Visceral is a curated collection of five solo dances. Each piece was performed in an outdoor location of the dancer’s choosing, with an intimate audience (1-4 people) also of the dancer’s choosing.
Visceral performance 5:
“I picked this space because this has been a pretty meaningful spot for me for the past few years, but specifically through the pandemic. It was rough for me, as it was for many people, and I’m lucky enough to basically have this space as my backyard. It was a place I could come to be by myself and also to not feel completely alone; just with the water, and the wind, and the promise of people coming to the boats. I love to sail myself.
The movements come from a sense of really being in my own body, and really being with myself in the space. And that’s why I also wanted it to be here – with the wind, and with the sun, and with the water – because it was an exploration in standing my ground, and finding my own space.
And that’s been really important for me through this time – especially being alone – finding a way to be alone, and being okay with who I am. This was an exploration in that, and also in taking off limits that I put on myself. One of the songs that I played around with was a song called, “Now We Are Free”, which I chose because of that sense of freedom which comes from taking off the heavy belts that you wrap around yourself – of limits, self-dislike, self-hatred, or of what other people say is possible for you. It was really important for me to do that in a way that was also grounded, and connected to the world, but in my own way.
I feel that messiness, immaturity, and lack of polish is representative of what it is like when you start working with things that have long been shut away, discarded, or that are just new. While there is great beauty in something that has been matured and worked on for years, such as a polished ballet; I would like to think there is a beauty in the immaturity and the rawness of being human that can also be appreciated.”
Visceral performance 4:
Megan’s specialties include hip-hop, modern, contemporary, capoeira, and mindfulness technique. However, her training began alongside street dancers in Roanoke, VA, leading her to found the hip hop dance group “Battle Breakers.” This group launched her professional career, and she eventually earned a B.A. degree from Hollins University, with a concentration in dance.
Over time, Megan has instructed classes in the Roanoke, VA public schools, showcased work at Eastern and Hollins University, and is a regular faculty member for Radford Universities’ “Virginia Governors School program for Visual and Performing Arts. As a dance artist, she has toured with “6-way street”, performed as a company member for Dunamis Dance Theater, and choreographed and performed on national recording artist Matisyahu’s hit song, “Shade from the Sun.” Additionally, Megan received 2nd place for her “Run This” piece in the Ultimate Stars dance competition and 2nd place in “For the Funky Ones” dance battle in Ithaca, NY. She is known for her ability to connect the historical to the somatic.
Through her university dance experience and training with the American Society of Capoeira Arts from Brazil under Mestre Doutour, her passion for community and social justice developed. Megan’s spoken-word piece “Price of Life” highlighted the Flint water crisis and has been presented throughout the east coast. She has also partnered with The Cherry Arts in Ithaca, NY, to offer “Healing Gatherings” centered on somatic communal experiences for black and indigenous people of color. Megan’s constant curiosity drives her to create work that analyzes human behavior. Her belief that movement connects us to mind, body, and soul makes her a phenomenal artist and educator.
Visceral performance 3:
An interview with Indira White, performer of Visceral #3:
You can read more about the artist below, and view one of her past performances here.
Watch the first two pieces in the Visceral series below.
Visceral performance 2:
Title: Traveler
Music: “La Zingara” – Cafe Accordion Orchestra
Video: Co-filmed and co-edited by Mee Ae and colorist, Marilyn Rivchin
Amanda Moretti is a modern dance teacher and choreographer working the past 15 years in Ithaca. She has choreographed for the Ithaca Ballet Co, most recent work “ Poem for the Earth “ in 2019.She teaches children and adults and can now be found teaching outdoors in the yard behind Northstar Restaurant.
Visceral performance 1:
Title: Kintsugi
Music: “This Bitter Earth / On the Nature of Daylight” – Dinah Washington / Max Richter
Video: Marilyn Rivchin, Mee Ae
An interview with Kathy Lucas, performer of Visceral #1:
Kathy Lucas, founder and coach of Muvz to Inspire, has over 30 yrs experience as a dancer, Pilates instructor and Unconventional Fitness coach. The approach to her work has been informed by her time and travels to NY, West Africa and Japan. Read more here.
The Visceral series was created to offer a space for dancers to release and transform the turbulent energy of this time, and in turn, provide a visceral release and connection for the viewer.
Performances stream at 7pm:
Kathy Lucas // Nov 27
Amanda Moretti // Dec 18
Indira White // Jan 15
Megan Nicole // Feb 19
Lauren Cranidiotis // Mar 19
This project is made possible with funds from Community Arts Partnership of Tompkins County, and the NYS DanceForce; a partnership program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.
Visceral will stream free of charge to make it as accessible as possible. Donations are welcome, and all proceeds will go towards funding “Masters of Movement, as told by we, us, them.”
Please donate here.
Thank You:
A big thank you to Jim Self, Marilyn Rivchin, The Cherry Arts, Kathy Lucas, Amanda Moretti, Indira White, Megan Nicole, Gwen Beck, Mike Addicott, and Lauren Cranidiotis!