Flight, by Steve Jensen (Aluminum, 102” x 62”)
Whim W’Him’s event will be held at Steve Jensen Studios
It’s a great feeling, helping an artist show his/her work, being part of the lift-off. It’s one reason fundraising events can be so fun…at least, Seattle-style ones. Here’s some info on the fundraisers I’ve seen coming up in the next month or so. Lots of variety…
Velocity Dance Center and Century Ballroom’s “Single Ladies [Put a Ring On It] Amateur Dance-Off: September 19, at Century Ballroom, judged by Brendan Kiley, Pat Graney, and Joyce Taylor. ($18–$20) Check out the website for how to enter the contest and how to just sit back and enjoy.
Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Prelude to a Kiss: September 24, at McCaw Hall, cocktail party ($75) or dinner ($200) before the show (Maillot’s Roméo et Juliette).
Seattle Dance Project’s “The Dance of Life” First Annual Fundraiser: September 27, at The Ruins, hors d’oeuvres and wine + keynote by Tim Girvin (“Exploring the Human Brand: Creativity, Dance, Business & You”) + entertainment by pianist Victor Janusz + Simple Measures. ($100). I met Tim Girvin briefly when I used to work for the wonderful architecture firm NBBJ: I found him inspirational…and I’m guessing that his talk for SDP will be interesting, creative, energizing…and something you won’t hear anywhere else! (See press release below.)
Whim W’Him
– Dance Party: October 16, at the Sole Repair Shop ($25)
– “Out On a Whim” Auction & Dinner: October 17, at Steve Jensen Studios ($125)
Olivier Wevers has been gearing up this year for the start of his own company, Whim W’Him. They performed at Bumbershoot under the auspices of PNB*, and they will take part in OtB’s A.W.A.R.D. show in December, but Whim W’Him’s big premiere is at OtB in January. The October fundraiser will help this new dance company get its start. (More info to come; save the date!)
* I love when Seattle’s big companies are gracious and supportive! Yay, PNB! I’ve seen the negative example locally in another art form; I think our dance community is superior, understanding that it really isn’t about competition… It feels like we’re entering another golden age for dance in Seattle, in spite of the economy. It’s because there are so many good dancers and choreographers and leaders inspiring and energizing each other to make art. And when the big, established companies support their fellow artists through opportunities and sharing, everybody wins.
Know of other dance company fundraisers? Please comment below. Thanks!
I couldn’t find much info on SDP’s website, so here’s their press release…pretty much verbatim:
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
“The Dance of Life” First Annual Fundraiser for the Seattle Dance Project
on September 27, 2009
The Seattle Dance Project Fundraiser will feature some of the finest
nationally recognized creative talent in the Northwest: Designer Tim
Girvin, Pianist Victor Janusz, and the chamber ensemble Simple Measures
Celebrate the creative force and legacy of Dance in the Pacific Northwest
SEATTLE, WA September 8, 2009— The Seattle Dance Project will hold its
first annual Fund Raiser on September 27, 2009. In a spirited
collaboration of some of the finest nationally recognized creative talent
in the Northwest area: Tim Girvin will talk about THE DANCE OF LIFE
Exploring the Human Brand: Creativity, Dance, Business & You. Pianist
Victor Janusz and the chamber ensemble Simple Measures will provide live
entertainment.
The Seattle Dance Project, founded in 2007 by artistic directors Julie
Tobiason and Timothy Lynch, seeks to use the technical prowess and
professional maturity of its dancers to continually push the limits of
contemporary dance. Both Tobiason and Lynch formerly danced with the
Pacific Northwest Ballet and are current faculty members of the Pacific
Northwest Ballet School.
The first fundraiser slated for Sunday, September 27th at The Ruins in
Seattle is a celebration of the creative force and expression of this new
dance company. After two seasons of performances, the Seattle Dance
Project is quickly becoming known for its diversity, range of expression
and rhythmic inventiveness in the powerful blend of classical and modern
technique. So far the company’s eight world premieres have utilized
classical music, jazz, contemporary pop music and rock-n-roll. The
excitement and buzz that has been generated about this new company brings
to mind the Northwest legacy of nurturing and giving rise to major dance
talent such as Merce Cunningham, Mark Morris and Bill Evans, as well as
the international accolades consistently given to the Pacific Northwest
Ballet.
After a recent performance of the Seattle Dance Project, Ballet Talk
Magazine noted “I can’t imagine that one could see a small company of
seasoned professionals at this level anywhere in the country except maybe
in NYC.”
During the September 27th fundraiser, internationally celebrated designer
Tim Girvin will give the keynote talk. Girvin has been breathing life
into brands for companies, products and people for over thirty years. His
work is everywhere from Bellagio to Bloomingdale’s. He has designed the
movie title logos for 350 Hollywood feature films—his latest was in the
movie Star Trek. Girvin will talk about dance as being in-the-moment and
ephemeral, and yet in possession of a great power that creates a long
lasting brand legacy. According to Girvin, “There is a spirited alignment
between the balance of classical dance, modern interpretations and
re-invention, and what dance can mean for all of us: how we experience
life, how we share our stories with one another, and ultimately how we
build our brands. “
The “Dance Of life” Fundraiser is a fine example of how accomplished
artists are helping one another during these challenging economic times.
All of the fundraiser’s featured guests, Tim Girvin,
Pianist Victor Janusz and the Chamber Ensemble Simple Measures, are
generously donating their time in support of Seattle Dance Project and
they will not be compensated for their contributions. Seattle Dance
Project is a 501(c)3 organization. 100% of the proceeds go directly to SDP
artists. Admission fees as well as any additional contributions that are
made to the Seattle Dance Project are tax deductible.
…
THE DANCE OF LIFE
Exploring the Human Brand:
Creativity, Dance, Business & You
Presented by Tim Girvin (http://www.girvin.com)
Sunday, September 27, 2009 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
The Ruins (http://www.theruins.net/)
570 Roy Street Seattle, WA 98109
Cost $100.00*
Includes hors d’oeuvres and wine
Live entertainment with Victor Janusz and Simple Measures
To purchase online tickets for this event please use “donate” button on
[http://www.seattledanceproject.org].
On twitter follow @seattledancepro.
About the Seattle Dance Project
Founded in 2007 by artistic directors Julie Tobiason and Timothy Lynch,
the Seattle Dance Project is a new modern dance company that seeks to use
the technical prowess and professional maturity of its dancers to
continually push the limits of contemporary dance. The Seattle Dance
Project creates movement methodology where muscular strength and classical
lines of ballet converge with the emancipating movement of modern dance.
Choreographers who have worked with the company include Donald Byrd,
Molissa Fenley, Pat Catterson, Olivier Wevers, Wade Madsen, Heidi
Vierthaler, Kiyon Gaines, James Canfield, Kent Stowell, Edwaard Liang and
Betsy Cooper. In addition to Tobiason and Lynch, the company is composed
of world-class performers including Alexandra Dickson, Melanie Skinner,
Oleg Gorboulev, Dana Hanson, Kory Perigo, Michele Curtis, Joseph Anderson
and Betsy Cooper. Reflecting Seattle Dance Project’s commitment to high
quality performing arts, all company members are active teachers in the
Seattle dance community. Seattle Dance Project is a 501(c)3 non-profit
organization.
( http://www.seattledanceproject.org)
