One Virtual Participant's Journey with Skimming the Surface

"Skimming The Surface", Expressive Movement workshops led by Dance Entropy’s Artistic Director Valerie Green, have continued to thrive during Covid lock down and ongoing as this interactive program was instantly made virtual in March. The program has been offered for free to participants, and made possible by generous support of NYC Dept. of Cultural Affairs and The New York Community Trust- NYC COVID-19 Response and Impact Fund. This virtual workshop created a safe container to tune into one’s emotions while releasing and processing feelings through movement, in a supported space of community.

We recently asked one of our ongoing virtual participants, Misa Kelly, to expound upon her experience with this workshop:

Misa’s Hawaiian ancestral in flow name is Dylan Iolani Wahinialoha Pu'u, which inspired her art created from the workshop.

‘ In my journey of tending a trauma-related medical condition, I’ve worked with a lot of different healers and tried a lot of different modalities, and I have observed things come to us when we are ready. Given that I’ve known Valerie on a professional level, as a dance maker, and organizer, somehow, I never would I have guessed that Valerie would enter my life as a healing facilitator at such a pivotal time in my life.  My professional work as a multi-modal maker, and my healing work was entirely separate in terms of human relationship, and although Valerie and I had discussed respective healing journeys, it was a delightful surprise to discover our relationship was shifting, with me discovering myself in the care of her healer process.

Valerie’s framework, of tending a “global trauma”, through this work is some of the most important type of work occurring at this time, and of course, a creative visionary such as Valerie would have the heart and intention to tend this wound with the depth and breadth of integrity that she does.

The times we are living in, in my view, challenge stability on a personal, communal, and global level.  Entering into Valerie’s process through her Therapeutic Expressive Movement workshops have been a golden elixir in the continuum of not only growing in these challenging times but also, the nuts and bolts of maintaining stability when one continues to cope with a health condition (PTSD.) Valerie’s zoom workshops have been for me an anchor firmly attached to the collective unconscious ocean floor that has served to stabilize my body as a boat within these turbulent waters.

In these Zoom sessions, one is met with clear objectives, boundaries, and the creation of the critical ingredient for healing—safety.  What I have observed, is that each workshop has helped me to shift something within and to process on both a personal level and a community level: COVID19, #blacklivesmatter, political insanity, economic turbulence, and my own PTSD triggers, such as depression that comes each year with my birthday.

What I especially appreciate about these workshops is the depth and breadth of knowledge by Valerie offered to the community. Not only her decades of experience as a teacher, but her personal lived experience, and her own healing journey with an awareness of the impact of trauma on one’s life, and the tools and resources that can promote balance and well-being. Her investment in educating herself beyond dance alone into training in a tandem healing modality, bring this to the space, with her generosity of heart, her curiosity, her zeal for excellence, her genuine care, it is a no brainer that something miraculous and wonderful is there for the participant willing to enter into the workshop flow.

Each workshop is different, with a few tools that might be revisited, but it is as if somehow, as the healer that she is, she senses within the community’s collective sub-text, what it is that we need to process and be a part of this exciting opportunity to manifest something beautiful from the throes of chaos and change.

I love the multi-modal aspect of the offering, how we not only move and use our bodies in a way accessible to dancers and non-dancers alike, but the opportunity to share in form of our personal stories and reflections about our experiences, journaling, and in our last session, incorporating expression through drawing in a workshop where we danced our self-portrait.

Following is a poem that emerged from one of our writing reflections:

“I swim in the swift rivers of my blood, the viscera swirl in turquoise light with tinges of rose madder and burnt umber bringing to the surface the froth that seeks to be scooped up and tended.

Come hold my hand little one and nestle in my heart for but a moment and let the body feel the wonderful expanse of play from horizon to horizon. Together our eyes ride in the tail of the comet as the golden honu comes to us. We ride on its back to paradise and back, in the swirl of the goodness of moving.

I invite you to ride in this story and to rest, and dream, and sleep.
Find safety and deeper release in your dreams.
You’ve worked so hard.
Now it is time for joy.
Be in your radiance.
Be in your core.
You are of value.”

— Misa Miele Mandigo Kelly (Instagram@freerangemaker)

“The Golden Honu (turtle)” -Misa Kelly

Dance Entropy Wrapped up its '1st' Virtual Summer Intensive!

On July 13-17, Dance Entropy held its 12th annual Summer Intensive, and for the first time, it was held virtually. This new container for space was a great success for the 13 students, and 6 teachers that were in attendance. 

Valerie Green led the morning class, “Enter the Body: Choreography Class to Create Outside the Box”. This workshop was designed to share valuable creative movement exercises and tools that stimulate the mind and body to improvise and generate new ideas. This opportunity was made to dive deeply into one’s physical and emotional body to explore and create in a nurturing environment. As the students worked in a virtual container from home, they also investigated their bodies in response to their physical environment, and were guided to break old habits, find new pathways and discover their own movement conceptions. The students who participated were asked about their goals made upon signing up for this class, here are some:

Drawing Exercise for “Enter the Body: Choreography Class to Create Outside the Box”

“Throughout this process I found that I did grow to become more confident in creating. I sometimes fear when entering the creative process, and I think this is because I overthink and get stuck in my head. Practicing the exercises given during this intensive allowed me to get out of my head and flow in the moment.”

“My goal was to explore more creativity through different choreographers. I achieved my goal. The study I liked the most is the one where we choreographed through paintings.” 

“My original goals were to become more confident and freeing in my movement...I was prompted to take risks and move outside of constantly thinking before I do movement. This was both liberating and very uncomfortable, which is a great thing. Without sticking to the box of 5-6-7-8 dance/movement, I was allowed to let my body lead my mind as opposed to overthinking and limiting myself to always letting my mind lead. My favorite prompt was the one lead by sensations, which is something that we often leave up to the choreographer, and not the other way around. I also loved the drawing dancing, it was a big release. It was a freeing experience.” 

“In this time, I am reevaluating who I share space with, and how I feel seen, heard, and represented, especially recently spending so much time in a predominantly white, contemporary and ballet based space. I really appreciate being with a diverse group.”

“Thanks for warming me to dance as a serious study--my deep and fluent analytic self has overdefined me in the past, especially as others have seen me.” 

HIP-HOP/STREET STYLES

This summer dance intensive also had an afternoon portion for Hip Hop/Street Styles, the first time offered in the summer intensive, taught by Dance Entropy Teaching artists. These upbeat classes specialized in various styles such as commercial hip-hop, house, afro beat, funk and house. Originating in New York in the 1970s, hip-hop’s energetic and expressive movements have had a global impact on dance and popular culture. We’d like to share with you some of the student reactions:

“The Hip Hop/Jazz classes have been the highlight of my week, and a nice balance to keeping me motivated. Thank you so much for this experience. I felt super prepared after my first intensive, and realized I had so much more knowledge than many of my peers. This time enhanced my growth.”

“My goal was to experience more quality movement, and to have confidence in black cultural dances. Being black, I don’t really have confidence...now through my experience, it made a difference, and I feel more confident.” 

Wrapping up a wonderful Hip Hop session

“I enjoyed all of the classes and experiences, I absolutely loved each of the facilitators, their energy, the challenge of having to work fast, and I especially appreciated their in-depth knowledge of the dances they are doing, which is most important to me.”

“I felt like we were able to make mistakes and not feel ridiculed, but instead, encouraged. It’s a part of the learning process.” 

“Loved all the different styles--I think this should be a staple in the intensive.”

And that’s a wrap for Dance Entropy/Green Space’s first virtual intensive! We could not be more pleased to continue offering this valuable annual programming during this challenging time.

Board of Directors Profile: Lamel Adkins

Adkins with his family.

In the Fall of 2019, Dance Entropy was excited to welcome Lamel Adkins to the board. Adkins is a licensed attorney in the state of New York. He currently serves as a Law Clerk at NBCUniversal where he supports NBC News Group and CNBC Prime. Adkins was recently asked to speak on his experiences thus far in working with Dance Entropy:

“I am new to Dance Entropy, but already, I can tell that Valerie is truly living her passion. I had the pleasure of going to the studio in Long Island City, where I met some of the dancers, toured the beautiful space and most importantly, saw a show. All of this took place, pre-Covid. Since then, I have seen Valerie make decisions with her dancers, and all of the demographics she serves, in mind. I have had the privilege of being part of some of those discussions and the strategizing involved. So far, it is clear that Dance Entropy is Valerie's baby. She loves it and will do everything in her power to keep her programming efforts strong and bolster the brand of Dance Entropy. 

I have been particularly impressed with Valerie's response to recent injustices, namely the death of George Floyd. She was quick to send correspondence showing her support to Black Lives Matter. One of the reasons I decided to join the board was Valerie's commitment to helping under-served and under-resourced communities. I have a background in doing the same. Not only has Valerie posted messages showing Dance Entropy's solidarity in this time, but she now has given space and a voice to male and female artists of color. They are actively involved in the programming at Dance Entropy. Being so new, this action from Valerie, has made me trust her, and feel good about serving in the capacity that I do. I feel like my voice matters here. I am excited about my future with the company. I am also excited to see how Valerie will continue to use dance as a way to bring people together, and start meaningful and necessary conversations.” 

Dance Entropy Wraps Up Another Wonderful SU-CASA Season

Artistic Director, Valerie Green and Dance Entropy recently presented free virtual performance recordings as the culmination of their SU-CASA residency. SU-CASA is an expanded creative aging program for older New Yorkers from the New York City Council, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs and the NYC Department. for the Aging. 

This community arts engagement program places artists and organizations in residence at senior centers across the five boroughs of New York City. The program, funded by the New York City Council, provides grants to artists and organizations for the creation and delivery of arts programming for seniors. Teaching artists have the opportunity to engage participating seniors in an art project or series of cultural programs over the course of the residency, which will also include a public program component – an exhibit, reading, performance, open house or other cultural interaction open to the surrounding community. The program supports a total 255 residencies for individuals and organizations at senior centers across the City's 51 Council districts.

Dance Entropy and its teaching artists have been leading onsite and virtual movement workshops, and free performances with seniors across Queens. This year they wrapped up a wonderful season with Forest Hills & Rego Park Neighborhood Senior Centers & Hanac Ravenswood Senior Citizen Center.   All three centers are seen in the featured videos below with their final recorded projects. 

“Exercising with Valerie is wonderful. enjoyable, groovy, and positive.”

— Joyce , Class Participant

““I have been working with Dance Entropy and Ms. Green for the last 4 years and they are exceptional dancers.
This year’s collaboration brought in dancers to our center for Zumba, as well as giving classes virtually during Covid and our seniors love it. The seniors participated in a final video project and it was extraordinary. I am looking forward to working with them again next year.””

— Shahenaz Hamde, Program Director, HANAC Ravenswood Senior Center

Out With the Old, In With the New: Teaching From Home

100 days have passed for New York City since the mandated order to stay at home was put in place. 100 days for almost 10 million people to learn how to turn their constantly moving lives into a still form of quiet. Many found themselves feeling disconnected, hiding behind a screen while connecting with the world outside who also found themselves behind a screen. This time created a dismantling of “normal life,” and an opportunity for people to innovate routine. 

For Dance Entropy and Green Space, they quickly decided to seek ways to reach those that are feeling stuck in their homes and stagnant, that are longing for normalcy, and community. Dance Entropy continued its programming with the Department of Education through virtual classes made accessible to those who once benefited from the classroom setting. DE teachers who once went on sight, now, were being asked to teach remotely. DE recently asked two of their teaching artists about their experiences while teaching from home.

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Fanny Lou Hamer Freedom High School

“The Covid-19 pandemic has had a substantial impact across the world. Perspectives shifted as a result of the lockdown and social distancing.  Dance Entropy’s virtual space helped to create movement and dialogue between teachers and students, while supporting our dance community through this time of isolation. I taught three times a week for Fannie Lou Hammer Freedom High School through Zoom. It was important for me to give the opportunity to students to keep moving while stuck at home, and to keep sharing creativity together. It took me some time to get used to this “new normal”. Being separated by a screen, I had to figure out how to build the energy of the class, how to handle Zoom’s limitation or sometimes the students not wanting to be visible on screen. However, it was a great experience. “Dancing alone together” definitely helped the students and myself during this quarantine.” 

-Manon Bal, Dance Entropy Teaching Artist

"Just want to thank you for your support of Fannie Lou students over the very difficult past months. Having a space for joyous movement was a bright spot for many of our students."

-Nathan Larsen, Assistant Principal, Fanny Lou Hamer Freedom High School

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The Young Women’s Leadership of Brooklyn

“I had the opportunity to teach a residency for Hip hop at Young Women Leadership School for 6 weeks, twice a week. I was happy to be able to bring some movement, distraction, and fun to young women while going through a difficult time with the stay-at-home mandate, due to the quarantine. I feel it’s important for teenagers to keep physical activity and take breaks from all the restrictions. As a teacher, it was challenging to teach an online class, and I had to find a new way to engage the students with the same level of connection one has teaching face-to-face. In person it is much easier for both the teacher and the student, you can feed on the student’s energy and adapt more quickly to the needs of the classroom, while they can absorb your energy and lessons a lot faster. It was also a completely different experience to sometimes teach in front of a black screen where you can’t see your student—how they are doing or how they are reacting. Often times, students didn’t communicate verbally. It pushed me to have a much more dynamic and fast-paced class to compensate for the distance between computer screens. 

At the same time it was very gratifying to see the consistency of the majority of students, following the class with exuberant energy, which inspired me to always bring something new and exciting to peak their interest and curiosity. Overall, I’m very grateful for this opportunity, I found it a positive learning experience.”

-Miki Tuesday, Dance Entropy Teaching Artist

"Working with Dance Entropy was a fabulous experience! The teachers are knowledgeable, passionate, committed to the art of dance and to inspiring young dancers."

- Carinne Bach-Moran, Teacher, The Young Womens Leadership School of Brooklyn

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Valerie Green in Dance Business Weekly

Valerie Green was recently interviewed by Dance Business Weekly about the history of Green Space/Dance Entropy, and how she’s created a home and creative hub for over 979 choreographers in the past 14 years, and an average of 350 renters each year. The article features her vision and how that vision came to life at Green Space in 2005 when she moved into the space. Valerie has created a “solid home base” for her work that is sustainable for her to reach out to the surrounding community. This would not be made possible if it were not also for community support, state and city funding, as well as, corporate sponsorships. Please check out this article HERE and consider supporting Dance Entropy/Green Space while we remain in this stay-at-home mandate. 

Valerie at Green Space. Photo by Sharon Harsa.

https://dancebusinessweekly.com/a-home-for-dance-in-new-york-citys-fastest-growing-neighborhood/

Safety Dance!

Valerie Green/Dance Entropy just released both Company and Teaching Artists #dancefromhome videos that we would like to share with you. We hope you are well and safe, and we miss all of your lovely faces! This time of social distancing has brought each of us into a compartmentalized way of life, threatening our sense of togetherness. VG/DE has sought to break down those partitioners by extending open arms to the surrounding community. VG/DE has continued to provide Virtual Class Options for ALL age groups, some free, some donation based. VG/DE has also reached out to those around for SUPPORT, to continue to being able to help those in need.

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Virtual Offerings with Valerie Green

Executive Director, Valerie Green Teaching a Virtual Class at Green Space.

Valerie Green was recently asked by the Queens Chronicle, on her thoughts of the significance of Dance Entropy/Green Space’s Virtual Class options during this global pandemic. Here is her perspective on why these virtual options are so necessary to our community right now:

Our city has evolved rapidly from an “in your face” mentality to a strange time of socially distancing. Dance Entropy and Green Space have sadly missed daily encounters with our dancers, choreographers and the outreach communities we serve. We quickly decided to create a diverse, virtual space to embrace and support our community during this mandated time of separation.

Where everything seems to be out of our control, we aimed to create a nurturing virtual container for physical and emotional expression in a safe and calm environment. Our offerings center around bringing people together first and foremost, creating an outlet for those needing a firm grounding or surety in themselves—when all is spinning around them, they can find peace from within—and providing an opportunity for movement. While society seems to be stagnant and on hold, we want those around us who are feeling stuck in their homes to have an opportunity of physical activity for people of all ages—kids, seniors, and everyone that can benefit from these classes.

Photo by Stephen Delas Heras

At the same time, we are also providing donation-based access to VG/DE's critically acclaimed repertory to watch from home at one's leisure.  Dance Entropy stands strong alongside our community to serve and survive the course of the pandemic and for years to come.  For more information on our class and performance opportunities please visit our website,  HERE! For the Queens Chronicle Article follow, HERE!

Reflections on This Pandemic from Company Dancer: Jonathan Matthews

At this time in Dance Entropy’s 2020 calendar, I and my fellow company dancers would have been very busy at work, preparing for a (thankfully rescheduled) performance with Pioneers Go East Collective at Judson Church after having just finishing an (unfortunately canceled) run of Valerie’s Young Audience Program – this year a whopping six shows: five for schools visiting Green Space, and one offsite at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center.

Jonathan Matthews performing in “Titanic” at Flushing Town Hall.

I have to confess, these gigs are my favorite.

I love having an annual vehicle (read: “The Young Audiences Program”), through which I can consistently explore and engage with the richness of Queens’ overwhelmingly diverse neighborhoods, and, in doing so, come into contact with folks I find to be the worthiest witnesses of dance – run of the mill people (or, as run of the mill as anybody in New York City could ever be).

Now, there are reports estimating that Queens might be the epicenter of New York’s battle with COVID-19, citing the confluence of City employees who live throughout the borough traveling back and forth for their unquestionably essential work. Still, things are changing everyday.

I’m realizing that perhaps the broadest possible takeaway of this pandemic is how much it has sped up the rate of change itself – a phenomenon for which many often have little patience.

There is just no (sensibly) denying it. Things are happening, and quickly.

We can no longer rest on our assumptions when, for perhaps the first time in recent history, all walks of life are being faced with what can feel like brand new parameters of reality every day.

And I find that to be absolutely thrilling.

I recall, back in mid-March, checking in with a few fellow company dancers on our assorted feelings on rehearsing as the first modification of reality was simultaneously beginning to set in. I admittedly tend to be a bit reckless, and, before understanding the full ethical scope of social distancing, was ready to dive into rehearsal without a second thought – perhaps even with a bit of newfound pride in my relatively good health.

The Young Audiences Program

Thankfully, school closures catalyzed making the ultimate call for all of us.

This, in a strange way, is a very real exercise of community, one that we can look towards as we continue learning how to be together when apart. We need these sorts of cues, from areas of life with which we are not as regularly involved, to help steer us along the right paths – particularly artists, so conditioned to keep trudging along through discomfort, often at their own expense. How convenient it is, then, that we are now living in a time in which our own expense and the expense of others have never been closer to being synonymous!

Or, rather, we simply haven’t realized it until now.

I’m proud of how not-that-long it has taken for gig workers (myself included) to, with great inventiveness, come to terms with not putting public health at further risk because rent has to be paid, and I am reveling in how quickly the curtain obscuring the inconsistent and inequitable foibles of our systems has been pulled back for all to gawk at.

“Impermanent Landscape” at Hunter’s Point Park Conservancy.

 Participation in these observances will help us return to each other sooner than we otherwise would, and, perhaps, will allow us to go about said returning with a more indomitable sense of our humanity, one which we can be incubated while practicing social distancing.   

I think back to a string of performances of Valerie’s Impermanent Landscape I had the pleasure to dance between 2016 and 2018. Mounting the full expression of the work at St. Mark’s Church in June 2017 was one thing, but, again, just as with the more community-oriented performances Dance Entropy puts on every year for its Young Audiences, I never tired of / was all the more activated by our taking the work into nontraditional spaces – galleries, gardens, public parks – and figuring out how to make it work in each time and space, anew. 

Spoiler alert – you do not simply re-stage the piece as you may have spent two years tirelessly crafting for the theatre; you must be constantly and compassionately open to radical change, guided by a deep trust in your material’s ability to continue to speak for itself within infinitely available modified packagings.

As such, let us all use this time to similarly cultivate alternate versions and presentations of our various selves, so as to be surprised by and become all the more enamored with the material which constitutes our very beings. 

Many of us choosing to take or offer classes online are already doing so, figuring out how to be a physical self in a domestic space. But there is so much more to be done. Who put up all these barriers in the first place? Let’s keep breaking them! My hope is that, whenever it is decreed, we can all return to that idea of our own “full expression,” however, resuming it rearranged, with the utmost confidence in continuing to rearrange.  

Photo credits: Alex Lopez and Stephen Delas Heras

Board of Directors Profile: Sharon Harsa

We spoke with Sharon to learn more about her role and experience with the organization:

“Over the years I have seen the organization grow exponentially since its inception from a small company expanding in extraordinary ways to support dancers, choreographers and the local community and now by further engaging and collaborating with dancers and choreographers across the globe.  Over the years, Valerie has developed extensive outreach programs in the community, supporting people of all ages through education, residencies and other specialized programs.  Being able to support this development over the years has been a true joy. 

Dance Entropy is on the verge of a new and exciting era.  The organization's reach is expanding through global collaborations and performances.  Additionally, they are developing more programs to share their knowledge with NYC school children and at universities across America.  There is significant growth on the horizon and I am looking forward to seeing the development of the organization.

 As President of the Board of Directors of Dance Entropy, Inc., I urge you to share your support of this phenomenal organization during this challenging time.”

Please visit our support page to make a donation today!

Board member Sharon Harsa met Dance Entropy's Artistic Director Valerie Green, during their high school years in Ohio, through their shared love of dance.  After attending college, they were reunited in NYC.  Since that time Sharon has been a continued admirer and supporter of the organization with her involvement spanning over 20 years. 

Sharon has been a Dance Entropy board member since 2006.  She resides in NYC where she and her husband are raising three young children.  She is currently the CFO of Assembled Brands and has spent most of her business career in the fashion and beauty industries.  Additionally, dance is still a part of her everyday life as she continues to dance and performs regularly with multiple companies in the tri-state area.

“Castle Stories”

Malmo, Sweden

Dance Entropy Welcomes New Company Manager

Sarai currently resides in Brooklyn, New York where she is a freelance event production and operations manager, musician, an award-winning photographer, and music teacher. Sarai has a passion for the performing arts and a desire to instill that passion to those around her. When it comes to the arts, her hope is to organize chaos while aiding those around her who are pursuing their own artistic endeavors. This was a decision Sarai made very early on in her musical career, while she will always be a creative artist, first and foremost, her mission is to help those around her.

Sarai thrives in an artistic environment and is consistently seeking to grow and broaden her experience. She has extensive experience working in higher education, non-profit, corporate and small businesses. Sarai is both versatile and innovative as she ventures in each new experience. She has administratively worked with organizations such as The Juilliard School, ABC, Universal Studios, New York Philharmonic, American Ballet Theatre, Lincoln Center, Opera America, American Composers Orchestra, Hunter College, and Stetson University.

At the early age of 7, Sarai began learning piano and ballet, where she continued over the years to grow in her studies before bringing her musical pursuits to the forefront. Her successful artistic work led her to Stetson University where she received her Bachelor’s in Music, and then to Hunter College, with her Master’s in Music Composition. Sarai’s love for dance always tried to float near the surface of her pursuits. While at Hunter she was able to bring to life a choreographer and composer project she created, which married both the movement of the musician and dancer alike in a piece entitled “Synergisms for Five Violins”. The piece was designed to explore how small parts can cohesively unite to create synergies as a whole, demonstrating how people as a collective, are more than the sum of their parts.

Sarai has been collectively teaching music and dance for over 20 years. Her desire has always been to connect with her community. Similar to Dance Entropy’s mission, she wants to nurture these connections through creativity and education. Sarai has a heart for empowering the underserved communities, and has continued to serve dance companies in the NYC area with their artistic pursuits through her administrative aid. She is excited to join Valerie Green/Dance Entropy and hopes to infuse her passion for the power of artistic creativity to the community around her. She hopes to make the VG/DE community her own.

(c) StudioSM

Dance Entropy At Flushing Town Hall

Flushing Town Hall will present the third phase of “HOME,” an international collaboration between Valerie Green/Dance Entropy and choreographers from diverse countries. This particular performance will feature a global choreographer collaboration between Valerie Green of Dance Entropy and Ashley Lobo. 

“HOME” is an international collaboration with choreographers from Sweden, India, Uganda, Columbia and Lebanon. Green points out how each examines the concept of home from their unique perspective, drawing upon the significance of this concept in their home country, as well as factors including culture, upbringing, economics, politics, and personal identity. “Each choreographer creates a section of this work that will later be mixed together by me,” Greens says, “and integrated into one cohesive evening-length dance that will also reflect my own community and dancers’ perspectives on home,” Each collaboration phase will have the opportunity to show progression before the final performance.

 “HOME” is currently in its third phase, as Dance Entropy works with Ashley Lobo. Ashley points out, “confusion and clarity is the dichotomy that is India.” Everything that is chaos is closely related to a naturally evolving order that is clarity. Ashley draws attention to the chaos by describing “ravaged homes,” and the idea of finding order amidst this disorder. This “natural progression” as Ashley calls it, “brings a realization—a synergy that exists and defines nature, social structure and our own minds.” For Ashley, “HOME” could be identity, how each one struggles to assert their own understanding, or language, what evolves from this struggle is a beautiful cacophony of opinion. “This opinion”, as Ashley puts it, “ are many harmonies within a larger disharmony”, or depending on how one looks at it, much dissonance within a larger harmony that all seek one common goal: stillness and home.

“Amid Mystery And Ritual, More Organic Than Elegant, The Work Recalls Aspects Of Many Cultures.”— Julinda Lewis, Richmond Times Dispatch

This live performance will take place on Sunday, February 16, at 1p at Flushing Town Hall. There will be a Q&A discussion following the performance between artists and audience. The performance is FREE and all are welcome to join!

Aviva Geismar: Green Space Advisory Board Member and January Take Root Artist

Aviva Geismar, Green Space Artist Advisory Board Member and this month’s TAKE ROOT artist shares her relationship with Green Space through the years!

Aviva Geismar. Photo by Steven Schreiber

In 2004, I was rehearsing for a performance on Soaking Wet at the West End Theater when Valerie Green told me she was going to be opening a new dance space in Long Island City. Valerie had been managing a studio in Manhattan on Broome Street called Broome Corner Studio, which, like many Manhattan spaces, was being priced out of existence. Valerie was looking for a handful of choreographers who wanted to rent at her new space and was offering a reduced rental rate if we booked a certain number of hours a month. It was time for me to transition out of a small space I had been renting at regularly in the financial district, so I took her up on the opportunity. Other regular renters at the new Green Space were The Treehouse Shakers and Laurie Hockman, and remarkably, over 14 years later, we are all still making dances in this quiet oasis in the Silks Building!

In the earliest days, I remember rehearsing in a cavernous, unfinished space across the hall from what later became Green Space because the landlord had promised Valerie that her studio would be ready by a certain date, and it wasn’t. It was the biggest space I ever rehearsed in and we felt like real pioneers. The first tenants in the building were mostly artists. You would often see people washing their paintbrushes at the giant sink outside the restroom. By now, most of the artists have been replaced by tech companies, designers and rug sellers, but remarkably, Green Space has endured.

As the programs and activities at Green Space have evolved over the years, I’ve been impressed with Valerie’s fortitude and inventiveness. It is extremely challenging to keep an arts organization going and growing in NY at this time, and I can imagine how hard it is to meet the financial burden of maintaining the studio and her company, Dance Entropy, but Valerie has found ways to do it.  The Dance Entropy summer intensive is one such program. I’ve been delighted to send dance majors from Queensborough Community College where I teach to train in the intensive. Valerie creates scholarship opportunities for QCC students, so that several can attend each summer. They always grow so much from the experience.

Drastic Action. Photo by Leo Correa

I’ve been impressed with the performance work Dance Entropy continues to present. Valerie’s choreographic vision keeps developing in moving and engaging ways, and she has cultivated a wonderful group of loyal dancers. Through the studio and the company, Valerie continues to enrich the local community and provide important opportunities for artists. It’s been exciting to see the evolution of Dance Entropy’s community engagement initiatives and the Fertile Ground performance series for works-in-progress as well as the fully produced Take Root performance series.  I’ve been honored to serve on the Green Space artist advisory board for the past two years and to invite a number of wonderful choreographers to perform on Take Root.   

I am delighted to be performing myself on the series for the second time on Jan 24 and 25. My Company, Drastic Action, is sharing a program with the eloquent choreographer and my colleague at QCC, Nicole McClam.

There is so much happening in the world right now that is distressing and distracting, but I still believe in the power of art to create meaning and activate change. The four new and recent dances Drastic Action will be performing

explore multiple survival strategies for this moment of overwhelming national and global tension. In “Pressure/Vapor,” performers boil with extreme anxiety. “Up End” is the first solo I have created for myself since 2001 and is about coping with the unexpected. Desire and repression drive the characters in an excerpt of “Urge,” while the dancers in “The Bind” strain for an elusive sense of true connection. I am so honored to be working with a wonderful group of performer/collaborators, Randy Burd, Jenni Hong, Mengying Lin and Kendra J. Ross. Original music is by my long-time collaborator, Annabelle Chvostek, and additional music is by Jonah Parzen-Johnson and Laura Sheeran. Costumes design is by Daye Hwang and Mandarin Wu.

Nicole Y. McClam will be dancing her half hour solo, It's All Good Hair, which she began creating when she lived in the homogeneous and predominately white towns of Lubbock, Texas and Potsdam, New York. The dance is a conversation between a black woman and her hair, examining how black women are socialized to value Eurocentric beauty standards. Featuring music by Mariah Carey and Just for Me Hair Care Relaxer and interviews with Imani James, Luisanna Marte Olivo, Andrea Kpelapauee, It’s All Good Hair confronts internalized racism and questions what wisdom the straightening processes erase. The discovery and (re)definition of "good hair" mirrors a black woman's self-discovery.

I am looking forward to sharing this program with audiences at Green Space, and I am so happy to have been involved in the studio in so many ways over the years.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS PROFILE: NAOMI COSMAN

Naomi Cosman

Naomi Cosman shares her professional philosophies and their relation to serving as a board member for Dance Entropy:

I moved to New York right after graduating from college (go Badgers!) and soon after started working in a large corporate company. A few years later I realized my affinity for startups - the thrills, challenges, and all the trials and tribulations that come with growing a business. And so I set off on a quest to build - and help build - companies. I am currently the Founder and Co-Founder of several early-stage companies and am thoroughly enjoying each moment of the growth process.

Because of this newfound passion, I was immediately drawn to Valerie’s drive and inherent desire to motivate others to express themselves through movement. So, naturally I was honored to be asked to join the Dance Entropy Board of Directors and to contribute to Valerie’s laudable mission, focusing on the marketing and branding side of the business.

VG/DE dancers with members of the Rego Park Senior Center.

It is a wonderful feeling being part of an organization that brings motion, creativity, and a sense of empowerment to underserved communities. This feeling reminds me of my favorite quote by the philosopher Aristotle: “Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work”. Being able to fulfill such a powerful mission, it is no wonder the VG|DE team enjoys what they do and that they are able to put on breathtaking performances week after week in cities and countries around the world.

I’m a big believer that people come into your life for a reason. Being a part of VG|DE has given me the opportunity to be an advocate for positive change and I’m looking forward to helping the company continue to succeed in its mission in the months to come.

Naomi joined the Dance Entropy Board in Spring 2018. Although she cannot dance like the Dance Entropy members, she can certainly appreciate the skill and dedication that goes into their work and is honored to be on the Board. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. In her free time, Naomi likes to draw and she’s teaching herself to play the guitar.

Paola López Ramírez on "Home"

From December 1-9, choreographer Sandra Paola López Ramírez was in residence with Dance Entropy to work on the second phase of Valerie Green’s international collaborative “HOME” project. Here, she describes what home means to her:

Home is a feeling, a sense, something deep, visceral. Its definition is so personal yet so easily graspable by many. An experience that can resonate with thousands, yet only one that YOU have. Algo tan ordinario y a su vez, único. Sharing that with others in a short amount of time proved more challenging that I thought. How do you condense a lifetime of cultural experience into one week? It is simple: you can’t.

My understanding of home goes far beyond what a particular step or movement sequence can communicate. It is a vibration, a felt sense that permeates and fills the entire body. The dance can only be a vehicle that points to that experience. So, what could we do? Only to work with what we had. For eight days I offered and received only what was possible to create together. It was all that we could do and all that was important. I didn’t need anything else.

Working with the dancers, Erin, Hana, Kristin and Fumi, was a joyous experience. More than accomplished and competent dance professionals, they are incredibly generous individuals in the creative process. Giving at every moment what they had to offer: their attention, focus, diligence, skill, body, mind and spirit. What a wonderful pallet for any maker to have.

During this intensive rehearsal period I learned that what home means to me can’t be translated to other bodies in a week. But we can get darn close, and we did.  

Dance Entropy Board Member Profile: Jeff Gross

When asked about his work with Dance Entropy, Board Member Jeff Gross responds with enthusiasm for the work:

“Two specific things initially drew me to Dance Entropy:

(1) A mission focused on reaching out to, engaging with, and strengthening communities worldwide through dance creation and education

and

(2) Valerie's passion and energy directed at fulfilling that mission.

I'm proud and excited to say that both have been constant since I joined Dance Entropy as a board member almost three years ago. Whether geographically, exchanging culture and collaborating with local dancers in Greece, Sweden, and Poland, demographically, connecting with students, trauma survivors, and senior citizens, or both, Dance Entropy continuously inspires communities, facilitating growth and the exchange of ideas.

Impermanent Landscape in Times Square. Photo by: Alex Lopez.

And it does so in such a creative and visually moving way. Each unique performance, while beautiful and full of artistry, exhibits a universality that allows each viewer to embrace it in his/her own way, based on individual beliefs and experiences. Whether it's wrestling with the meaning of Utopia, questioning your own perspective within an Impermanent Landscape, or reveling in the connection between music and dance through Hinge, Dance Entropy provides a medium through which we each are able to challenge our preconceptions, while also celebrating what brings us together. Our humanity.”

---

Jeffrey D. Gross has been a director of Dance Entropy since February 2017. He is currently an operational efficiency consultant with Partners in Performance, based out of Brooklyn, NY. From 2011 to 2014, he managed receiving functions for Christie’s North American saleroom in midtown Manhattan. Previously, he held various positions for David Carrie LLC and the Detroit Medical Center. Mr. Gross received a BA in history and art history and an MBA from the University of Michigan, a JD from the University of Wisconsin, and a Master of Letters in art history from the University of Glasgow.

Kind words from June Schwartz

Valerie Green / Dance Entropy is delighted to share this recent feedback from student and long-time supporter June Schwartz!

June Schwartz - Long-time student & supporter galore!

For the past decade, June Schwartz has been a long-time friend of Dance Entropy. Here she tells her story:

 “I have known Valerie Green since 2009 and have been an active and enthusiastic supporter of the events and classes through Dance Entropy and Green Space since that time.

I first discovered the studio when I began renting an office in the same building. Upon moving in I was happy to see a welcoming sign inviting people to come to a Spring dance festival in the upstairs studio, so I poked my head in to take a look.

I was delighted with what I found --  a beautiful studio and an enthusiastic audience getting ready to see a program of local dancers. I attended the program and was surprised by the exciting variety of performances, from a slow solo modern piece to several small ensembles, to a troupe of 12 energetic dancers in colorful Indian costumes. The program ended with a participatory dance for families and children. 

I was amazed to find that all were local dancers and troupes that Valerie had brought together in her festival, which lasted several days over two weeks and weekends. I was impressed with how well organized it was, with different programs each afternoon and evening. And even with all of this talent, she had managed to offer a very reasonable ticket price so that all could take part.

Since that day, I have attended the Dance Entropy festivals regularly, always looking forward to seeing the delightful variety of performances. At each performance I have been amazed not just at the quality of the work, but by the diverse group of people that are brought together as an audience.

Dance Entropy has also held some exciting outdoor public events. In one, over a hundred people gathered at Gantry Pier in Queens to see Valerie’s work. By the end, she had a huge group of parents and children participating in a dance.

In the early years of going to these events, I was only an observer, but when Valerie learned that I had once attended dance classes, there would be no more sitting still... she convinced me to attend her beginner’s modern dance class where I discovered that it was never too late to start dancing again. Because of her focus and persistence, I have been attending the weekly class now for over seven years.  Valerie encourages people with little experience to start learning, offering packages or drop in sessions to encourage people with different needs to be able to attend.

The studio at Green Space is also home to many dance groups that rent the space, so there is always an interesting array of dancers gathering there.

In addition to the performances and festivals, I have had the interesting experience of attending several of Valerie’s expressive dance movement workshops. In one, she presented a riveting work she had choreographed, eliciting strong emotions in the audience. The work was followed by discussion of the themes presented in the dance, and then the audience took part in exercises that encouraged us to work out our own emotions and experiences through improvised movements.

Green space and Dance Entropy are such an asset to both the dance community and to the larger community because of these classes, workshops, performances, and special events.

I give my enthusiastic support for all future endeavors!”

Just Launched! Mastercard Priceless Cities Program: Observe a private rehearsal

Valerie Green / Dance Entropy is thrilled to announce our participation in Mastercard’s Priceless Cities program!

Available exclusively for Mastercard members, the Priceless Cities program provides access to unforgettable experiences in cities around the globe! 

The Experience

Get a behind-the-scenes look at a working dance company as you join Dance Entropy for a private rehearsal. Witness the magic as the dancers prepare for their next performance in their Long Island City studio. When the rehearsal's over, dancers will stick around for a Q&A session and a photo opportunity. Want to try it yourself? Take a semi-private 30-minute lesson with one of the dancers. Exclusively for Mastercard® cardholders.

What's priceless®

 Taking a behind-the-scenes look at a professional dance company's rehearsal with your friends.

The highlights

 ·         Attend a two-hour private Dance Entropy rehearsal

·         Chat with the dancers and company director during a 10-15 minute meet-and-greet and photo op

·         Receive a souvenir T-shirt

·         Take an optional 30-minute dance lesson

For a full list of dates, see our calendar: https://www.danceentropy.org/calendar

For all the details, and to snag your tickets, check out our Priceless page: https://www.priceless.com/arts-and-culture/product/146100/sit-in-on-a-professional-dance-companys-private-rehearsal

Kind words from Laurie Hockman

Valerie Green / Dance Entropy is delighted to share this recent feedback from Laurie Hockman!

“I am an independent choreographer and have been a renter [at Green Space] since the studio's inception and have not only greatly benefited from access to a spacious, beautiful rehearsal space at an affordable price but have also been afforded valuable performance opportunities through the various programs offered by the studio. Green Space has consistently been attentive to the two needs of choreographers and dancers - having a place to make work and having an opportunity to show work.

Having lived in and worked in New York, for over thirty years, it has been painful to watch the sometimes devastating impact of rising real estate prices on the dance community. Very few of the studios where I studied and rehearsed are still in existence and many of the spaces that are as high quality as Green Space are prohibitively expensive, particularly if one wants to rent on a regular basis. Such access is vital to dance artists. Ms. Green has worked hard to maintain the space and keep it within reach of everyone. Not an easy task in this environment.

As if providing rehearsal space were not enough, Green Space's performance opportunities are equally significant. Given the number of dance artists in New York and the logistics involved, finding a forum to show work, whether it is in process or fully completed, is challenging. With Fertile Ground and Take Root, Green Space answers the need for both. I have had the great honor to participate in Take Root. After having gone through all the travails of self-producing at many spaces, the performance I was able to do through the Take Root was truly a dream come true. All of my technical needs were met and I was completely free to concentrate on what mattered most, the dance. That is a gift to any choreographer, young or old. I would note also that I have also self-produced at Green Space. The performance packages were always reasonable and the experiences were both pleasurable and seamless.

Ms. Green creates powerful, refined and relevant work for her company while providing meaningful outreach and education to communities in Queens and further afield. It has been an inspiration to watch the growth and development of the company both artistically and structurally and to witness its continued commitment to take its work to new audiences.

In closing, I can hardly be more effusive in my praise and appreciation to Dance Entropy and Green Space for nurturing the dance community in New York and how much these demonstrate a comprehensive vision for addressing that community's needs.”

Dance Intensive Diaries

Dance Intensive Diaries

By Sarah Awad

Day 1: Finding it Again

A recreational dancer and insecure about my age, I entered Green Space excited, but also a

touch apprehensive. This was quickly alleviated by Valerie’s immediate trust in us. Day 1 was

set up in a way that effortlessly shook out the nerves, thoroughly established the context of

movement, and clearly set up the expectations for the cohort. I appreciated her want to

understand me further, and she treated me like a “real dancer;” the freedom she gave me to

express my creativity through our choreography exercises and in collaboration on the final

performance piece were vulnerable but incredibly important experiences for me. It gave me the

confidence to step up and speak up more so in our collaborator throughout the week.

Day 2: Yin and Yang

Back-to-back Ballet Barre and Modern Dance Technique really pushed me to harmonize with

my biomechanics and really challenged my understanding of all the nuances of foundational

movement. I loved feeling the opposition between both practices, and I think it is important and

powerful to be reminded of our body’s versatility and ability to flow through different languages

of movement; it was a very important challenge for me. A former ballet dancer, it was both

nostalgic and joyful to return to the barre after so long, and I plan on reintroducing it to my

personal practice.

Day 3: Digging Deep

Really feeling the aftermath of barre today, but any soreness was dissipated by Hanna’s

beautiful and poignant modern technique class. I always struggled with the direct connection

between how I feel in the act of dance, and what I visibly convey in my face and body- I could

be totally immersed in the world of the performance, yet my natural stoicism is the only

“emotion” that reads. Hanna was so kind, and I was eager to open up to her. Her class helped

me further access the emotional sweet spot necessary for my choreographed phrase.

Day 4: Tough Mudder

The day of reckoning; I felt like my insides were sun-burned, the pores of my brain closed up.

Barre was a blur and taking in the technique phrases in both classes was proving impossible. I

started to fall into myself, and began to question if I could successfully perform our final piece.

This lack of confidence felt strange for once, and I knew something in me had changed- I have

grown nonetheless.

Day 5: Settling into Place

Choreography refinement and critiques with Jonathon were the hands that pulled me out of the

hole I dug Wednesday. Spending time working on my own phrase allowed me to tap into those

day-before feelings in a more productive way, and with Jonathon’s guidance and Hanna’s class

on the brain, I could feel myself clearing a wall, and that gave me the energy to really fight

through our rehearsal and get it right.

Day 6: Restored and Rehearsed

Yoga was much needed, and its results were clear in my confidence and ability to loosen up

during our final rehearsal. Pre-performance jitters were manageable, and I couldn’t wait until

tomorrow. A well balanced day for body and mind.

Day 7: Showtime and Final Reflections

Our last day went by fast! Modern dance technique class in the morning felt fully integrated,

and I was thrilled with my performance in our dress rehearsal. Getting ready for the

performance was a bit emotional for me- my goal of returning to performing was happening, and

I could feel all I learned in the week flowing through me. I felt new.

Later that day, I came across a paper where I had written down goals for myself this year, so

this week was punctuated with crossing off “perform again.” The whole week was amazing, and

I returned to my nine-to-five sad that it was over, but feeling uplifted.