Hello Framers!

I wanted to let you know some of the extremely exciting things going on with the company in the next couple of weeks.  The first one is coming up fast– next week!  We are dancing Under the Blue Trees.

If you live in Houston, I’m sure you’ve seen or driven past the blue trees along Memorial Drive.  They are a temporary art installation by Konstantin Dimopoulos.  Next Thursday night, along with Divisi Amped, we will be performing in and around them.  I hear it will be magical.

Then, on October 23, we are performing in a fashion show.  Yes!  It is true.  A Fashion Fete. Fashion Fête is a performative event unlike any other in Houston: men’s and women’s fashions by national and international designers from Houston’s most fashion-forward boutiques, paired with original wearable accessories created by some of Houston’s most collectible artists.  I can’t give away too many secrets, but we will be performing with The Manichean.

And thirdly, on December 11, we are performing in a show by Liminal Space.  By combining elements of classical, popular and improvised music, Liminal Space seeks to develop and present a contemporary alternative within the Houston community, and to serve as a bridge to connect those on the fringe, distanced by the boundaries of genre and style.  I went to their concert last night, and it was fantastic!  It spanned humorous, to powerful, to subtle, to complex.  In the December concert we will be performing a piece to Steve Reich’s 2×5.  It’s a bit of a beast.  I think I agreed to do this piece because I knew it was going to challenge me choreographically so much.  Look it up, and you’ll see what I mean.

It’s so funny, I thought we were going to have a relaxed fall so that I could focus on editing the next installment of Framing Bodies.  I was wrong.  Sometimes things come up and you have to jump.  Not to worry, I’m still working on Framing Bodies: SHAMED.  I’m just not editing 4 hours a day as I thought I would.  I’m thinking of a February premiere of that film.  Between Fashion and Blue Trees and Reich, we’ve got a lot to do!

Fall Fun, come join us at any and all of these events!   We really do love to see you.

To Art,

Lydia

Hello Again.  I feel like I have so many updates!

So this summer we rehearsed and shot (partially) the new Framing Bodies film called SHAMED.  I am in the middle of it and realized I need to sit with the material I have before getting the final shots, recording the stories, and jumping into editing.  The Framing Bodies series that we do is often so vulnerable and intimate in content that it really takes a lot out of me.  I want so desperately to do justice to the stories and experiences of the cast, that I do often have to sit and surrender to the process of the work invading me before I can begin to manipulate and piece together a product.  I originally had plans to screen it in October but that is not going to happen.  I’m thinking February.

We were invited to create a piece for Liminal Space‘s December concert.  They are a new contemporary music ensemble in Houston, and you would probably know that we are a fan of new music and of local composers– so of course we were interested in working with them!  The piece I am making for the company is to Steve Reich’s 2×5.  It is pretty daunting, but I am also extremely excited about the challenge.  (Dancers: start working up your stamina, this WILL be exhausting.)

Before the concert in December, Liminal Space has a show this month.  I will definitely be there, and encourage you to attend as well!

The electric guitar and percussion duo Liminal Space Contemporary Music Ensemble will open its 2013-14 season with a concert titled Time and Tension: an Evening of Electro-Acoustic Music, on September 25, 2013 at Studio 101 at 7:30 pm. The program consists of pieces that incorporate various electronic elements including the use interactive technologies, fixed media, and delays. Included on the program is Dutch avant-pop composer Jacob TV’s comedic take on American infomercials The Body of Your Dreams, Robert McClure’s Integrated Elements for gyil (African xylophone) and fixed media, Nathan Davis’ Diving Bell for triangles and live electronics, and Samuel Carl Adams’ ethereal work for percussion, guitar, and live electronics Tension Studies. This concert also features the world premiere of Hugh Lobel’s The Lotus City Songbook, Vol. 1, a work commissioned by Liminal Space as part of its New Music Initiative. The ensemble will be accompanied by percussionist Brandon Bell. Studio 101 is located at 1824 Spring Street, Houston, TX 77007. Tickets are $10 online and $15 at the door, and can be purchased at www.liminalspacemusic.com.

Hailed as “important news for Houston’s contemporary music scene,” by ArtsJournal critic Theodore Bale, Liminal Space seeks to develop and present a contemporary alternative within the Houston community through diverse programming, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the use of intimate and non-traditional concert venues. As co-artistic directors, composer/guitarist George Heathco and percussionist Luke Hubley have led Liminal Space through an exciting and active inaugural season which included thirteen successful performances, which included participation in the Houston Fringe Festival, a celebration of John Cage’s centennial, music for a collaborative,  a multi-media puppet play based on the works of H.P. Lovecraft, an evening of works by Frederic Rzewski, and a concert featuring the music of Pulitzer Prize winning composer David Lang. The ensemble’s second season will include an evening of electro-acoustic music, a collaborative performance of Steve Reich’s 2X5 with Frame Dance Productions, performances of works by D.J. Sparr, Orianna Webb, and Steven Mackey, the premieres of seven new compositions, and a recording project spotlighting works from the Liminal Space New Music Initiative.

Our installation FM went up on Wednesday at Diverse Works Art Space.  With over 150 people in the gallery, we had a blast.  What fun to work with Mark Hirsch and Courtney D. Jones to create a sound/dance/video participatory installation.  We must do it again.  (stay tuned…)

Check out the Culture Map story “Young Professionals get the keys to the kingdom — and a jump start on high-profile Texas art fair” here.

And guess who else was there?

Hi Framers!

Lydia here.  We have a premiere tomorrow opening at Diverse Works.  As a part of the Diverse Works Artist Board I get to be a part of a show called L’Esprit de L’Escalier.  And the best part?  I get to collaborate with two artist whom I absolutely adore.  The one and only Courtney D. Jones will be dancing the solo that I am choreographing and Mr. Mark Hirsch (remember “Quiver?) has made an incredible video and sound installation with radios, multiple screens, and some pretty fly 8mm.

The deets: Tomorrow (Wednesday) at Diverse Works Artspace @ 4102 Fannin St.  We will begin at 6:30 and it is Free, Free, Free!

Hello Beautiful People,

Time for a little update. We are in the process of creating a new fun (and dare I say, energetic?) show. It’s called Ecouter. We had so much fun last week when Lena came into rehearsal. She blogged about it last week and also took these amazing photos. She is a great photographer, I need to get her in on rehearsal more often! And for crying out loud, if you aren’t following us on Facebook, do it now. I’ll wait. NOW.

The show has new and recent work on it. We’ve received some crazy fine reviews on To the Brim (composer is Charles Halka) and on Quiver (composer if Mark Hirsch). Quiver was even included in the best 8 memories of the season by Culture Map. Stoked? Yes, we are. Read it here. And then we have our super exciting premiere to composer Rob McClure’s music. He’s the winner of the Frame Dance Composition Competition this year. His music is exciting, percussive, fresh, loud….

We’ve been deep in the seriousness of the artistic process. The composers and I made this little vid to allow you to get to know them before the big show. Watch this:

An Afternoon with the Composers of Ecouter

Also, please save the dates for our Cultured Cocktails party at Boheme and of course, for our next show, Ecouter: three composers, thee dances.

June 20 from 5-7pm, Cultured Cocktails at Boheme Bar. A portion of EVERYTHING you drink will go to our art.

June 28-29 8pm, Ecouter at Studio 101. Three composers, Three dances. Choreographed by yours truly.

To Art!

L

Coming to the Frame Dance Soiree?

Download the PIVIT app on your phone and search for “Frame Dance Soiree.”

Join the event before you arrive, and then you’ll be photo sharing with the cool kids.

It’s the latest and the greatest.

Hi Framers,

Lydia here again.  Thought I’d update you on the Soiree and on Quiver.

I am so excited for the Soiree.  Who doesn’t love some socializing, lite bites, and some awesome art?  Well, I do.  The guest list is growing, thank you to all who have bought tickets early.  It calms me a little knowing we will have a great crowd.  Houston is notorious for last-minute ticket purchases– you know who you are.  And the truth is, I do it too!  But as the artist and event planner, I want to thank you early purchasers.  (We love walk-ups too– everybody’s welcome.)  The more the merrier.

The film is…almost…done.  So. Very. Close.  And I’ve been watching it with Mark Hirsch’s music and it’s developed this lovely eerie quality.  Grounded yet suspended.  Ethereal yet fleshy.  Ashley Horn’s costumes are bold and beautiful.  I’m excited to tie it up and show it to you.  I think you’ll like it.  I hope you’ll love it.

Get your tickets here, we want to see you!  And we do have a maximum occupancy of 120, so don’t be left out.

to art,

Lydia

We’re having a party!

Tuesday, April 9

6:00-9:00pm at the Alliance Gallery, 3201 Allen Pkwy

True to its social nature, Frame Dance hosts a soiree, with the premiere of dance film Quiver, a reception, and silent auction.   Choreographed and directed by Lydia Hance, the film features the talented Jacquelyne Boe, Laura Gutierrez, Alex Soares, and Brit Wallis. Quiver explores the space between intimacy and loneliness and was inspired by the words of Houston-based poet, Loueva Smith:

“There is a reckless love-wobble in your hips; a solemn temple-dance convulsion in the blades of your shoulders.  What is in your hands opens at the hollow bow of your collar bone and bares your neck to submission.”

The piece features music by composer Mark Hirsch and a physical focus on the anatomy of the collarbones and shoulder blades. Come hungry and ready to participate in a fabulous silent auction with items from St. Arnold’s Brewery, Mildred’s Umbrella, Eat Well nutrition counseling, Rice Glasscock School for Continuing Education, Body Envy Houston, spray paint artist Erick Sandlin, Trinity & Co., Davey Tree and more.

Frame Dance Productions is a fresh and energetic presence on the dance scene in Houston engaging audiences with dance in meaningful ways through creating innovative and vulnerable works for the screen and stage.

Tickets: www.framedance.org/boxoffice
$25 General or $75 VIP comes with two tickets to Frame Dance’s spring show Ecouter on June 28-29 at Spring Street Studios.

If you are unable to join us, but would still like to make a donation, there is a place to donate on the boxoffice.  Just click the link above.

details coming soon.

Hi Framers!  Lydia here.  Hasn’t our wonderful new Development Assistant, Lena Silva been doing a fabulous job on the blog?  We’re also really excited that Technology Director Jonathon Hance brought the blog onto our website, so it’s all nice and neat, and easy to cruise the site.  Have you seen our videos?  Checked out our beautiful artists?  Mosey over.  Later.

Company update: 

We had a fabulous run of To the Brim, a collaboration with Charles Halka.  It premiered at the JCC Dance Month Choreographers X6.  We will do it again, I keep getting requests!  Thanks for your enthusiasm, we love the piece too.

I am currently in the middle of editing our new film Quiver.  Maybe you’ve seen some photos of it on our facebook page?  Our own Ashley Horn (and a Houston Top 100 Creative) made these beautiful long blue skirts.  We will premiere this beauty in April at the Frame Dance Soiree.  That’s right folks, you heard it here first.  We’re having a par-tay.  More details coming so very soon.  Mark Hirsch is composing the music, and we’re thrilled to bring him into the Frame Dance madness.

And thirdly, I am in the midst of listening to our 2013 Composition Winner’s music.  We’ve talked about Rob McClure before.  This guy on the right.

He wrote some exciting music, and I am really challenged by the rhythm and energy of it.  And that’s what I look for in music– something that challenges me.  First, I listen for something the draws me in, and holds me in.  You know that feeling when you are listening to something on the radio in the car, and you get so lost in it your body goes into autopilot and you end up driving to some place in your usual routine?  Like work or the grocery store? You just end up there.  Like the music consumes you and your flesh just goes into autopilot. And second, it has to scare me a little.  Not literally.  But choreographically.  I am pulled in, consumed, and then utterly unsettled on what I will create.   That’s how I pick music.  Micah Clark, Charles Halka and this year’s Rob McClure all composed music that did that to me.  That piece will premiere in our spring concert on June 28-29.  The show will be called Ecouter.  I’m not sure how to make an accent over the “e” on this computer, so please forgive me, dear Francophone Framer.

In summary, stay tuned and come to our Frame Dance Soiree to see Quiver, and mark your calendars for Ecouter coming June 28-29.

To Art!

Lydia