News from the Bouand DanceCompany!

We are already halfway through January of the New Year and we have some news and updates for you.  The company and many of the major supporters for the OPB documentary on “SideShow”;

aka: The OPB Project, all saw a nearly finished version a few weeks ago.   The showing was graciously hosted by Bruce and Cait Powers and while there is still some sound editing to be done, the program looks great.

We began work on “Winter Mute”, originally choreographed for the Portland Ballet, a contemporary work with video accompaniment which is now being adapted for BDC’s dancers.  Oregon Ballet Theater dancer Lucas Threefoot, at one time a student of Artistic Director Alexandrous Ballard, will be joining us for this work.  We are excited to have him and look forward to the rehearsals and performances.

We are continuing work on getting BDC to the DanceUSA presenting festival in June.  The Regional Arts and Culture Council’s (RACC) generous grant is helping, but we will need to raise enough for 6 of us to travel and stay 3 nights in Washington DC.  This festival is a golden opportunity for the company to perform for arts presenters and theater agents with the hope of being asked to tour and perform nationally.

Board member Walter Kennedy will travel to Taiwan to set his work “Fields of Play”.  You can see pictures of him setting this work on BDC on the website.  “Fields of Play” will be included in our Fall Performances at a newly reopened PSU Lincoln Hall along with “Winter Mute” and a new work to be announced by James Gnam.

After a necessary reschedule, we are working on bringing James Gnam down to Portland in July.  His presence here for 2 weeks would allow him to create a new work and do some guest teaching here in town.  His training and work match BDC’s mission and aesthetic admirably and it will be exciting to watch him work.

Artistic Director Alexandrous Ballard will travel to Iowa in February; he is teaching and performing at the University of Iowa in Iowa City.  Let’s hope he doesn’t freeze to death there.  Dancer Renee Adam’s teaching business is flourishing with classes all over town including OMSI and the new movement space Zoomtopia.  New dancer Jenna is fitting in nicely in spite of carrying a heavy academic load at PSU, her spectacular legs and feet are on view in open classes at The Portland Ballet as well as rehearsals.

Lastly, we are beginning to work on fundraising to support this year’s activities, with generous gifts already given.  Our season will include an informal studio showing of “Winter Mute”, open Sunday rehearsals, the DanceUSA presenting festival, James Gnam’s new work and ultimately our Fall 2010 performances at PSU Lincoln Hall   As we are older as an organization and have proved our ability to operate successfully even in the recent economic trials, our ability to attract foundation and corporate funds has increased also.  We hope our friends and supporters have also benefited from the easing of the economy and we are asking your help and support for 2010.  Your donation is always tax deductible and you can watch the growth your help creates as we move forward into 2010 and beyond.

Thank you to Dean Richardson, Paul Keown and Cly’te Spiedel and Caroline Miller for their recent donations!!
Bouand DanceCompany staff and dancers.