There is a lot of overlap in our interests, but sometimes they diverge or conflict. I think that we
also approach process differently. I like making a bunch of crap and shoving it all together, then taking a
lot of time to edit the draft. Maddie likes to edit as we go and build a little bit piece by piece. I know
sometimes we both can get frustrated with the other’s process and preferences.
But all of that exists under the larger umbrella of our relationship. Overall our rehearsals are fun and
playful and full of love. I value the intimacy of being able to watch each other improvise and being
comfortable enough with each other to follow an idea/ get really goofy/ try out something new that
definitely might not work out. Its really special to have someone so close to you who is so passionate
about the same thing. We have shared value systems that I hope come across in the final product- for one,
we both want our residency to eventually manifest as a gift for our community (UMA, our friends in
Philly, each other, our families who may or may not be present..) and center around that community.​

Fringe Season at UMA: Chi Chi Chip & Indestructable Flowers

10/17/2018

 
September was FIRE. Philly Kerplop, UMA's in house music and dance ensemble took over LOVE Park, with Chi Chi Chip (Ode to the Gnarly) a bizarre and slap happy mix of virtuosity, social commentary, and goofiness. UMA instructors Lily Kind & BBoy Metal threw down an intimate and intricate double-solo show both heart warming and hilarious. Check out some photos and reviews!
Lots of love for Indestructible Flowers from thinkingDance and The Philadelphia Dance Journal (so many great photos!)
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Phindie.com shares some sketches of Philly Kerplop
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artist in residence: Majestique

7/23/2018

 
We present to you: Majestique! The second of our Artists in Residency this summer. Sophianne and Julian make a powerful duo, combining house, waacking, and afro pop styles with their own aesthetic. Majestique was our Teaching Artist in June, and we are excited to support them as they push their choreographic artistry into new territory. 
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