Thursday, December 25, 2008
What would the holidays be without The Nutcracker?
In case, none of you have attended a CB performance before, you don't know what you are missing! Here is a video of one of my favorite numbers in The Nutcracker. Here is "Arabian" danced by Luis Valdes and Shelby Dyer.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Prop 8: The Musical...and other amusing things
I found a couple amusing media peices today. One addresses a rather serious topic in our country right now in a comical manner. The other one is just plain funny and I can't wait to check out the real thing when it releases
'Emo Boy' headed to big screen
Vanguard Films picks up rights to comic book series
By Borys Kit
Dec 5, 2008, 12:00 AM ET
John H. Williams and his Vanguard Films have picked up rights to the cult comic book series "Emo Boy," setting Kyle Newman to direct the adaptation. Stephen Edmond, the comic's writer-artist, is penning the screenplay. Emo is a fashion and music style as well as emotional description of someone who is overly sensitive or angst-ridden. Published by Slave Labor Graphics, the satirical comic followed the travails of the most self-dramatizing young man in the history of the world, whose emotions were so intense he even had "emo powers."Vanguard discovered the book at Comic-Con. Vanguard's Rob Moreland is overseeing. The company hopes to make music a key component of the project, which has been described as being in the tone of "Napoleon Dynamite," "Harold and Maude" and "Zoolander." Newman, repped by UTA and the Collective, is the helmer behind "Fanboys," the long-delayed comedy about "Star Wars" fans. The movie is due to open Feb. 6.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Twilight


Friday, October 24, 2008
Creative Conversations
One of the speakers discussed the trends occurring in the art world. One of her main points is that our society is shifting into an immediate gratification mindset. The attendance rate of live performances are going down. Some arts organizations like the Metroplitan Opera in New York are attempting to remedey this by providing the option of streaming their operas online. People have the power and ability to choose their own timing to "attend." While this concept definitely speaks to my generation it somewhat worries me. To me, there is nothing like seeing something live and in person. Nothing can substitute for that emotional connection between your role as an audience member and the performer onstage. If experiencing art starts to become only digital, I just can't imagine what this will mean for our society. Will people start having digital relationships? For some reason I get this picture in my head of people having family reunions over webcams- eek! Thoughts?
On another note, A great couple named the Birky's came and discussed their brainchild: a restaurant called SAME Cafe. The restaurant serves organic, healthy food and is contained in a space that is only 19 by 30 feet. The kitchen is open-air so that there is absolutely no division between anyone. But what really makes the restaurant unique is the concept: It is a community-space where all is welcome, meaning that anyone is able to eat regardless of financial status. They ask that you give back in some way, meaning that you can donate your time in the kitchen or you can just make a donation of whatever you can in a donation box they keep in the restaurant. Somehow the donations in the box always cover their costs. Their concept has resulted in a space that is truly a community- they have people from all walks of life from business people, homeless people, single parents, students. I have yet to eat there but I am very excited about checking it out soon!
A dance company called Sweet Edge also performed. They are a modern dance group, founded by a dancer named Kim Olson. The piece was performed to Radiohead by five dancers. Her perspective of dance is that it doesn't need to be presented in a space that strictly separates the performers and audience. It should be presented in a space that is accessible to everyone. In fact, she was commissioned to create a piece that was performed in a parking garage. The dance they performed was very abstract and left a few people in the audience in tears because of their personal interpretations.
Overall, it was a great afternoon and I felt rejuvenated after the presenters. I think it's easy for me to forget to take time away to let myself be inspired. I hope to do things like this more often.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Swan Lake reviews are in!

Thursday, October 2, 2008
Sigur Ros
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Bump and Grind

Last weekend Beth and I decided we needed a date. It's funny how little you see the person you live with. We decided on a breakfast date and I brought us to a little place I heard from one of the dancers called Bump and Grind. It's a hipster hang out in uptown Denver with AMAZING food. The amazing thing is on weekends all the male servers dress in drag. Not only are they all wearing wigs, short skirts/booty shorts, they totally play the part by sitting on the side of your chair when taking your order, bending over to talk to you, etc. It's amazing! I asked one of our servers "Hey...what's your name?" He/she replies dutifully with a stoic expression "Nasty." Oh the joys of big city living! If you are in Denver, check it out!
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Life in Denver

Two weeks after returning from Costa Rica I was offered a job with Colorado Ballet for the Auxiliary and Special Events Manager, meaning that I mainly manage their special events (opening receptions, board dinners, etc). I accepted and the rest is history! I gotta say that it's alarming to say that I have a real job...when did I become a grown-up?? The last two months have been a period of adjustment with having to learn to work in a different environment with very different responsibilities. So far it has been fun and very different from working with Up with People. To be associated with a dance company that is as acclaimed as CB is not a bad gig though! Learning to live in one place again has also been an adjustment but it is treating me well so far. I'm excited to see what's ahead in this new chapter!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Sex and the City
Thursday, May 29, 2008
New York, anyone?

About two and a half years ago, I randomly attended a concert at the Fox Theatre in Boulder. My sister had told me to come because she said that this 17-year old musician from Canada named Kyle Riabko was absolutely amazing and I just NEEDED to see him. Well, am I glad I did because I was blown away. His style of music is blues/pop/soul and he is just one of the most infectious performers I've ever seen. I've seen him two more times since then but he has not toured on his own for about two years.
I was checking his website a couple days ago and he is going to be on BROADWAY! The musical is called Spring Awakening and it won eight Tonys last year. The music is written by Duncan Sheik and is incredible. It has caused quite a bit of controversy because the plot involves teenagers and their discovery about sex, masturbation, etc.
So pretty much I need to go to New York to see him. Who wants to come? Here is a clip from a show in Argentina, as well as Kyle in his own element.
Kyle performing "Miss Behavin'"
Spring Awakening- "I Believe"
If you want to see the less censored version, click here!
Monday, May 26, 2008
It was bueno in Plano!
Some highlights from the week:

One of our community partners is an organization called CITY House. An organization that has programs and emergency shelters for at-risk youth. The students did a variety of projects with them but one project in particular was painting and rearranging a computer room in their Teen Shelter so that it could convert into an ARt room. Some of our more artistic students did this project and the results were absolutely breath-taking.




The Education Team conducted a Wealth and Poverty workshop where they discussed the wealth distribution of the world. They also split the cast up into different groups and served them dinner according to their assigned class. 15 students were served a multiple course meal on a decked out table with real silverware, plates and napkins. 35 students ate beans and rice on paper plates and the rest of the students (about 50) ate rice and salt water in some paper cups. It was an interesting, informative workshop that brought up many discussions, feelings and thoughts from the cast.
There was one Community Impact day that the road staff didn't show up for the day so that the students would have to run the whole day on their own. Armando, the Jessicas and I were around for any emergencies but we didn't try to interfere at all. They set up for a mini-show at an elementary school and did their projects at CITY House completely on their own. We and the road staff were very proud of how well they handled everything!
Cast University: For an afternoon, different students led workshops that the rest of the students attended. There were workshops for crocheting, how to tie a tie properly, how to apply make-up, beginning Dutch, Tai-Chi, meditation and MUCH more.
Every semester an Expression Session is held. This is where if they choose to, certain students "express" themselves in front of the cast...sort of like a talent show. My favorite was a number where one of our Belgian students and our Nepalese student choreographed a peace-themed dance where each dancer represented a different continent. Our Namibian student read some of his poetry. Three of our Swedish students covered "Total Eclipse of the Heart" and "I Will Survive" to parody all the fears people have of traveling internationally. It was so fun and great to see some of the students in their element.
Their flights for Thailand left early at 6am the following Monday. They stayed overnight at the Plano Chamber of Commerce until 3:30am, doing some activities together like reflecting on the last three cities of the tour, having a birthday party for all the cast members that didn't or wouldn't have a birthday during the tour and watching a short film that one of the Danes had made. It was good, quality time that they got to spend together before making a huge jump into a different continent. All of us Field Managers went with them to the airport and we gave a bunch of hugs and said our good-byes.
While it is always nice to think otherwise, I know that I will never see some of those people again. This cast was definitely exceptional in lots of ways; There were many students that were grateful for everything and always made me feel welcomed into the cast when they arrived to my cities. I will definitely miss them!
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Non-Americans say the darndest things

-Britta, from Sweden when talking about one of her host families in Colorado
"Well, this is really bad but when I got to the US, I thought that everyone would be really fat. But I don't think this anymore!"
-Marlien, from the Netherlands when asked what surprised her the most during their tour of the United States.
-Francois from Namibia when getting teased for wearing his do-rag that he got during the Chicago stop of their tour.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
St. Joe, MO
However, in classic Up with People style, it all worked out in the end just fine. My student intern was the lovely Britta from Sweden. The process of setting up a city is always a roller-coaster but working with Britta was wonderful. She is so thoughtful and reflective for someone her age and I so enjoyed getting to know her during the whole process! I can't wait to visit her in Sweden someday!
It was a short city stay so there was a day of community service and the show day. One of the communi ty service projects we set up was getting the students to work on a project called "Tiny Tot Town." This is a yearly event that some early education organizations put on. A mini-town is set-up for children to go through with their parents to learn how different businesses function. For example, in a mini-bank the children learn about what the need for a bank is, etc, etc. In past years the structures that represented the businesses in this mini-town were very unsturdy and made of simple materials. We had the students construct more durable structures with that would be used for many years to come by painting pieces of plywood into the type of businesses or organiztions they wanted to. They were extremely creative painting everything from a firehouse, pet store, a basilica (a big church, essentially), a cafe, flower shop, and everything in between. I was beyond impressed with their skill and creativity.
The show drew a small but enthusiastic crowd at the Missouri Theater. It was a smooth running city and it was great to see the cast again!


Sunday, February 17, 2008
Cast A 2008 in Lincoln
Lincoln, NE by Daniel Rohmiller (from South Dakota)
It’s been a busy past few days. We’ve been traveling around so


We spent the few days in Lincoln – sadly only two full days. The first full day we spent doing the "Stand for Peace" program in some local elementary and middle schools. I spent the morning and afternoon with two different 6th grade classes. In the morning I was with a class from Lux Middle School, and in the afternoon I was with a class from Scott Middle School. It was an exciting time, though a bit challenging to do. It was the first time for me to actually do this program, so a bit of trial and error was in order. But, overall, I think it went well. I was with Eilis from Georgia/Maryland/Ireland, and Carolina from Sweden. We each took different sections of the presentation, which made it easier to do.


On Wednesday, we spent the entire day prepping the stage for the show, doing dance workshops, and also vocal prep. The first thing that I noticed about the theatre we were set to perform in was that it was significantly smaller than the Buell. Don’t get me wrong – I knew that we were being spoiled by the Buell, but it still surprised me by its size. Definitely small. In fact, for most of the numbers, we had to split the cast in half for the show, having only half the numbers come on the stage on any given song. Only on a few songs did we have the ENTIRE cast on the stage at the same time, as opposed to the Buell performance where EVERYONE was on the stage for nearly every number. We spent the afternoon rehearsing these changes and the show in general. After that run-through, we had some dinner (Runza), and did our own preparation for the show before Green Room. After Green Room, we made our way into the crowd of people swarming into the O’Donnell Auditorium, and I happened to catch a glance of my grandparents and a couple of my aunts in the lobby. I was able to talk with them throughout the pre-show, intermission, and post-show, and it was GREAT to see them. It really gave me a boost of energy for the show, especially when I could look out on the stage and see them staring back. Overall, I thought the show went well, though I do know that it wasn’t up to my performance at the Buell. I just think not having practiced those dances for so long and then picking them back up a couple hours before the show really dulled the once sharp edge I had on them. But, I’ll take that experience and learn from it.
After the show, I spent the entire evening (about two and a half

Thursday, February 7, 2008
R.I.P.
The Format is more than just a band to me. They were almost like a friend I could aways go to if I needed anything. While I've explored other musical acts and have expanded my tastes over the years, I have always gone back to the Format at some point or another. It's like they were someone I could always depend on to be there whenever I needed them. So to hear that Sam and Nate will no longer make new music together is quite devastating.
In case you are not familiar with the greatness that is The Format, here are a just few examples of why they have meant so much to me these past 5 years. And trust me, these don't even do them justice.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Weddings galore!
That night a bunch of us old high school friends went out to the bars in Boulder and it was such a blast. We hit Conor's and the Sun Downer. It was the last time many of us were going to be in the same state for probably at least a year, so that alone was enough reason to be together. There's something about being with old friends because since there is such a history and a unique level of comfort...even if we've all changed. Good times! When it was all over and time for me to go back to Nebraska I actually felt pretty emotional. I think it was the combination of a really great weekend coming to an end and the obligation of having to switch back to work in a matter of a train-ride home. The little part of me that yearned for of stability in my life decided to spill over. I got off the train at 6:45am and when my host dad drove me home I showered, got ready and went to work. All is well again as I am now settled back in Nebraska. Bring on Cast A 2008!
Thursday, January 10, 2008
The Velveteen Rabbit

I couldn't help but smile and yes, it did give me a glimmer of hope with this weird thing called relationships...for a second, at least.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Viva Las Vegas!
Well, we ended up getting a connection that not only got us into one club, but THREE, and with NO cover. It was more than we could've imagined. We were the people that walked in front of the long line and said to the guy with the earpiece "Um, we're on the list." It felt awesome. Okay, enough bragging. These are the clubs we attended. To keep from boring you, I kept the reviews short and sweet:




Back to reality now though and I will be heading out to Nebraska in two days to resume my adventure as a Field Marketing and Operations Manager (we had a title change) for Up With People. I am going to try to blog once a week so if you read this, stay on my case to make sure I do. If anything, it's good for keeping up my writing skills that I feel like I'm rapidly losing. Feel free to comment and keep in touch. Happy 2008 to you all!