MFA Monday

MFA Mondays

MFA rightInterview with Lauren Small

by Hannah Jackson

 

HJ: What do you think will be the most challenging aspect of the MFA program for you?

 

LAS: Remaining engaged will probably be the most challenging aspect of the MFA program for me. I tend to have a short attention span when it comes to long-term projects or being in one environment or city for too long. Three years is a long time. Being present for the entire journey could be a difficult task for me.

 

HJ: What do you feel that you have to offer the dance world that no one else has?

 

Lauren Ashlee SmallLAS: I am very attuned to minor details. Although it may not always show in the process of rehearsing and performing the works of other people it is apparent in my own choreography. Details such as slightly disparate angles of the head or placement of the hands or contractions of the body between various dancers involved in my work cause me to pause a rehearsal to make adjustments. I find meaning in details like gesture and body language and breathing that others may not interpret or include in their choreographic process. This observation and criticism of detail has allowed me to improve my teaching skills, make interesting decisions with choreography, and to pick up differences in movement techniques and styles at a solid pace. I cannot say that this is something that only I can offer to the dance world, however it is unique and leads me to study choreographer’s who express this same attention to detail.

 

HJ: Is there something in particular that you feel burdened to create work about, or do you cull from various subjects (and if so, what piques your interest)?

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Free Events Thursday!

Free Events Thursday

Texas Contemporary Art Fair

September 04, 2014 – September 07, 2014

Friday, September 5 11:00am to 7:00pm; Saturday, September 6 11:00am to 7:00pm; Sunday, September 7 12:00pm to 6:00pm

George R. Brown Convention Center

Entering its fourth installment, Texas Contemporary continues to gain traction in relevance and size, mirroring the economics and demographics of its host city, one of the country’s fastest growing markets. This year, an anticipated 70-plus galleries will showcase original works from the most innovative and progressive international and local artists today. New participants, drawn to the fair for reasons ranging from the production quality and caliber of galleries to the increasing attendance levels, price point and overall sales.

Price: $25.00

 

Free Children’s Museum, Houston Zoo, Museum of Fine Arts to Bank of America Cardholders

First full weekend of every month!

free admission for Bank of America cardholders this weekend. Bank of America’s national program, “Museums on Us,” provides free admission the first full weekend of every month to 150 participating museums and venues.

In Houston area, that free admission includes the Houston Zoo, Children’s Museum of Houston and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Free admission is limited to Bank of America credit/debit card holders only, and not their children. Check museum links for hours and location.

Price: FREE!!!

 

First Saturday Art Crawl

April 05, 2014 – January 03, 2015 (Recurring monthly on the 1st Saturday) from 4:00PM – 7:00PM

Houston Socialites Club

On the first Saturday each month, join HSC for a fun, social art crawl around Houston, followed by dinner/drinks. Each month will feature a different art cluster/neighborhood, and includes these old favorites: Gallery Row, Montrose, Rice, Upper Kirby, Heights, to name a few. For couples and singles over 30.

Price: FREE!!!

 

First Saturday Arts Market

May 03, 2014 – May 02, 2015 (Recurring monthly on the 1st Saturday)

11-6 Sept – May

548 W. 19th Street, Houston, TX 77008

First Saturday Arts Market is a monthly outdoor fine arts event featuring the works of dozens of visual artists. Located in the Historic Houston Heights by Gen’s Antiques at 548 W. 19th St. at Lawrence St., the market showcases paintings, sculpture, photography, jewelry and handcrafted items. Bring the entire family and come enjoy the great outdoors, live music and delicious fare from some of the area’s best gourmet food trucks.

Price: FREE!!!

 

Time Warp Classic Concert Series

Saturday, September 06, 2014 at 7:30-9:30 pm

Sugar Land Town Square

Don’t miss the Timewarp Classic Concert Series featuring music from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Catch the double feature with Already Gone (Eagles Tribute) and Abbey Road (Beatles Tribute) Bands.

Price: FREE!!!

 

Open Hangar and WWII Aircraft and Museum

September 06, 2014 from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

West Houston Airport, Hangar B-5
18000 Groschke Rd, Houston, TX 77084

The Houston Wing of the Commemorative Air Force invites you and your family, friends or group to visit our Hangar and tour our WWII Museum on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month. Get up close to our Wing’s 5 flyable WWII military aircraft. Go inside a WWII Paratroop aircraft and climb into the cockpit of a WWII trainer. Our hangar is located at the West Houston Airport 2 miles north of I-10, just east of Barker Cypress on Groschke Rd. (For detailed directions go to: www.houstonwing.org) The Commemorative Air Force is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, restoring and flying military aircraft so that younger generations can appreciate the role of military aviation through history in the defense of our country and the preservation of our liberties.

Price: FREE!!!

 

Centennial Family Fest Celebrates Houston Ship Channel’s 100th Birthday

Saturday, September 06, 2014 from 2:00 pm-6:00 pm

Bayport Cruise Terminal  

4700 Cruise Road, Pasadena, TX 77586

During the festival, attendees will be dazzled by many exciting and educational activities and attractions ranging from tours of the M/V Sam Houston Vessel, a tug boat tug-of-war, an interactive antique fire truck, toy sailboat games, face painting, treasure hunts and much more.

Additionally, historic Houston Ship Channel movies and exhibits will educate festival goers about the importance of the ship channel and the port. The daily traffic of the ship channel will serve as the festival’s lively backdrop. A variety of food, beverages and treats will also be available.

Parking will be accessible on site and a shuttle service will run to and from nearby parking areas.

Price: FREE!!!

 

Shadows on the Wall: Cameraless Photography from 1851 to Today

August 31, 2014 – November 30, 2014

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
1001 Bissonnet Street, Houston, TX 77005

Drawn from the permanent collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Shadows on the Wall: Cameraless Photography from 1851 to Today presents 50 evocative images created with light and chemistry but without the use of a camera.

Price: Free on Thursdays and $15.00 and you can see the Houghton Hall: Portrait of an English Country House exhibit for free!

 

 

Wellness Wednesday

Eat Well Wednesday Uncategorized

Hi Framers!

Can you believe Summer is almost over and Fall is just around the corner?!

Well regardless of the “seasonal change” in Houston, here are a couple of easy healthy recipes to help you get ready for the Fall.

 

27 Awesome Easy Lunches To Bring To Work

http://www.buzzfeed.com/rachelysanders/awesome-easy-work-lunches#mzwu6s

 

Zucchini Pizza

(What could be better than hearing the words “healthy” and “pizza” in the same sentence?)

Zucchini Pizza is great healthy alternative to Pizza. Skip the bread, sub some veggies, still delicious!

Ingredients:
Zucchini
Marinara Sauce
Parmesan Cheese
Jack Cheese
Salt & Pepper

Directions:

1. Slice the Zucchini long ways. Heat up a pan with a bit of oil. Saute the Zucchini to until it’s almost cooked through. Go light on the oil, I always use a Paper Towel to get any excess oil off the Zucchini.

2. After you pat off the excess oil. Put your Zucchini on tin foil or a cookie sheet and build your pizza. I add a little Salt and Pepper on the zucchini, spoon on some Marinara, Sprinkle Jack Cheese and Parmesan on top.

3. Broil on Low for 5 Minutes and you’re ready to eat your delicious and healthy Zucchini Pizza!

 

  And for dessert…

 

NO BAKE Protein Peanut Butter Cups

 

Skinny Peanut Butter Cups, made with Greek yogurt & protein powder #eatclean #peanutbutter #pb2recipes

 
Ingredients:
-4 Cupcake Liners
-2 TB of PB2
-1 TB of water (*may need more)
-2 TB of Plain Greek Yogurt
-1 TB of coco powder (unsweetened)
-1 Scoop of [Chocolate Muscle Milk Protein Powder]
*Optional:
-1 Stevia Packet or a small spoonful of Honey *For Taste

 

Directions:

1. Mix together the Coco Powder, Greek Yogurt, and [Chocolate Muscle Milk Protein Powder] . Slowly one TB at a time, add water, until the mixture is easy to pour (NOT THICK).

2. Next (in a separate bowl) mix together your PB2 & water. You may have to slowly add water so that this mixture is also a liquid consistent.

3. First pour your chocolate mixture into the bottom of the cupcake liners, about a quater of the way up. Then Pour your PB2 mixture in.

4. And one more time, Top it off with some more of the Chocolate Mixture. NOTE: You don’t want to fill these up too high since they are mostly “liquid”.

5. Now just pop them in the freezer for about 15 minutes and your all done! I store my leftover ones in the freezer in tupperware containers. They are a great snack when I’m having a chocolate craving!

Total Calories: 87 (one peanut butter cup)
*recipe makes 4 peanut butter cups

Tuesday Tunes: Rosie Trump

Tuesday Tunes

Photo from Rosie Trump's MFA projectWhat music inspires you the most in the classroom; in the choreographic process? 

In the classroom, I live by Ray McNamara.  He has two albums Ray To Go and Ray to Go 2 Odd Times—run don’t walk to buy these albums here!  I have been teaching to this music for over five years and still find it fresh.  It’s indispensible for modern, creative dance, improvisation and choreography classes.

 

For choreography, I like to create and rehearse to music that has little to do with what I will eventually make.  I am a big fan of Motown.  I also like to shift between poppy dance music like Scissor Sisters and sad indie ballads from Iron and Wine.

 

When I am ready to set choreography to music, I usually have a few go-to artists like Múm, The Books, Colleen, and Matmos.

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MFA Monday: an inteview with Hannah Jackson

MFA Mondays

MFA rightLauren Ashlee Small: What would you say has been your greatest achievement or milestone during your first year in your MFA program?

 

Hannah Jackson: Honestly, the biggest milestone was getting married this summer! But as far as within the program itself,  there were many smaller class assignments that were achievements for me personally because they asked me to do something I was afraid of. But I’m very pleased with a paper I did for the first semester research and writing class about kinesiology for dancers. It required me to grow in both my writing and my research methods.

LAS: What do you hope to learn, gain, or create within your second year of study?

HannahHeadshot

HJ: This semester I’m taking Dance Kinesiology, so I’m really hoping to cement my knowledge of that. I’m also hoping to create a work that I can be proud of for this semester’s choreography class.

LAS: You have had the unique experience of teaching classes at the same university before the MFA program began. What insights have you gathered from being on that side of the learning experience?

 

HJ: I definitely gained a greater compassion for the professors. You know how it is as a student–the professors’ world seems miles away and their decisions incomprehensible. Having to be on that side, watching how decisions were being made, helped me understand the reasoning behind why our program runs the way it does. It also made me a better student and dancer, especially because my students would watch me in class sometimes. I had to practice what I preached, turnout and all!

LAS: What motivated you to pursue your MFA in Dance, and how would you encourage others considering the option?

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