Greetings.

While we wait and anticipate the OPB Broadcast of our June performances of “SideShow”, we are now turning our attention to the future. We are currently undergoing a Board rotation as some members step down and new ones step up and on. We are also utilizing the time to organize our office, upgrade our software and build new repertory.

Our new Board members are David Smith and Walter Kennedy. David works for KATU channel 2 and Walter Kennedy is Assistant Professor of Dance at University of Oregon. Stepping off the Board is Bruce Powers, who has been an incredible asset and responsible for so much of our success. Bruce will remain a friend and advisor of the company, but will be concentrating his attention on his own new business. Board members Nell Walkley, Gail Neuberg and Alexandrous Ballard will remain.

Walter Kennedy was in Portland during June and set a short work on the Company dancers. Dancer Megan Smith is moving away from Portland and new company apprentice Emily Bartha will step into some of her roles. We have a great need for another male dancer, and will be looking at bringing someone in from outside Portland for performances, possibly from France. We’ll keep you posted.

Negotiations are underway with 3 new choreographers from Europe and Canada for 2010 and beyond. The Company will be exploring the European connection more vigorously, and is looking to be resident at PSU Lincoln Hall in the Fall and Spring of 2010/2011. Until these dates, we are planning a number of free studio viewing events, and possible short performances this Fall and Winter. Keep checking the webpage for updates.

The Company begins its Young Audience shows this fall as a “new artist in-schools”. This is very exciting and will bring a taste of Bouand DanceCompany to young people across 5 counties. We are also participating in the Right Brain Initiative (go to: http://www.therightbraininitiative.org/ for more information). We will also be performing at the Fall.Art.Live festival at Oregon Ballet Theater’s studios this month, check their website for times.

While many Arts organizations both large and small are suffering in this economy, we are still managing to hold steady, mostly by limiting our overhead and concentrating our funding efforts on specific programs with rigorous budgets. As we grow however, we find ourselves in need of a small amount of capital just to keep the phones on, computers connected and small bills paid. A small donation to keep us operating smoothly would be very welcome, and will allow us to work on our next big thing; not glamorous we know, but essential nonetheless.

Thanks!

Bouand DanceCompany

Photo’s by Steve Miller

Here