Tag Archives: Afro-Haitian dance

Lively Foundation Creates Community: Embarcadero Publishing

This article appeared in Our Neighborhoods: Mountain View and Los Altos, December, 2019, a magazine published by the Embarcadero Publishing Co., which publishes the Mountain View Voice, Palo Alto Weekly, Menlo-Atherton Almanac newspapers. Lively thanks Embarcadero Publishing for recognizing The Lively Foundation as a leader in creating community and selecting us to represent our community.

The first thing Leslie Friedman notices when she enters a room is the floor. Wooden? Concrete? Tiled? Her dancer’s eye is always looking for good floors for dancing. She is also always searching  for ways her work can serve the community. She brings people together to dance, to enjoy dance, to learn about our many cultures, and about each other. Her dance succeeds at building community.
As an internationally touring performer, choreographer, and artistic director of the nonprofit Lively Foundation that operates in Old Mountain View, her deep passion for life and her art energizes her choreography and performances. She is first American dancer or artist of any kind to perform with joint sponsorship of the US State Department and host countries around the world. These “firsts” include performances in Moscow and Leningrad/St. Petersburg, Russia; Beijing, Shenyang, and Shanghai, China; Barcelona and Madrid, Spain; Warsaw, Lodz, Krakow, Poznan, Poland; New Delhi, Bengaluru (Bangalore), Kolkata (Calcutta), Chennai (Madras), India; Bucharest, Romania; Cairo and Alexandria, Egypt; Tunis, Tunisia, and more. Her performances in these cities plus London, Tokyo, Toronto, Seoul, were all given ovations and invitations to return.
She stirs up artistic presence on the Peninsula by inviting renowned dancers to teach and  perform in the annual International Dance Festival@Silicon Valley that she hosts in Mountain View.

Artistic Director, Leslie Friedman
First launched in 2012, the week long festival seeks to create performance opportunities for professional dance artists, offers intensive training for dancers and dance students, and invites the whole community to experience dance in professional performance. “Some audience members would be dance lovers, for some it would be their first time watching, for all we hope to give them the excitement and beauty of dance,” says Leslie. The Festival also attracts adults aged 15 and up to classes in a wide variety of dances and  exposes them to the new choreography created by the teaching artists.  Performances and classes include traditional dances from many cultures flourishing in the Bay Area: Irish set dancing, Salsa, Polish folk dance, Mexican Folclorico, Afro-Haitian, several kinds of classical Indian dances, classical Chinese dance. These are in addition to Ballet, Tap, Line Dances, Contemporary, Jazz, and Ballroom dances.

Crystal Bella Chen and Oscar Adrian Rodriguez perform Ballroom dance in the International Dance Festival@Silicon Valley, 2019

“There is a rich variety of movement styles available for our open Master Classes on the Festival’s Full Day of Dance©,” says Leslie, “We encourage everyone to do what they love and also try something new.” All the classes are mixed levels. That includes beginners and pros.
“A ballerina will have an opportunity to learn Afro-Haitian Dance and love it as a beginner in the class. A complete beginner might have a wonderful time in Line dances or find a gift for Tap,” Friedman explains. “Professional dancers can showcase their work here. It gives them new audiences, a chance  to demonstrate and develop their art.”
Through the IDF@SV, Friedman said she hopes to bring the diversity of arts of different origins while involving the community in dance. She also believes it is possible and important that everyone finds a way to move that they enjoy enough to keep doing.
“Move whatever moves, wiggle whatever wiggles,” she said. “If my work inspires someone to keep moving, wow!”
]ennifer Urmson, a mother of two boys, was happy to endorse the way Leslie Friedman and The Lively Foundation build community. She started taking Friedman’s weekly ballet classes when a friend invited her two years ago. “I had not been dancing for a very long time, and I was nervous about the idea of doing ballet as an adult,” Urmson said, adding that as a child, she was told ballet was for bodies of a certain shape. “But Leslie is wonderful as a teacher, very open and supportive. I was really pleased that after a couple of lessons, I felt myself getting stronger and improving my balance.”
Within Jennifer’s class there was a woman in her early 20s, other moms, and retirees. A few of them were organize activities for their dance class friends outside class, such as going together to attend a ballet performance at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts.
Urmson said whether you attend several classes or take part in a single workshop at the Festival, The Lively Foundation seems to have a way of connecting people.
“Months after the dance Festival, you’ll hear people exchanging highlights from the event when they run into one another around town,” she said. “Even if it’s just one class, you see a different side of people. You feel you know them better.” For more information about the International Dance Festival@Silicon Valley, contact livelyfoundation@sbcglobal.net
­—Esther Young, 2019; photo of Leslie Friedman demonstrating a movement for Julie Van Gelder, private student and Festival participant, by Magali Gauthier

GAVINA COFFEE TASTING & CUBAN SALSA DEMO: FREE!

Don’t miss this! It’s one of the most fun events of the summer. The Festival Preview Day for the International Dance Festival@Silicon Valley, August 9, Mountain View Masonic Center, 890 Church Street, Mountain View. The program:

Gavina Logo

4 p.m. FREE GAVINA COFFEE TASTING! Aromatic & delicious. Do not miss this chance to learn about great coffee and find out why Gavina has been favored by coffee connoisseurs for 4 generations. Gavina Vice President, Lois Coburn, will be there to offer great tasting samples.

LeanneSmall3:15 p.m. FREE SALSA PERFORMANCE led by the fabulous Leanne Rinelli. An amazing dancer, Leanne learned Cuban Salsa in Havana last year. Don’t miss this! It will be beautiful and exciting.

1:30 – 2:45 Cuban Salsa class taught by Leanne Rinelli, no partner or previous experience needed   12   – 1:15  Dunham Technique/Afro-Haitian class taught by Leslie Arbogast for beginners- pros     Cost: 1 class for $12.50; both for $20.00  CLASS NOT REQUIRED TO ENJOY THE COFFEE TASTING OR TO WATCH THE SALSA PERFORMANCE!!! See you tomorrow!!!

IDF@SV Presents FESTIVAL PREVIEW DAY, August 9

Gavina LogoGet a taste of the many flavors of the International Dance Festival@Silicon Valley. Come to the Festival Preview at the Mountain View Masonic Center, 890 Church St, Mtn. View, CA. Events run from noon to whenever the wonderful Gavina Gourmet Coffee company runs out of aromatic, smooth, delicious coffee for their FREE coffee tasting. Coffee Tasting begins promptly at 4 p.m. The Lively Foundation is proud to have Gavina as a Lead Sponsor of IDF@SV 2015.

Leslie 5 Sample a dance class! Go ahead, just give it a try. You will have so much fun doing it. The Festival Preview offers a drop in class in Dunham Technique (Afro-Haitian) dance, noon-1:15 p.m., taught by Leslie Arbogast, a dancer with national recognition as a leader in Dunham Dance. Mixed levels, beginners-pros welcome. It’s great to find out how many parts of your body can move!

"                               "Or, try the Cuban Salsa, 1:30-2:45 p.m., taught by Leanne Rinelli. It’s rhythmic, fun, sensual. No partner is necessary. Any level, beginner and up. Ms Rinelli studied Cuban dance and music in Havana. You will have a blast trying this class.

"                               "OR, do not take a class at all! You are still welcome to attend the FREE Salsa Demo Performance AND the FREE GAVINA COFFEE TASTING. What a great day! Leanne Rinelli leads the Salsa performance. This is going to inspire you to spend the next 5 days coming to dance class. You will not want to sit still when you feel that rhythm in you. When was the last time you felt so great as you really are? Here’s the schedule for the Festival Preview. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Dunham class is Noon-1:15 p.m.; Salsa class is 1:30-2:45 p.m.; Salsa Demo begins at 3:15; Gavina Gourmet Coffee Tasting begins at 4 p.m. Come for the whole day or pick your events; a fabulous time is waiting for you!      For information: livelyfoundation@sbcglobal.net   or   call 650/969-4110.  Costs for classes: Mention this Livelyblog post get half price; register for the Festival; get half price. Full price: $25/$36.

 

IDF@SV, 2015, Program Fees

thThe program fees for IDF@SV are set to make the joys of dancing in the Festival accessible to everyone. Full & partial scholarships are available. Deadline for applications is June 30. Here is a list of fees for all classes and events. Early Bird cut off date is July 10, 2015, in all categories. For more information please email livelyfoundation@sbcglobal.net  or  call 650/969-4110.

th-1For all M2F© workshops, 8/10-8/14: Early Bird: $304; Regular: $354 (to Aug. 3); After Aug. 3: $379

Full Day of Dance©, 8/15, Prices per class reduce with each added class:

Early Bird: $20 single class/$36 for 2/$48 for 3/$56 for 4/$60 for 5/$72 for 6/$72 for 7  —   Regular fee: $25 single class/$40 for 2/$54 for 3/$64 for 4/$75 for 5/$78 for 6/$77 for 7

Part-time enrollment: Single M2F© workshop: $134; Two M2F© workshops: $265.50 Please note that Part-time enrollees are not eligible for scholarships or for Early Bird or other discounts.

Festival Preview, 8/9, offers a Dunham Technique (Afro-Haitian) class and a Salsa Class. Single Class is  $25; both classes for $36. For dancers taking all the M2F© workshops either class is $12.50, take both for $25.

Festival Concert, 8/16, General Admission: $15; Over 65 & under 10: $10; Sponsor ticket: $25 guarantees best seats and includes a $10 tax deductible donation.

                                           

Dollar     Payment may be made by check made out to The Lively Foundation and mailed to The Lively Foundation/550 Mountain View Avenue/Mountain View, CA 94041//Walk-ins for Festival Preview or Full Day of Dance© may pay with cash, check or credit card. To pay in advance by credit card: Please go to Lively’s website at www.livelyfoundation.org//on the home page look for Donations in the list of pages above the title “The Lively Foundation”/on the right hand side of the Donations page there is a paypal logo/please follow the directions for DONATIONS on the paypal page so that they will not deduct their service charge. THANK YOU!!!

International Dance Festival@Silicon Valley: PROGRAM DATES!

Leslie angelLeslie 5IDF@SV, 2015, the fourth season of this amazing, unique festival, opens August 9. Please take a look at the program dates below. You won’t want to miss your opportunity to dance, perform, create, watch and enjoy great dance. All events and classes at the Mountain View Masonic Center, 890 Church St., Mountain View, CA, 94041. Accessible building. Free parking.

FESTIVAL PREVIEW:  Sunday, AUGUST 9, Features 2 drop-in classes, Afro-Haitian/Dunham Technique, and Cuban Salsa. No partner needed. FREE COFFEE TASTING PRESENTED BY GAVINA GOURMET COFFEE, FREE SALSA PERFORMANCE LED BY SENSUOUS, FABULOUS  SALSA-ISTA, LEANNE RINELLI.

M2F© INTENSIVE WORKSHOPS: MON-FRI, AUGUST 10-14, practice technique & learn repertory in Classical Chinese Dance, Contemporary Dance, Cuban Salsa, Afro-Haitian/Dunham Tech, and the all new Choreo-Cubator© which is your opportunity to create or polish your own dance. Classical Chinese Dance is offered in two classes: one for ages 12-14, one for mid-teens to any adult age. M2F© workshops are best for intermediate to advanced/professional dancers. You might be advanced in contemporary but a newbie in Chinese, that’s fine. Choreo-Cubator© dancers show their work on Aug. 14, 6 p.m.

               Etta WaltonSmallFULL DAY OF DANCE©: Saturday, Aug. 15, The Original, Wonderful Full Day offers 7 open master classes. All are mixed levels. Take something you love; try something new. Classes start at 9 a.m.; end at 5 p.m. Take one or more. Best Deal & Most Fun: take them all. Price per class reduces with each added class. Afro-Haitian/Dunham, Leslie Arbogast; Tap, Audreyanne Covarrubias; Classical Chinese Dance, Ann Woo; Pilates mat, Amity Johnson; Contemporary, Leslie Friedman; Cuban Salsa, Leanne Rinelli; Line Dances, Etta Walton. No partners needed for Lines or Salsa. Please bring a mat or big towel for Pilates, tap shoes preferable for tap class. Ages 15- any age adult.

FESTIVAL CONCERT! Sunday, August 16, 3 p.m.,The Gala Celebration of Dance, Premiere Works & Guest Artists. Performances & Choreography by our Nationally & Internationally Acclaimed Artists: Leslie Arbogast, Audreyanne Covarrubias, Leslie Friedman, Leanne Rinelli, Etta Walton, Ann Woo, and The Festival Dancers. Complimentary refreshments. Open Seating. Tickets: $15 general/$10 over 65 or under 10/$25 Sponsor: best seats &LeanneSmall $10 is a tax deductible donation.

For information & reservations, contact livelyfoundation@sbcglobal.net  or call 650/969-4110 follow  IDF@SV on facebook/international dance festival silicon valley & facebook/The Lively Foundation see more details on prices and programs here on the Livelyblog http://www.livelyfoundation.org/wordpress/?=cat2

Pictures: at top: Leslie Friedman (L); Leslie Arbogast (R); middle head shot, Etta Walton; bottom, Leanne Rinelli.

 

 

Put Your Heart Back in Your Art: Scholarships Applications for IDF@SV-2015

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Scholarship application form is below. Deadline for us to receive your application is June 30, 2015. That will give us time to review your information and reply. There are full and partial scholarships. Application is below.

ADDITIONAL AID is available in the form of:

1)  FREE Home Stays in the charming, residential neighborhood near our center. Within walking distance for all classes and rehearsals.                                                                                                          2)  FRIENDLY FRIEND FEE: bring a friend with you and both of you receive a discounted rate              3)  EARLY BIRD FEE:  You will still have time to apply with the Early Bird fee, another big discount. So, if you receive a partial scholarship, you can save more by getting the Early Bird rate, too.

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FOR AUGUST 10-16, 2015; Deadline is June 30, 2015. You may add pages if necessary for any items.

NAME:

Home Address:

City, State, Zip code:

Email address:

Tel: _____________________________(home)____________________________(cell)

Previous Dance Training:

 

 

I am primarily a dancer of ( ) Ballet ( ) Contemp ( ) Jazz ( ) Other –please specify

 

Please describe your interest in the International Dance Festival‐Silicon Valley

 

 

What are your previous performance experiences?

 

 

Will you perform in the Festival Concert? ( ) yes ( ) no

Will you take the full Festival or only part of it? {  } yes  {  } no

The Lively Foundation offers a limited number of full or partial scholarships. Partials include help for the M2F© workshops and/or Full Day of Dance©. Please let us know if you would accept any of these opportunities or only one. NOTE: The Lively Foundation scholarship does not cover transportation or housing. We try to find suitable home stays for full time students who request this.

VIDEO: Do you have a video of yourself dancing? Please send it to The Lively Fndn by email: livelyfoundation@sbcglobal.net OR by US mail: 550 Mountain View Ave, Mountain View, CA 94041-1941

IF you have a resume which shows your education, dance training, performance experience you may send that, but we also must have this application form. For more information, please see Facebook/The Lively Foundation   AND Facebook/international dance festival silicon valley

OUR GOAL IS TO DANCE WITH YOU. WE MAKE THE APPLICATION PROCESS ACCESSIBLE and OFFER YOU HELP WITH HOUSING. YOU COME TO DANCE, EXPRESS YOURSELF, INVENT YOUR OWN DANCES, WORK WITH FANTASTIC ARTIST/TEACHERS. APPLY NOW!!!

IDF@SV: Artist/Teachers Perform

The International Dance Festival@Silicon Valley offers dancers, non-dancers, the dance audience an opportunity to study with and watch the finest artist teachers in their fields. In Summer, 2014, our third season, Leanne Rinelli came from Buffalo, NY, to teach and perform Salsa; Leslie Arbogast came from San Diego, CA, to teach and perform Dunham technique/Afro-Haitian dance; Sohini Ray came from Santa Monica, CA, to teach and perform Manipuri, a classical dance of India; Audreyanne Delgado tap danced her way from Alameda, CA; Etta Walton came from Palo Alto, CA, to teach and lead Line dancing; Amity Johnson, a much sought after Pilates teacher has taught Pilates mat at all three seasons; she teaches in Menlo Park & Palo Alto; Artistic Director Leslie Friedman has based her work at the Mountain View Masonic Center since 1996. Participants in IDF@SV benefit from this wealth of talent, training, and experience. Photos: (L) Leanne Rinelli performs No Seas Cobarde; (Rt) Leslie Arbogast performs Where the River Meets the Ocean, a tribute to Ocun, AfroCuban/AfroBrazilian goddess of the river & love."                               ""                               "

Dunham Dance Technique at the International Dance Festival-Silicon Valley

Wonderful news! Leslie Arbogast, an internationally recognized expert at teaching and performing Dunham dance will be a lead teacher at this summer’s Festival. She will teach Dunham technique and repertory to participants in the M-F workshops, teach an open master class at the Full Day of Dance© and also perform in the Festival Concert. We are thrilled to have her and Dunham dance as part of the Festival. “Dunham Technique is a fusion of Ballet, Modern, and cultural dances associated with the African Diaspora, created by dancer, choreographer, anthropologist, and humanitarian Katherine Dunham.  Considered a “way of life”, Dunham Technique is not only dance, but also a theoretical and philosophical model that may be applied to all aspects of a dancer’s life,” wrote Ms Arbogast. Ms Arbogast studied in East St. Louis with master Dunham dancers and performed internationally. She has been a guest instructor of Dunham, Afro-Haitian, and Samba in Muscat, Oman, and Serra Grande, Brazil. She taught Dunham technique at the City Studio Dance Center, Dance Anthropology at the St. Louis Juvenile Detention Center, and Dance Therapy for those recovering from mental illness at the Independence Center, in St. Louis, for 8 years. She now lives and dances in San Diego where she is pursuing a graduate certificate in Native American Studies. We are thrilled to have her join in the Festival! Don’t miss this opportunity; the International Dance Festival-Silicon Valley, 8/11-17, Mountain View, CA.Leslie 5headshot