Forewarning: a lot of links in this email. Visit this email again as time permits!

December hit me with a crisis and unwarned reflection of my place among community and people close to me. Typically my favorite month, it balanced itself with some lows. A moment of reflecting what “happy” means for me. Oof. “Sorry” and “thank you” to that friend who emotionally held me in the accidental encounter outside in high afternoon. Entering January has been slow, methodical, and with visions of possibility.

#1

Apart from waiting on grant statuses, trying to create new dances, and planning getaways, I am starting a new practice. Arising from the crisis previously mentioned, support from a friend with a “You should do it.”, and overall efforts to shift approaches to/from dance, I am in active reflection with BIPOC dance makers interested in sharing their work through writing. Still a developing idea, but the fear and hesitancy I’ve had (often blurred in the impermanence of dance as a form) is addressed by “doing it”.

#2

I am forming and letting marinate ideas for a new work. Welcoming inspiration from the community and supported by Red Eye Theater’s OMNIVERS program, I find the flexibility of time, active support of peers, and freedom of possibility to shape my vision with others. I ask myself who is actively listening and engaging (or wanting to). Art makers and “non”-art makers. Three different ideas in my mind. Three different ways to engage. I seek questions and/or responses via text/email/form submission, conversation in person, and/or any other way informed by you. Help me spark new work. MORE DETAILS.

Note: I won’t share anything you submit unless I ask for permission.

#3

This week also starts the business of my full time job, the magic of dance performance, and the balance of my own well-being. I always say dance is a sort of therapy for myself. Typically when I set the rules, ha! However, the last 1.5 years of being in process under someone else’s vision has supported my growth as a collaborator, person, and artist; sometimes unintentionally, actually most of the time. It is in moments where I feel my spine awake and voice echo in the room that I understand my strength and the borders I draw for myself and hopefully others (motifs in my last two works).

Join us in a culmination of research, wall of reality, and soft activation of energy during the winter sky.

Morgan Thorson: Untitled Night
Sat, Jan 27, 5:30 pm & 7 pm
Silver Lake
Ticket Info

¡A más!

-José

* Almost a year ago she took a chance at dancing under my vision to form “Desde Aquí”.

Past emails, if you’ve missed them.