Photo shoots are fun!

Especially when you have a great photographer to work with and it involves dancing! Thanks to the photographer Mick McKiernan.

(All photos credit Mick McKiernan)

"Happy Feet"

Charleston performance
at Lonnie's Pretty Big Show
July 2011, Madison, WI
Photographer: Mick McKiernan





















This was extremely FUN.

Charleston

So, I've been working on learning the Charleston and plan to perform a little number Saturday, July 16, 2011 at 8:00 PM at the Barrymore Theater here in Madison. (more info).

The Charleston certainly is an exuberant dance. I've been learning a lot from Sharon Davis, Ginger Rogers, and a friend here in town. It's been a blast and a challenge. {some moves include "bees knees," "happy feet," "swivel and swirl," "knee illusions," "scarecrow", chugs, slides, lock turns, oh my!}

And it's about dancing for the sheer love of dancing. So, I'm switching gears a little from the moody, technology enhanced fan dances that I've been doing for the past 6 years.

Now, a little time for inspiration. Ginger Rogers, WOW:

And this guy is ON FIRE:

Dance your hearts out people!

IMPRINT documentation:

Taken by Mick McKiernan. (Click on it for a larger version.)

This piece was loosely based on kitsune-tsukai (see previous post for my research).

Lately I've been studying the Charleston. It's great because it was meant for everyone to get down together and not be done perfectly (it's rambunctious really). It's quite twisty and challenging--that's what makes it so fun to learn though. Suede soled shoes help.

Research for my next piece: Kitsunetsuki

I recently returned from a trip to Japan where I had visited the Fushimi Inari Shrine where I had discovered the messenger of Inari, Kitsune. Kitsune can possess a human, normally a woman, through under the nails or breasts. This got my attention and I've been looking into it more in order to tie it into a new piece that I've already been working on. So, here is some information on Kitsunetsuki (a.k.a. the possession by a fox spirit).

This illustration is by Laura Laine and is called "Kitsune Noir"

“Strange is the madness of those into whom demon foxes enter. Sometimes they run naked shouting through the streets. Sometimes they lie down and froth at the mouth, and yelp as a fox yelps. And on some part of the body of the possessed a moving lump appears under the skin, which seems to have a life of its own. Prick it with a needle, and it glides instantly to another place. By no grasp can it be so tightly compressed by a strong hand that it will not slip from under the fingers.” - Lafcadio Hearn

"Art of Love and Hate" show; "Bite" documentation

Secret Ingredient Art Collective's first show at the Inferno was a hit!

I had a blast. Thanks to everyone for making it a great night!

For the conceptual aspect of the piece (vulgar love normally turns to hate while honest love is infinite) and for the Baroque influence, here are the two main books that influenced me:

1. Dialogue on the Infinity of Love

- very recommended, written by a wealthy courtesan and poet

2. Baroque Baroque The Culture of Excess

The Art of Love and Hate *show announcement*

I'll be performing Februrary 12th at Club Inferno in Madison as part of the Secret Ingredient Art Collective (which is brand new!). You should come and check it out...there will be prizes, contests, music, and yes, some great art! Should be a swell time.