Temple University students in the Philadelphia Dance Experience practice branch dancing

Jung Woong Kim demonstrates

Last Wednesday, Oct 3, Jung Woong Kim was guest teaching artist in Prof. Monica Frichtel's course, The Philadelphia Dance Experience.  Jung Woong conducted sensory awareness exercises and students tried balancing branches.  Below are excerpts of their reflections on their experience.

Thank you, Monica for hosting Jung Woong in your class! We look forward to sharing the work with the students this coming Friday. 

"On Wednesday, we had a guest teacher from the SoMoS dance company present and engage us in the importance of balance and becoming in touch with nature in dance.  We did many trust exercises, for example, being led with eyes closed by a partner around the Presser Cafeteria. We found the experience to be very interesting and we really enjoyed it. It was not just a dance but also a life lesson, for instance when the teacher said that  when one "drops the branch, one should always pick it back up and keep moving". It was a great experience."   Bria, Tiffany, Erin

"The experience as a whole was unexpected, but we all noticed that the improvisation was subjective to each individual’s interpretation. Some people simply walked their partner around, others ran with their partner and some did figure eights within the space. The term paradox came to our minds as the physical space was limited to a perimeter, but the actions and interpretations were left to each individual to interpret within the space, or within the guided directions. We all agree that we were put into an experience that put us out of our comfort zone, but that is where learning and creativity can thrive."   Derek, Carlyn, Emily, Michael, Fiona, Bryant, Carl, Tiffany 

"During the improvisation class, the performer laid on the ground with his back touching the concrete. With his bare feet raised, he balanced the wooden stick while focusing on it. I thought this was interesting because his movements were really slow so he wouldn't drop the stick. I felt a high degree of concentration while he was moving, relaxing, and one with nature."   Kortney

"Wednesday  in class we went outside with our guess teacher and we worked in pairs.  We had to close our eyes while our partner guided us. It was a frightening experience but fun; we learned to trust someone we didn't know. While being guided I could hear  things going on around me better. The sound of the crunch of grass while as people walked  was escalated. I was able to feel people walking past and tell how close they were by the sound of their voice. It was very scary but a lot if fun."  Jen

"We balanced branches and played with sensing. I had to learn to trust myself and my partner when I was walked around the field with my eyes closed.  When I approached the wall, I sensed it near me. It felt relaxing after I began to trust myself walking around with my eyes closed. I participated in the middle balancing a branch on my head, arm, and foot. These exercises took trust, balance, and patience."    Carl

"During the improvisation class, we explored the idea of balance and gravity. Students gathered in a circle and balanced branches on various parts of the body. Students were able to interpret movement in their own way. After playing with the branch, Kevin and I realized that the earth is stronger than us."
Neil, Kevin 

Photos by Monica Frichtel  

See Monica perform branch dances!

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How to deal with the cold

The forecast for Sunday is sunny and COLD! (high in the low 30's). I hope you will join us for a performance adventure with the elements!

Bluebell Meadow is the easiest of the sites to get to in the Wissahickon Reunion series (scroll right for directions). You can drive right up to the field in you warm toasty car and then run back to it when the performance is over. We will start promptly at 10:30 and be done by 11:15.

This performance will surely be an adventure of the body and the will. How to survive the cold? How to remain calm, fluid, and focus while the body shivers and shakes?

First of all, you have to be prepared. Layer up! Long underwear is a must, as are glove and sock liners, a scarf, a hat, and warm shoes. Sunglasses will come in handy as the angled sunlight on Bluebell Meadow at that time of day can be quite blinding.

We have also developed some techniques for generating warmth from the inside (since running and jumping about to keep warm is somewhat contrary to the branch dance practice). These may come in handy:

• Bone hugging — This body awareness practice, developed by Elaine Summers, consists of moving the muscle fibers surrounding each bone, into the bone. You apply three-dimensional tension into the bone, wrapping the bone or hugging it with your muscles. You do this with all the bones in your body (or as many as you can conjure into your consciousness), sequentially, all at the same time, or jumping around from part to part. Don't forget to release after every good hug! Bone hugging works well with the cold as it not only builds internal heat, but also harnesses (and releases) the tension from shivering, and helps even out the tension patterns in the body. One begins to sense the possibility of lighting up inner fires of the energetic body.

• Letting the body stretch itself from the point of contact with the branch — In letting the body stretch itself (another Elaine Summers practice), you follow, sequentially through the body, the impulse of the body stretch . Like bone hugging, letting the body stretch itself accesses all parts of the body, bringing heat to remote places, and balancing tension.

• Opening the soles of the feet — At all times open the feet, don't let them tense up. Sensing all the bones and joints in the feet grounds the body and keeps open the channels of energy within.

• Inner humming/ vibrating breath — Letting breath or sound VIBRATE through the body activates the inner fires.

• Using the eyes and vision to expand the edges of the body (created by Jumatatu Poe) — Focus the eyes at different distances and allowing the body to sense itself at each distance. For example, start by focusing on a hand, sensing into the hand, and noticing the body consciousness expand into the hand. Then shift to a place beyond the body and sense the body consciousness expand into that place, even into the distance.

Cool stuff! or should I say, hot stuff! Come out and practice lighting up your inner fires with us!

Fall performance at Wave Hill is a picture of winter

Fall was transformed into winter by the nor'easter that hit the region yesterday. Wave Hill had to close for safety reasons as branches broke off trees under the weight of the snow. But performers and video crew were there, ready to go; the nature of the work is to perform through the seasons and the weather. So much preparation for this moment! I was impressed with Wave Hill staff's support of our artistic vision and practice in allowing us to perform on the lawn away from the trees. It was challenging, beautiful, and sad, as we reflected on climate change hearing branches crashing around us.

I am grateful to all who made this happen. The performers: Marion Ramirez, Shavon Norris, Beau Hancock, Jumatatu Poe and Tigger Benford; Michael Max Knobbe and the Bronx Net crew; Jenniffer McGregor; Jenniffer McGregor, Michael Wiertz and the rest of the Wave Hill staff. Thanks also to Patti Bradshaw and Tom Ross for showing up despite the challenges of getting there!

Postcards from the Woods @ Pregones Theater in the Bronx

Pregones Theater invited me to conduct a creative residency throughout spring 2009 to develop a new work in the branch dance series. The residency funded by the National Endowment for the Arts American Masterpieces Presenting Program would culminate in a performance as part of their Dancing in Da Bronx series.

It was a total delight to be back in Da Bronx where I lived and worked for 15 years prior to moving to Philadelphia. I was lucky to stay at Mi Casa Tu Casa bed and breakfast on 150th Street. I strongly recommend it. Its comfortable and homey and oh so convenient. There’s nothing like getting up and crossing the street to work when you want to immerse yourself in the creative process.

On June 19 I presented a first draft of Postcards from the Woods at Pregones. I was joined for this performance by dancers Olive Prince, Jumatatu Poe, Jung Woong Kim, and Marion Ramirez. Dave Overcamp designed the lights and Cicada Brokaw the soundscape. Laura Zimmerman assisted with all the video tech and she shot and edited the OYWPP documentary video that ran in the lobby.

The crowd was smallish but enthusiastic, surely helped by the margaritas being served in the lobby. Thanks to all my friends who attended: Jane Gabriels, Bill Aguado and Cathy Pavlik, Janet Rodriguez and Kayte Ringer, Irene Sosa, Arthur Aviles, Patti Bradshaw and Tom Ross, Beka Lloyd Jones and Sasha Welsh, Kathy Westwater, Bill Bragin, Tanya Calamonieri. The overall POSITIVE feedback affirms that we are on track as to concept of the work and impact of the work.

This work feels whole. It accomplishes what it sets out to do—bring the audience into an experience. Performing it is thrilling, not in a high pitched sort of way, but in deep tones, in the exactitude of waiting, the heightened awareness. It feels good to do and good that the audience is moved.

On to Live Arts!