Meet the dancer: Heather Wigmore

real name ? Heather
nickname ? Wigs, Wig-a-more, Headuh

LAST GIFT YOU RECEIVED? My uncle bought me (and my brother and sister-in-law) a Christmas tree for our apartment.

ONE FAVORITE SONG? "Like a Rolling Stone" by Bob Dylan

FIRST FRIEND YOU'D CALL IF YOU WON THE LOTTERY? One of my mathematically/statistically-inclined (i.e., nerdy) friends -- Ariella, Nicole, or Zenker -- because they would appreciate the absurdity of actually winning the lottery.

WHERE'S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT WITH FRIENDS? The mold-infested, family-run dumpling joint in the alleyway next to my old apartment in Shanghai.

MOST DISLIKED FOOD? Regular flavor potato chips. What's the point?

CAN YOU SING? Not even close. But Karaoke is for the talented and talentless alike.

THING YOU NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT? My Droid phone. My arms are evolving into robot arms like in the Droid commercials. And a notebook and pen so I can obsessively make To Do lists.

FAVORITE VACATION SPOT? Guatemala.

If I wasn't a dancer.... I would want to be a visual artist who makes awesome sculptures and installations.

Celebrity Crush... David Duchovny (specifically, in Californication)

What countries have you visited? A lot. But where I want to go to next: the salt flats in Bolivia, and Laos.

How many languages do you speak? Four: English, Chinese, Spanish, and double talk (circa 7th grade; think Gibberish, but cooler)

Where have you lived? New York City, Singapore, St. Louis, Shanghai

Favorite Food(s)? Beets, spinach, and pumpkin. And dumplings.

Favorite Dancer/Choreographer/Company? Pina Bausch

Meet the dancer: Tsubasa Ogawa

real name ? TSUBASA

nickname ? Tsubie or Subie

broken any bones ? YES, spiral fractured metatarsal 5 on my left foot when I was dancing. I recovered fast and was back on stage in 3 months. also, fractured my nose during rehearsal (i got punched in the face by a male dancer... accidentally). 7 stitches on my forehead, 8 stitches on the back of my head, 8 stitches on my right foot (stepping on a nail on stage while I was dancing...)

Do you believe in...miracles ? YES!

LAST GIFT YOU RECEIVED? a package of food that my mom sent me from japan.

FIRST FRIEND YOU'D CALL IF YOU WON THE LOTTERY? I would call my mom.

MOST DISLIKED FOOD? EEL....

LONGEST SHIFT YOU HAVE WORKED AT A JOB? 15 hours at a bar.

FAVORITE MOVIE? Trainspotting and many more...

CAN YOU SING? I sing occasionally... I sing at work, too.

FAVORITE VACATION SPOT? Hawaii

If I wasn't a dancer.... I would be working 9-5.

Celebrity Crush... Edward Norton, Scarlett Johansson

What countries have you visited? Hong Kong, China, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, France, UK.

How many languages do you speak? English, Japanese, Spanish (just a little bit), Tagalog (only bad words)

Where have you lived? Japan, Pittsburgh, Boston, New York

Favorite Food(s)? Korean BBQ(especially Pork belly), Fermented soy beans, fish

One thing I can't live without? My friends who would help me and feed me when I'b broke.

Meet the choreographer/dancer: Alaine Handa

I want to do something fun for the blog over the holidays and post some fun tidbits about the dancers involved in Chameleon. I'll start first with my little "survey".

real name? Alaine Handa
nickname? A-ten, Lan, Babycakes
height? 5'1"
broken any bones? Yes, I broke my ankle while figure skating at 14. Dislocated my wrist while playing basketball at 9. Almost broke my nose at 8th grade camp, instead I have 14 stitches above my right brow.

Do you believe in...
yourself ? most of the time
love at first sight ? No. There is lust at first sight but to love someone is to know someone.

is there one or more people you want to be with right now? My family in Singapore.

ONE FAVORITE SONG? Billie Jean by Michael Jackson. Love MJ!

WHERE'S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT WITH FRIENDS? Basta Pasta is the best Italian-Japanese restaurant.

MOST DISLIKED FOOD? Mushrooms...gross

FAVORITE MOVIE? L'Auberge Espagnole

CAN YOU SING? Yes but I'm very shy about it and will only sing in the shower.

What countries have you visited? Hong Kong, Australia, USA, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia

How many languages do you speak? Bahasa Indonesia (spoken), English, Swedish (studied it for a year in college), Japanese (studied it for 7 years in grade school)

Favorite Food(s)? Xiao long bao, Pappardelle w/ Bolognaise, Noodles, Satay, Mee Rebus, Martabak, Pizza

Favorite Dancer/Choreographer/Company? Doug Varone & Dancers.

Join us for a Global Holiday Celebration!

(c) Photography by Brooke McGowan

A.H. Dance Company cordially invites you to join us for a Global Holiday Celebration!

Location:

Stone Creek Bar, 140 E. 27^th St, New York, NY (between Lex. & 3^rd Ave.)

December 4, 2010

7-11 pm

$10 Minimum Donation (includes 5 raffle tickets) *

Special Performances by La Magdalena and Friends, Howie Solo and Human Drum Machine, Chrismahanukkwanzaacappella (Holiday a cappella music) and A.H. Dance Company!

All proceeds go toward supporting our tour to China.

*If you would like to purchase raffle tickets but unable to make it to the fundraiser, you can make a donation via Paypal. We will reserve tickets for you and should you win a prize (you choose what prizes you would like to win) we will contact you if you won and either ship or schedule a meeting to give you the prize.

Alaine Handa turns 27 on Nov. 27 this year and A.H. Dance Company turns 3 on Dec. 4th! (There will be birthday cake!)


Raffle Gifts sponsored by:
Sarah Jayne Solutions http://www.sarahjaynesolutions.com/

Dance of my hands http://www.danceofmyhands.com/

Aqualia Spa http://www.aqualiaspa.com/

The Great Collide http://thegreatcollide.com/blog/

By Natalia jewelry http://www.bynatalia.com/

The Luxury Spot http://www.theluxuryspot.com/

Skin MD Natural http://www.skinmdnatural.com/

Holistic Health Fusion http://www.holistichealthfusion.com/

Beautiful Faces http://alainemakeupartist.blogspot.com/

Argo Tea http://www.argotea.com/

Everyday Crochet by Doris Chan http://doriseverydaycrochet.blogspot.com/

We like to win prizes especially for a good cause!

This is a photo from last year's fundraiser.
It was a really fun time with great folks and so many people won prizes!

We have amazing prizes this year from our wonderful sponsors.

If you want to purchase raffle tickets online you can via Paypal (or if you are far away and can't join us for the party). I can reserve tickets under your name and then if you win, I'll send it to you via regular post - you pay for shipping of course. :-)

$10 Min. Donation (includes 5 raffle tickets; you choose which gifts you would like to win)

Raffle Gifts sponsored by:
Sarah Jayne Solutions http://www.sarahjaynesolutions.com/

Dance of my hands http://www.danceofmyhands.com/

Aqualia Spa http://www.aqualiaspa.com/

The Great Collide http://thegreatcollide.com/blog/

By Natalia jewelry http://www.bynatalia.com/

The Luxury Spot http://www.theluxuryspot.com/

Skin MD Natural http://www.skinmdnatural.com/

Holistic Health Fusion http://www.holistichealthfusion.com/

Beautiful Faces http://alainemakeupartist.blogspot.com/

Argo Tea http://www.argotea.com/

Everyday Crochet by Doris Chan http://doriseverydaycrochet.blogspot.com/


Just wanted to let you know all the cool stuff we're getting. :-) I'm getting excited.
And if this is not a good enough reason... COME CELEBRATE MY 27TH BIRTHDAY (I TURN 27 ON NOV. 27TH - "GOLDEN" BIRTHDAY)
A.H. Dance Company is going into our 4th season and celebrating 3rd Birthday on Dec. 4th. :-)

We are trying to raise money to bring us to Guangzhou, China to teach workshops, perform, and lead discussions w/ students aged 12-15 at Utahloy International School about global citizenship, third culture kids, cross cultural communication, and cultural diplomacy through the arts. We are hoping to do this the first week of March in congruence with their Big Arts Day. They lost their drama/dance teacher and the kids are starving for an outlet to express themselves through the arts.

Location: Stone Creek Bar, 140 E. 27th St, between lexington ave and 3rd ave
7-11 pm.

Les Passagers - a movie trailer by Aga Magdolen

My TCK friend based in Canada is making a documentary film about TCKs in Canada and she made such a beautiful trailer. I had originally "shared" it on facebook and "tweeted" it; the TCK/Expat community took notice and is spreading it like a wildfire. (Yay Aga!) I'm so glad that she is making this movie.
Another friend of mine, more locally based in NYC is making a documentary film about TCKs as well and tonight we had a gathering and shoot with a bunch of TCKs. Its so refreshing to be able to socialize with others of similar global backgrounds. I cherish these moments.
I predict that I will be doing more interviews and shooting extra footage for the sequel to my film or an addition (not sure which...) in the next couple years because I'm so inspired by other TCKs. Our stories need to be heard. We're not a "special breed", "privileged", "exotic", "weird", "un-patriotic", instead we can bridge cross-cultural gaps, communicate across cultures, and be a true asset to society.


SAVE THE DATE!!!!
Dec. 4, 2010.
7-11 pm.
Stone Creek Bar. 140 E. 27th St, New York, NY 10016.
A.H. Dance Company Annual Holiday Fundraiser.
Celebrate my 27th birthday. (I turn 27 this month on the 27th! - in lieu of gifts, I'm asking for donations to help fund the tour to China)
A.H. Dance Company turns 3 years old as we go into our 4th season.

We are trying to raise money to bring us to Guangzhou, China to teach workshops, perform, and lead discussions w/ students aged 12-15 at Utahloy International School about global citizenship, third culture kids, cross cultural communication, and cultural diplomacy through the arts. hey lost their drama/dance teacher an...d the kids are starving for an outlet to express themselves through the arts.

How to tour your work abroad - Miguel Gutierrez

How to tour your work abroad by Miguel Gutierrez

I was just reading this article as I'm gaining insight on touring tips and information. My company and I are in the middle of reconstructing Chameleon, applying for grants to tour to China, keeping in contact with a school in China, and hopefully fostering an exchange with a local Chinese dance company as well while we're there. The article written by Miguel was like words and thoughts right out of my mouth and head. I needed a confirmation that an "emerging" choreographer went through what I'm going through right now. I'm at a crossroads, I want to spend more time in the studio working on my craft rather than worrying about money/funding/income, administrative tasks, marketing the work, and applying for festivals, showcases, residencies, grants, etc. Luckily I have a little help on the grants front. I wish I can stay on top of things better but there's only so much one person can do and keep track of. I like to think of myself as pretty savvy in terms of social media, networking, making new friends and allies. I just don't like "selling" myself - the integrity of the work and myself feels cheapened by the act of it. But if I don't tell people what I do, then who is going to find out what I do? Dilemma....

Until then...

SAVE THE DATE!!!!
Dec. 4, 2010. 7-11 pm. Stone Creek Bar. 140 E. 27th St, New York, NY 10016.
A.H. Dance Company Annual Holiday Fundraiser.
Celebrate my 27th birthday. (I turn 27 this month on the 27th! - in lieu of gifts, I'm asking for donations to help fund the tour to China)
A.H. Dance Company turns 3 years old as we go into our 4th season.