Mixin’ it up!

At the B’More Dance Mixer, that is!  The Collective is honored to be a part of this awesome event hosted by Theatre Project (45 West Preston St.)  next Wednesday, November 16.  Several other local companies are also participating in this event including Deep Vision Dance Company, Dance & Bmore,  VTDance, Full Circle Dance Company, withart.dance.projects, and Effervescent Collective.  The performance begins at 7:00 but please join the artists for cocktails beginning at 6:30.  Following each piece presented in this  FREE concert…yes, I said FREE!… the audience is invited to provide feedback and/or ask questions of the dancers/ choreographers.

Now, I did mention that this is a FREE performance, but please make reservations ahead of time by clicking on the link below which will take you to Theatre Project’s website:

http://www.theatreproject.org/Shows/B%27moreDance:AnAutumnMixer/

or call 410.752.8558

If a FREE show is not enough, how about a FREE DRINK?!  Yep, you got it… every attendee will also receive a complimentary drink ticket.  So, what are you waiting for?  Clear your calendar,  make the call, click the link, call a friend or two and bring them along!

I can’t end this post without posting a photo from The Collective in rehearsal.  We will be presenting Growl choreographed by the fabulous and creative Nathan Andary. Below the dancers listen as Nathan directs them through the rehearsal process.

See you there!

 

It’s almost here and it’s BIG

My last post (forever ago) mentioned our show with BIG- Baltimore Improv Group- and guess what?!  It’s this Friday- October 28th at 8pm and it’s FREE at the Baltimore Museum of Art.  While it seems that all advanced reservations may have been claimed, there are usually seats available – come early and we’ll do our best to get you a seat!

http://www.bigimprov.org/FreeFall2011

 

WHOA…it’s been a while!

I haven’t written in a while here but I’m feeling compelled to tell you that something BIG is in the works! That’s right.  Rehearsals have begun for the Free Fall Baltimore show featuring The Collective along with Baltimore Improv Group.  What more could you ask for than dance, comedy improv and and lots of laughs! Oh yeah, it’s FREE!!!

http://www.bigimprov.org/FreeFall2011

It’s here…

And it’s aLIVE!  I know this post is a little late in the day but there is still time to make plans for tonight! Instead of sitting home wondering what Irene is bringing us this weekend, get out and have some fun tonight!  Dress rehearsal was phenomenal-  live music from The Water, DJ Relax and of course, the always fabulous dancers from The Collective!  Please join us at Creative Alliance tonight at 8 and see for yourself!

Check out our press:

http://weekly.citypaper.com/Events/e144109/The_Collective_aLIVE#.Tk0yAjsivi8.facebook

http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/top-lists/baltimore%E2%80%99s-best-dance-events-and-performances/

http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/bthesite/bal-likedislike-melissa-talleda-dancer-and-teacher-20110823,0,6973465.story

Sarah Joy and Camille

Cait and Lynne during dress rehearsal at the Creative Alliance

Sarah Anne and Adriana

Jessica

See you at  Creative Alliance tonight at 8pm!

creativealliance.org

It’s aLIVE!

photo credit: Matt Roth

In just one week The Collective joins forces with DJ Relax and The Water for a truly incredible, wonderfully collaborative, music and dance experience!  Check out the shout out from CBS!  http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/top-lists/baltimore%E2%80%99s-best-dance-events-and-performances/

Please join us at The Creative Alliance- an awesome venue for performances and fun! Get your tickets NOW- space is limited! http://www.creativealliance.org/

While my photos can’t compare to those of Matt Roth, I thought I’d share some anyway!

See you next Friday, August 26th at 8pm!

Emily

“We need some flying bodies, yo!”

These EXACT words were spoken in rehearsal a few weeks ago by none other than The Collective’s own Lauren Withhart (you may remember the awesome video she shared with us!)  Well, if there’s one thing I can guarantee, Lauren, along with Cait, Lynne and Melisa have  included much more than flying bodies in our upcoming show, aLIVE!    Working collaboratively with musicians, The Water, as well DJ Relax, our four fearless directors have created much more than a dance performance- it’s an immersion experience not to be missed!  This is a one night only event where you, the audience, are a part of the fun- live music and dancing- what more can you ask for?  A drink?  Done!   While I am actually not part of the choreographed performance this time around, I will be there watching, listening, and yes, probably dancing…won’t you join me?

Please join us at Creative Alliance on Friday, August 26th at 8pm.

Tickets are available by calling Creative Alliance at 410.276.1651 or online at www.creativealliance.org.

$15/adults
$12/students, seniors, and CA members

Stay tuned for more updates!

Emily

Cait, talking things over with DJ Relax

photo credit: Lauren Withhart

Introducing Richele!

Richele is one of the newest members of The Collective family.  She joined us as an apprentice in June and we are so happy to have her.  Please read on to find out her many nicknames and a whole lot more!!

Name: Richele Henry

Nicknames past and present: Shell, Shell Bell, Richele my Belle, Sweet Pea, Ms. Sugar and Sugar Momma

Zodiac sign: Leo

Hometown: Hammond, IN (30 miles SE of downtown Chicago)

College (s) attended/ major: Arizona State University, BFA in Dance Education 2002

Currently residing in: Baltimore City (Hamilton hood)

Day job: Co-Director of Baltimore Health Coach. I support women to break free from sugar cravings and emotional eating. I love my work!

Favorite Food: Avocado

Lucky number: 15

*In six words or less, why do you dance? Physical, mental, emotional, spiritual well-being.

*When I’m not dancing, I like to cook delicious meals, snuggle with my sweetie, write in my journal, get massages, mid-day naps and other forms of juicy self-care.

*If dancing were not an option, my creative outlet would be writing. I’m cultivating that art/skill right now.

* I never thought I would live in Baltimore! My heart led me here and I’m glad I chose to follow.

*My biggest pet peeve is wet socks. I know that’s weird, but to me there’s nothing as uncomfortable or annoying.

*The hardest, scariest (and best) thing I have ever done is leave my job, my family, my home and my relationship to completely start my life over again. Leaping into the unknown is terrifying and liberating.

*8 people I would like to have over for dinner (dead or alive) are:

Ghandi

Oprah

Louise Hay

Napoleon Hill

David Wolfe

Isadora Duncan

Robert Randolph

Eben Pagan

*My favorite place to be creative is the kitchen. I love letting my intuitive cook come out and play.  Today I made a healthy version of “cookie dough,” yum!

*Pre-performance rituals? I always have to pee right before I go on! Deep breathing and connecting with myself along with a Bebe Miller warm-up that I have to do to get centered and grounded.

*Superstitions?  Not so much a superstition, more of a philosophy. I believe we get what we think about. I know how powerful this principle is…last week I asked for a “break” and I broke my big toe! Next time I will be more specific what I ask for J

Thanks for reading!  This may be the last of the dancer introductions until the rest of my favorite dancers send me their responses! I’m totally open to hearing YOUR ideas for future postings!

Til next time!

Emily

We are… Adriana!

Happy Monday everyone!  I’m starting off the week with Adriana- read on!

Name: Adriana Saldaña

Zodiac sign: Aries

Hometown: Brookline, Massachusetts

College (s) attended/ major: Goucher College / Dance & Psychology, concentration in Dance Therapy

Currently residing in:  Mt. Washington

Day job: Yoga Instructor

Favorite Food:  Smoothies

Lucky number:  don’t have one

*In six words or less, why do you dance?  To find unity between mind and body.

*When I’m not dancing, I like to practice yoga and play with my dog.

*If dancing were not an option, I would be a yoga instructor.

* I never thought I would eat escargo, I was tricked into it.

*My biggest pet peeve is when people drive on my tail.

*The hardest thing I have ever done was to drive from Cincinnati to Boston in one go, only stopping for gas.

*8 people I would like to have over for dinner (dead or alive) are:

The Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso

Mahatma Ghandi

My abuelo, Lino Saldaña

The Buddha

Deborah Colker

Milan Kundera

Thich Nhat Hanh

Jane Goodall

*My favorite place to be creative is on my yoga mat.

*My favorite place to not be creative is on my couch.

*Pre-performance rituals? Don’t got none

*Superstitions?  Please elaborate, if you wish.  Superstition ain’t the way. (Thank you, Stevie Wonder)

In response to Jess’s travel Q: If I could go anywhere I would go to: Madagascar, South Africa, Tanzania, Ghana, Argentina, Peru, back to Brazil, Thailand, Indonesia, shoot…. I just wouldn’t stand still.  Who wants to sponsor my world wide tour???

 

Thanks for reading!

Emily

Getting to know Adrienne…make sure you say “thank you.”

I have to say that, so far, Adrienne has provided some of the more detailed and interesting answers to my questions!  Read on!

Name:  Adrienne Kraus Latanishen

Zodiac sign:  Aquarius (the water carrier, and the independent); Birthday:  February 9th

Hometown:  Dundalk (but I usually just say Baltimore, so you’re lucky I’ve chosen to be honest)

College (s) attended/ major:  Goucher College, The Community College of Baltimore County, The University of Maryland, College Park…GO TERPS!  (Dance Major, except for ONE day at Goucher when I was a Women’s Studies Major)

Currently residing in:  Dundalk; all my freaking life…so far.

Day job:  Dancer, Choreographer, Instructor (no real “day job”)

Favorite Food:  Pancakes with lots of butter, no syrup, and a tall glass of milk

Lucky number:  9

 

*In six words or less, why do you dance?

Happiness, Sanity, Beauty, Fitness, Expression, LOVE

 

*When I’m not dancing, I like to shop, shop online, garden, and fix things around the house (I love getting the tools and paint out).

 

*If dancing were not an option, I would be a personal shopper , decorator, or handywoman.

 

* I never thought I would… find my soul mate, actually finish school, become a professional dancer; really have this life, period.  So happy that this is what I got!

 

*My biggest pet peeve is when you hold the door for someone and they don’t have the courtesy to say “thank you”.  I always turn and shout “YOU’RE WELCOME!”

 

*The hardest thing I have ever done…Leaving school and then starting back up was incredibly hard for me.  But I think the hardest was just deciding that I did want to dance; let alone going to school for dance and pursuing it as a career.  It was very scary because I was convinced that it would never happen for me.  I had heard “no” so many times and never anything helpful from those “no people.”  Older and wiser now, I refuse to let the negative things that people say effect me ever again.  All those naysayers can bite me!  I did it…BOO YAH!

 

*8 people I would like to have over for dinner (dead or alive) are:  My husband, Paul, and probably friends and family that have passed on…my brother, Chris; my mother-in-law, Lea (I never got to meet her); and my cousin/best friend, Ben.  I should probably invite my Mom (Rose), father-in-law (Tim), and aunt (Aunt Donna) or else they might be pretty pissed for having their loved ones back from the afterlife and not inviting them!  And I’d invite my niece, Luca.

 

*My favorite place to be creative is…driving in the car, in the shower, and anywhere there’s a reflection.

 

*My favorite place to not be creative is…Hmmmm, hard question…I would say the kitchen because until recently I couldn’t cook to save my life, but I dance and choreograph in my kitchen a lot.  I guess I don’t have a place to not be creative.

 

*Pre-performance rituals?

I take out my lucky charms which includes jewelry given to me by loved ones that have passed on, charms given to me by loved ones that are somehow dance related, a New York City subway token, and a 5-leaf clover that I’ve laminated.  I hold these things and say a little prayer with each for luck.  I offer the subway token and clover to the other dancers for luck as well.  Usually sit-ups or push-ups or something “exercisey” is a part of my ritual too.

 

*Superstitions?  Please elaborate, if you wish.

Please read above.  Very superstitious.  I will also listen to the radio on the way to a performance (or something else important) and do something I refer to as “radio divinity”.  This means that the first song I hear will tell me how the performance will go.  Oh, and when driving through yellow lights in my car, I kiss my hand and hit the roof for luck (double kiss and hit for red lights).

 

*What do you wish I had asked? Feel free to write it here and answer it!

It’s always fun to know peoples’ guilty pleasures…Mine are internet shopping (even though I already said it…trust me, I do it too much), Belgium waffles topped with chocolate ice cream, champagne, the Shopaholic Series of books, Jacqueline Susann novels (à la Valley of the Dolls), 1980′s pop music, MUSICALS/BROADWAY, and HG and DIY TV.

Thanks Adrienne and thank you readers!

I’ll be in NYC for a few days- posts will resume Monday!

Emily

All about Camille!

Camille is the 10th dancer we are highlighting in our blog post and we still have more to go!  Hard to believe that when I started with The Collective in 2002, there were only 4 of us! We’re still here and still going strong!

Name: Camille Lattimore
Zodiac sign: Taurus
Hometown: Bronx, NY
College (s) attended/ major: Winston-Salem State University/Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Psychology, University o North Carolina at Greensboro/Dance
Currently residing in: Halethorpe, MD
Day job: Dance Teacher & a Baker
Favorite Food: Vegan Mac & Cheese
Lucky number: 27

*In six words or less, why do you dance? Because it gives me life!

*When I’m not dancing, I like to hang out with my family.

*If dancing were not an option, I would be a Middle School Teacher.

* I never thought I would be a vegan baker.

*My biggest pet peeve are unorganized people & people who complain a lot.

*The hardest thing I have ever done was move away from home.

*8 people I would like to have over for dinner (dead or alive) are: Debbie Allen, Oprah, Judith Jamison, Betty White, Ghandi, Nelson Mandela, Michelle Obama, & my Great Grandparents

*My favorite place to be creative is in my living room.

*My favorite place to not be creative is at home.

*Pre-performance rituals? I like to walk around the theater & give myself a pep talk

*Superstitions?  Please elaborate, if you wish. None

Thanks for reading!

Emily