#AugustAdventure

 "When was the last time you did something for the first time?" ~John C. Maxwell

Hi, Friend!

Happy August! Summer is coming to a close, but #AugustAdventure is just starting!

To kick off our '23-'24 season, JCWK Dance Lab decided to create a monthly focus which we share on the socials with a hashtag. This is also a way to keep us anchored in our mission of Creating Joy, Connection, and Wellness through Kinesthetic stories. July was #JulyJoy. August is #AugustAdventure. Do you have ideas for other months? Let me know!

Tomorrow (Sunday, August 6), we're embodying the Connection and Kinesthetic stories cornerstones by adventuring to Philadelphia. JCWK Dance Lab is on tour and is co-presenting "Flowing Forms." I'm looking forward to connecting with old friends, meeting new acquaintances, and sharing our latest research. For our next projects, JCWK Dance Lab is investing the science of soil regeneration, biodiversity, and the interconnection between humans and nature. Pictured above is a performance of "Inter/Twined" in Reading Public Museum's Arboretum as part of the Reading Theater Project's In Nature's Studio 2023. 

The Broad Street Review previewed "Flowing Forms." Click here to read about the performance. 

Click here for more information and tickets. 

We have more adventures on the horizon this month, including the finale of our pilot modern dance class series, The Greater Reading Area Dance Exchange on BCTV.org, and regional wellness festivals. 

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What was #JulyJoy? 

Click here for a short video about the start of our hashtag challenge. 

July 23, I co-directed RTP's In Nature's Studio. JCWK Dance Lab partnered to present this special event. It was a great Joy to Connect with local actors, musicians, painters, and dancers through this platform. Click here to watch a short behind the scenes video. 

Barrio Alegria invited JCWK Dance Lab to participate in their annual Storytelling through Dance performance. Pictured is JCWK Dance Lab artist Cady Monasmith. The performance was on the steps of the Reading Public Library. Reading more about it here. 

I piloted a 5-week Modern Dance class series in partnership with Alvernia University to measure interest for ongoing classes. The outpouring of interest has been a huge part of my personal #JulyJoy. All of the classes have been full and other folks have written that the timing didn't work out, but are interested in future classes. Read more here. 

Dance artists Sarena Gable and Arielle Ridley joined me in leading Dance for Parkinson's classes around Berks County. Click here to watch a short video about Dance for Wellness. 

Long-time Philly artist, Charles Tyson and I re-Connected for PhiladelphiaDance.org's Dance Talk Radio. Listen to the podcast here. 

When you catch us at a Wellness Festival, we'll ask you to add to our "Joy Board". Watch this video to see how folks at the Encompass Summer Resource Fair Connect with Joy. 

Art in Nature

 

JCWK Dance Lab and Reading Theater Project are partnering AGAIN with the Reading Public Museum for "In Nature's Studio" on Sunday, July 23 at 4pm. 

The event is free and open to the public. You're welcome to wander through the RPM's Arboretum or sign up for a guided tour. 

Click here for more information. It's gonna be a great day!

Modern Dance for Adults - FAQ's

 

Modern Dance: A Summer Class Series for Adults has begun! We had an awesome first class last week and I met so many new dancers (some dancers who were new to me, and some folks who were new to dance)! 

I received some questions about the class, so here are some more details. 

Q. What exactly is Modern Dance? 

A. Modern Dance is an umbrella term for a style of dance characterized by artistic and individual expression. It, like other dance genres, has a web of influencers, a specific movement language, and a general class flow. My personal style is informed by finding efficient movement pathways to reflect an idea or image. For example, I LOVE talking about the ebb and flow of the ocean as a metaphor for the way I want my dancers to move across the space. Other genres might focus more on the rhythm of movement or creating a specific shape. There's volumes more - you'll have to come to find out!

Q. What should I wear?

A. Please wear clothes in which you feel comfortable moving. "Workout" clothes or "Yoga" clothes are most appropriate. For your safety, leave the big jewelry and personal adornments at home. Please take off your shoes when you come in the studio. You might want to take off your socks, depending on your personal preference and/or the texture of the floor. I suggest layers so you can shed clothes as you get warm or put clothes on (like long pants or a long-sleeved shirt) when we do floor work. 

Q. Floor Work? 

A. Yep. In finding efficiently of movement, we'll explore anatomical planes of the body and different ways our bodies respond to gravity. We'll explore movement standing, traveling across the floor, and with a majority of our body on the floor. 

Q. Is that safe?

A. Yes. If you're uncomfortable with anything, I will provide accommodations. For example, if you have cranky knees we have tools to help you achieve the idea of the movement that works best for you and the specific exercise. 

Q. Is this a fitness class?

A. Not really. Modern Dance is more focused on artistry. That being said, you will get your heart rate up, sweat, build core, upper and lower strength, increase flexibility and multidimensional movement patterns, laugh, and work!

Q. I've never danced before. Can I still attend?

A. Absolutely! Thank you for taking the risk and for being interested. We're all here to learn together and we'll all learn something new, together!

Q. Do I have to come to every class?

A. Nope. This is a trial series to see if and who might be interested in learning (more) about Modern Dance (and dance in general). Come when you can! Please register so I can plan appropriately for each class. Register by following this link. 

Q. I'm interested, but I can't make those times. 

A. Great! Thank you! Please let me know! After this series, I'll be analyzing the data I receive through the class itself, registration, and folks who are interested to see how we move forward. Please email me at jessica@jcwkdancelab.org or jessica.warchal-king@alvernia.edu.

Q. Where's the studio? 

A. It's on Alvernia University's Main Campus in the Campus Commons Building. The Commons has a Fitness Center on the first floor. Enter the Fitness Center and go up the stairs. 

Q. Is there parking?

A. Yes, Alvernia has visitors parking available. 

Q. Where's Alvernia?

A. Click here for a campus map. 

Q. The cost for class is $10-15 sliding scale. What does that mean?

A. I don't believe that financial constraints should be a barrier to artistic experiences. That being said, art making and doing has value and incurs costs. Please pay what you wish or what you can within that range. (Or more if you feel so compelled). PayPal - jcwkdancelab  Venmo - JCWarchal-King

Q. I don't have PayPal or Venmo. Can I pay in cash?

A. Sure! If you want to pay by check, please make that out to JCWK Dance Lab. 

Q. I still have questions. 

A. Great! I'm into life-long learning. Please email me at jessica@jcwkdancelab.org or jessica.warchal-king@alvernia.edu.

I can't wait to dance with you! 

#JulyJoy is creating new Connections through Wellness

JCWK Dance Lab has been sharing Dance for Wellness in a pilot class at Encompass Rehab Hospital. We've had so much fun getting to know some of the residents at the Rehab Hospital and those who come to visit the Hospital, just to dance with us. 

Encompass hosted a Wellness Fair and I met so many other professionals who were dedicated to serving the aging and senior populations (and other adults and people, too). 

I asked folks to share their Joy, and together we created a Joy Board of the day. This is a practice in which JCWK Dance Lab engages regularly. Check it out: 

Modern Dance Summer Series for Adults

 

What is Modern Dance? 

Does and can Modern Dance exist in Reading, PA?

Is anyone actually interested? 

I'm going to find out! 

Alvernia University and JCWK Dance Lab are partnering to present Modern Dance: A Summer Class Series for Adults. 

When: 5 Tuesdays in July and August (7/11- 8/8) from 6:30-8pm

Where: Alvernia University's Dance Studio (Second Floor of the Campus Commons Building)

What does a class look like?: The class will introduce and reinforce modern dance vocabulary and concepts. The class begins with a warm up, will move on and across the floor, and end in a full body combination. JCWK Dance Lab's teaching philosophy develops wellness of the whole dancer through connecting the imagination with the physical body to find joy. 

Cost: Sliding scale $10-$15

Interested? Register here! 

#JulyJoy Challenge

Throughout the month of Joy, JCWK Dance Lab is taking time to reflect and share on the things that bring us joy. 

Here are some moments from our Cultural Exchange with the Heritage of Green Hills. (What's a Cultural Exchange? Read more about it here.)

 

What brings you Joy? How do you create Joy?
 

Jumping through June

 

Dear Friend, 

What has you jumping for Joy this June? What are you creating? 

The above image is from JCWK Dance Lab's Dark Adaptation in April. (Photo by Thomas Kay Photography). In the final section of the show, Cady jumped backward into Arielle. Arielle caught her, held her, and spun her into a new direction. The risk-taking, trust, confidence and collaboration between these artists is a physical manifestation of what is bringing me Joy this June. Would you join me? 

JCWK Dance Lab is offering a free series of Dance for Wellness classes at Encompass Health this summer. Our June classes are Sunday, June 11 at 3pm and Thursday, June 16 at 6pm. Click here to see a short video of our first series and to learn more about Dance for Wellness. 

This month on the Greater Reading Area Dance Exchange, I'm interviewing Que Rico Latin Dance Company's director, Cristina Osorio. The show airs live on BCTV on Tuesday, June 20th at 6:30pm. Click here to watch the broadcast or check it out on your own time on the G.R.A.D.E. playlist. Here's the link for that. 

Call for artists! JCWK Dance Lab is co-producing In Nature's Studio again this summer in partnership with Reading Theater Project and the Reading Public Museum. We're looking for dancers, actors, and playwrights. Click here to learn about the performance and join us! Submission deadline is June 21. 

Be Curious, Wonderland Adventures is an immersive, site-specific arts experience at the Berks Heritage Center, produced by Yocum Institute for Art Education. The experience happens on Saturday, June 24. Click here for more information. 

And - check out all of our excitement by bookmarking this blog or JCWK Dance Lab's upcoming events page by clicking here. 

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June Joy is connecting with our communities and sharing dance in so many different ways. How can we connect with you? Would you connect with us? 

Some ideas might be:

• Join us at an event. 
• Follow or comment on our social media channels. We're on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. 
• Forward this link to a friend who might be interested in JCWK Dance Lab's programming. 
• Donate your time, talents, or resources. Do you have a special skill you'd like to share? Some extra change you don't need? As the company continues to grow, so does our need for additional support. It takes a village to Create Joy, Connection, and Wellness through Kinesthetic stories! Your help is appreciated. Email me (jessica@jcwkdancelab.org) if you'd like to chat or collaborate. JCWK Dance Lab is fiscally sponsored by Fractured Atlas which means if you want to make a tax deductive donation, you can do that here. If you're not concerned about taxes, you can donate through PayPal here. Thank you! 
• Sign up for JCWK Dance Lab's eblast. We send out emails with updates once a month and don't share your information. Click here to connect through email. 

How are you creating Joy in June?