What you need to know...

Image by Enoch Chan

AUDITION: 3/25 & 3/28: M A S S I V E A T T A C K

SOCIALIZE: 3/28, 7-10pm, $10: The Human Factor Fractured

BE A HERO!: I'm a hero :)

3/28: CLOSING EVENT: Terence Nicholson

The Human Factor Fractured
Terence Nicholson

3/28: 7-10pm • $10 suggested donation
Light Food & Beverages served
Tickets: http://terencenicholson.eventbrite.com/

Come celebrate the final night of The Human Factor Fractured with Artist Terence Nicholson and special guests from Contradiction Dance, Dance Afire, Shakra, and more!

I am interested in materials first and foremost. For a long time, I have entertained the notion that I need not always load my work down with content. It was a trap that one of my teachers freed me from before both feet got caught into it. Many people ask me, “What does it mean?” I like to give them relief by telling them something like, “It's just some shapes.” Sometimes, I am compelled to express my feelings about a thing through the use of materials. Even in this case, I try to divorce myself form the the content and delve more into the actual process. At the level of production, I try to achieve an almost passive attitude towards the process, in some cases. I like to see myself as a middle man between materials, shapes and techniques. I am in a constant state of build and destroy; accumulation and shedding. I seem to be attracted to the beauty inherent in the most mundane of objects. Rust, tools, soil, etc. I respect the principles of composition, so I trust my ability to bend them. An old artist told me that if I know the rules, I can bend them. If I don't know the rules, I will break them. As I have been training in kung fu for over 15 years and composing music, I allow these disciplines to influence my way of doing things. The paintings and the sculpture come out of a need for expression not satiated by any other means. I hope that as I finish writing this, I will have evolved beyond what was written.

Nicholson fuses unlikely materials into works that sing life’s complexities

info: 240.450.2420 • contradictiondance@gmail.com • 5ringsarts.com • contradictiondance

Pictured: Jasmine Artis, by Nina K Photography

Dates of Note:
3/25: M A S S I V E A T T A C K - auditions 6-7:30pm: info
3/27: The Kitchen Quartet - IMT Next to the House Concert Series
3/28: M A S S I V E A T T A C K - auditions 6-7:30pm: info
3/28: The Human Factor Fractured: The Works of Terence Nicholson - Closing Event
4/?: Contradiction Dance & KennDavid Designs at Georgetown Home Tour
4/19: Ernie Hawkins - IMT Next to the House Concert Series
4/25: Hanneke Cassel w/ Natalie Haas & Keith Murphy - IMT Next to the House Concert Series
5/8&5/9: Kelly Mayfield & Contradiction Dance at 12x6: Source Mash-Up's Showing
5/17: DANCE ANIMUS FESTIVAL in Takoma Park
6/8: Contradiction Dance for Cast of Thousands: Dance Through the Decades Concert
6/12&6/13: Kelly Mayfield & Contradiction Dance at Source Festival
7/23: CONTRADICTION DANCE: IN THE FLESH at the Phillips Museum. A live performance component to the "Paint Made Flesh" Exhibit

Why Dance is the BEST Exercise....

"Dance has a great deal to offer to people young and old, irrespective of ability and background. Dance can take many forms and embody elements of fun, creativity and performance that make it an attractive route to a fitter and healthier lifestyle. This research highlights how well people's health can benefit from dance." - Caroline Flint

“We now have the scientific proof that creative dance makes you fitter." - Laban’s Director, Anthony Bowne

Full Release

More data on the benefits of dance: http://www.laban.org/php/news.php?id=325

We have GREAT classes by the BEST teachers!

www.contradictiondance.com

M A S S I V E A T T A C K - audition

M A S S I V E A T T A C K
Dance for the NOW generation

Contradiction Dance is holding auditions for a new contemporary dance company for the NOW generation. We are seeking thirsty young adults willing to take creative risks exploring the fusion of dance styles.

Talent trumps experience. Bring both.

Wed 3/25
6-7:30pm

ALTERNATIVE DATE:
Sat 3/28
1:30-3

RSVP one of three ways:
Facebook event
eventbrite: http://massiveattack.eventbrite.com/
email: contradictiondance@mac.com


FAQ's

What type of dancer/styles are you looking for?

I'm looking to take the model I created with Contradiction and replicate it with this group. I am looking for a very diverse group of movers who are interested in expanding their core technical skills, build a common movement vocabulary, and augment each other's specialties. Meaning, in my existing company, I have a mix of hip-hop dancers, contemporary ballet and modern dancers, tap, jazz, a composer and a story-teller.

I am interested in training dancers through both class and performance to explore their versatility and expand their options. As a choreographer I make dances that have meaning for both the performers and the audience - our last concert was called, "Objects of Hope: Washington, DC" based on the experiences of my composer and drummer and growing up here in anacostia & adams morgan.

And lastly, to just have fun. We dance because we need to - I'm anxious to work with another group who shares the passion and joy.

TIME:

I'm planning on having rehearsals two days/week max. As this is a ground-up endeavor, starting half-way through the year, I want to build the group as an ensemble through training together and performing as often as possible - but in a way that works in everyone's lives. I picked the Wed/Sat slots as I'm going to offer class for the group both days - choosing to set choreo on the group that can be there each day - meaning we'll end up with two working groups, with some people in both as they are available.

Feeling Springish...

Today in rehearsal we did lots of jumps... I think it's a springish thing... today was the first really warm and sunny day in a lil while. Felt good. Barrells everywhere :)

We're also generating some new choreo for the Source Fest & the Phillips performance. We wrote 3 adjectives for emotional states then created a shape for each. The result = beautiful bodies in space ready to move from a common vocabulary. YAY!

Typically, I generate and set the majority of our movements, but I want to work on a different path for a while - to broaden my own horizens and create some new flavors in the final product.

But, ya'll know me - I'll be putting my stamp on it... can't help but make those phrases!

Stuff in my head

On the personal side, I haven't posted much lately. I've been trying to sort out some brain, body, spirit, and soul stuff. And run a successful family & bizniz. Feeling a bit overwhelmed and frustrated by the curve balls.

Mostly, had a jolt. Completely lost faith in someone very dear to me and I'm not 100% sure how to proceed... clearly it's a yellow-light situation - extreme caution all the way. Do I invest time in a situation that is full of fear where I'm not and has proven through actions not to be trusted? I'm out of patience and out of trust. (nails tapping on the table) And, I'm mad as hell. Still.

I'm waiting for spring to really kick in... I miss running outside. Dance is not an aerobic activity - I like the feel of a balancing run. The repetitive motion issues that can become problematic through dance get evened out w/ the running, but I am not motivated enough to put myself on the hamster wheel of a treadmill. I need the outdoors. Ah, soon!

Time to put my big-girl pants on and head out to face the day... much work to be done :) Trying to raise some moolah... I suddenly need to make my own salary - as there are zero pay-checks coming from other sources. Ouch. However, I am enjoying laying down some roots & building some very cool community-based events through the studio. Spreading the energy and joy within and hoping to see it reflect back on all of us.

Combating the blues, one dance at a time.

p.s. Found this... my horoscope - random good fit for my mood/day:

Beside the necessity to maintain a high morale, you must try to overcome your physical fatigue by resting a few moments every time an opportunity for it will present itself during daytime. Beware, don't let yourself be intoxicated by your different successes and commit regrettable errors of judgment about people and things. You'll in all likelihood meet some major difficulties in your work; but don't let yourself be discouraged by the obstacles. Take advice from sure friends, this will give you necessary energy to struggle efficiently.