Small Things with Great Love

 Do Small Things with Great Love. ~Mother Teresa

The above image is of JCWK Dance Lab artist Cady Monasmith. Someone caught this special moment of her performance as part of "In Nature's Studio," a collaborative performance produced by Reading Theater Project, JCWK Dance Lab, and the Reading Public Museum in July. I love how Cady looks so invested in exploring something so small. Her gaze and posture tell the story on an important, tiny, Something. 

As we begin the transition into the fall... with academic and event calendars quickly filling, I wonder, what are some of the small things (and the larger ones) to which you're being attentive? Transitions can often overwhelm us with the expectation of the next thing. This image of Cady reminds me that each small moment carries a gift of great love. 

Here are a few of the upcoming moments for JCWK Dance Lab:

• Tuesday, August 16th JCWK Dance Lab celebrates the first anniversary of The Greater Reading Area Dance Exchange on BCTV.org. Click here to live-stream on Tuesday at 6:30pm or catch up on this and other episodes of G.R.A.D.E on BCTV.org's YouTube channel. 
• Sunday, August 21st is another installation of "In Nature's Studio." This performance is inspired by the Reading Public Museum's exhibit "The Occult." Join us in the arboretum on Sunday from 5:30-7pm for a guided tour or explore on your own. Click here for more information. 

I'd love to be able to share these moments with you. 

What are some of the small things you're experiencing with great love as we begin this transition into fall? Let me know... 

#NationalMoonDay

 It's National Moon Day. Today in 1969, NASA's Apollo 11 landed on the moon. 

A lot has changed since 1969. And a lot hasn't. 

The recent images from the James Webb Space Telescope released by NASA remind me how small our perception of space and time is. I'm also reminded of the power of a few people to make a difference. 

So, in honor of National Moon Day, I encourage all of us to look up, connect, find our joy, and to make positive waves of change by being our authentic selves. 

JCWK Dance Lab In Nature's Studio

 Save the dates! 

A next cast of JCWK Dance Lab will be dancing at the Reading Public Museum in collaboration with Reading Theater Project's In Nature's Studio. 

When: July 10 at 5:30pm 

Where: Reading Public Museum's Arboretum 

What: In Nature's Studio brings performing artists out from inside the theater to the beautiful Reading Public Museum Arboretum. Audiences may experience In Nature's Studio through a guided walk or on their own independent journey. Tickets are free, but donations on site are welcome. Reserve your guided walk time by clicking here. 

Read the press release here. 

Art work by Andrew Pochan

Hip Hop in Berks County

The Greater Reading Area Dance Exchange is a platform I've developed through JCWK Dance Lab. It's a show on BCTV.org where I interview local adult dancers, educate our viewers about different styles of dance in Berks County, reveal opportunities for adult dancers, and share the ways that dance can be a vehicle for non-violent, positive social change through conversation, curiosity, sharing, and play. It's also a Facebook page where I post any adult-based dance information I come across that's happening in Berks County. 

Last week I interviewed local Hip Hop artist, Richard Maldonado, Jr. I've known Richie for several years and I'm so grateful for his tenacious passion and commitment to community. Check it out: 

Make Some Noise

Today's National Tap Dance Day. 

But I don't feel like celebrating. 

Yesterday, the U.S. witnessed another elementary school shooting. 

Another. 

It feels more appropriate to scream, shout, make some noise. 

So maybe Tap Dancing. 

Metal on wood. 

...

Dancing won't stop bullets, but it does bring us together to create joy and build connections. Dance is wellness - mental and physical (May is mental health awareness month). Dancing shares out stories and develops empathy. 

We could all afford to dance a bit more these days. 

There are many ways to make noise. 

There are many was to be seen and heard. 

April Showers bring May Merch!

Happy May!

How are you? What is springing up in your world? 

Happy Small Business Week! I'm proud to be an artist/ entrepreneur. In this role, if you've been following along, I'm building a dancing world with Joy, Connection, and Wellness at the forefront of Kinesthetic storytelling to inspire non-violent, positive social change. 

The past two years have been rich with research, development, and relationship building. The that end, I've created The Greater Reading Area Dance Exchange on BCTV.org to bring awareness of dance for adults in Berks County, worked with several organizations on non-violence programming, and collaborated on several projects with local artists and performing arts organizations. I've also written and received several grants and am working with several local small business incubators. 

In the interest of sustainability, both from a business and environmental perspective, I've been looking into ways to create revenue to support JCWK Dance Lab's community engagement and professional performances. 

I've sprung up a store on Bonfire. The We Are StarDust line is an original creation that reflects my creative research over the past two years. I'll be continuing with this research in the coming months with another performance project and workshops that investigate the relationships between earthly bodies and celestial bodies. 

Would you help to support JCWK Dance Lab and join in the movement to create positive social change through We Are StarDust?

I've chosen Bonfire because they "source products from a group of vendors who are WRAP (Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production) certified and 100 percent 'sweat free'." I'm sure I'll learn a lot from this initial launch. More designs and adventures coming soon! 

Click here to start shopping! 

#berks4peace in the news

 April 30th was a special day. 

I've written about my involvement with the Berks Youth Violence Prevention Committee. (My small role included creating a dance for a Random Act of Culture that was used for both the YWCA and the BYCPC; attending committee meetings for the past few months; teaching the dance at several pop ups, including in front of City Hall with the Mayor of Reading.)

The months of planning culminated in a walk and a ceremony. Quite a few news organizations documented the event. Click the links below to see the articles. 

In the Reading Eagle 

In Berks Weekly

On WFMZ

Thank you, Berks4Peace for allowing me to share joy, create connections, and build mental and physical wellness through dance!