Update Series: What's Next?

Hello Friends! 

In this last segment of the Update Series, the members of Mountain Empire share what's to come in the new year:

As the new year approaches, we find Eliza tucked away in her new Portlandia abode, Barbara sussing out the difference between big-city living and little-city living in Blacksburg, Rachel & mended hubby exploring their new house in B-burg, and Katie dance-puttering around our nation's capitol.  In their own little enclaves, the members of MEPC are busy writing a new little project based on what we'd like to see on stage. 

Scribbling away (or click-clacking on the keyboard), each collaborator is writing a solo for another dancer filled with outsourced written material.  Perhaps a bit of prose from an Akram Kahn review, a description of a scene from preview of a far-off and unheard-of company, each solo will be constructed out of strange and beautiful bits of material from elsewhere.  What a way to get out of one's own head... or waaaay into it.  MEPC will then reconvene, decide which lucky dancers will get the new solos, and then... stay tuned in for manifestation!  Little bits of this piece will pop up intermittently in each of our communities as we work out the kinks.  Check back with us often or like our FB page for updates on when these will be so you can be a part of the feedback.  

Update Series: Rachel Rugh

Happy Start of December, friends!
Since Fall is turning into Winter, for the next few days, each of us will be writing to give you an update on what we have been up to since our summer adventures! Next up is Rachel Rugh!

What has Rachel been up to? Take it away, Rachel:

After an eventful summer and fall, things have finally been settling into a groove down here in the New River Valley.  July was especially action-packed: Barbara and I co-taught several successful dance workshops for kids here in Blacksburg; I got to enjoy upwards of three weeks reunited with Mountain Empire buddies in DC for the Capital Fringe Festival; my husband and I BOUGHT A HOUSE; my husband then promptly broke his leg, which made moving into said house a bit more challenging.  Oh, and I got a new job!  Since August, I've been working as a part-time programming and event coordinator at Virginia Tech's Cranwell International Center.  It's a fun position that allows me to blend my people skills and event production experience, and so far I've been able to sneakily incorporate dance into several events: I called my first square dance at our fall festival, am planning a swing dance for our spring social, and performed a version of Barbara's current MEPC project (Are You Not Your Own) in an international dance concert last month.

Plans for 2015 include: Teaming up with Barbara to teach introductory contact improvisation workshops; co-producing a music/dance collaborative improvisation concert series; kicking my children's creative dance teaching practice into high gear; and starting up a regular open mic in Blacksburg so I can have an excuse to play my banjo more.  

Photo credit: JH Kertis

Update Series: Katie Sopoci Drake

Happy Impending Turkey Day, friends!
Since Fall is turning into Winter, for the next few days, each of us will be writing to give you an update on what we have been up to since our summer adventures! Next up is Katie Sopoci Drake!

What has Katie been up to? Take it away, Katie:

Hey y'all! This summer, after all of the dancing died down, I headed out to Yellowstone N.P. to feast my eyes and spirit on all of the fabulous nature. It gives me life, you know. Little personal projects cropped up here and there and I enjoyed dancing with friends in D.C. and trying on other people's dance-visions for a while. 

This Fall has seen me working both in my new position as Executive Assistant at the Maryland Youth Ballet, helping young dancers achieve their dance dreams, and hopping into my well-worn role as an educator at the University of Maryland - College Park, helping college students find their way into their bodies.  

Now that the snowflakes are threatening to fly, I can't wait to dive into a new artistic process with MEPC at the same time I dive into a new project with Rebollar Dance. Dance, dance, everywhere!

Update Series: Barbara Tait

Hi again friends!
Since Fall is turning into Winter, for the next few days, each of us will be writing to give you an update on what we have been up to since our summer adventures! Next up is Barbara Tait!

What has Barbara been up to? Take it away, Barbara:

A very sad library lay-off gifted me with some major free-time to focus on dance this summer. I attended Bates Dance Festival in Maine with Eliza, and to be a full-time student again was both humbling and invigorating. I made two new duets, performed several times in Philly (in my own work and for others), and took an incredible week-long workshop with Luciana Achugar. Teaching a summer dance workshop with Rachel in Virginia spun me into a whirlwind of life changes. I'll spare the gory details, but let's just say this: Virginia is certainly for lovers. I moved to Blacksburg in October. I am settling in and looking forward to new collaborations (both long distance and in person!), and getting better at mountain biking. 

Update Series: Eliza Larson

Hi friends!
Since Fall is turning into Winter, for the next few days, each of us will be writing to give you an update on what we have been up to since our summer adventures! First up is Eliza Larson!

What has Eliza been up to? Take it away, Eliza:

This summer was expansive and exhilarating and exhausting.  After driving 7000 miles, performing 

at PortFringe in Portland, Maine; the Capital Fringe Festival in DC, and the Southern Vermont Dance Festival in Brattleboro, I attended the Bates Dance Festival where I was able to relish being a student again.  Despite some minor injuries, the spring, summer, and fall has had me dancing and teaching constantly.  

The sea of movement  has parted though, and I’ve just come back West, to regain some equilibrium in my former home of Portland, Or.  New projects on the horizon include diving into the dance scene in the Pacific NW, continuing to study Piso Movil with Omar Carrum whenever possible, and exploring the ever growing  physical and creative territory of Mountain Empire as  we expand to be a bi-coastal company.

Eliza (orange) and Rachel (green) dance at the Mascher Co-op for MEPC's  2014 show in Philadelphia
Photo credit: Jen Kertis-Veit

"You Are Happy" In The Morning!

There's one last chance to see You Are Happy, Eliza Larson's hypnotic siren-tale:

11:00 at the Southern Vermont Dance Festival in Brattleboro, VT.

http://www.southernvermontdancefestival.com


I recently was able to see Eliza's solo for the first time when she and Rachel were camping out in my living room for their successful run of Capitol Fringe shows.  The 30 minute solo is mesmerizing, and Eliza weaves stories, Shakespeare, images shot on the shoreline and movement that ranges from intense to flowing.  You won't want to miss it, it is definitely full of images that you will ponder well into the afternoon.

-Katie

Mountain Empire Performing This Week In D.C.

Everybody Knows This Is Now Here opens this week in Washington D.C. at the Capital Fringe

The Capital Fringe opens this week and Mountain Empire has convened in the capitol to premier the evening length work Everybody Knows This Is Now Here.

Developed primarily via Skype, this multimedia performance explores physical and virtual distance through the lens of female friendship and the Great American Road Trip.  Blending dance, film, personal story and song, the performers search for home in the digital age.  

There are multiple shows, so gather your friends, get your fringe tickets and see what unfolds each night in this constantly shifting performance.  Each night will be slightly different, just like every cross country sojourn back home or to your favorite haunt.  

Everybody Knows This Is Now Here

at the Capital Fringe

Thursday, July 10, 2014 at 7:45pm

Saturday, July 12, 2014 at 6:00pm

Sunday, July 13, 2014 at 1:45pm

Tuesday, July 15, 2014 at 9:45pm

Thursday, July 17, 2014 at 6:00pm

Friday, July 18, 2014 at 4:00pm

Goethe Institut (map)

812 7th St NW

Washington, DC, 20001

Capital Fringe Tickets

Join our Facebook Event and get all the details