Enriching lives through dance
Tech rehearsal & Ice Cream, Performances and sightseeing … This year we brought ‘Dear Mr. Cooper’ to the 16th ‘Yes! Dance Invitational’ A National Dance Festival in Richmond, VA. The performances took place at the Dogtown Dance Theatre on October 17, at 8 pm and October 18, at 3 pm and 8 pm. We had a wonderful time returning back to this fantastic festival and meeting many outstanding artists. 
Extra!! Extra!! Dance review of the ‘Yes! Dance Invitational’ from the Richmond Times-Dispatch!! ”
“Gin Dance Company, from Northern Virginia, featuring choreography by Shu-Chen Cuff set to music by Patrick Burke and R. Luke Dubois opened the show, immediately placing audience expectations high.
The sharp isolations and angles contrasted with smooth, long lines revealed intelligent and creative dance composition. The sporadic fidgets of the dancers were a welcomed surprise, and there was just enough unison and variation throughout the piece.
Shu-Chen Cuff’s beautiful facial expressions and detailed finger movements reminded the audience how lovely details can be.”
Photo by Ruth Judson
Choreographed by Shu-Chen Cuff
Thank you so much for hosting such an incredible festival ‘Yes! Dance Invitational’, Kaye!! Kaye Weinstein Gary is the Artistic Director of K Dance. Kaye’s hard work and dedication had led the 15th annual ‘Yes! Dance Invitational’ – A national festival of contemporary dance and theater to a great success. GDC was so thrilled to be part of this amazing festival and to be sharing the stage with BODYTRAFFIC, Houston Metropolitan Dance Company, Chisena Danza, S/OAP Lab (Owen & Stewart), and K Dance. Thank you for all you do, Kaye!! Big congrats for another successful festival!
So thrilled to be sharing the stage with these beyond amazing and beautiful artists at ‘Yes! Dance Invitational’!!
BODYTRAFFIC!!!!! What INCREDIBLE performances they did!! If you ever have a chance to see them perform, GO!!!! You’re going to LOVE THEM.
Amazingly Beautiful Cynthia Harada with Houston Metropolitan Dance Company!!
Day 3 – October 19, 2013 Dressing room mad house… Two more show!! At 2 & 8 pm. We got to the theater at 12:00 pm. No other group was there. It felt extra quiet from all that excitement last night. We started our ballet barre warm-up. Now it’s time to get ready for the show!
Don’t know how… but time went by so fast. Two shows were done!! After the last performance, all artists were gathering on the stage and taking questions from the audience… There were some very interesting questions. When Kaye asked the audience if they have any questions about each work, a young lady from the audience asked me how I decided to choreograph a dance that the dancers stay in their own spots and never travel out of the space while she studies at VCU and all her teachers are teaching the dancers to travel and move through the space… That was a great question. My answer was that the inspiration of creating ‘The Core’ come from the lighting. When I saw the image of five spot lights on the stage and how they all correspond to each other in my head. I started to dig deeper and building meaning behind this piece… ‘The Core’ is explored through dance the interconnectivity between all things in the universe. Our inner strength, emotion, and energy can effect the people around us. We are not alone… We are all connected. I would like the audience to really interpret the meaning of this piece from the connections of the movements and lights and not get disturbed by the traveling paths on the stage.
What an amazing festival performed by these incredible artists… So inspired and so thrilled to be here!!! It won’t end here… Can’t wait ’til we meet again.
Day 2 – October 18, 2013, Friday, it’s time to meet all the artists… We had introduction meeting on the stage with BODYTRAFFIC, Houston Metropolitan Dance Company, Chisena Danza, S/OAP Lab (Owen & Stewart), and K Dance at 2:40pm follow by a dress rehearsal at 3:00 pm. It was so nice to meet everyone and we all were so anxious to see each other’s work.
We had a great dress rehearsal… It’s time to refuel and get our energy back! This time Lindsay took us to The Black Sheep. Wow!!! Wow!!!!!! Delicious!!!!
Bach to the theater… Opening night!!! ’Yes! Dance Invitational’, here we come!! GDC’s ‘The Core’ opening Act!!
Look who we found after the show!!! Harriet & Jay!!! What a great surprise!
It was so good to see Ivy who is GDC dancer (but not in the show) at the Yes! Dance Invitational performance!!! Thank you so much for making the trip to see us, Ivy!!
October 17, 2013, Thursday, Gin Dance Company was on a road trip heading south to Richmond. We were so looking forward to be featured in the 15th annual ‘Yes! Dance Invitational’ – A National Festival of Contemporary Dance & Theater. There were total three performances in two days. 8:00 pm on October 18 and 2:00 & 8:00 pm on October 19. The performing company includes BODYTRAFFIC, Gin Dance Company, Houston Metropolitan Dance Company, Chisena Danza, S/OAP Lab (Owen & Stewart), and K Dance.
This was how the trip went…
Our Executive Director Gary Cuff drove us to Richmond on his Birthday October 17… The weather was a little overcast, but still was a beautiful and very comfortable autumn day.
After we checked in to our hotel room at Crowne-Plaza Richmond Downtown. Take a quick view from our window and then heading out to Dogtown Dance Theater for tech.
Tech was a piece of cake! The theater crew Jenny and Matt were so efficient. They had already studied our dance from the video we sent them before we got there. There are several specific lighting cues for ‘The Core’. Normally, ‘The Core’ takes a while to get the lighting specials spiked and get all the lighting changes right for the dance. Not with Jenny and Matt… We were done in no time!
After tech, it was time to feed the hungry dancers… GDC’s dancer Lindsay who was also traveling in this trip was living and studying in Richmond while she was with VCU, so we got a perfect tour guide to take us to the best restaurant in town. Can Can Brasserie, amazing French restaurant in Carytown! If you are ever in Richmond, go check it out!
Birthday surprise!!! Crispy Blue Berry pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream plus surrounding by 5 beautiful dancers. Pretty lucky, Gary!!
‘Yes! Dance Invitational’ – A national festival of contemporary dance and theater – is happening in Richmond this weekend!! GDC will be there sharing the stage with BODYTRAFFIC, Houston Metropolitan Dance Company, Chisena Danza, S/OAP Lab (Owen & Stewart), and K Dance. If you are happening to be in Richmond, come see this fantastic performance.
Tickets: http://gindance.org/GinDance/events/
Photo by Ruth Judson
Choreographed by Shu-Chen Cuff
Photo by Ruth Judson
GDC is pleased to have been selected to perform at the 15th annual ‘Yes! Dance Invitational’, a national dance festival in Richmond, VA on October 18 and 19!! For more info: http://gindance.org/GinDance/events/
Photo by Lindsay Benson Garrett
