Where Movement Meets Wanderlust
This year, and much of last year, I’ve been based in Rome, Italy. So it’s only fair that I give the Eternal City the love it deserves with some site-specific improvs. Here’s a couple to start with, on Aventine Hill.
Fun Fact: Aventine Hill is also known as Il Giardino del Arancia, or “Park of the Oranges”.
Enjoy and keep movin’,
Sarah
Diedre Graham: Freelance Dancer
Mobile, Alabama
What Moves You?
“My passion for dance and desire to inspire people, especially young girls. I created Imagine Me: Image in Me™, which raises awareness about body image and self-esteem in young girls ranging from ages 12 – 18 years old. Imagine Me: Image in Me™ began as a project birthed from the pain I experienced as an aspiring ballerina in high school when I was told that I did not have the right body type to be cast. The program has evolved over the past ten years to include life skills, motivation, empowerment, and integration of the arts with STEM activities. ‘Dancers are not great because of their technique. They are great because of their passion.’- Martha Graham”
After graduating, Diedre accepted a position as a teacher in the Mobile County Public System. And she became a member of Sanspointe Dance Company. She was also commissioned to perform a pas de deux choreographed by Sarah Barry in Danceform’s 70th International Choreographers’ Showcase at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland. Diedre was a ‘Ring Shout’ dancer in “ROOTS” miniseries. She worked as a dancer during Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s Christmas Town. Additionally, she performed at Broadway Bares: Game night, the Booking Festival at Jazz at Lincoln Center, for the city of New York’s Department of Citywide Administrative Services’ Black History Month Program, “Love is Love” Choreographers Showcase, and STEPS Beyond Foundation presents “Choreography in Uncertain Times” performance lab. Diedre choreographed and danced in Milennial Ethics Productions’ “Flip the Script” and Icelandic artist Cell7even’s “Built to Last” music video.
Diedre’s dance training is diverse and includes training at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s summer intensive, American Ballet Theatre’s summer intensives, Sheffield School of the Dance, Mobile Ballet and Atlanta Ballet. She participated in projects with noted choreographers Olivia Cipolla, Nuo An, Angel Kaba, Caitlyn Trainor, Chris Judd, Dave Scott, and Eddie Garcia. Additionally, Diedre served as both a performer and choreographer in the Actor’s Charitable Theater’s production of The Color Purple.
For the past two years, Diedre has traveled to Montrouis, Haiti to teach the fundamentals of ballet to orphans. And she participated in a food and water distribution to a rural community with access to water. Currently, Diedre is working on her Master of Public Administration through Penn State’s World Campus. While in high school, she created Imagine Me: Image in Me, which is an organization designed to raise awareness about body image and self-esteem through dance for girls between the ages of 12-18. Diedre plans on converting that into an international nonprofit organization. Also, after completing her degree, she plans on working in Human Resources and arts advocacy through public policy.
Be sure to checkout http://www.diedregraham.com.
It was in March, 8 years ago, that I started some movement projects and formed a dance company. That was 8…years…ago! Wow!
It’s been a crazy ride. I’ve changed the name 2x, some years I haven’t even presented work, and I’m still figuring it out. There have been (and still are) so many times I felt like a failure…But my success doesn’t look like your success. And yours shouldn’t look like mine. Because that would be boring.
There is room for all types of art and artists, in all shapes and sizes and durations. Art reflects life, and I love variety. So, I’m gonna take a moment to celebrate!
I’ve met and brought artists together from around the world, self-produced events to showcase new work, been asked to present my own choreography in a solo show, and helped foster creative aging projects. But it takes a village and I’ve been blessed to work with some of the most inspiring dancers, artists, and arts admin (I really love you all so much). And now I’m solo traveling and sharing dance in some pretty dope locations. 8 years strong. So here’s to 8 more.
Please enjoy this little montage I created of some site-specific improvs over the last year or so:
Keep movin’,
Sarah
Arianna Camille: Dancer
Philadelphia, USA
What Moves You?
“I am moved by the voice inside me that declares, ‘I have something to say’. Dance is more than just a universal language; it is my native tongue in which I can express all the thoughts and emotions that words can never give justice to. With this language, I can connect with humans across boundaries of linguistic and cultural differences in the most honest way possible.”
Photo Credits @ Qenu Muse, Kike Abed, Andrew Gonzalez, Noel Valero, and Joerg Didlap
Earlier this week I found myself on a mini adventure to Castel Gandolfo, a cute little lakeside town about one hour south of Rome. It’s a perfect day trip but not for the faint of heart (unless you have a car). I’m just sayin’ the hills were a WORKOUT. But it was worth it because the town was adorable, the people were sweet, and the food was GOOD (I mean, hi, we’re talking about Italy so not like it’ll be bad….but still).
The Place to Eat:
Al Chiaro di Luna (Via Spiaggia del Lago, 2). It’s on the Lake. Get the fish! Gnocchi was good too 🙂
But What Moved Me? …The path we took to the lake:
How to Get There:
We took the train from Roma Termini and it was only 40 minutes. The train stop is in the middle of the hill, so you can either choose to walk up to the main town or down to the lake. We did both (walked up first and walked down after….and then back up to the train).
And, here’s a secret view of the lake from the main town:
Keep movin’,
Sarah
MANATSU TANAKA: Dancer
Hadano City, Japan
What Moves You?
“The experience and the research I go through when I dance; I get closer and closer to the animal that I am.”
MANATSU TANAKA is a Japanese Artist who is pursuing her education with a BFA in Dance and a minor in Theater Arts. She is continuing to connect with different fields of artists to discover and expand her artistic tools in the Performing Arts.
As an emerging performer, she has been in works by Paul Taylor, Douglas Dunn, Jon Lehrer, Tony Bordonaro (Emursive), Marie Zvosec (Brooklyn Opera Works), Mariana Taragano (Taragano Theater), Bliss Kohlmyer (Project Agora), Paula Peters (Spectrum), Paul Mockovak (Ballet Randolph), and various choreographers including concert dance works, regional theaters, and dance festivals. Recently, she has been featured in Mona Haydar’s music video “Lifted”, and in other national and international artists such as Cell7 (Iceland), The Next Greatest American Novelist, Melody English and Santiago Music. She has also worked with Shellscrape Theater Company (NYC), Nocturnes Experience (NYC), Lazy Susan Art Gallery (NYC), Performing Arts Company (Fredonia) as a Stage Manager, Performing Artist, Actor, and Assistant Director. She continues to expand her artistry in Theater, Dance, Music Videos, Films and more to discover, finding new ways of expression. Her IG is @manatsu.tanaka and her website is www.manatsutanaka.com.
Photo Credits: @imaginatordeto, @johncamino, @thelene, @alongiphoto
A quick trip last week took me to Florence, Italy! I was only there for one full day but I got to take this very short video in front of the Statue of David at the Galleria dell’Accademia. What a sight! That statue is truly a masterpiece by Michelangelo and definitely worth the hype. The piece is 17 feet tall. I am in awe of sculptures. What a dance between the marble and the artist. There is truly movement in everything.
I’ll likely be back to Florence in May and I’ll make sure to take more (and longer) videos. So, stay tuned for that! In the meantime, here are some more photos of the trip… From basking in the masterpieces (ha!) at the Galleria dell’Accademia to street views of Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo, and food (of course!).
Sarah
I love the feeling of FEELING a moment.
Luckily, it happens to me a lot as I travel! I see many beautiful spaces and even better, hidden locations that have stories waiting to be told. Manmade or nature made, every place has a flow and a story. Sometimes when you look it takes your breath away – and you want to stay in that moment forever.
The nook I found in the small town of Viterbo, Italy is like that. The sun was setting, and time stood still for a moment. When I looked down at it, I thought it was very romantic in its solitude. It’s a sweet little getaway in the center of town. And I was right – it is a romantic spot! Because what you can’t see in the video are the various teenage couples in hidden groves stealing kisses from one another.
I was kind of embarrassed to start moving in front of such an intimate audience, so I’m more restricted than I want to be in this video. I love it anyway because it’s all part of my movement journey and #RahDanceTravels. We’re all a work in progress, amiright?
The extra special bit about this vignette is the music. Last week I had a wonderful dinner with an older Italian couple, Silvano and Lucia. It took me about two minutes to basically fall in love with them. Both around 80 years old, Silvano played his harmonica for an hour while Lucia cooked up an incredible Italian Sunday dinner like it was the Last Supper. It was pure joy. What you hear in the video is a live-recording of Silvano playing.
Enjoy!
And keep movin’,
Sarah
Happy New Year, if you haven’t already heard it from me!
Someone recently told me, “It’s impossible to feel negative feelings when you dance”. I totally agree and I think if you’re reading this, you probably do too.
So, I’m kicking off a #kitchendancefloor series with a video I did a few months back. I’m a big advocate for dancing anywhere and at any time because it’s movement that makes us feel better and feel more present. That’s why I’m starting this little #kitchendancefloor series – to celebrate that movement can (and should) happen anywhere YOU feel good.
Here’s to more dancing in random places this year (and especially in one my favorite place – the kitchen!). Feel free to share your videos and make sure to hashtag #kitchendancefloor or #rahdanceworks.
Keep movin’,
Sarah
