Well well, I've got a new category of posts to do now! "You've Got to See This" is a feature title for all things that I believe deserve to be featured. Today, we start with a familiar name to this blog, Vanessa "Eyes" Li (I don't know why I always refer you by your full name..)!
In collaboration with Johnny Loh Productions (really, it's just himself) she's done it again and created an intensely HIPHOP-able related and oriented video. Great use of expression, of levels, and of space changes. Big ups to all the dancers in the video! Always great to see so much talent packed in such a short and juicy video. Here it is!
YAY!! Bazaar was SOO fun, and I'm really thankful and appreciative to have had this surreal experience with all the dancers in our set. Thank you especially to Vanessa Li and Andrew Pyro Chung for handpicking me to be a part of their vision.
Mariano Abarca as Host
For those that don't know what BAZAAR is, it is a choreographer's showcase, run by ABA Entertainment (find them on Twitter HERE), and hosted by Mariano Abarca, one of the top Toronto dancers/choreographers. This time around, the theme was Childhood. So Pyro and Vanessa portrayed that through a story of emotions of a child at a slumber party (Happy, Angry, Sad). Our set was extremely lighthearted and fun, as we thought every set would be with this theme. However, more than half of the other choreographers chose to take a darker and deeper path with this theme (don't say that's what she said..).
There was one especially by Esie Mensah that really made me, and almost everyone that has seen it, feel something strong in our hearts. It was about child abuse, and although it started with a lighthearted, cute, and really well executed piece, it ended with a little girl (danced and acted very well by a girl that I met during the Lady Gaga performance, unfortunately I don't know her name..) and an evil man (KJ, I believe his name is) and, well, you'd have to be there to experience it. Hopefully I'll find that video soon... But it was extremely disheartening to every audience member, which leads me to believe how great of a piece that was, to make everyone really feel something so strong just by watching a piece. Really well casted, and amazing execution.
Another choreographer worth mentioning was Natalie Nesterenko (I met her through Apolonia's waacking classes on Sundays), who also happens to be Mariano's girlfriend. She worked with two kids, to try to portray the love story of her and Mariano. It was SO CUTE!!! She also did another piece that evolved around the monsters from the closet. It was a great set, so versatile and so well executed, since the cast were all seasoned dancers from the Toronto dance scene already. Amazing job!
"Emotions of a Child" Dancers:
Andrew Pyro Chung
Sonic
Eujean Kim
Jasmin Yeung
Kristine Flores
Mikey Le
Ralph Esamillan
Sarah Tumaliuan
Vanessa Eyes Li
My costume: Uh oh Shirt and crazy pants
Bazaar babies: Eujean and I
Ralph and Sarah
Eujean and Kristine
Sonic in spongebob apparel
Vanessa's cute hello kitty jammies, and Pyro the creeper, while Mikey poses :)
You cannot IMAGINE how ecstatic (and a little nervous in the beginning, not going to lie..) I was to dance with every single one of these dancers. All SOO EXTREMELY talented and SO easy to get along with, and so professional when time came to get down to business. (I can't stop typing in Caps because I can't think of another way to show you how I really feel haha). I had so much fun doing the voiceovers, and thanks to Johnny Loh with the serious audio equipment, it didn't sound ghetto at all!
You are invited to our slumber party! Come and bring lots of candy while you enter our emotional journey of candy overdose. :)
NOTE for everyone watching the video - The little girl humming in the beginning is me!!! And Ralph is actually the "grandmother" yelling at us children. Sonic does his own voice at the very end of our medley.
Woohoo! Afterparty at...
New Ho King! $5 meals? Ok!!
Yay, food! - David Forteau, Sarah and Kristine
I apologize for the insanely blurry photos... I'll promise to bring my new Nikon D3100 to the next event/outing, once I learn how to use it properly! :)
I updated my blog design! It's still rather simple, I've been trying to play around with the colours and the font just a little, But I don't exactly know what colour I want to use to try and show the struggling life of a dancer... Hmm. So instead, I just chose a nice minty green just to brighten up my day that I know can cheer me up whenever I come to my own blog. I hope it brightens your day too!
Today is a super long day: Spent a few hours working on the blog, I have to teach Daniel Gomez (a main character of Spotlight 2K12) a routine that I've choreographed for J VYbE, and then popping class with Pyro at VYbE, and then rummage for food. Then, we have a Bazaar rehearsal scheduled for 12AM!!! That's the latest one I've done so far.. this will be interesting.. I hope I eat enough to survive through! Wish me luck. After that, because Bazaar's theme is Childhood, they have decided to use my voice in the routine and make voice overs since I sound like a little girl. Honoured! Haha.
Let me know what you think about my new blog look! Comments are always always ALWAYS welcome :)
When the sun comes out, you know it's that time of year again - SPOTLIGHT time!! For those that don't already know what it is, VYbE Dance Co. has an annual showcase for the performance program students to show the world what they have learned in the past program year (from October to June). To add to the excitement, every year different performers (Snow Zei the singer, Visual Assault a breakdance crew, WIBI an Acapella group, etc) are invited to showcase their talents on stage with us to complete an entertaining and well-balanced show for the audience members.
This year the story is the mystery of Mr. Rich's (Johnny Loh, AKA our videographer from the previous post of Henry's Thesis project!) death solved by Mr. Picklez (Wil Rockerfellah).
My awesome 2011-2012 J VYbE group!
I am leading the J VYbE performance program this year (it's now my third year) and I must say they are looking good and prepared. It also makes me feel so accomplished to know that in the past year with my students that they have learned most of the basics of dancing, of performing, and had a lot of fun at the same time! They are in four pieces together and everyone has worked extremely hard and I'm so proud of this group of kids. So, when you see them on stage, please do encourage them and scream for them because they've worked so hard to give you an awesome performance on that stage!
I have a special piece in Spotlight which will be performed by Snowzei our singer (her character is the mistress of the mystery) - the song is called "Sexy Silk", originally by Jessica Cornish, from the movie Easy A. The LOVE girls will also be performing my "Original Don" by Major Laser piece. Watch out for these piece and please tell me what you think!!
I cannot wait for Spotlight day, it's always just a fun day to have the whole company together and work towards something so amazing and inspiring. Get your tickets now! Here's the SneakPeak trailer you've all been waiting for!
