Event

A Weekend Celebration of Dance

Join us for a weekend celebration of dance at SpectorDance!

Cascading Failures
by Tracy Kofford with dancers from Santa Barbara

East West
by Fran Spector Atkins and William Roden
SpectorDance Company
Rap Artist Baba Brinkman

Ocean Trilogy (premiere)
by Fran Spector Atkins and William Roden
SpectorDance Company
Rap Artist Baba Brinkman

Rap Guide to Climate Chaos (excepts)
by Rap Artist Baba Brinkman from New York City

Friday, September 22
Wine reception at 6:30 pm with live music by Heartstrings
Performance at 8 pm

Saturday, September 23
Science presentation at 7:30 pm by MBARI researcher Kyra Schlining
Performance at 8 pm

Sunday, September 24
Performance at 3 pm
Dessert and dialogue at 5 pm

All performances presented in SpectorDance's state-of-the-art venue located at 3343 Paul Davis Drive, Marina, CA 93933

Tickets $25 in advance/$30 at the door
www.spectordance.org
831-381-1050
Tickets at brownpapertickets.com

Program

Ocean Trilogy
Ocean Trilogy, a collaboration between SpectorDance Company and the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), is a new multidisciplinary performance and educational program about the challenges confronting our ocean, the hopeful possibilities from cutting-edge ocean research, and the importance of science in informing policy decisions by our leaders. Ocean Trilogy on Vimeo

"Ocean Trilogy helps people connect profoundly with ocean issues more than we might just through our minds ability to process information and connect dots. The impact goes deeper when our body or emotions become engaged, too.
Jane Parker Monterey County Supervisor

East West
East West, collaboration between SpectorDance Company and Rancho Cielo, is a multidisciplinary performance piece and educational program inspired by filmed interviews with a wide variety of individuals touched by gangs. East West looks at why youth are attracted to gangs, the brutal reality of gang life, and how people find their way out of gangs.
East West Video on Vimeo

Its a daring piece. Its a serious piece. Its a dark and difficult subject. There is the joy in it of seeing performance come together just so, there are affirmative messages awaiting, the players are all earnestly committed. It deserves an audience.
Walter Ryce, Monterey Weekly

Ocean Trilogy and East West are both works that explore ways that dance can promote dialogue, heighten awareness, and have an impact on social issues. Through a signature style created by choreographer Fran Spector Atkins and media artist William Roden, these works blend film footage, audio sound bites from filmed interviews with experts, music, and dance. This composite of elements aim to communicate in a way that is informative, visceral, and uplifting.

Ocean Trilogy and East West feature live performances by NYC-based rap artist Baba Brinkman. Ocean Trilogy will also be performed on September 14 at the Maritime Museum in Santa Barbara, September 21 at Stanton Theater in King City, and November 1 through November 4 at Santa Barbara City College.

Cascading Failures
Choreographed by Tracy Kofford and performed by Santa Barbara City College dancers, Cascading Failures is inspired by Paul Harvey's 1964 recording of "If I Were The Devil," in which he warned America about the path of corruption and deceit that we as a nation seemed to be on. This prophetic recording describes the America we are living in today. The movement is inspired by the biblical seven deadly sins and seven virtues. Yet, this piece is not meant to be literal. It is meant to be a doorway open to the interpretation of the viewers imagination and experiences. Cascading Failures On Vimeo

Rap Guide to Climate Chaos
Written and Performed by Baba Brinkman, Rap Guide to Climate Chaos is an award-winning show that has been performed at the Paris Climate Conference, at the Edinburgh Fringe and off Broadway in New York City. This unique hip hop theater experience communicates the reality of climate change in a language that delights and inspires audiences of all ages and all political persuasions.

" Baba is amazing...his show rocks" Bill Nye
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1ZH6R3Idb4

Biographies

Fran Spector Atkins (Creative Director/Choreographer) founded SpectorDance in 1997. With generous community support, SpectorDance has established a school, a company, educational outreach programs, SpectorDance On-Site, and the Choreographers Showcase. All our programs are housed in or administered from our state-of-the-art studio and performance venue in Marina. The SpectorDance Company presents original multidisciplinary performances using a signature style that blends music, spoken word, and visual media with dance to explore social issues and themes that are relevant to our community. Examples of projects include Figures in the Dust (2006), a collaboration with the National Steinbeck Center, inspired by The Grapes of Wrath; Common Ground (2008), a piece about issues in California agriculture based on interviews with farm workers and agricultural experts; Ocean (2010-2013), a collaboration with MBARI about ocean issues; and East West (2014-2015), a collaboration with Rancho Cielo about gang culture. SpectorDance has received many awards, including being selected as a finalist for the Ovation TV for Excellence in the Performing Arts and the Arts Council for Monterey County award for Outstanding Arts Organization in Monterey County. Spector Atkins was featured in the film Luminaries of Monterey County and in Carmel Magazine as one of ten individuals in Monterey County making significant altruistic contributions to our community. SpectorDance has been featured twice at TEDx Monterey.

William Roden (Media Artist) is an award-winning editor, creative director, and director of photography for numerous projects, including documentaries, health and wellness, educational programming and corporate media. Roden is the owner/operator of New Dawn Studios, a production house in Carmel, California, providing services for broadcast television and corporate communications. His current clients include National Geographic, Pebble Beach Company, and BMW. His work includes the production of music videos, documentaries, commercials, and creative projects. Several projects made for public television include Henry Miller Is Not Dead, for which he received a Silver award at the Houston International Film Festival in 1994, and The World of Healthy Healing, which aired on 20 PBS affiliates nationwide. Since 1996, Roden has collaborated with Fran Spector Atkins on a variety of dance-media works. Roden received a prestigious award from the Pacific Grove Arts Council for their collaborative dance video of Figures in the Dust, inspired by Steinbecks The Grapes of Wrath.

Kyra Schlining (Science Liaison) is a Senior Research Technician at the nonprofit research center Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI). MBARI archives and manages a collection of over 24,000 hours of deep-sea video footage from remotely operated vehicle research dives. Schlining is an expert in describing all observed biological organisms and geologic features in the video database, and she facilitates access to this valuable resource for scientific publications. She also participates on several research cruises each year and edits video for scientific presentations and for educational outreach on MBARIs YouTube channel, which has over 30 million views. Schlining received a BS in Biology from the University of Victoria in B.C., Canada, and an MS from CSU Stanislaus, CA. From 2007-2011, she served on the Board of Directors for SpectorDance, and since 2010, she has collaborated with Fran Spector Atkins on works highlighting ocean issues.

Paige Ettin (Dancer) is originally from Petaluma, CA, and moved to the Monterey area to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in Social & Behavioral Sciences from CSU Monterey Bay. She performed in the SpectorDance Company's original work Ocean in 2010 and 2011, joined the Board of Directors in 2016, and manages the biannual Choreographer's Showcase. Ettin lives in Monterey with her husband and is a catering manager at the Portola Hotel and Spa.

Dominique Kersh (Dancer) has been dancing intensively for over ten years and has primarily focused in the area of classical and contemporary ballet. Upon graduation, she decided to further her dance training at the collegiate level and was accepted into the Claire Trevor School of the Arts at the University of California, Irvine. She has just recently graduated with her BFA in Dance Performance and her BA in Education Sciences. This is her first season dancing with SpectorDance Company.

Jackie McConnell (Dancer) is from Salem, Oregon, trained with Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from New York Universitys Tisch School of the Arts. She danced with Nevada Ballet Theatre, Cherylyn Lavagnino Dance, based in New York City, and toured with the Portland-based company, Bodyvox. In the Bay Area, she has danced with Company C Contemporary Ballet, Oakland Ballet Company, Garrett and Moulton Productions, Menlowe Ballet and the San Francisco Opera. Currently, McConnell dances with Diablo Ballet and Post: Ballet.

Colton Sterling (Dancer) was born and raised in Los Angeles. He was adopted twice (once at birth and again at age four). At age five, he asked his dads to take dance classes. Since that time he has done gymnastics, acting, competitive ice skating and dance. He graduated from the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts in 2014. Currently Sterling is dancing with several companies in Los Angeles.

Anne-Marie Talmadge (Dancer) is a dancer, speaker, health coach, and business mentor. Committed to a life of self mastery and contribution, she has traveled the world performing and training with such companies as Alvin Ailey, Barak Marshall's Bridge Choreography Exchange In Israel, SpectorDance, and Not Man Apart Physical Theater Ensemble. She is currently performing with Diavolo on Season 12 of America's Got Talent. Talmadge is a California Institute of the Arts graduate and Founder of Art and Action. "Live authentically, courageously, and inspired."

Jones Welsh (Dancer) is a performer, administrator, and arts activist. Welsh received his degree in theatre and dance from the University of Washington in 2000, then returned for the Non-Profit Management Certificate Program after two years of working in New York. Welsh is the Associate Artistic Director of Not Man Apart - Physical Theatre Ensemble, establishing the organization in 2000 and combining forces with John Farmanesh-Bocca in 2009 to co-produce dynamic movement plays that combine elements of dance, acrobatics, music, video, and powerful physical performance. He also co-hosts the LA Improv Dance Festival, Somatic Movement Arts Festival, and Shakespeare Santa Monica. After completing five years touring with Diavolo Architecture in Motion, Welsh became the Diavolo Institute Director, establishing sustainable community outreach programs in Los Angeles and a professional movement training program at the Diavolo Studio.
Emily Zefferman (Dancer) began her dance training at Dance Arts Center in Melbourne, Florida. She danced as a non-major student at Florida State University while earning her BS in Environmental Studies. She has performed with Applegate Dance Company and Ecokinesis Dance Company in Davis, CA and was a member of Momentum Dance Lab in Knoxville, TN. Emily has a PhD in Ecology and currently works for the Resource Conservation District of Monterey County. She is excited to combine her passions for science, the environment, and dance in Oceans Trilogy, her first performance with SpectorDance.

Guest Artists
Baba Brinkman (Rap Artist) is a New York City-based artist, writer, and scholar. His masters thesis in English Literature drew parallels between hip-hop music and literary poetry. After graduating in 2003, Brinkman began his career as a rap troubadour. To date, he has created five hip-hop theater shows, including The Canterbury Tales Remixed and The Rap Guide to Evolution, and has spoken at several TEDx conferences. He has performed seven seasons at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and has released ten solo albums through his record label, Fuse Lit Records. The Rap Guide to Evolution won the prestigious Scotsman Fringe First Award in Edinburgh in 2009 and toured the UK, Australia and the USA, including a five-month run off Broadway where it was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Solo Performance. Last year, Brinkman was invited to the Paris Climate Summit to summarize in rap various talks given by scientists and political leaders. bababrinkman.com

Tracy R. Kofford (Choreographer) earned his BFA in Dance from University of California of Santa Barbara and a MFA from New York University, TISCH School of the Arts. Kofford has performed and choreographed nationally and internationally with his own work and Jennifer Muller/The Works, with whom he danced for over 10 years in NYC. He has studied and worked with some of the world's most influential choreographers, performers, and dance companies. He also performed with Disney Cruise line, featured as Tarzan. Kofford was featured in Lois Greenfield: Still Moving. His work, Intersecting Fugue, was awarded a McCallum Choreography Award in 2016. He is currently Director of Dance at Santa Barbara City College, guest teacher at Thacher, guest artist with Santa Barbara Festival Ballet, and a member of Santa Barbara Dance Theater. Last year, he brought his company to SpectorDance to perform at the Choreographers Showcase. Fran Spector Atkins is thrilled to be working with Kofford on building a new program, Touring Partnerships. sbccdance.com

The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute is a nonprofit research institution founded in 1987 by David Packard with a mission to achieve and maintain a position as a world center for advanced research and education in ocean science and technology. It does so through the development of better instruments, systems, and methods for scientific research in the deep waters of the ocean. MBARI owns and operates three research ships out of Moss Landing, giving them immediate access to the deep waters of Monterey Canyon. MBARI also runs multiple remotely operated and autonomous underwater vehicles and maintains ocean-monitoring instruments and moorings. mbari.org

Rancho Cielo Rancho Cielo is a comprehensive learning and social services center for underserved and disconnected youth in Monterey County who share a vision of their future success. Established in 2000, Rancho Cielo is a 100-acre campus with two ponds, mountain biking trails, and a cultivated garden. Rancho Cielo is also a restored piece of Salinas Valley natural history. Removed from the urban neighborhoods that have fostered self-destructive lifestyles, the Ranch provides a safe place to run, hang out, and breathe fresh air. It also enables outdoor science education in a way not available on most campuses. ranchocieloyc.org

Heartstrings is a Monterey County band that performs for a myriad of private and public events. For over 20 years, they have brought their fresh and unique sound to traditional acoustic string music from all over the world. heartstringsmonterey.com

SpectorDance was founded in 1997. Our mission is to provide excellence in dance training and performance to all people in our community, regardless of circumstances. The vision is to celebrate the power of dance to ignite creativity and fuel the human spirit. With generous community support, SpectorDance has established successful programs include our School, Company, Educational Outreach, SpectorDance On-Site, the Choreographers Showcase and the Sadie Rose Residency Program. The School provides dance training in a nurturing environment for all ages and levels of experience in a variety of dance styles. The Company presents original works that blend music, spoken word, film, and dance, highlighting social issues. Collaboration with outstanding non-arts organizations is key to every Company project. Educational Outreach is associated with each performance project. SpectorDance On-Site provides weekly dance classes and related arts programs for underserved populations at locations such as Rancho Cielo (at-risk young adults), Chartwell School (children with learning disabilities), and Veterans Transition Center (homeless veterans). The Choreographers Showcase brings choreographers from all over the state to present works at SpectorDance. The Sadie Rose Residency Program provides rehearsal and performance space for selected choreographers. spectordance.org

SpectorDance Board of Directors: Diana Huang(Chairperson), William Terry Bare (Vice Chair), Amy Byington, Cecilia Contreras Luna, Paige Ettin, Jeannie Morris, Garland Thompson, Miki Von Berg, Fran Spector Atkins (Artist Director and Founder) and Jim Atkins (Founder).

Major Donors: Franklin Legacy Fund, Community Foundation for Monterey County, National Endowment for the Arts, California Arts Council, Nancy Buck Ransom Foundation, Echenique Foundation, Monterey County Weekly Fund, Harden Foundation, Chapman Foundation, Tanimura Family Foundation, S.T.A.R. Foundation, Arts Council for Monterey County, Dunspaugh-Dalton Foundation, Harriet Mittledorf, Barnet J. Segal, Carmel Rotary, Hal Eastman, Terry Bare, Jane Parker, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Nick and Catherine Fanoe, Susan Rosen, Karen and Jay Cook, Roger and Linda Thompson, Amanda Geurts and Hans Thomas, Cima Colina Winery and many other businesses and individuals.

Photos: William Roden / New Dawn Studios

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SpectorDance (View)
3343 Paul Davis Drive
Marina, CA 93933
United States

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Owner: SpectorDance

On BPT Since: Oct 10, 2011

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