This Summer has been a Circus!

This Summer,  technically the Spring as well, has been JAMMED with incredible traveling, gigs, people, places, and things.  I can't even fit all the photos and fun things I would really like to.  You can easily see all the random pictures on my Facebook profile.

I guess it really all began in May.  My birthday month, and turning the BIG 3.0.!
In the month of May, I was in Italy with The Killer Dillers doing our first ever full length show, completely live to "The Nine Penny Orchestra."  Then for my 30th birthday, I was in Munich, Germany teaching with Michael Jagger for Boogie Baren.  We stayed up all night with Remy and Moe.  They are crazy.  And by crazy I mean . . . . . you know what I mean.   To conclude the month, I taught with Ryan Francois in New York City at Dance Manhattan.  It was transformative!  The amount one learns by experience, from the source, is absolutely beyond any other form of education.  I think I have said this before, but I will continue to say it again, it is the greatest honor and opportunity to work with / partner other phenomenal dancers because of how I am able to physically learn and adapt.

In June I taught with Manu Smith in Copenhagen.  I think that may be the most beautiful city I've ever been to.  The people, the lay out and the energy.  Especially the light.  Daylight there was so perfect.  It helped that we had great weather and while on a boat tour, Manu and I saw the Queen.  Good Luck and great timing allowed our tour boat to pass her private dock as she boarded her own boat.  What are the chances that I would see the Queen of Denmark?

Then there was Beantown.  Again, with Michael, we had a wonderful time teaching and performing.  A spectacular show was produced by Ryan and the other teachers in the Rose Theater on the Saturday evening.  I was especially proud of Ramona, Naomi, Karen, and myself as we backed up Jenny Thomas for a Ladies Tap number.

The rest of the month, as for most folks in the Lindy Hop community, was filled with the occurance which is HERRANG.  I taught there for the first time in my 11 years of dancing with Manu.  It was amazing.  I LEARNED HOW TO RIDE A BIKE.  (again)  Technically my Dad taught me when I was little but I fell and never got back on.  Can you believe?  So it took all these years of dance coordination, and accommodations far enough away from classes that I had no choice but to get back on the bike and ride.  Victory!

I am still on the road.  Since Herrang I've traveled with Michael to Germany again, Ireland, and the UK. Once I finally get back to NYC.  It will feel really good.   More to come soon.

FREE AGENT!!!

So that I am clear with myself and everyone else . . .  I AM A FREE AGENT.  I am an independent artist.  I am a dancer who partners.  I am a performer, a director, a choreographer, a teacher.  I am affiliated with several different companies.  And this makes me who I am.  I am a diverse, always changing, growing, and adapting creature.  One might say that I have no identity or that I belong to nothing.  One may also say I am part of everything.  Maybe it's easier to just pick which group or identity "you" want to label me in any given moment.  I realize the delicate balance this all requires.  It is that balance that I intend to seek and pursue in my life.  I know I am not one thing or title.  And I can not be claimed by one person, or group, or idea.  And that frees me to be who I really am.

As a woman, as a "follower", this skill of being solid with who you are, yet flexible with movement is exceptionally important to the dance.  I think strengthening and playing with  these contrary ideas is what one needs to be a phenomenal partner.

I used to think I wanted to be "So and So" but that changed as I met new talented role models who I then wanted to emulate.  Now I realize I can not be any of those people.  It is impossible for me to re-create anything or anyone.  I have to discover "me" and be who "I" am suppose to be, so that eventually I am that role model for some one else.

It's hard in this dance, as a follower and someone's partner, to find that personal identity.  I value the intense work I do with one partner, but equally I value my ability to work with others and maintain the skill of improvisation.  If I can keep these two things in balance, then I think I will feel complete.  And the feeling of completeness is not based  on finding my other half or the perfect partner; it's realizing that being complete is something I do within myself.  So I am focused on being a better, more powerful, and inspiring ME.  Then I can truly work with and contribute to any group or partnership.

Being back in New York City

Since being back in New York City, things have been rough and confusing.  Falling back into a sense of rhythm, especially the rhythm of this city, takes some adjusting.  Not to mention recovering from Jet-lag.  But over all, I have been so grateful to come home to a job, at Dance Manhattan, and to my incredible room mates whom I love as a family, Nathan Bugh and Emily Vanston.  No matter how long I have been away, they are always excited to have me home and they both help me carry my luggage up our five flights of stairs.  Just for that, anyone would be grateful.
Immediately upon returning home I had rehearsals with Nathan Bugh, Michael Jagger and students from Dance Manhattan for a yearly celebration of dance at The Ulster County Performing Arts Theater.  This was the 4th year for us to perform in this show which brings together all styles of dance.  We had a great show and it's always a privilege to share the stage with other professionals like Daniel Ulbricht and Erica Pereira of the New York City Ballet!

I resumed regular classes at Dance Manhattan for the month of April which you can see on my calendar.  I had an exceptionally good time with my Thursday 8 o'clock Lindy Hop class and all my ladies in Belly Dance.

On April 9-11, Michael and I taught at The Hawkeye Swing Festival.  I had so much fun with the folks of the mid-west.  People drove in from all over.  There were more than 300 folks!  And most of them were college students!  I was floored by the Collegiate Jitterbug Contests.  The Team Division had 10 entries!    One thought:  STAR WARS.  Oh I wish I had a video link to that one.

I guess the next really big thing that happen was just last week.  Michael and I taught for another 5 day session at Glenmont Elementary School.  Thanks to everyone's support and regular voting, we won the Pepsi Grant of $25,000 which is paying for 2 more weeks of Swing classes in the school with live musicians every day, plus a dance at the end of the week.  I can't even begin to list all the little light bulbs that have been turning on for these K-5th grade students.  The most significant lesson learned is about communicating with their dance partners and with the musicians. We talked a lot about call and response using examples like singing "T'aint What You Do, It's The Way That You Do It", using the Pushes step that Frankie Manning always called out in the Shim Sham, and of course, watching and imitating dance steps.  The whole experience has been beyond anything I could have expected.  I want to send a huge thank you to Bill and Livia Vanaver who, through the Vanaver Caravan, sent me and Michael to Glenmont in the first place.  Another thank you to Peter Rawitsch and Valerie Falco and all the faculty at Glenmont who support this dance education.  And how could I forget, Alan Thomson's Little Big Band who worked with us everyday!

So life goes on and continues to be busy and wonderful.  Underneath the work, which I am always grateful for, I struggle with finding my true wants and goals.  I am often confused and pulled by others to carry out their passions, which usually gives me great joy.  But now in my 29th year of being on this earth, I'm coming to question what it is I really want to focus on.  I guess I'm feeling the magnitude of my accomplishments thus far and now I want to carefully choose what I do with the skills I've developed.  As soon as I know more, which may take a while, I will write more.

Swing Xtreme dance in PARIS

            So Ryan Francois's company, Swing Xtreme, danced in Paris for a big corporate gig for JP Morgan CHASE.  Although those gigs are usually for a tough crowd, they pay really well and take you to incredibly cool venues.  Now I'm trying to build a collection of Swing-Out photos in front of famous landmarks all over the world.  And of course the Eiffel Tower is on the top of that list.  Here's Michael Jagger and I, swinging out in Paris.  It was a great gig, and a great day.  Love to Matt, Hannah, Lisa, Dan and of course, Michael as we represented the company like true pros!  Here's to many more!

No age limits and no SHOES while in Europe!!

London and the UK

Well, since returning from Rome, I have had a lot of work in London with Mr. Michael Jagger!  We have been rehearsing with Swing Xtreme, Ryan Francois' dance company, and there have already been several gigs!  Michael and I also went up to Norwich to teach a weekend workshop.  It was beautiful!  We met a great group of people and the sun came out for us the whole time!  It's been strangely sunny here in the UK since I've been here.  I think I'm extraordinarily lucky.  Michael and I taught for Swing Patrol last Thursday and tonight, Monday March 15, we teach for Joseph and Trisha's JiveSwing.  We've been keeping busy.  The Universe has been good to us.  The photo's below are the Cathedral in Norwich and me.  Above, Michael and I stand in the market place.   

Roma, Italy

I will be in this scene tomorrow!!!

ROCK THAT SWING FESTIVAL

Munich, Germany has not seen this much snow since, who knows.  It was insanely cold, even for this bundled up New Yorker.  But the party atmosphere of the late nights and the amazing crowd of international instructors kept me happy and warm.  I had a great time!  Peace out, Okay, to my roomie Moe, my DJ Remy, my Killer Diller family, Sharon&Juan, and of course Joel!

Montpellier, France

Cathy and Gilbert, of Swing Cat Cie, in Montpellier, France had an incredible weekend of Balboa classes Feb 6 & 7.  Joel Plys and I had a great, full weekend of teaching and dancing.  The people and the music were wonderful.  I must learn French!

THANK YOU ALL WHO VOTED FOR GLENMONT ELEMENTARY TO GET LINDY HOP IN SCHOOL!!!

WE DID IT!  WE WON THE PEPSI GRANT!
This is of great importance to me and a very large community.  You can help Kinder - 5th grade students learn about Frankie Manning, Lindy Hop, and what it means to dance with a Partner!  Michael Jagger and I, through The Vanaver Caravan, have had the opportunity to teach Swing dance to students at Glenmont Elementary.  They have entered a Pepsi Grant contest to win money for covering the cost of having more Lindy Hop classes this Spring & Summer with dances to live Bands.

Overview

Building Community Through Dance brings together elementary students, their parents, siblings, grandparents, teen dancers, college students, and other senior adults in our community. Our mission is to use swing dance to build meaningful relationships within our community and to pass on the tradition of this American art form. •Students will learn the Big Apple, the Shim Sham, and Lindy Hop moves from Vanaver Caravan dancers, Evita Arce and Michael Jagger. •Older students will be dance partners with our younger students while they learn new steps. •Students will practice their dancing with college students from RPI's Swing Club. •Parents will receive swing dance lessons from Isabelle's School of Dance high school dance team. •Each classroom of students will "adopt" a senior adult from an assisted living facility to share histories and to dance with. •A Community Dance in June with live swing music will help everyone celebrate all of the social and communication skills we have learned.

I Made it to Australia!!!

I wish getting to Australia was as easy and fun as this picture looks.  Do you know how serious it is getting to Adelaide, Australia from New York City?  I'll tell you.  First, you have to drag all your luggage down to the subway and take the hour and 45 minute ride to JFK airport.  Next, you fly across the country, NY to LA, which is 6 and a half hours.  Ugh, you feel like that was a huge accomplishment and you're ready to be done but then you realize the trip is just now starting.  You scurry for some food at LAX before boarding the big flight, LA to Sydney, which is 14 hours.  I was expecting 16 for some reason, so I was excited that it was only 14.  Ah, the first sign of land is so beautiful.  Like being in pitch, black, dark, outer space and finally seeing light for the first time.  I tried to take a picture of the Opera House but I don't think it worked through the airplane window.  I was so happy to be in the airport at Sydney.  I celebrated by buying desert and coffee.  But once again, I had to board another plane to Adelaide, a mere 2 hours more.  And that adds up to 24 hours and 15 minutes!  And that's not including the couple of lay over hours I spent.  All in all, I think I spent close to 34 hours traveling from door to door.  And now I'm here!  I made it to Australia.  Which truly is a great feat.  A BIG THANK YOU TO STEVEN, JOEL, AND MANU.

LONE STAR CHAMPIONSHIPS

I'm very happy to say that The Lone Star Championships in Austin, TX (my home town) were wonderful! The Killer Dillers had a great representation in several contests.  Jaun Villafane took first place in solo Charleston with Sharon Davis right next to him at 2nd place.  Nathan Bugh, Michael Jagger, and I were in the semi-finals.  I'm also very proud to say Jeramie Anderson and I won 1st place in the Blues division, a repeat offense from our 1st place win at ALHC Blues, 2007.  And once again, Michael Jagger and I were able to perform our routine to "Singing in the Rain".  We first performed this number back in August at ILHC.  Thanks to Lee Walker, a new video is up on Youtube.  I hope you enjoy.
Singing in the Rain



Blues Division Finals




All Star Invitational Strictly

Michael Jagger and I taught at Glenmont Elementary School this entire week, teaching students from Kindergarden all through 5th grade, how to do the "Big Apple" and the "Shim Sham."  We are thrilled that kids so young are getting to learn about Frankie Manning, Lindy Hop and the history behind this important American art form.

Happy New Year! Evita and Nathan sing and dance to "Stomping at the Savoy".

Here I am doing the TWO things that scare me most, yet I love them and seem to continue to pursue both.  Hope you enjoy.  This song is called "Stomping at the Savoy" Benny Goodman recording, and the choreography is mainly a Coles and Atkins tap routine.  Nathan added a middle chunk section with more slides and turns.  This performance is from Lindy Focus 2009.  It was our first time to do this number in front of an audience.  Hopefully I will get more opportunities to perform this and work on that furious wing step.

Tap Dancing is the hardest thing I have ever performed, well that and singing.

Both require audible expressions of the "SELF".  I never thought of myself as a particularly eloquent speaker.  Maybe this is why the two art forms scare me so much.  Maybe I'm afraid of what I might say.

Back in December Nathan and I were featured in Time Out NY!

Old-fashioned dates

Grab your steady and hit the town just like they did in the olden days.

By Tory Hoen

Swing dancing and a speakeasy
Get things jumping Jon Favreau–style with a private swing dancing lesson from one of the pros at Dance Manhattan Studios (39 W 19th St between Fifth and Sixth Aves, fifth fl; 212-807-0802,dance-manhattan.com; $80 per couple). Over the course of an hour, you’ll learn the fast-paced footwork of the Lindy Hop, which had its beginnings in 1930s Harlem (represent!).
Read more:http://newyork.timeout.com/articles/sex-dating/81060/old-fashioned-dates#ixzz0bbc5OhdT

Read more:http://newyork.timeout.com/articles/sex-dating/81060/old-fashioned-dates#ixzz0bbbyXXOQ

The New York Swing Dance Society
Nathan and I perform our very popular routine
"That's How Rhythm Was Born"

Filming for iDance

Just so everyone is aware, today is 01/02/2010!!!

I am here in Asheville, NC filming for iDance with the rest of The Killer Dillers!! Look for our newest videos in about a week!