Give to the Max!!

So, there's only about 5 hours left as of the time I started writing this post.  Give to the Max, if you don't know, s a bit of a marathon of fundraising, 24 hours to galvanize organizations and their supporters to spread the word.

Class Acts Arts, where I'm on staff, and SpeakeasyDC, where I'm on the board, are both participating and I highly encourage you to check 'em out and consider donating.  But also, check out other arts & cultural organizations I'm a fan of, at my Razoo profile page.  These are organizations I both involved in as an artist, as well as just an audience member, or general supporter of their mission, but their some of the ones whose work I find the most compelling in the DC area.

Check it out if you have time, and the minimum donation is $10.  Razoo takes a 2.9% fee for the credit card charge, but all things considered, that's about typical, and ultimately still raises money for good causes.

- J Street Jr

Give to the Max and social media pages

• Class Acts Arts (Facebook | Twitter)
• SpeakeasyDC (Facebook | Twitter)
• Give to the Max (Facebook | Twitter)

Chillin' at the Wintergreen Starbucks

So here I am, chilling at the Wintergreen Starbucks. I decided to come here in lieu of dinner to get out a DC PAL bulletin that was supposed to go out last night, in the 30 minutes I have before rehearsal starts with Jazzlan Dance Theatre at Musical Theatre Center.

Trying to make the most of my time between times, if that makes any sense. Figure with this blog, I'd continue to write what I can when I could, instead of being overwhelmed by not writing anything completely comprehensive, knowing I'll get there eventually.

So, on that note, here's to what little free time I have, and always have something to do with it.

- J Street Jr

Give to the Max: Greater Washington

In board meeting, discussing incorporating Give to the Max: Greater Washington as part of larger fundraising campaign.

Note to others serving on board, if you suggest or seem enthusiastic about something, make sure you're ready to fill those shoes.

This is not a warning to not express yourself, but rather to remember, use, and channel that energy to fulfill your board responsibilities.

Good times :-)

- J Street Jr

Nap time...and validation

So I'm here early for rehearsal, which doesn't start for another hour or so. Grabbed dinner w/ Jesse at Chipotle and am just about ready to pass out.

Last night's opening of the Brookland Artspace Lofts was a blast, and the fourth floor really represented, during the open studio part of the evening. More than anything, it was great to meet all the other residents, as well as the family and friends.

My parents actually came, along with my lola and tito. It was the first time they got to see my place. And even though my dad criticized my on the paint job in my room, at the end of it, I think they both got why I really wanted to live there, to have that space, and be a part of that community.

Now I'm gonna take a quick nap,

- J Street Jr

3rd Velocity DC kicks off

Hey there,

So I don't even know where to begin. It's just another night that reminds me I'm in the right city, and tend to be at the right places at the right times.

Disclaimer: I was brought on to assist with social media for VelocityDC, so I was tweeting live. First time I'd done that.  The really neat thing was how small a world it continues to be.  Several of the dancers are ones I've crossed paths with, in previous lives.

There was Daniel, who I performed with through BosmaDance; Asanga, whom I might when teaching at CityDance; Christopher, also through CityDance (I love how gracious Chris is, not just in saying hi, but in catching up as much as one can, when bumping into one another at events); Junious, Emily, and the rest of the awesome peeps with Urban Artistry, which I work with through Class Acts Arts.

And then after, I join Peter DiMuro, to grab a drink and a bite with Septime Webre and company, including several ladies who define "fabulous".

Really awesome people, passionate about the work they're doing, and reinspiring me about my own.

- J Street Jr

Another stage combat class at Round House

So, I'm slowly finding ways to integrate my blog back into my life. The trick is not in trying to make more time, but to find the time you already have.

It's week 3 of this stage combat class w/ Casey Kaleba, at Round House Theatre's rehearsal space, in Silver Spring. It really appeals to me from a movement perspective, and I've always wanted the chance to work w/ Casey again, after doing Jerry Springer: The Opera at Studio Theatre 2nd Stage (which he did fight choreo for). Geez, that was a li'l over 3 years ago.

Definitely looking forward to applying what I learn to any work I continue to do w/ Synetic Theater, although right now, I'm just trying to make it until my next bit of down-time, day or night, two Fridays from now.

- J Street Jr

Early to a GMCW dance rehearsal

I know, it's been a while, but will be getting back to blogging. I'm here early for a dance rehearsal for GMCW's holiday concert, "Red & Greene".  We're doing "One" from A Chorus Line, music and choreography, but w/ words written for the show.

I was late last week, and by late I was technically on time, but then was looking for parking for over 25 minutes...yeah. In the performing world, early is on time, and on time is late.

Anyway, definitely stoked to be here, and just singing again. It's a great group of guys doing wonderful work, artistically and for the community. But I don't get a day "off" for another two weeks.

Well, gotta go, rehearsal's about to start.

- J Street Jr

Back with a Vlog, from Artspace DC

Hey everyone,

So I'm getting back into my blog, with a vlog about living in the Brookland Artspace Lofts. Yes, this is a shameless plug, as most of my J Street Jr content will not be focused on living here.

It was pretty neat, me and my roommate were the first to move into one of the live/work units brought to DC by developer Artspace USA, who worked with local community partners Cultural Development Corporation and Dance Place.

Anyway, look out for more of what's happening, both in the Brookland Lofts, and out and about DC, where the arts are DEFINITELY happening :-)

- J Street Jr





Other links:

• Artspace - Twitter
• Brookland Lofts Residents - Twitter
• CuDC - Twitter
• Dance Place - Twitter

7 tips when seeing Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind

Hey folks,

So for the third year in a row, I caught The Neo-Futurists at Woolly Mammoth, with their production of Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind (here's the FB event).

It's just a fun show.

Not sure how else to describe it, other than they attempt to perform 30 plays in 60 minutes, and it depends on us (the audience) to help them do it.  And the plays range from comic to experimental, interactive to dance, and then some. Between each, the audience chooses their collective destiny and if the audience hesitates for even a moment, it could lead to entire plays being left out when the timer hits 60 minutes.

So here are 7 tips to making sure you get the most out of your menu, and see all 30 shows:

1. Don't clap loudly and extensively; you won't hear them call "curtain"
2. When yelling out a number, make it loud, keep it short, hit the consonants, and don't dwell on the vowels.
3. If an actor is near a number when "curtain" is called, yell out the closest number.
4. If you're waiting for something to happen (like, a legitimate amount of time, not just a little bit because you're impatient) it probably means you (or another audience member) needs to get up on stage
5. Don't call out numbers that have already been called (this means you have to watch the plays and not get lost in the menu)
6. Definitely WAIT until they say "curtain" to call the next number. As they explained in their introduction, a blackout doesn't mean they play they're doing is over
7. Have fun :-)

Anyway, that's it for now. Until next ti-

Oh WAIT!! My favorite quote from the night (here's the arts administrator in me) came from a piece called "About a buck-seven", and I'm paraphrasing:

"...I'm offended that I live in a country that values commerce over culture"

I think I need to mention that fact that after the final show of every evening, they roll a die and replace that many shows with others, so the performance you see any another day could be completely different from the one I saw.

Good times,

- J Street Jr

Related Links

• Neo-Futurists - Facebook | Twitter
• Woolly Mammoth - Facebook | Twitter

The Tenleytown Starbucks: An Artist Hub apparently

So I met up with a colleague from American University, DonMike (currently in 42nd Street w/ the Arlington Players), at the Tenleytown Starbucks. He also finished at AU last year, but for undergrad.

I was running a little late so I say hi to him outside (it's a beautiful day) and go in to order my drink.  As I'm waiting for it, who walks in, but Kelly, another dancer in the area.  And you know what's funny, not only do I not remember the last time I saw him, but I can't even remember how we met.

He dances with Dana Tai Soon Burgess & Company, as well as teaches at GWU.

And if you're free next weekend, the company actually has a performance coming up.)

Anyway, so that was an unexpected and pleasant surprise.

So DonMike and I are meeting to catch up, about everything we've been up to, which (being artists) means that it's a weird mix of work & play...the things we do for a career, and then the things we do for a living to subsidize the career.

Incidentally, DonMike is the theatre programmer at Bloombars, and part of the discussion includes possibly doing workshops for my summer show there.

Over the course of catching up he, being Filipino, asks about the show I'm producing with production company, which was successful with its Kickstarter Campaign.  And twice, some friends of his (theatre folk from AU) I believe, walk up and say hi to them. I say hi myself, and we're back to our conversation.

Then who walks out, by Lala and Chris.  Lala I met during my final year in the Arts Management program at AU.  Part of our requirements included 6 credits of undergrad level arts classes, so I jumped back into dance (at AU), taking 3 classes my final semester. And she was probably one of the most adept, graceful, technically proficient, and overall fun dancer I have had the pleasure of studying with.

If you ever get to see her perform...you should. But I digress.

And then there's Chris, who I kinda met while I taught classes at CityDance Center at Strathmore. Often times company members would be in the lobby before or after, and over time at some point we were finally introduced, or maybe I introduced myself. I can't remember (notice a pattern?). It's not that I don't want to, it just often is so circumstantial that it almost doesn't necessitate remembering. The important thing is that the connection was made.

I do remember attending a behind the scenes, donor cultivation event, where he presented a piece with spoken word, and a fish tank which he poured rice into.  Now you know the Pinoy in me perked up. Breakfast is pretty much the only meal I don't regularly eat with rice.  Obviously the piece was much deeper than just using the rice as a prop, but describing it wouldn't do it justice.  Let's just say that in addition to the auditory element of mixing rice in water, at some point he also took handfuls and patted the rice on his skin, adding a texture to his body, but also leaving this cloud in the water.

So Chris actually works at CityDance as Choreographer in Residence and Rehearsal Director AS WELL AS doing work in New York.  I always run into friends, colleagues, and acquaintance, like him, when I start fretting about how busy I think I am, and then I remember what they do.  I mean, I have time to reflect and write this blog, although considering I haven't really done that much over the past month, maybe I can be like that at times.

Anyway, another working artist I've had the privilege and pleasure of crossing paths with, and as little as we know each other, just a generally gracious and pleasant guy, from what I can tell.

I joked with DonMike after they left, that we should just start a blog about the two of us sitting there and the people we run into.  But I stopped when I realized I was thinking that it wouldn't be a bad idea.  All we would need is the time and money to do that.

- J Street Jr

Related Links

• AU Dance - Facebook
• Bloombars - Facebook | Feedburner | Flickr | Twitter | YouTube
• CityDance Ensemble - Facebook | Twitter
• DTSB&Co - Blogger | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

It's a small Sulu DC world (at Artisphere)

Frickin' small world, I'm telling you.

First, one of the musicians tech'ing, with the group The Fourth Stream, after almost an hour of being in the space, asks, "Hey, do you know Zehra Fazal?"  I say yes, adding a "I thought you looked familiar" afterward.

Turns out we met at a birthday dinner for one of the most self-actualized working artists I know, and I've had the pleasure of working with in various capacities (you should check out her website).

Later I see Megan, whom I had just grabbed lunch with a week or so ago, who has recently taken on the position of Communications with Sulu DC.

Then, halfway through the set of the closing performers, SNRG, my kuya Ricky greets me with a fistbump in one hand, while is filming with the other.

I've known this guy as long as I've been live, via my cousin Kat's side of the fam.

Anyway, that's the AAPI community for you.

And it's been fun, with two events down as Sulu DC's resident stage manager, with my trusty sidekick, Eamonn, ASM'ing for the evening again.

Performances were as diverse in disciplines as the audience was in heritage, as usual, which is the pretty neat thing.  I hear artists and art forms that I might not normally be exposed to, due to my own predispositions, as well as limited resources temporally and financially.

And they include active local artists.  The Fourth Stream, mentioned earlier, actually has another performance which the Pink Line Project has listed, coming up this Friday at Bloombars.

They also included out-of-the-area artists, like the amazing Jennifer Cendaña Armas, who bussed in from NYC.

Other artists included Poet José Padua (check out his blog) and one of Sulu DC's founders, Alex Cena, who not only is a coordinator at Asian American Lead, but also had a posse of youth he mentors and teaches, performing some pieces with him.

MC'ing the evening was another of Sulu DC's founders, Brian Wang, and bringing the whole evening together on the 1's & 2's was the Pinstriped Rebel. I'm sorry, but someone who can bridge the variety of artforms and heritage, mixing in everything from cultural classics to Filipino funk/rap...let's just say that she's pretty awesome.

Definitely check out the Event Calendar, and see if there's an evening you'd consider checking out.  Just come with open mind and heart, and whether you're of the AAPI community, or affiliated with it in some other way, I promise you will not be disappointed.

- J Street Jr

Related Links:

• Artisphere - Facebook | Twitter
• Brian Wang - YouTube
• The Fourth Stream - Facebook | MySpace
• Jennifer Armas - Facebook | Twitter
• Jose Padua - Shenandoah Breakdown (a blog with his wife, poet Heather Davis)
• SNRG - Twitter | YouTube

Wolfgang Gartner: Illmerica Music Video

So all I can say is thank you Eamonn, for finding this track and its producer. I'm sure I've heard his tracks before, but most recently, one of 'em was really the HIGHLIGHT of tearing up the dance floor with Charles Feelgood spinning at Spring Massive.

Not only is the music tight, but loving the music video for his track "Illmerica". Okay, not really sure if "loving" is the right description, but it engaged me on so many levels, with a full spectrum of emotions.

I recommend you check it out, and let me know what you think. For me, it's just a great intersection of performance and visual art.

- J Street Jr

Urban Artistry at Intersections

Have I mentioned I love my job (at Class Acts Arts).

Not only do I have a lot of opportunities for professional development, but it is just another way I'm aware of different opportunities to see art in the area.

For example, no less than 5 of the artists on our roster participated in the closing weekend of the Intersections Festival, at the Atlas Performing arts Center. These included Adventure Theatre (with their production of Mirandy & Brother Wind, the Spilling Ink Project, Step Afrika & Urban Artistry.

That being said, the performance I could afford to catch, both monetarily and temporally, was Urban Artistry, performing with Sylvia Soumah's company, Coyaba Dance's Youth Ensemble, and the Goot Foot Dance Company as well.

Small world just keeps getting smaller...Mama Soumah has actually been a guest choreographer at the school I teach, and she's back this year.  Not only that, but one of the guests, who narrated the collaborative concert, is one of my favorite house DJ's, Sam "The Man" Burns (who will be spinning at U Hall on my 30th birthday this Friday!!).

At one point, at the top of Urban Artistry's piece towards the end, they kicked off with a slideshow homage of urban dance music dj's and venues, as well as other world and cultural dances from African to Tap, overlaid with the My House vocal.

Accompanied by my buddy Eamonn, and his girlfriend/my student, Caroline, it was a great to start off a day that would end up dancing the night away at day 2 of Spring Massive, at Bourbon Street Live in Baltimore.

Anyway, it was just very reaffirming on one hand, to see a culture that I very much identify with continue to grow in legitimacy and visibility.  However, it was slightly discouraging that more people weren't there, but that's a topic for another day (trying to tell that Arts Management lens to stop wondering about marketing, seating optimization, the audience for dance in DC, etc).

Regardless, it was the execution of a wonderful event, featuring collaboration (which needs to continue to happen, not just within the Dance community, but across all the performing arts communities in the area), at a great festival that really shows DC is a place to be for arts and culture, for both audience members and professional artists.

- J Street Jr

Related Links

• Urban Artistry - Facebook | Twitter
• Intersections: A New America Arts Festival - Facebook | Twitter
• Atlas Performing Arts Center - Facebook | Twitter
• Class Acts Arts - Facebook | Twitter
• Adventure Theatre - Facebook Group | Facebook Page | Twitter
• Coyaba Dance Theater - Facebook | Youth Ensemble Facebook 
• Step Afrika - Facebook | Twitter

Auditions for KAT 2nd Stage's Once On This Island

Oh boy...auditions. Or, as I like to reform to them, the SAT's of the performing arts world, or (with the dance part) speed-dating with movement.

I am actually choreographing Once on This Island, with Kensington Arts Theatre 2nd Stage, courtesy of the Director, as well as the Artistic Director, Heather Latiri. I actually met her performing in a production of The Merry Widow with the Washington Savoyards.  A little more recently, I worked with her as a director, when I was cast as one of the Wickersham siblings, in KAT 2nd Stage's production of Seussical the Musical.

Now I get to work with her again, but in a creative/production role!!

And it's always interesting being on the other side of the casting table.

I forget who, but one of mentors likes to remind performers that auditors are not looking for them to fail, but to fulfill their dreams.  I know, maybe it's a little glass-half-full, but I believe that, and like that attitude.

But there are somethings which I observed, that reminded me how lucky I've been to have worked with the mentors I've worked with.  I definitely don't claim to know everything, but there are some things that I can speak to.

For one (and this is for the ladies), if there's a dance portion to an audition, definitely try to avoid a pattern that has too much going on, as it can possibly get distracting when moving.  For guys and girls, if you only do three things when you sing your song, first prep the accompanist with what you want them to play (particularly any intro) and the tempo, breath (especially breathing in), and focus (I've heard above the auditors heads is a good place, but just don't jump all over the place with your eyes).

I know this is a bit nit-picky, but it's not basic, and not meant to put down or judge.  If anything, I was definitely proud of everyone who have the guts to show up to an audition (especially if it isn't your livelihood) and put themselves out there.  One mentor, when I just got back to stage in college, said that if you couldn't handle rejection, then to find another occupation.

But it's all about making choices and taking chances, right?

In that sense, I'm just glad Heather took a chance on me to choreograph this show, which by the way, I'd never seen and I'd only heard one song, a song I actually thought was the opening.  Turns out "Why We Tell the Story" is the Finale.  The opening song "We Dance" is pretty awesome too, and I actually found a YouTube clip of a Filipino production. Jerking and jumping aside, the performance is definitely worth it, 'cuz that's how we Pinoys do!!

I can't wait to see what choreography I come up with, for this show :-)

- J Street Jr

Related Links

• KAT 2nd Stage - Facebook | Twitter

Capital Fringe Festival Application Due

Not much to report here...except that I turned in my Capital Fringe Festival application for Pinoy: A' merican Tale!!

This will be the second piece created and presented through my performing arts company, AWoL Productions.

Last summer, the show was The Rave Scenes and was a bit of a personal homage to my own experience and  eventual path to performing as a profession, through this urban dance scene.  Definitely looking to produce it again, but more on that when I have more details.  In the mean time, feel free to check out this "review" at DC Theatre Scene. It's actually fair, for the most part, until you get to the point where the critic starts to become prescriptive about what they would've rather scene, than simply describing it.

In my humble opinion, with a cast made of both ravers and non-ravers, my goals were to a) provide a place of reflection for the party kids, b) provide an opportunity for insight for the non-party kids, and c) get party kids that might or might not regularly see live performances come out and see a show that was relative to them.

On all three counts, I believe I was successul.

Anyway, more details will be provided about this summer's show through my blog for AWoL Productions.

- J Street Jr

Tech Trends Among People of Color at Fdtn Center

Okay, small world.

I haven't seen Rosetta Thurman since the first Social Justice Camp DC, last year, in 2010. I actually didn't even remember until she reminded me, and I felt like it'd been much more recent than that, which is only a testament to her social media presence.

If you follow her Twitter, for even a day, you'll know why. And if you don't follow it yet, and are involved in the nonprofit world, you should.  In fact, even if you aren't, you should, just because I'm sure her insights could apply to your life in some way, shape or form.

So she's moderating this Foundation Center session, led by Aaron Smith of the Pew Research Center.  He was sharing results from a recent study, which looked at technology trends across demographics, but highlighted trends among people of color, particularly Latino and African-American users. This was done through the lens of the Pew Internet & American Life Project.

Some of the information shared might have reinforced some individuals experiences, while some might've completely contradicted previously held beliefs about which demographics do what with technology and social media tools.

And all the research is available for free, online.  These sessions are free and open to the public.  And this particular one was actually full by the time I registered.

But they have wait-lists for a reason and I put my name on one the week before, just to get a call confirming my spot almost right away.

Ironically, as one of the field trips for a grad school class, Fundamentals of Fundraising, we had to do donor research at the Foundation Center because, AGAIN, you can have access to their tools and databases for free when you go there in person.

Just an amazing resource, when you think about how much of the work people do now is simply about making those connections, and finding people who believe in you enough to support you with time and money.

And social media is becoming ever more crucial to cultivating those relationships.

Just another reason I've made it a resolution, not necessarily a New Year's one, but a general one, to really use this blog to connect anyone who cares to read, with the city and people I care about as well as taking advantage of opportunities like this information session, to continue moving forward with every pursuit in life.

- J Street Jr

Other Twitter accounts:

• Aaron W. Smith
• Foundation Center Washington
• Pew Research Center

Closing night of Landless' Mashup Festival

Another closing, another show...

It won't kick in until the following week, or the week after, but at some point I'll remember how this craft has socially and emotionally lobotomized performers to accept the complete disconnect for what can be very tight-knit community, in order to be ready to move on the the next one.

All that being said, this has truly been a unique and fun experience, and gave me an opportunity to play roles that have probably been the most challenging I've ever played, that of Black Girl in Gleam (a mashup of Glee & Scream) and Casey, a gay porn bottom, in TarXXXanadu...I don't think I need to explain that one.

And thus ended my premiere performance(s) with Landless Theatre Company, an organization I hope to work with more in the future.

In my ever ending quest to do work to get my non-theatre friends to come out and see live performances, I continue to make headway, although not as much as I would like.

And so I turn back to the eternal question that seems to stump me in most endeavors...how do you get people to care enough just to show up?

Yes, it's more of a rhetorical question, but if the friends that did make it out are any indicator, then I'm making progress.  That's part of the reason I was really looking forward to working with Landless, because that's what they're about:

"Landless Theatre Company is committed to infusing vitality into the D.C. Arts by producing exciting and accessible alternative theatre to generate new and diverse audiences"

I love it!!

And so I go further down the DC performing arts rabbit hole :-)

- J Street Jr

Landless Theatre Company - Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

Reviews:

• Brightest Young Things
• DC Theatre Scene

Letter to Obama at Busboys & Poets

Now I had never choreographed a solo piece for myself professionally. Other than solos for two dancers of mine (one for the annual high school dance concert, another for an audition to get into a college dance program) the only other time I'd choreographed solos was back in undergrad at UMD (for Choreography I).

Anyway, I was actually approached to create a piece for this event from Holly Bass, the host, and turned it down, but this was when the event was originally scheduled to happen in January.

The universe has a funny way of making things work out, sometimes.

For whatever reason, Letter to Obama, a collaborative piece of artistic citizenship developed and executed by Liz Andrews, was rescheduled. I was asked again, and I said yes.

The thought for my work was to create a piece of movement to Obama's spoken word.  And as the day drew closer, I was drawn more and more to Will.I.Am's Yes We Can.  It was a process unlike any I had done before in creating a dance, which was refreshing.  I didn't sweat the details, and while it told a story, it was still wide open to interpretation.

Part of the journey, was revealed as I literally revealed layers.  I started out the piece in a graduation gown, which when removed showed a shirt saying Filipino American (a bit of swag I got from the tour of The Debut), and under this was simply a navy blue sleeveless shirt that had U.S.A. on it.

Before the reveal of the second shirt, I actually turn around holding one of many Washington Post issues that I saved from Obama's first hundred days or so (including the 100 Days one).  The one I held up was the Outlook section from November 30, 2008, with the two headliners, I'm Not Post-Racial and He's Not Black. It spoke to my own identity and path growing up as a mixed person.

Anyway, this article was the first of many Washington Post pieces from mostly early 2009, post-inauguration, I share in the piece.  But why?

I don't know, honestly...it just felt right, the sharing of information, the reminder of what the news was barely two years ago, and inadvertently the feelings we had at such a historic time.  I can't even really tell you what the audience got from it, or from the rest of the dance...but from the look in their eyes as I scanned the room at the end of the solo, making sure to make eye contact, with a hopeful smile on my face, with each person...well I just knew that everyone got something.

And I, through the invitation of Liz Andrews and Holly Bass, got to do something artistically that I couldn't have imagined on my own.  That is one of the reasons I love living in DC, as an artist, and particularly a performer.  The possibilities are numerous, and they will surprise you. :-)

- J Street Jr


Related Links

• Holly Bass - Twitter
• Busboys & Poets - Facebook | Twitter

The Art of Justice: A Courtroom Scene

While cameras aren't allowed, a visual artist of other mediums is.

I suppose it is less intrusive, but it's also a little more nuanced than taking a strict photo, which is exactly what the lens sees, a moment copied and pasted to its memory card, and reproduced pixel by pixel. A visual piece...well, I could only image (not being a visual artist myself), that it captures much more than a moment.

The artist at the trial?

William J. Hennessy Jr.  You can check out his website, www.courtroomart.com.

I tried, in vain, to explain why I, sitting on the defendant's side of the courtroom, was intrigued at the role, his role, of an artist in this system. I managed to get out the fact that I was an arts administrator, and quickly realized that I should just cut short my losses, and let him get on with his work, while the memories and images were still fresh.

I suppose, as personal and emotional as trials can, the visual artist plays a role that a photographer can't, specifically because of the product they produce.

At its core, unless you're going for complete realism, maybe there isn't the sense of a breach of privacy when one see his or her likeness in pastel (or other medium of choice), versus a picture.  I don't know, maybe there are other reasons, but at the end it doesn't seem as...well, I can't think of another word: as intrusive as an actual photograph might. That's my own take on it, anyway.

Maybe actual courtroom artists can speak to how they view their role, their work, and how it differs from that of photography, on any level.

The frustrating thing was, his presence was a reminder that I now have this arts management lens on (thank you AU) that, even in dealing with an ongoing, personal tragedy, will never come off. Or maybe it's a good thing in that the path I'm going down in my life is relevant in ways I couldn't imagine.

Either way, it only makes me hope that the artist can forgive me for interrupting his process.

- J Street Jr

White House Conference Call on Arts Funding

This was pretty neat, just one of those things that reminds me that maybe I am in fact in the right places at the right times.

Our ED at Class Acts Arts, unfortunately couldn't make the call, but forwarded it to me.  And who was spearheading this campaign to assuage the concerns of Arts Mangers?

Kalpen Modi!!

That's right, in case you forgot or just didn't know, he's the Associate Director of The White House's Office of Public Engagement. In this position, he serves as liaison to Young Americans, the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, and the Arts.

Now, I won't go into detail about the call, particularly because it was not for news purposes, and being a lowly blogger, still not quite sure how I fit into the scheme of things.

I will say two things.

First, I was surprised that only a couple of individuals...literally, responded with thoughts and concerns towards the end of the call. Which, I guess, is fine.  A conference call is not really the forum for in depth discussion, and that wasn't the purpose of this one anyway, but it did make me wonder how many were actually on the call.  I mean, I'm sure this must be standard procedure when any budget issue could adversely impact a sector or industry, but I couldn't help but pique my curiosity as to how many people actually called in, if only two had anything to say.

If we can't even show up on a telephone line when offered the opportunity, then how likely are those in positions of decision making going to look past that when we are present just because we need something. And that doesn't just go with the arts, that probably applies to just about anything in life.

The second thing? I almost regret not chiming in when they asked to make sure if anyone else had any questions, because something that came up in grad school, particularly in our Cultural Policy class, would be the fact that the National Endowment for the Arts...well, it's not an endowment.

But that's a topic for a much larger discussion...

- J Street Jr

Student came and saw my show tonight

So just a little anecdote: a current student came and saw my show tonight.

The neat thing was one of my cast mates, upon hearing this, said that she thought it was pretty cool for the student, to be able to see their teacher outside of a school setting, performing on stage.

And for me, it just reinforced something I've believe since undergrad at maryland, thanks to a very awesome conversation with several of my teachers.

Over the course of the conversation, they asked me questions which encouraged me to really think about what I wanted to do with my life. One of them shared his own believe, that in order to truly excel as an artist, one had to not only perform, but to teach, and continue to be taught as well.

This recent experience just reconfirmed that, and reinforces my feelings against the misconception that "those who cannot do, they teach". I don't know where it came from, and I don't know why it seems to be particular to the arts world, but I would think that in most other sectors, you're learning from people who are still active and engaged in their field. Sure, some teach when they retire, but...I don't know.

I obviously don't have any statistical data to show, but it just made me happy that at least one of my students saw this connection, this side of the performing arts, which I in turn pass on to her.

Artspace Wash DC Hardhat Tour

Stoked!!

After going on a hardhat tour of Artspace Wash DC, a 41 unit live-work space which is under construction near Dance Place, that's the one word that pretty much sums it all up. Also, the several tours that were offered were filled up and had a wait list by the beginning of this week.

Tall ceilings, soundproofing between floors and rooms, parking garage, and a studio on the 1st floor...who could ask for anything more?

And it was great running into some familiar faces, among which was another artist friend, William. With a wife and kid, he expressed that this would be the perfect environment for him and his partner to really be able to get back to their art as well as take care of their family.

Talking to another acquaintance, she mentioned that it might feel a bit like a college dorm, to which I offered that at least this time, we'd all have a better idea of what we want to do with our lives, and what it takes to do it, which is where housing options like this come into play.

*crossing my fingers* to get in, but also hoping that everyone who is interested and eligible applies.  I feel like great things are going to happen in this building and I could only hope to be a part of that whether I actually live there or not.

You can check out more info at their site, and on their Facebook Page.

- J Street Jr :-)

Maryland Arts Day 2011

So today our Executive Director at Class Acts Arts invited me to accompany her to Maryland Arts Day 2011. If you're on twitter, just do a search for #MAD2011.

The day was organized by Maryland Citizens for the Arts and attended by a variety of artists, arts administrators, and arts supporters.

My only previous experience with Arts Advocacy had been with the national arts advocacy day organized by Americans for the Arts. I technically served for a brief term on the Steering Committee of the DC Advocates for the Arts, but I don't count that for various reasons which I won't delve into now.

Suffice it to say, it was interesting to see arts advocacy working on a state level.  And while I am not a MD resident, the work I do with CAA serves the constituents of MD representatives, so my presence felt justified.

Arts Advocates with
Representative Lee, District 16

And it was great seeing the MD arts organization I'd been involved with or just recently come across represented in such force.

My long-time mentor, Michael Bobbitt (Artistic Director of Adventure Theatre) was there. Suzan Jenkins of the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County was present. She had been my instructor for a class on Art, Community & Diversity, while in AU's Arts Management program.

And other individuals I've had somewhat more fleeting encounters with, but hope to talk with more in the future, were there. These individuals included Kelly Prestei with the American Alliance for Theatre & Education, whom I met during a training session for #MAD2011 recently, and Angella Foster who is Artistic Director of Alight Dance Theater, whom I performed with 2 1/2 years ago in a David Dorfman piece at UMD's Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. I had received my BA from the Dance program in '06, and she was working on her MFA. (actually, if you go to the BA link, I'm in the clip that's playing...).

Anyway, I digress. It was a pretty neat day.

- J Street Jr



And if you'd like to follow any of the organizations I mentioned above on Facebook or Twitter, here is a link to their respective pages:

Adventure Theatre - Facebook | Twitter
Alight Dance Theater - Facebook | Twitter
American Alliance for Theatre & Education - Facebook | Twitter
Americans for the Arts - Facebook | Twitter
Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County - Facebook | Twitter
DC Advocates for the Arts - Facebook
Maryland Citizens for the Arts - Facebook | Twitter