ITS THEIR TIME

In November, my students had their first performance entitled "Invisible".  It was a performance held right in the recreation center (Albemarle Recreation Center-5027 N. Idlewild Rd Charlotte, NC).  The also hold their weekly class there.  From that performance, I decided after only 4 months of them dancing.  It was time to expose them more.  Quietly, I had applied them to a local competition here in Charlotte, NC.  These dancers made it.  It will be their first major event also they get to a weekend full of master classes.  To support your favorite dancers, please purchase tickets at http://www.blumenthalarts.org/default.asp?blumenthal=59&objId=3616

Master Class

MufukaWorks presents MASTER CLASS with Deborah Maine

Thursday, November 29, 2012 at 6:15pm

Albemarle Recreation Center 5027 N. Idlewild Rd Charlotte, NC

Call 843 441 8803 for more information

Deborah Maine was introduced to dance at the age of 11 in the public schools of Beaufort, South Carolina. Maine continued her studies after high school at Coker College where, she was introduced to Wanda Ebright, Assistant Professor of Dance and, later became a founding member of The Wanda Project. While studying at Coker College, Maine was given the opportunity to study dance history abroad in Barbados, West Indies under the instruction of Ian Douglas and The National Culture Foundation. While there Maine gathered native movement to choreograph The Misconception of the Roots, her senior thesis project which; also won the African American Studies Specialization Learning Across the Disciplines Award for its representation of the African American experience.

After graduating from Coker Maine, went on to pursue a professional career with Walt Disney World’s Festival of the Lion King and Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade. Upon departure Maine went on to dance with Philadelphia Dance Company’s apprentice company DII under the direction of Donald T. Lunsford. Maine is embracing new endeavors throughout the city of Charlotte and looks forward to the upcoming season with 4^th Right Dance and Sycamore Dance Company.

Almost There

We are almost there till performance day.  I remember when I started my second branch in Charlotte, NC. It was not easy.  I started off with no one in the first class. It than built up to two, three, and five but here and there.  Every dancer was dedicated but it just was not coming together.  So, I prayed about it. God told me to be still. I stopped the class for three months and re-opened the registration for the Fall Term.

This was very difficult for me because I have never stopped teaching.  As I grow in my faith, I realize even when I do not know the direction.  I follow God.  In me being still, I was reminded that God is the head of MufukaWorks Dance Company not me.  So, I was still.

In those three months, I was in prayer.  I always had the company on my mind but I continued on being still.  In my stillness, it was coming to me.  The "it" was a reminder on why I started.  My moral needed a boost.  I got my boost.  I barely even advertised at all.  I just made a poster and hung it up a few places.  I meant a drummer that was reliable.   I listened to music.  I took dance classes myself.  I remembered why I started.

When the Fall term came, I was ready and God brought the students.  Now, I have eleven students and I could not ask for a better class.  They all are excited to come to class and they work hard.  They have worked hard for this performance.

We have finished half the choreography and it has been so much fun.  I usually stress out at this time but I have done this too long to know in the end...It works all out and we are almost there.

Can't wait for MufukaWorks presents Afro Russe Dance Production on Friday November 16 at 7pm. 5027 N. Idlewild Rd Charlotte, NC.   

CORE

Dear readers,

As most of you know, MufukaWorks Afro Russe Dance has the most intense warm-up in the dance world.  Well, you will be happy to know that I have added on to it.  As I was being the dance rehearsal director for the Sycamore Dance Company this morning, I had a whole abs series come to me.  It really works out the entire core. 

When your core is strong, you can move in all directions.  Take those words and apply it to your life. 

"If you can feel, you can dance."

Getting There

Dear Readers,

As the dance education and performance director of this company, MufukaWorks, it is so wonderful to be doing my purpose in life.  I have stop searching and arrived in my purpose. However, it is hard for me to know joy comes with every aspect of this company while still knowing that I have to find other ways to support myself.  I love teaching, creating works, and all the administration work but reality hits me at times.  Until MufukaWorks grows, I do have to find ways to support myself.  All in all, I know God is moving in my life and he gives me joy just to let me know.  His still here.  He gave me that joy yesterday.

I had come into teaching class at the recreation center.  I had come early like always and some of my students already there.  They were warming up because they know class starts at 6:15pm.  So, they must be there at no later than 6pm to be ready to begin at 6:15pm.  Well, they were there at 5:30pm with me.  That's joy!

At 6:15pm, I had begun class.  I did a warm-up and went straight into choreography.  This work is the opening of the students for the MufukaWorks An Afro Russe Production "Invisible"  so it needs to be choreographed first.  I worked them hard yesterday but they were up for the challenge.  We did finish this choreography work yesterday.  That's joy!

I had my challenges building this company.  I prayed for the Lord by December to have 10 students.  I remember teaching two students for 3 months.  I had to reevaluate my company.  Yes! I was giving the role as the dance education and performance director of the company but the founder was God. His the founder and he runs this company.  I gave away that power.  That's joy!

As he as founder, I let it go completely.  I had my consistent students and he blessed me with 11 students.  We are only in November and these students will grace the stage with God's show. 

I know the power of the Lord.  With all the other aspects of my life, I know that its getting there.  I am exactly where I need to be.  I know my purpose in life and he will bless me to live fully in it one day.  Until now, I believe that his preparing me for the destiny. 

What kind of dancer are you?

Today, I started the planing for this week class at the Albemarle Recreation.  Each week, I do a newsletter, "Got dance news?" to set the tone of the class and communicate through writing to the parents.  In this week newsletter, I ask the dancers: what kind of dancer are you?  Being in this dance world, I know that you must know what kind of dancer you are.  I am not talking about the style.  I am talking about what makes them as a dancer move.  As for me, dance is a way that I tell my testimony.  It is what drives me to write a weekly newsletter, blog, facebook, create dance works, and just become free in dance. 

My students are young dancers.  Once they know the kind of dancer they are no one could tell them whom they are. Aha! I know you deeper thinkers know where I am going with this.  I teach through experience. 

Tomorrow is a big day, the students are having their first audition.  I have two professional dancers setting works on them. Depending on how they do, I will be selecting a trio and soloist for the MufukaWorks "Invisible" Afro Russe Production out the students.  This will give them a glimpse of the dance world. 

Speaking of the production, it is going well.  I final got the final cd for the music.  I have changed the music a couple times but finally I got the music.  Tomorrow, it will be a long day.

To my readers, What kind of dancer are you?

Invisible

On November 16th, I will be choreographing a piece called "Invisible".  I was inspired by a student whom shared her story with me on feeling alone in this world to invisibility.  This student stated dance saved her life.  I knew this story very well because dance did the same for me. So, the student chose the song and I choreographed it.  This solo was such a hit that I decided to expand it into a MufukaWorks Afro Russe Dance Production.

With my new fall session of classes started in September, I thought that this will be the perfect time for their first performance.  Might as well, I started them into a deeper way of thinking.  The students are 8-12 years old and I have a few dancers from my professional adult performance company performing.  The production is really about the students. These students have grown so much that it amazes me as dancers and young people. 

So, I take their stories too and build on the choreography.  It starts addressing the problem straight on.  This problem is young people these days feeling invisible.  It goes on telling their struggles about insecurities, relationships, and more.  At the end, it has a message.  That message is invisible will visible. 

Come support us! Friday November 16 at 7pm. Only at Albemarle Recreation Center 5027 North Idlewild Rd Charlotte, NC 28212

Alvin Ailey Dance Theater

This weekend, I could not be more than happy to be a dancer.  About 15 years ago, I saw Ailey II in Beaufort, SC.  I was only about 13 years old.  It was by watching them that I decided to be dancer.   I did just that I went to college and travelled all over to dance.  Now, I have seen Alvin Ailey first company once again and they were amazing.  They planted a seed in me a long time ago and I took that leap.  To my dance students, follow your dreams always. 

The details of my weekend was seeing the Alvin Ailey performance at the Blumenthal Performing Arts and taking a Master Class at the Harvey B. Gantt. It was only a reminder to me to keep doing what I am doing. 

Great weekend!

HOMEWORK DUE

MUFUKAWORKS AFRO RUSSE EVERYBODY DANCE CLASS.....

As posted last week, NO CLASS WILL BE TUESDAY MAY 22, 2012.
HOWEVER, HOMEWORK DUE VIA EMAIL MUFUKAWORKS@GMAIL.COM NO LATER 5PM

ONE PAGE REPORT ON JOSE LIMON


SEE NEXT TUESDAY!