Sanspointe

Sanspointe presents Fuzión Dance Artists to Kick off Alabama Dance Festival

2011-01-16T15:39:00.001-06:00

Join us to kick off the 2011 Alabama Dance Festival on Thursday, January 27th at 5pm at the Alabama Ballet Center for Dance for a reception and a performance by Florida-based Fuzión Dance Artists.

5:00-6:00 pm - Alabama Dance Festival Opening Reception and showing of the documentary film "Merce Cunningham: A Lifetime of Dance” by Charles Atlas. Hosted by the Alabama Dance Council.

6:00-6:45 pm - Kinda Cage-y performance and lecture demonstration by Fuzión Dance Artists.

The performance is open to the public. Sanspointe requests a donation of $5 be at the door.

Polyartist-composer Francis Schwartz and dance artists Rachael Inman and Leymis Wilmott collaborated to create Kinda Cage-y as an homage to the late composer and thinker John Cage (1912-1992). Kinda Cage-y is based on similar principles of improvisation and chance that were employed by Cage and Cunningham. The work has now been shown world wide and is part of the John Cage Trust.

During the performance itself, Schwartz will incorporate audience participation to shape the development of the work as a live “one-of-a-kind.” A Q&A with the audience will follow to give opportunities for the audience to reflect on what has just been “created.”

Following the performance and Q&A, stick around to observe the master class taught by Robert Swinston, Director of Choreography of the Merce Cunningham Dance Company.

The performance of Kinda Cage-y offers a fascinating prelude to Merce Cunningham Dance Company’s performance at the 2011 Alabama Dance Festival. The Alabama Dance Festival and the Alabama Ballet are presenting Merce Cunningham Dance Company (MCDC) on January 28 at 8:00 p.m. at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Center’s Concert Hall. MCDC tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com or at the BJCC Central Ticket office.

The film and the lecture/performance by Fuzión Dance Artists are presented by Sanspointe Dance Company with support from South Arts and 2010 Alabama State Council on the Arts Fellowship recipient Rachael Inman.

Kinetic Canvas features five new dance works

2010-09-24T08:01:00.003-05:00

On Saturday, October 16th, Sanspointe will transform the lobby at Birmingham Museum of Art with modern dance, live music, art and spoken word.

Sanspointe will present five new dances, featuring:
Lynn Andrews
Margaret Armstrong
Shellie Chambers
Ivan Correa
Helen Gassenheimer
Michell Hamff
Vikas Hegde
Taryn Lavery
Amia Loubser
Rhea Speights
Justin Wallace
Anna Walker

Dances Fall 2010

2010-08-25T07:08:00.002-05:00

Sanspointe will present Dances Fall in Tuscaloosa at Morgan Auditorium on Tuesday evening, October 26th.

We've been invited to perform for the fourth time at The University of Alabama...where several of us graduated from within the past 10 years. We're looking forward to being back again.

Opening the program on the 26th is the premier of new work by Chicago-based guest artist Margi Cole, titled "Roost." Margi set the work on five company members during a week in June.

Also on the program are recent works from the company's "Primary Subject," including Taryn Lavery's "Measuring the Marigolds," Shellie Chambers' "Mind Over Me," and the collaborative work by Rhea Speights and Justin Wallace "I made something for you."

Closing out the program is a new work by Lynn Bowman. The quartet will also be seen in the company's "Kinetic Canvas: A Dance Installation" at Birmingham Museum of Art on Saturday, October 16th.

Thank Sarah Barry for inviting us back to UA, and thanks Miranda for your design!

I come from...

2010-08-03T12:32:00.004-05:00

Michelle and Shellie's collaboration, continued...

At the end of our first rehearsal, we gave the dancers a homework assignment - from Liz Lerman's "toolbox." We asked them to fill a sheet of paper, responding to the prompt "I come from...".

We had our second rehearsal on Monday, and these were some of the statements that they made, some of which we have used in our dance.

I come from plenty.
I come from safety and shelter.
I come from a family of five, a happy home, the south.
I come from farming and sewing.

I come from palm trees, the ocean, a family, a tradition, sadness.
I come from Africa, drums, pain; Spaniards with no boundaries, people like you and me.
I come from tasty food, local prejudice, bombs, violence, lack of respect of value for human life.
I come from an idea of God, the love of a mother and her sacrifice.

I come from a country where everybody stands for themselves.
I come from a place where you are not sure what tomorrow holds.
I come from a place I no longer want to be.
I come from a place my favorite memories are lost.
I come from South-Africa, now I'm safe.

I come from a love of art.
I come from being a believer in seeing the good in people.
I come from hope that the world we live in will keep moving towards peace.
I come from the sum of all my experiences and relationships.

a wonderful change could happen...

2010-08-01T13:29:00.002-05:00

Michelle and Shellie's collaboration, continued...

by Michelle Hamff

Excerpt from Outcasts United, by Warren St. John:

"When I think about Clarkston, I sometimes visualize the town as a lifeboat being lowered from a vast, multilevel passenger ship. No one aboard chose this particular vessel. Rather, they were assigned to it - the refugees by resettlement officials they never met, the townspeople by a faraway bureaucratic apparatus that decided, almost haphazardly, to put a sampling of people from all over the world in the modest little boat locals thought they had claimed for themselves. In an instant, the boat was set upon a roiling sea, its passengers left to fend for themselves. Everyone on the boat wanted the same thing: safety. But to get there, they would first have to figure out how to communicate with each other, how to organize themselves, how to allocate their resources, and which direction they should row. I imagine their heads bobbing in and out of view between the troughs and crests of the wind-whipped sea as they begin their journey. And I wonder: What will they do? What would I do in that same situation? And: Will they make it?"

Thoughts after Rehearsal 1:

I am amazed; hard to put into words how relevant and important this particular piece of work is to me personally...I grew up with parents who valued teaching through travel; teaching diversity, tolerance, acceptance and understanding and celebrating people's differences while always striving to find commonality among people. I have been extremely blessed to have been to the Holy Land, parts of Russia, Egypt, China, and the Caribbean. My eyes were opened each new place I traveled and a love of culture and passion for learning and respecting differences was put in my heart many years ago in college. I put a work together called, "Babel," in which I got foreign language speakers from the language department to speak and perform. This presented many challenges as we had to really speak slow to understand each other and we would most of the time use our bodies through dancing to communicate...we formed friendships and would eat meals together outside of rehearsal and performance. I wanted to make a statement that different people can come together and make something beautiful in the world. And that is what we did.

Fast forward to Shellie calling me and explaining the opportunity to make a piece inspired by the book and art installation and that UAB students were reading the book and would be discussing it...I got so excited b/c the layers were beginning to be laid....the artistic nuggets were there: Babel from years ago, the amazing stories of the people that make up the book, the artistic vision for the art installation, the students whose lives hopefully will change from reading the book and create more questions and understanding (as it did for me personally the more I read the book), working with a wonderful friend and choreographer, Shellie Chambers, and knowing that this work at its heart is about people coming together to create a piece of art and make a statement of understanding that all people have stories and come from a place....we all have struggles - let's find the common ground; reach out and find a way to the heart of human connection which make life meaningful - to find a way to understanding and respect.

I think for me too, reading the book is eye-opening and is instilling in me a chance to let others in on this important story to be told about refugees whose one thing in common is soccer. What would happen if we all found common ground with people we didn't understand and maybe harbored ill-feelings towards? I bet a wonderful change would happen.

First rehearsal for Outcasts United collaborative work

2010-07-31T17:54:00.013-05:00

A collaboration by Shellie Chambers and Michelle Hamff

by Shellie Chambers:

Today, Michelle and I began working with three community members - Ivan Correa, Vikas Hedge and Amia Loubser - on a new dance work that incorporates spoken word in four languages.

Let me give you a background on what we're up to....Sanspointe began a collaboration with Birmingham Museum of Art only a few weeks ago to present Kinetic Canvas: A Dance Installation at the Museum. In addition to that 40-minute performance, featuring five site-specific collaborative dance works on October 16th, Sanspointe was invited to create a work inspired by the UAB 2010 Discussion Book, Outcasts United, by Birmingham's own Warren St. John.

On August 24th Sanspointe will perform this work for UAB students, faculty and staff who have been invited to read Outcasts United and view the artwork, Mpanqui, Jimaqua (Brotherhood, Twins) by Cuban artist José Bedia. The artwork was selected by Museum staff to complement the book as it reflects many of the book’s themes.

When we were invited to make this work, I got really excited about it because I had recently read the book. I immediately thought of a dance that Michelle choreographed in college called "Babel," in which four dancers with four different native languages spoke and danced together. I called Michelle, and we decided to take that idea and make it anew. We put out a call to friends as we looked for three people whose native language wasn't English and who would be open to working on this performance piece with us.

Michelle and I met several times this past week to create the structure for our dance, using original text that Michelle wrote almost 10 years ago when she was in college. Today, at our first rehearsal, we met the dancers for the first time.

This new work will be performed for the public in Sanspointe's Kinetic Canvas: A Dance Installation at Birmingham Museum of Art on Saturday, October 16th at 1:00 and 3:00. The performance is free to attend.

More information about the book Outcasts United and the Fugees...

From the book website:

"Outcasts United is the story of a team of refugee boys, the remarkable woman who coaches them, and the town where they live, a once-sleepy southern hamlet that has been upended by the process of refugee resettlement. It's a story about the challenges posed by our quickly changing world, and one that reminds us of what is possible in this country when we put our values in action. Outcasts United is the story of what happened when these three disparate elements -- a town, a team and a coach -- came together in a kind of impromptu social experiment. It's a book about resilience in the face of extraordinary hardship, the power of one person to make a difference and the daunting challenge of creating community in a place where people seem to have so little in common."

Fugees Family website

Fugees on Today, reported by Tiki Barber

Where the Fugees come from

Today Show Interview with author Warren St. John

Dance, Music and Visual Art Mingle in Kinetic Canvas

2010-07-30T11:01:00.000-05:00

July 30, 2010; Birmingham, Ala – Birmingham-based, professional modern dance company Sanspointe will present “Kinetic Canvas: A Dance Installation” at the Birmingham Museum of Art on Saturday, October 16, at 1:00 and 3:00 in the afternoon. The performance is free of charge and open to all!

The partnership between Sanspointe and the Museum began in June 2010 when Sanspointe’s Artistic Director Shellie Chambers began a conversation with the Museum’s Assistant Curator of Education Kristen Greenwood about the possibility of collaborating with the Museum to present a dance installation in their space...dances inspired by the museum itself.

Chambers felt it was time to do something new and unexpected following the company’s four-day run of “Primary Subject” in May.

“After our May concert, I felt that our company and audience members needed to see something different in our next concert. I immediately began looking for an unconventional space where we could perform that would inspire our work and expand our audience.” said Chambers.

Everything fell into place, and the company is now rehearsing five new site-specific dances that will be presented in “Kinetic Canvas: A Dance Installation.” Twelve Sanspointe members and friends are collaborating on these works, which include live music, spoken word and of course dance and art. The 40-minute performance will be performed twice on October 16, 2010, at no cost to the public.

In addition to the public performances on October 16, Sanspointe will perform on August 24^th for UAB students, faculty and staff who have been invited to read the UAB 2010 Discussion Book, Outcasts United, by Birmingham’s own Warren St. John, and view the artwork, Mpanqui, Jimaqua (Brotherhood, Twins) by Cuban artist José Bedia. The artwork was selected by Museum staff to complement the book as it reflects many of the book’s themes. The performance piece is a collaboration by Chambers and Sanspointe Founder Michelle Hamff that features movement and spoken word in four languages. Three community members have been invited to perform in the work.

Sanspointe was founded by Michelle Hamff in 2003 to provide choreographers and dancers with an opportunity to create new work, collaborate artistically and present high-quality modern dance performances for the community. Sanspointe presents at least two concerts of original and inventive choreography by a handful of Alabama dance artists each year, and has presented more than 30 original works by Alabama choreographers.

Under the artistic direction of Shellie Chambers, Sanspointe has been recognized as a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt organization with ten company members, including dance artists, musicians and designers. Sanspointe’s members bring a diversity of interests, experiences and talents to the Company. This unique fusion of artistic ideas and inspirations allows Sanspointe to constantly evolve and challenge its members’ and audience’s expectations of modern dance.

Founded in 1951, the Birmingham Museum of Art has one of the finest collections in the Southeast supported by a strong educational program designed to make the arts come alive for children and adults throughout the region.

To learn more about Sanspointe, visit www.sanspointe.org. For more information on Birmingham Museum of Art, visit www.artsbma.org.

###

Save the date for Kinetic Canvas

2010-07-28T23:35:00.001-05:00

Following our May concert, Primary Subject, I felt it was time for Sanspointe to do something new and unexpected. I immediately began looking for an alternate venue for our Fall concert. It wasn't long until I was at Birmingham Museum of Art talking with Kristen Greenwood about the possibility of collaborating with the Museum to present a dance installation in their space...dances inspired by the museum itself.

Everything fell into place, and we are now rehearsing five new site-specific dances that will be presented in Kinetic Canvas. Several Sanspointe members, musicians and friends are collaborating on these works. Including live music, spoken word and of course dance and art, the 40 minute performance will be performed twice on Saturday, October 16th during the 2010 Fiesta event in Linn Park. Join us just inside the museum's front doors for a lively, moving and cultural performance, suitable for the entire family.

Details:

Sanspointe presents

Kinetic Canvas: a dance installation

at the Birmingham Museum of Art

Saturday, October 16

Two daytime performances, times tba.

No cost.

Sanspointe working with Margi Cole

2010-07-06T09:50:00.001-05:00

Margi Cole worked with five dancers June 6-11, creating a new work that will premier in October 2010. In video: Margi Cole, Shellie Chambers, Taryn Lavery, Rhea Speights and Anna Walker. Sycamore Toffel - voice and videographer.

Preveiw of Primary Subject

2010-05-03T07:13:00.007-05:00

North Carolina-based Guest Artist Killian Manning’s There was Morning and Evening, Another Day to music by Kit Weinart.

An aerial dance choreographed by newest company member Rachael Inman, performed with an unusual partner, a swing to music by Terry Riley.

A whimsical trio by Taryn Lavery to music by mum.

A frenzied duet, Mind Over Me, choreographed by Shellie Chambers to John's Book of Alleged Dances, a composition by John Coolidge Adams for string quartet and piano and performed by Kronos Quartet.

A collaborative work “I made something for you” in which dance artist Rhea Speights and musician Justin Wallace contribute to the original soundscore.

Closing out the program is Another Landscape, collaborative work by Lynn Bowman and Speights, featuring six dancers and music by Dirty Three. Another Landscape creates and recreates and creates again pictures and images inspired by the perpetual act of making art. The choreographers Lynn Bowman and Rhea Speights used various artists as jumping off points for this collaborative work including Vincent Van Gogh, Michael Corinne West, Marc Chagall, and Antony Gormley.

PreMoves: dances in progress

2010-03-22T19:14:00.002-05:00

Have you ever wondered how a dance is created, what goes on in the studio before the performance, or what kinds of questions the artists ask as they create? Join Sanspointe April 17th to observe rehearsal, view a work in progress and chat with the artists about their process.

Join us at 3:30 on April 17th for PreMoves: dances in progress - an open rehearsal, and preview of new work Another Landscape choreographed by Lynn Bowman and Rhea Speights followed by a facilitated discussion with the artists.

This event is free to attend, but a reservation is requested at http://premoves.eventbrite.com.

Donations are welcome when you register above, at the event or anytime year 'round on our web site www.sanspointe.org. Your donation will support Sanspointe's 2010 Season, including Primary Subject and Dances Fall, and is tax-deductible. Thanks for your consideration.

You are also invited to join the company for class on April 17th from 1:00 until 2:30 at CDF Studios. Class is $10. Then, stick around to observe rehearsal and preview of Another Landscape.

Sanspointe will present Primary Subject May 13-16

2010-03-22T19:12:00.008-05:00

Sanspointe is pleased to present Primary Subject May 13-16 at the CDF Studio Theatre in Birmingham, featuring new dance works choreographed by Alabama-based dance artists Lynn Bowman, Shellie Chambers, Rachael Inman, Taryn Lavery, Rhea Speights and North Carolina-based guest artist Killian Manning and new music by Justin Wallace.

Included in Primary Subject is Manning’s "There was Morning and Evening, Another Day” to music by Kit Weinart. Manning spent two weeks in Birmingham during the 2009 Holidays setting the work on six dancers. She is Artistic Director of No Forwarding Address, on the faculty at UNC-Greensboro in Communication Studies and teaches dance at the Ballet School of Chapel Hill.

Speights and Wallace will perform their collaborative work “I made something for you” in which the dancer and musician contribute to the original soundscore. Lavery is presenting choreography for the first time with the company, and Chambers has set a frenzied duet to music by John Adams.

Also featured in Primary Subject is an aerial dance choreographed and performed by newest company member Rachael Inman, cofounder of Fuzion Dance Artists based in Sarasota FL. She will perform with an unusual partner, a swing. Closing out the program is a 20-minute collaborative work by Bowman and Speights, featuring six dancers and music by Dirty Three.

Before the concert begins, the audience will enjoy live music 30 minutes before curtain by up-and-coming singer/songwriter Neil Couvillion. Couvillion will perform songs from his album Time Machine. Recorded with the help of some great musicians and friends, his sound has been described as a mix between Patty Griffin and David Gray.

Primary Subject is sponsored by Andress Engineering Associates, Inc. and Pilates on Highland. The performance is also made possible by grants from the Alabama State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Sanspointe was founded by Michelle Hamff in 2003. Today, the company exists to provide choreographers and dancers with an opportunity to create new work, collaborate artistically and present high-quality modern dance performances for the community. Sanspointe presents two concerts of original and inventive choreography each year by local choreographers for audiences in its hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, and performs at events during the year around the Southeast.

Under the artistic direction of Shellie Chambers, Sanspointe is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization.Sanspointe’s members bring a diversity of interests, experiences and talents to the company. This unique fusion of artistic ideas and inspirations allows Sanspointe to constantly evolve and challenges its members and the audience’s expectations of what modern dance is.

Primary Subject will be performed in an intimate theatre setting at Children’s Dance Foundation’s Studio Theatre in Downtown Homewood (1715 27th Court South). Tickets, $12, can be purchased online at www.sanspointe.org. Seating is limited.

###

Photos by Jim Willett

Poster by Kevin deMiranda

Sanspointe receives grant from ASCA

2010-01-09T12:00:00.003-06:00

Sanspointe received a grant from The Alabama State Council on the Arts (ASCA) to present Primary Subject in May 13-16, 2010. Primary Subject will feature modern dance works choreographed by Lynn Bowman, Shellie Chambers, Taryn Lavery, Rhea Speights and guest artist Killian Manning. This is Sanspointe's first request and grant from ASCA.

Bowman, Chambers and Speights have choreographed for the company previously. This will be Lavery's first time to present her work with the company. Lavery is a 2008 graduate from The University of Alabama, where several other Sanspointe company artists also received their degrees, including Chambers, Speights and Founder Michelle Hamff.

Also featured in Primary Subject is Manning's new work, There was Morning and Evening, Another Day to music by Kit Weinart. Manning, who lives in North Carolina, spent two weeks in Birmingham during the Holidays setting the work on seven dancers. She will continue to work with the dancers until the performance remotely through video and email communications. She'll be back in May for the performance and to teach a master class open to the community.

Killian Manning is on the faculty at UNC-Greensboro in Communication Studies and teaches dance at the Ballet School of Chapel Hill. As Artistic Director of No Forwarding Address, she has received funding from numerous N.C. state and local arts agencies and was named "Best in The Triangle" in dance for four years. Killian has presented her award-winning choreography in Salt Lake City, Boston, Chicago, Birmingham, and North Carolina. She served on the dance faculty at UNC-Chapel Hill from 1989 to 1995, and has also taught at Radcliffe, the Boston Conservatory, Repertory Dance Theater School, and Samford University. Prior to that, she studied, performed, and choreographed in Boston from 1980-1987, where she was a member of Susan Rose and DanceWorks. Most recently she has enjoyed creating new dances at Durham Academy and the Carolina Friends School.

Sanspointe performs at Vestavia High School and The University of Alabama

2010-01-09T11:18:00.008-06:00

On October 22, following performances of Dances Fall in Birmingham, we performed excerpts of Dances Fall at Vestavia High School (VHS). We were excited to perform for the second time to perform at VHS. We performed one a solo from Michelle Hamff's Neruda No. 5, Rhea Speights Trick or Treat Me Like a Fool, and Lynn Bowman's A Very Dry Spell for more than 600 fine arts students.

On October 27th, we spent a day in Tuscaloosa at The University of Alabama. Lynn Bowman taught class to dance majors in the morning. We spent the afternoon setting the lights in Morgan Auditorium for the full-length presentation of Dances Fall, observed by a class or two.

We presented Dances Fall at 7pm, including pre-show live music by Abram and Sarah. Following the performance, we had an informal Q&A with more than 20 dance majors about everything from the content of the dances to the business of running a dance company. More than half of our company artists are graduates from The University of Alabama, and we are always thrilled to go back and visit. This day-long residency was made possible by UA's Creative Campus.

Dances Fall Behind the Scenes and Cast Party

2009-10-11T10:34:00.009-05:00

Grey and Lauren...
Shellie, Michelle, Melissa & Margaret...

Lynn and David...
Justin practicing his jumps and turns at the Cast Party...

Dances Fall this Weekend

2009-10-09T11:56:00.007-05:00

Friday and Saturday (7:30) and Sunday (2:30).
LIVE music by Abram & Sarah 30 minutes before curtain.
Performance by guest artist David Appel Fri. and Sun.
Visual art by Anna Alford Nelson.
CDF Studio Theatre
1715 27th Court South, Birmingham
buy Tickets, $10, HERE

Photos by Bobbie Aldridge:

Art at Dances Fall

2009-09-26T19:59:00.008-05:00

Sanspointe is excited to feature the art of Anna Alford Nelson at Dances Fall. Anna's pieces will be on display and for sale at all three performances.

I met Anna a few years ago when she moved to Birmingham from New Orleans. She was working for Skirt Magazine (and had some of the best skirts I have ever seen). I had no idea that she was an artist, too. One day I complimented her fantastic colorful pumps that she informed me she had painted! I was impressed! I invited Anna to share more of her work at our show.

She calls her artisitic expression "Free-Fly." Anna applies non-traditionalism to her design on anything from canvas to shoes and purses often inspired by quotes and music.

Here's a sampling of some Anna originals:

Dances Fall features guest artist David Appel

2009-09-25T15:57:00.006-05:00

Dance artist David Appel will soon be back in Birmingham for his first visit since 1989 to share his work with the community.

Mary Foshee introduced the company to David this past summer, and we immediately began planning his trip down South.

David will perform his work "Scattered Songs (everyday is redbluegreen)" in Dances Fall on Friday evening (Oct. 9) and Sunday afternoon (Oct. 11).

David is active primarily as a solo artist, doggedly seeking to uncover what might be revealed through more intimate and detailed dancing, and how this can function as either a metaphor for and/or a means of directly addressing aspects of our daily lives. What he does arises from (and asks) recurring questions about the options at our disposal, and how we make choices from them. His performances—often blending improvised and set material in intricate and unusual fashion—invariably celebrate the body’s innate and quirky musicality, an ever more subtle yet expansive quality of articulation, and a movement language that is paradoxically singular and familiar, idiosyncratic yet somehow connects.

In addition, David is teaching a class on Saturday afternoon open to the community. Join Sanspointe artists and others in his class 2-4pm Saturday, Oct. 10th at Children's Dance Foundation. Then, join us for us for the Saturday evening program of Dances Fall as well, featuring the duet by Universtiy of Alabama faculty Sarah Barry and Alison Hetzel.

The Class: "Inhabiting a Moving Universe"
Let’s start by envisioning dancing as an act of acute engagement—moving comfortably and decisively, solo and with others. Using a primarily improvisational lens, we will explore: articulating specific movement choices while maintaining a fluid capacity for change; some of the many possibilities that can arise by focusing on weight flow, breath, and subtle neuro-muscular activity; and drawing upon the linkage between our internal world and our external environment, as reciprocal sources and mutual support structures. Embracing confusion and clarity, encountering the simple and the not-so-simple, we can hone our ability to wield both active and receptive powers of attention. In the end, it’s about finding greater substance, inviting nuance, and gathering presence—however you choose to move.

David is a choreographer, performer.and teacher. His work has been presented to acclaim throughout North America, Europe, and in Mexico since 1973. David has also performed with Simone Forti, City Dance Theater of Boston (a company touring innovative pieces during the early 1970s), several dance/music collaborative groups, and with many other individual artists in a variety of media. He has received a number of grants and awards for his choreography, including three Choreographers’ Fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, and has been invited to festivals in both the U.S. and abroad.

Photos of David by Mark Von Holden

Dances Fall line up

2009-09-14T16:18:00.036-05:00

featuring new and favorite works...
(photos below by Bobbie Aldridge and Jim Willet)

New Works:

"A Very Dry Spell"
choreographed by Lynn Bowman

"so you want me always to paint flowers..."
conceived and performed by Sarah Barry and Allison Hetzel (Saturday evening)

"This Place"
choreographed and performed by Rhea Speights with live music written and performed by Kayde and Karoline Parker of Abram and Sarah

"Scattered Songs"
choreographed and performed by guest artist David Appel (Friday and Sunday)

Favorites:

"Burden of Choice" to music by Mogwai
choreographed by Shellie Chambers

"Retrospect"
coreographed by Shellie Chambers

"It's Only Paper"
choreographed by Rhea Speights

"Neruda No. 5"
choreographed by Michelle Hamff

Featuring the following poems by Pablo Neruda...

"Poetry," "If You Forget Me," "Ode to the Sea," "I Like to Be Still" and "Integrations"

"Trick or Treat Me Like a Fool" to a Soundscore including excerpts from Jacques Offenbach, Dirty Three, Mabel John, Igor Stravinsky, Alexander Borodin and Romanian and Polish Folk Music.
choreographed by Rhea Speights

Dances Fall
October 9 & 10 / 7:30pm
October 11 / 2:30pm
Preshow live music by Abram and Sarah 30 minutes before curtain.

Tickets, $10, are on sale now!

2009 ARTWALK

2009-09-10T07:33:00.006-05:00

This weekend, get over to the 8th Annual ARTWALK.

Friday, September 11th: 5-10pm
Saturday, September 12th: Noon-6pm

Downtown Birmingham
MORRIS, 1st & 2nd AVENUES NORTH between 22nd & 25th STREETS

Click here for map. Click here for participating artists.

The Music of Dances Fall

2009-09-03T15:30:00.010-05:00

What is it that you like about watching concert dance? The choreography? Seeing a story unfold? Costumes? For many, it's the music. Sanspointe's upcoming concert Dances Fall features a rich and exciting array of music. Here's what to expect:

There will be live music before the show even begins, so don't be late. Sisters Kayde and Karoline Parker of the Indie/Folk music group Abram and Sarah will perform 30 minutes before curtain for all three days of "Dances Fall." They will also join dance artist Rhea Speights on stage in the second half with their song "It Takes a lot of Love." Get a preview of Abram and Sarah below, featuring Kayde and Karoline with Justin Wallace at Bottletree.

Additional music credits in Dances Fall include:
Sigur Ros
Robert Een

Mickey Hart
Mogwai
Hazmat Modine
Stars of the Lid
Poems by Pablo Neruda, recorded by celebrities
And a unique soundscore including excerpts by Jacques Offenbach, Igor Stravinsky, Alexander Borodin, Dirty Three, Mabel John and Romanian Folk music.

Dances Fall
New and favorite works choreographed by Sarah Barry, Lynn Bowman, Shellie Chambers, Michelle Hamff, Allison Hetzel, Rhea Speights and guest artist David Appel.

October 9 & 10 / 7:30pm
October 11 / 2:30pm
CDF Studio Theatre
1715 27th Ct.S., Birmingham
205-799-2602

Tickets, $10, ar e on sale now!

Dances Fall

2009-08-23T21:09:00.007-05:00

Sanspointe is pleased to present Dances Fall Friday, October 9th through Sunday October 11th at the CDF Studio Theatre in Birmingham, featuring new and favorite works choreographed by Sarah Barry, Lynn Bowman, Shellie Chambers, Michelle Hamff, Allison Hetzel, Rhea Speights and New York City-based guest artist David Apell. Preshow live music will be performed by the group Abram and Sarah, who will also provide the accompaniment for a solo dance performance in the second half.

Included in Dances Fall is "It’s Only Paper” with dancers costumed in paper dresses and “Trick or Treat Me Like a Fool,” featuring four masked characters, both by Speights. Speights will also perform a solo to music performed live by the local folk music group Abram and Sarah. Chambers’ recent works “Retrospect” to music by Robert Een, Sigur Ros and Mickey Hart, and the solo “Burden of Choice" to music by Mogwai will also be performed. New to the group from Iowa, Lynn Bowman, has set a lively work for three dancers that will open the second half. Hamff’s “Neruda No. 5,” features five solos to poems by Pablo Neruda.

Also featured on Friday and Sunday only is a solo performance by guest artist David Appel. On Saturday evening only, Tuscaloosa-based artists Barry and Hetzel will perform their collaborative new work that recently premiered in Switzerland titled, “so you want me always to paint flowers…”. Appel will also teach a master class at Children’s Dance Foundation on Saturday, October 10th at 2pm open to the community.

Connecting to the community is part of Sanspointe’s mission. Fine arts students at Vestavia High School will get a sneak peek of Dances Fall on September 15th with a performance at their school. The company will also take Dances Fall to Tuscaloosa later in October for a public performance at The University of Alabama, where many of Sanspointe’s artists graduated. Company members will speak to the dance majors in their weekly convocation at UA preceding the performance. Chambers, Artistic Director of Sanspointe, is excited to provide an opportunity for students to see local professionals working in dance and the arts.

Chambers said, “It takes a lot of motivated and committed people to keep a professional dance company going. Many of our company members work other jobs full-time, some are mothers, a few attend graduate school, and several travel an hour for rehearsals. Each of us is passionate about presenting modern dance for Birmingham audiences.”

Sanspointe was founded by Michelle Hamff in 2003. Hamff said, “I wanted to present a modern dance concert, and that’s how it all started.” Today, the company exists to provide choreographers and dancers with an opportunity to create new work, collaborate artistically and present high-quality modern dance performances for the community. Sanspointe presents at least one concert of original choreography each year for audiences in its hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, and performs at events during the year around the Southeast.

Under the artistic direction of Shellie Chambers, Sanspointe has been recognized as a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt organization, with 18 company artists and seven members on its board of directors and is campaigning now for financial support. Sanspointe’s members bring a diversity of interests, experiences and talents to the company. This unique fusion of artistic ideas and inspirations allows Sanspointe to constantly evolve and challenges its members and the audience’s expectations of what modern dance is.

Dances Fall will be performed in an intimate theatre setting at Children’s Dance Foundation’s Community Arts Center Studio Theatre in Downtown Homewood (1715 27th Court South) May 28-31. Tickets, $10, can be purchased online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/ and at the door. Seating is limited.

dances fall

2009-08-15T19:54:00.002-05:00

thanks miranda for the lovely design for our concert!

Dances Fall October 9-11

2009-07-28T15:53:00.000-05:00

Go ahead, mark your calendar!

Dances Fall

October 9-11

Sanspointe presents a concert of new work plus some favorites from the past including the most recent, Trick or Treat Me Like a Fool by Rhea Speights (pictured here).

Also featured in Dances Fall:

Retrospect, 2008, by Shellie Chambers

Neruda No. 5, 2008, by Michelle Hamff

It's Only Paper, 2006, by Rhea Speights

Burden of Choice, 2007, by Shellie Chambers

New works by Lynn Bowman and Sarah Barry

Follow our blog for more on Dances Fall!

October 9 & 10, 7:30

October 11, 2:30

CDF Studio Theatre, 1715 27th Court South

Birmingham, Alabama

Tickets, $10, on sale Sept. 15

Join Sanspointe for Class with Guest Artist

2009-07-28T15:21:00.005-05:00

Sanspointe will host a series of modern dance classes with guest teaching artist Killian Manning beginning this Saturday. Please join us!

Saturday, August 1, 9-10:30am
Monday, August 3, 5:30-7:00
Wednesday, August 5, 5:30-7:00

Single Class: $13
All three classes: $30

at Children's Dance Foundation
1715 27th Court South,
Birmingham AL 35209
205-799-2602

Manning will be choreographing for Sanspointe this Winter for the company's May 2010 concert. Sanspointe does not hold formal audtion, but dancers who would like to be invited to work with Sanspointe should attend these classes and bring a dance resume.

BIO for Killian:

Killian Manning is on the faculty at UNC-Greensboro in Communication Studies and teaches dance at the Ballet School of Chapel Hill. As Artistic Director of No Forwarding Address, she has received funding from numerous N.C. state and local arts agencies and was named "Best in The Triangle" in dance for four years. Killian has presented her award-winning choreography in Salt Lake City, Boston, Chicago, Birmingham, and North Carolina. She served on the dance faculty at UNC-Chapel Hill from 1989 to 1995, and has also taught at Radcliffe, the Boston Conservatory, Repertory Dance Theater School, and Samford University. Prior to that, she studied, performed, and choreographed in Boston from 1980-1987, where she was a member of Susan Rose and DanceWorks. Most recently she has enjoyed creating new dances at Durham Academy and the Carolina Friends School.

SixbySix Cast and Cast Party + Going Away Party for Kim (sniff sniff)

2009-06-01T18:58:00.005-05:00

Review of SixbySix by Daniel Hurst

2009-05-30T10:50:00.005-05:00

A lovely review of SixbySix by Daniel Hurst, an Alabama lawyer encouraging his inner artist, on Birmingham Verse.

Many thanks, Daniel!Daniel’s Bio
Growing up, I frequently was reminded to be sensible, get an education, and start my careerbefore pursuing anything as foolish as making art. After four somewhat sensible years at Auburn University, three very sensible years at Alabama’s fine law school, and then several increasingly sensible years practicing law, I figured it was about time that I actively pursued some of my own interests. This website is part of my recovery process.
I’ve played music since high school, but rarely played out loud for anyone. I’ve painted since law school, but only recently showed it to anyone. And I’ve been observing, listening, appreciating, and writing since forever, but never put it out there for anyone. Until now.
As a recovering attorney currently living in Birmingham, Alabama, I wholeheartedly encourage you to contact me at hurstdm@yahoo.com and let me know what you’re thinking, where you’re going in town to experience art, and how you go about creating.

Birmingham News review of SIX by SIX

2009-05-29T13:58:00.003-05:00

The review is out for SIX by SIX, "Sanspointe's show in Birmingham, Ala., runs gamut from poignant to surreal." Click here to read the full review by Michael Huebner for The Birmingham News.

Friday, May 29 / 7:30

Saturday, May 30 / 7:30

Sunday, May 31 / 2:30

CDF Studio Theatre
1715 27th Court South

Downtown Homewood (35209)

Seating is limted; get tickets ($10) online now:

SIX by SIX opens Thursday

2009-05-21T08:19:00.020-05:00

Photos by Stephen Wade

Shellie Chambers, Michelle Hamff, Ashley Johnson, Taryn Lavery, Lauren Tilden and Anna Walker in Mass Production by Sarah Barry.

Ashley Johnson, Lauren Tilden and Anna Walker in 1,2,3 by Michelle Hamff

Kim Guion and Rhea Speights in Guion's "Obstacle Illusion"

May 28, 29 & 30 / 7:30pm
May 31 / 2:30pm

CDF Studio Theatre, 205-870-0073
1715 27th Court South
Birmingham, AL 35209
(Downtown Homewood behind Ed's Pet World)
For more info: 205-799-2602

$10 BUY TICKETS NOW
(or at the door; seating is limited)

Another Sneak Peek into SIX by SIX

2009-05-18T18:46:00.016-05:00

Sanspointe artists Kim Guion and Rhea Speights rehearsing a new dance by Guion, Obstacle Illusion, accompanied by Daniel Long and Justin Wallace. Obstacle Illusion is included in the line up for SIX by SIX opening on Thursday, May 28th. Percussionists Long and Wallace will also play preshow, beginning 20 minutes before curtain. See them rehearsing here.

Other musical credits in the program SIX by SIX include Aphex Twin, excerpts from the soundtrack of Amelie, and a soundscore including a mix of Jacques Offenbach, Igor Stravinsky, Dirty Three and Mabel John.

Seating is limited. Get your tickets here today! $10, general admission

SIX by SIX
May 28-30 / 7:30pm
May 31 / 2:30pm

CDF Studio Theatre
1715 27th Court South
Birmingham, AL 35209

A Peek into SIX by SIX

2009-05-15T08:18:00.011-05:00

Photo on Left: Taryn Lavery and Meredith Mitchell in rehearsal (and partial costume) for "Trick or Treat Me Like a Fool," a new dance by Rhea Speights. The masks, costumes, soundscore, and choreography come together to create another world in "Trick or Treat Me Like a Fool," which began as a solo and became a quartet as four distinct characters emerged out of the one.

Photo on right: Rhea Speights making the mask for dancer Shellie Chambers

Buy tickets, $10, here now!
Don't wait; seating is limited.

SIX by SIX
May 28-30 / 7:30pm
May 31 / 2:30pm

CDF Studio Theatre
1715 27th Court South
Birmingham, AL 35209

Featuring modern dance works by Sarah Barry, Shellie Chambers, Kim Guion, Michelle Hamff, John McLaughlin and Rhea Speights as well as live music by Daniel Long and Justin Wallace and visual art by Jackie Kim.

Improvising at Magic City Arts Connection

2009-04-28T14:44:00.004-05:00

Sanspointe artist Rhea Speights improvising at Magic City Arts Connection in Linn Park on Sunday, April 26th. She and Stella Nystrom were accompanied by two musicians on the "Backyard Productions" stage coordinated by Sycamore Toffel.

One more improvisation to go - Birmingham Museum of Art, outside by the fountain - tomorrow at NOON.

Dancing in the Birmingham Public Library

2009-04-23T13:55:00.009-05:00

It is the second day of International Dance Week! Today, we danced in the atrium of the Downtown Birmingham Public Library. A few people walked right through us, not really sure of what was going on, but many stopped for awhile to observe.

For thirty minutes we rolled, climbed, leaned, pulled and moved through the entrace of the library around (and in!) trees, up steps, on rails and around columns. "We" includes Margaret Armstrong, Mary Foshee, Rachael Inman and Shellie Chambers.

What is modern dance? We posed the question...and our own responses:

"movement aware of itself, a means of expression, without frills, an American-born art form." We asked passers-by to observe, reflect and find a connection.

Tomorrow, an excercise class at the YMCA Downtown, 11:10am. I hope you'll join us.

"Nature of Nurture" performed at Shades Valley Community Church in Homewood AL

2009-04-23T12:09:00.002-05:00

Photos by Stephen Wade

April 22, 2009. "Nature of Nurture" performed at Shades Valley Community Church in Homewood.

International Dance Week Begins

2009-04-22T15:54:00.000-05:00

April 22, 2009. "Nature of Nurture" performed at Shades Valley Community Church in Homewood.

International Dance Week, April 22-29

2009-04-20T17:19:00.000-05:00

DETAILED LIST OF DANCE WEEK ACTIVITIES:

April 22 , 7:15pm
Shades Valley Community Church, Homewood
Sanspointe performance, Nature of Nurture. FREE. 20 min.
Experience the dance up close or far away. You decide while you watch. Audience members are invited to move around the space during the dance to get a view from all angles. This collaborative work performed by 7 dancers was created by Sanspointe choreographers Shellie Chambers and Michelle Hamff with support from a grant awarded by the Cultural Alliance of Greater Birmingham. All ages are welcome.

April 23, NOON
Birmingham Public Library Atrium, Downtown
Interactive Performance with artists of Fuzion, CDF and Sanspointe. FREE.
All ages are welcome.

April 24, 11:10am
YMCA, Bham (Downtown)
Adult Exercise Class including pilates, yoga and ballet. For all levels. FREE.

April 25, 6pm
Von Braun Center, Huntsville
Panoply Arts Festival Choreography Competition Finals. General Admission: $5.
Since 2004, Sanspointe has taken modern dance works to the adjudicated choreography showing held each April at Panoply Arts Festival in Huntsville. More than 50 artists from around the Southeast submit original choreography to this competition each year. Finalists are chosen to perform on Saturday evening, and cash awards are given following the performance. Sanspointe choreographer Michelle Hamff has received three awards for best modern choreography since 2004.

April 26, 12-12:30pm
Linn Park, Downtown Birmingham
Improvisation Performance, FREE. At Magic City Arts Connection.
Sanspointe artist Rhea Speights will perform an improvisation on the Main Stage at Magic City Arts Connection’s Imagination Festival. Speights completed 24 hours of non-stop improvisation dancing December 31, 2008 as part of the Freedom of Information Project organized throughout the United States by choreographer Miguel Gutierrez.

April 27, 5-8pm
Children’s Dance Foundation, Downtown Homewood
Open Student Ensemble Rehearsal, 7-8pm, FREE.
CDF’s Ensemble program is comprised of intermediate to advanced level students, providing an opportunity for them to rehearse, create and perform in our community. They are currently rehearsing for a free public performance at the Alabama Theatre May 2. The public is invited to this rehearsal to observe and learn about the choreographic process. All ages are welcome.
Open Rehearsal, Nashville Irish Step Dancers of Birmingham, 5-8pm, FREE.
5-6 8-Hand Team (8 people, traditional Irish dance)
6-7 4-Hand Teams (3 teams of 4 people each, traditional Irish dance---"The Humours of Bandon")
7-8 Soloists (8 dancers, modern Irish choreography)
All 3 classes are preparing teams and soloists to compete at the 2009 World Qualifying Championships in December in Dallas, TX. This will be our school's 2nd year to compete at the event, last year we brought home a 1st place in teams and an 8th in soloists.

April 28, 7-8:30pm
Children’s Dance Foundation, Downtown Homewood
Adult Yoga/Ballet Fusion Class, FREE.
No experience required. Bringing together the grace, fluidity and cardio workout of ballet with the flexibility and inner peace of yoga. A new type of mind/body conditioning. Come workout, have fun and relax wit hus. All in 1 ½ hours. Class will be taught by Melissa Turnage (ballet) and Sue Webb (yoga). What to wear: workout clothes, ballet shoes are optional.

April 29, Noon
Birmingham Museum of Art, Downtown Birmingham
Site Specific Performance with artists of Fuzion, CDF and Sanspointe, FREE.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
sanspointe@gmail.com
rachaelinman@hotmail.com

International Day of Dance
Bringing Dance Awareness to our Community

March 24, 2009 / Birmingham, AL - Fuzión Dance Artists, Children’s Dance Foundation (CDF) and Sanspointe Dance Company have organized dance events in and around Birmingham open to the public to take place April 22nd through the 29th to celebrate the International Day of Dance on April 29th, bringing dance awareness to the community at large.

Prof. Alkis Raftis, President of the International Dance Council said,

“The future of dance lies where there are persons who do not dance. These belong to two categories: those who simply did not learn, and those who think that they are not able to dance. They represent the greatest challenge for the dance teacher's profession.In line with UNESCO's struggle against prejudice and discrimination, we are trying to expand the boundaries of dance and to change the current perception of what a dancer is. Dance performances are not necessarily exhibitions of extreme physicality, accurate precision, or bursting emotion - they can be celebrations of interaction between performers. We can enrich dance concerts with dancers, singers, actors, narrators, mimes, acrobats etc., of all ages and all degrees of ability.CID holds to the philosophy that everyone can dance. Dance Day 2009 is dedicated to inclusive dance. Let us include all members of society into our classes and our performances.”

Fuzion, Sanspointe and CDF are doing just that – inviting people in and around Birmingham to experience the art of dance through free classes, performances in unlikely venues and open rehearsals.

International Dance Day (a.k.a. World Dance Day) has been celebrated on April 29, through promotion by the International Dance Council (CID), an umbrella organization within United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for all kinds of dance. The holiday was introduced in 1982 by the International Dance Committee of the UNESCO International Theatre Institute. The date was suggested by Pyotr Gusev to commemorate the birthday of Jean-Georges Noverre.

Artistic Directors, Shellie Chambers (CDF and Sanspointe) and Rachael Inman (Fuzion) will place dancers in various locations throughout Birmingham including the Downtown Public Library, Birmingham Museum of Art and Shades Valley Community Church to perform “dance vignettes,” some of which will be created on the spot. In conjunction with educating observers and encouraging them to think outside of the box, the directors feel the best way to heighten dance awareness is to bring “dance” to the people through unlikely, inspiring venues. In addition, the three organizations will also provide a couple of free classes open to the public. This is the first time that these three not-for-profit organizations have teamed up to organize events in celebration of International Dance Day.

Children’s Dance Foundation was founded in 1975 based on the belief that dance is a foundation for life and for learning. The Foundation serves more than 1,500 students of all ages and abilities throughout Birmingham each week, year ‘round.

Fuzion Dance Artists has been hailed as Sarasota’s 1st Contemporary Dance Company, and was founded by Directors Leymis Bolaños Wilmott and Rachael Inman. The two collaborate with professionals and other artists to create art that expresses the desires and struggles of the human spirit. Working in community settings, Wilmott and Inman aim to provide a safe environment for expression of ideas.

Sanspointe was founded by Michelle Hamff in 2003 to provide choreographers and dancers with an opportunity to create new work, collaborate artistically and present high-quality modern dance performances for the community. Sanspointe presents at least one concert of original and inventive choreography each year for audiences in its hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, and performs at events during the year around the Southeast. Under the artistic direction of Shellie Chambers, Sanspointe has been recognized as a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt organization, with 18 company artists and a board of directors. Sanspointe’s members bring a diversity of interests, experiences and talents to the company. This unique fusion of artistic ideas and inspirations allows Sanspointe to constantly evolve and challenges its members and the audience’s expectations of what modern dance is.

PreMoves: Dances in Progress

2009-04-05T17:31:00.000-05:00

April 17, 2009

Join us for PreMoves: Dances in Progress
6pm
Friday, April 17, 2009 for wine, nibbles and a look at new work in progress by choreographer Rhea Speights. Rehearsal will be in progress when you arrive!

$5 donation is appreciated.
Donations can be made at the door or at www.sanspointe.org.

Sanspointe Dance Company will Present SIX by SIX May 28-31st

2009-04-02T08:30:00.000-05:00

Birmingham, Ala. April 9, 2009 - Sanspointe Dance Company is pleased to present SIX dances by SIX choreographers Thursday, May 28th through Sunday, May 31st. SIX by SIX will feature work by Alabama choreographers Sarah Barry, Shellie Chambers, Kim Guion, Michelle Hamff, John McLaughlin and Rhea Speights and preshow live music by Daniel Long and Justin Wallace.

Included in SIX by SIX is Nature of Nurture, choreographed by Chambers and Hamff with support from the Cultural Alliance of Greater Birmingham’s Grants to Individual Artists Award. In addition, Hamff has set a new work for four dancers, titled Lessons. Barry, dance professor at The University of Alabama, has set her work Mass Production on the company, and John McLaughlin has set a new work for eight dancers based on poems by Edgar Allan Poe. Speights has set a new work on four dancers, which will be previewed at the company’s signature event, PreMoves: Dances in Progress, on April 17, 2009.

Shellie Chambers, Interim Artistic Director of the company said, “It takes a lot of motivated and committed people to put together a dance concert. Many of our company members work full-time, several are mothers, a few attend graduate school full-time, and several travel from an hour away for rehearsals. We rehearse on the weekend, which does not leave time for much else! Each of us is passionate about presenting modern dance for Birmingham audiences.”

People often ask what modern dance is. Chambers says, “It is an expressive, American dance form. No shoes are required, and it has a strong relationship with the floor. If you ever peek in on a Sanspointe rehearsal, you will see a lot of collaboration between the choreographer and dancers and a lot of physical partnership with the floor and each other.”

Improvisation is an important aspect of modern dance. Improvisation is when the dancers generate the movement, structure and interplay based on their inspirations in the current moment. SIX by SIX will include an improvisation piece performed by Kim Guion and Rhea Speights, directed by Kim Guion. The dance will be different in each performance, and so will the music, which will be performed live by percussionists Daniel Long and Justin Wallace.

Guion said, “Instead of learning choreography to prepare for this dance, we practice different improvisational structures and make a new dance with each rehearsal. Musicians are also invited in to improvise with us. It requires a collective consciousness, which we are working to build.”

Sanspointe was founded by Michelle Hamff in 2003. Hamff said, “I wanted to present a modern dance concert, and that’s how it all started.” Today, the company exists to provide choreographers and dancers with an opportunity to create new work, collaborate artistically and present high-quality modern dance performances for the community. Sanspointe presents at least one concert of original and inventive choreography each year for audiences in its hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, and performs at events during the year around the Southeast.

Under the artistic direction of Shellie Chambers, Sanspointe has been recognized as a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt organization, with 18 company artists and seven members on its board of directors and is campaigning now for financial support. Sanspointe’s members bring a diversity of interests, experiences and talents to the company. This unique fusion of artistic ideas and inspirations allows Sanspointe to constantly evolve and challenges its members and the audience’s expectations of what modern dance is.

Several of Sanspointe’s artists are alumni of The Unviersity of Alabama’s dance department, two are currently seniors at UA and one is a professor. Sanspointe has also presented two concerts at UA. Chambers is excited to provide an opportunity for students in college to work with the company. “When I was a senior in college, I didn’t know what I wanted to do after graduation or what opportunities there were for me in the area. I’m glad that we can give these seniors this experience now before they graduate.”

SIX by SIX will be performed in an intimate theatre setting at Children’s Dance Foundation’s Community Arts Center Studio Theatre in Downtown Homewood (1715 27th Court South) May 28-31. Tickets, $10, can be purchased online and at the door. Seating is limited. To make a tax-deductible donation to Sanspointe, visit http://www.sanspointe.org/.

2009-03-04T14:44:00.000-06:00

don't know sarah barry?

Sarah, an assistant professor of dance at The University of Alabama, is setting a work on Sanspointe this spring for the first time (our ambitious goal is to set that work in 9 hours!). Growing up, Sarah was an “army brat” who never lived anywhere more than 4 years, with the shortest stint being 9 months in one spot. In high school her hair was every color of the rainbow, though not all at once. She married her high school sweetheart and last year they celebrated 10 years in Kauai. She has two lovely children, Aiden who turns 4 in May, and Keslyn who is now 16 months old. Sarah is really good at making Kraft mac n cheese and hot dogs, reading "The Very Busy Spider" by eric carle, and playing chase. She has a Pilates reformer in her house that she paid $50 for and has used approximately twice in the last 3 years (though she has really high hopes for several more uses in 2009). In addition to the kids, husband and reformer, she has a 130 pound dog named Jasper and 2 cats, Simon and Tyrone. Tyrone was named after the 6 fingered man in The Princess Bride (one of Sarah’s all time favorite movies) because he has 6 toes on his front paws. Sarah has an intense love of water. “I think I am deeply influenced in my movement by the freedom and fluidity of water itself and the feelings of being in water (supported by the space around you and able to be “off center” with ease).” By: Shellie Chambers

2009-03-03T12:45:00.000-06:00

Dance Day has been established in view of attracting attention to the art of dance. On the 29th of April, as every year since 1982, Dance Day will be celebrated all over the world by the international community of dancers and dance enthusiasts.

Sanspointe is joining with Fuzion' Dance Artists and Children's Dance Foundation to participate in or host an event in and around Birmingham each day, April 22-April 29 in celebration. Stay tuned for a list of those activities, performances and lecture demonstrations that will be free and open to the public.

The official message for Dance Day
29 April 2009

The future of dance lies where there are persons who do not dance. These belong to two categories: those who simply did not learn, and those who think that they are not able to dance. They represent the greatest challenge for the dance teacher's profession.

In line with UNESCO's struggle against prejudice and discrimination, we are trying to expand the boundaries of dance and to change the current perception of what a dancer is. Dance performances are not necessarily exhibitions of extreme physicality, accurate precision, or bursting emotion - they can be celebrations of interaction between performers. We can enrich dance concerts with dancers, singers, actors, narrators, mimes, acrobats etc., of all ages and all degrees of ability.

Bringing the 'excluded' into dance is a moral duty, but also opens a great door in times of economic crisis and unemployment. In every country there are millions of persons with physical or mental disabilities. We believe they are ready to dance. They will create jobs to thousands of dance teachers. They can be assisted by the Ministry of Health, whose budget is many times bigger than that of the Ministry of Culture. Integrating marginalized persons into the practice of dance is as important as integrating them into the workforce.

CID holds to the philosophy that everyone can dance. Dance Day 2009 is dedicated to inclusive dance. Let us include all members of society into our classes and our performances.

Prof. Alkis Raftis
President of the International Dance Council
CIDUNESCO, Paris

www.unesco.org/ngo/cid
http://www.cid-unesco.org/

don't know kim guion?

2009-02-11T14:37:00.000-06:00

not only is kim guion the president of sanspointe's board of directors, she also dances and leads the company and the community in collective improvisations. kim grew up in birmingham and went to high school at indian springs before going to college at middlebury in vermont. kim has been back in birmingham for the past four years getting her masters degree and now finishing up her phd in psychology. kim has two younger brothers whom she loves dearly and a cat she kinda likes. kim's interests extend beyond modern dance and psychology to include swing dance, farming, cooking, children (but not cooking children), music, and nature. kim is a great friend and when she moves away to do her psychology internship next year, we will miss her veryverymuch. By: Rhea Speights

Feb. Update

2009-02-10T13:25:00.000-06:00

Sanspointe just began it's 7th year, and I want to share with you what we've been up to so far in 2009...and what is still to come!

In January we performed "Pack" for hundreds of audience members at the Alabama Dance Festival Showcase at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex along with dozens more dance companies throughout Alabama.

Our biggest most exciting news is that we are now recognized as a Public Charity and exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Therefore, contributions to Sanspointe are deductible. It didn't take us long to put a donation link on our web site! Check it out: http://www.sanspointe.org/ ! In March we will kick off our 2009 campaign to raise funds.

This month we hosted a community dance day including an Open Company Class and a Community Movement Improvisation. More than 20 friends joined us for the classes, and we had a great time!

We recently began rehearsals for our annual May concert to be held the 28th-31st. We will present 7 dances by Sarah Berry, Kim Guion, Michelle Hamff, John McLaughlin, Rhea Speights and myself. I hope you will mark your calendar now for those dates!
Please check our web site often and join our group on Facebook.

I will keep you updated as we continue to work on new dances in 2009 and perform throughout the community.

Until Soon,
Shellie Chambers
Artistic Director