Group Motion

Claymont West Virginia July 08

2008-09-10T15:20:00.002-04:00

More Claymont Photos by Todd Breitling

2008-09-10T15:09:00.001-04:00

More Claymont Photos

2008-09-10T14:29:00.003-04:00

Hello Everyone,

The Claymont retreat was awesome. It was an honor to be a part of it. I look forward to next year. Here are some photos of the weekend. I think everyone remembers the Red Hallway at dusk, thanks to Nina, Geri and Hedy for being in the moment.The Full Moon was another highlight of the weekend. Enjoy!

More photos at www.toddbreitlingart.blogspot.com

Claymont Photographs July 2008 by Todd Breitling

2008-09-10T14:12:00.003-04:00

Crestone Photos

2008-07-17T16:04:00.018-04:00

Manfred returned with dozens of beautiful and inspiring photos (thanks Richard and Colin) from our Crestone retreat in June! Here are just a few, but you can see more at our Myspace (www.myspace.com/groupmotion) or Facebook pages. Enjoy!

Photos by Colin Harvey:

Photos by Richard Marcus:

Fugue/Subter-fug(u)e

2008-05-16T15:19:00.005-04:00

I'm at it with the camera again. This one from rehearsals of Manfred's piece called Fugue/Subter-fug(u)e, with a lot of insight from him about the piece and where it came from. This one's a little longer, and in two parts, so I'll let it speak for itself:

Part 1:

Part 2:

Enjoy.

Matt

glimpse of an off hand moment

2008-05-14T13:06:00.005-04:00

She held me upside down on her shoulders. My laughter shook the both of us as we spiraled to the floor. Then, without any warning, her grip pulled on my pants which in turn pulled on my underwear which in turn revealed the hint of a smile I try not to show in public. A redness flooded my face as I abondoned ship sending us both crashing in to a pile of laughter and swift tugs at loose clothing.

Thankfully, Matt had yet to turn on his camera.

-John

Rehearsal video

2008-05-09T16:09:00.003-04:00

Hi folks, if you haven't seen it yet, here's the video I shot last week of the company rehearsing with Kun-Yang Lin:

They're working on Kun-Yang's "Emptiness of Snow." Here's a bit about it:

"'Emptiness of Snow' contemplates the Buddhist concept of 'emptiness.' Through the complex metaphor of winter, the dancers will explore the relationship of the world that is seen (the ever-changing world of dimensionality) with the world that is unseen (the never-changing world beyond our mind and senses)."

Hope to see you at the Arts Bank in June! In the meantime, watch for more video clips of pieces that will be on the program.

Matt

2008-01-18T23:46:00.001-05:00

Greetings from sunny Los Angeles! I'm here for Dance/USA's 2008 Winter Forum, which has drawn people from a fantastic range of dance companies all over the country. I spent today in a couple of rigorous and satisfying workshops on technology, audience development and organizational growth, and am now relaxing in my hotel room and preparing for a similarly long day tomorrow. I'm meeting administrators and executive directors from contemporary companies and large ballet institutions, multimedia designers and presenting organizations, and am finding I have remarkably common experience with people as far apart as New York and San Francisco. I'll be back in Philly Sunday night.

At mid-season, and with a little distance between me and the office, it's nice to sit and think a little about what we're doing. Winterfest was lovely as always, and I thought the company performance was an especially tight, unified program this year. It was good to be able to revisit Lamentations in a more intimate venue. We would love it if folks who saw both this performance at the CEC, and the premiere last spring at the Arts Bank, could give us any feedback as to how it came across differently this time--was it better to be closer? Or did you prefer the bigger stage with more distance?

Winterfest feels like a lot more than a month ago, somehow. I go into tech for Spiel Uhr sooner than I'd like to think, and as soon as I get back to the office it will be time to dig into what everybody is working on so I can have some preparation for the design and running of the program. We're also kicking around some ideas for the Spring Finale that excite me a lot, about which I'm not sure how much I can say right now because nothing is really decided yet--some of Manfred's ideas are more site-specific in the vein of Sonic Dances, and some are staged more traditionally, but suffice it to say that I'm happily preparing myself for the possibility that I might have to stretch our technical resources a little more than we're used to.

Stay tuned; there will be more soon.

Matt

Sonic Dances: Inquirer Video Clip!

2007-09-17T13:34:00.000-04:00

The 2007 Philadelphia Live Arts/Philly Fringe Festival may be over, but it's not too late to watch a video clip of Group Motion's performance of Sonic Dances...click on the link below!
http://www.philly.com/philly/multimedia/9618367.html

Sonic Dances: Performance Photos

2007-09-06T11:34:00.000-04:00

Check out these amazing photos of our dancers during last weekend's Live Arts performance, courtesy of photographer Bill Hebert (http://www.bhphotos.net/): thank you, thank you, thank you, Bill!!

Sonic Dances draws crowds...

2007-09-05T10:20:00.000-04:00

Nine dancers in public sites in Philadelphia, with iPods and speakers attached to their moving bodies: Group Motion's newest project gives "surround sound" a whole new meaning! Our Live Arts performance of Sonic Dances has been drawing crowds of all sorts to the City Hall Courtyard and Thomas Paine Plaza, for an up-close-and-personal dance experience exploring government, art, and play (and sculptural playing pieces!)...

Only two scheduled performances left, but stay on the lookout for an additional surprise performance TODAY!

And if you were in the audience...tell us what you think!

Crestone Retreat Moves and Inspires...

2007-08-14T09:53:00.000-04:00

Our second (and last!) retreat of the summer, to Crestone, Colorado, gave nearly ten participants the chance to dance, relax, and even play in the sand dunes! The week-long adventure brought out the inner poet in many: read on!

Shapes - laughter - warm bodies
- alive - we're alive
Then not - breathing more deeply
letting the sun in -
clouds - drifting membranes of the earth -
closed beings everywhere
hovering away
The monk ferris - bringing us refreshment
moisture - birds crossing my path - so much giving
- giving - giving touch of lone
space at being present - gifted
(Brigitta Herrmann)

Dancing
Roaming - dancing - moving
the body opened
to the soul
to the others
to the sound
to the stone
to the meals
to the water
to the mindfulness
forgiving myself
and everybody and
the universe
and the nothing and the all
letting the music dance
and the dance make the universe of ancient...
and future vision
(Manfred Fischbeck)

Summer Begins with Claymont!

2007-07-09T10:10:00.000-04:00

Our summer has had an AMAZING start with our long-weekend retreat to Claymont, West Virginia! This year's group spanned different generations, professions, and even countries, with our youngest and newest participant coming from France. Over the course of only four days and six workshop sessions, our group of ten made connections, grew in friendship, and, of course, danced!

It was a moving experience for all - read below for their comments and insights!

"A chance to 'get away' from the daily grind...where we enjoy & strengthen relationships with others and with ourselves..."

"It is eye-opening, life-changing..."; "Fulfilling beyond expectations..."; "...My first retreat and definitely not my last...I had such a blast!"

"I felt free to be myself"; "The dance...it's magic"

Group Motion BOOMED!

2007-06-13T14:48:00.001-04:00

Our very successful run at the Wilma as part of 2007 DanceBOOM! went SO well!

Thanks to those of you who came... we hope you had as much fun as we did!

Check out some photos of rehearsals and performances!

Dinner and Dance Party with Group Motion!

2007-05-07T10:14:00.000-04:00

DINNER AND DANCE PARTY WITH GROUP MOTION!
Dinner and Dancing! A Celebratory Fundraising Event benefiting Group Motion...
Saturday, June 2, 2007; 7-11pm

Meetinghouse Theatre at the CEC

3500 Lancaster Avenue, Philadelphia, PA

With live music, dancing, delicious dinner, open bar cocktail hour, raffle items (see a list below!), company performances, great company and more!
Tickets: $25/person or $40/couple

Or Be A Sponsor: $75/person or $100/couple
RSVP by May 25th by clicking here

or by calling 215-387-9895.

RAFFLE PRIZES AVAILABLE:

Class Card for Group Motion’s Friday Night Workshop
Art tile by Carol Stirton-Broad, donated by The Main Line Art Center
Art print by Christine Stougton donated by The Main Line Art Center
Trio of vintage wines from Virginia winery
Massage donated by Still Waters Body Work

Entranced In Dance In the Life of Plants...

2007-04-25T16:49:00.000-04:00

Join Group Motion workshop participants as they present a structured improvisational movement ritual that will take you on a journey into the life of plants....

Sunday, May 6th at 3:00pm at the Community Education Center (3500 Lancaster Avenue in Philadelphia)

This afternoon performance is directed by Brigitta Herrmann and Manfred Fischbeck and is inspired by the book "The Secret Life of Plants" by Peter Tompkins and Christopher Bird. An open reception/potluck will follow the performance.

This is Group Motion's sixth Intergenerational Performance Workshop showcasing members of our community.

"No plant, says France, is without movement; all growth is a series of movements; plants are constantly preoccupied with bending, turning and quivering. He describes a summer day with thousands of polyplike arms reaching from a peaceful arbor, trembling, quivering in their eagerness for new support for the heavy stalk that grows behind them. When the tendril, which sweeps a full circle in sixty-seven minutes, finds a perch, within twenty seconds it starts to curve around the object, and within the hour has wound itself so firmly it is hard to tear away. The tendril then curls itself like a corkscrew and in so doing raises the vine to itself.... "

Let Nature Move You

2007-03-20T15:11:00.000-04:00

Each year people are touched by the experience of our summer dance retreats. In spectacular natural settings, we bring movement, community and personal expression together in nature.

Claymont, West Virginia: June 28-July 1, 2007 (travel days 6/28 and 7/1)

Claymont is a 350-acre retreat center in the Shenandoah Valley of West Virginia, with a grand mansion (built by George Washington) for living quarters. A beautiful, spacious hardwood floor barn is available for dancing, and the space is surrounded by fields and meadows with fresh water springs and winding paths. Claymont provides a tranquil setting for a perfect weekend getaway of dancing, relaxation and contemplation. Workshop sessions are held Thursday evening, Friday and Saturday morning and evening, and Sunday morning.

Crestone, Colorado: July 15-21, 2007 (travel days 7/14 and 7/22)

The Sangre de Christo Mountain Range is the backdrop to the workshop site. The Crestone Mountain Zen Center, which is perched under one of the 14,000 ft. mountains, offers a sweeping view of the San Luis Valley. Workshop sessions are held daily, mornings and evenings, in a dome of sacred geometry. A highlight of this retreat is a dance excursion to The Great Sand Dunes, an awesome phenomenon of nature and beauty. Afternoon trips to relaxing and soothing hot springs are also available. Take advantage of skillful therapeutic massage/healing sessions. Healthy and delicious vegetarian meals are prepared by the residents of the Zen Center. Daily Zen mediation sessions are available to all participants.

Arcosanti, Arizona: July 29-August 4, 2007 (travel dates 7/28 and 8/5)

Just south of the famous Sedona Red Rocks area, in the high desert of Arizona, the world-renowned architect Paolo Soleri created a visionary model of an alternative architectural setting — an “Urban Laboratory.” Built from the concept of ‘arcology,’ it combines architecture, nature and ecology in an harmonious balance. Set on the edge of a beautiful canyon, an outdoor theater is the workshop site for the two daily sessions (mornings and evenings). A large swimming pool and a 360° observation spot for sunset and night sky watching provide special places for afternoon and evening community gatherings, between and after the dance sessions. Accommodations at Arcosanti are single or shared units and three meals, with a choice of vegetarian, served in the spacious Arcosanti cafeteria overlooking the canyon.

More details regarding costs and complete descriptions on the retreat sites are available on our website. And as always, please call our office at 215-387-9895 if you have questions! For more than 35 years Group Motion’s workshops have moved audiences from across the globe. We hope you’ll consider a dance movement vacation with Group Motion this summer — it’s an experience like no other…

applause, applause...

2007-03-18T16:55:00.000-04:00

Thanks to everyone who came out this weekend for QUEST (even those of you who braved the weather on Friday night- it was SO wonderful having you!)! The show was a wonderful success... we were so proud to work with such an exquisite group like Network for New Music on this project.... we hope you enjoyed it!

Next stop... DANCE BOOM! June 6-9... more details to come...

check us out...

2007-03-14T11:01:00.000-04:00

Great full page article in the Daily News about QUEST!... Check it out!

The full article will be available on the Web for a limited time:http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/entertainment/16899245.htm(c) 2007 Philadelphia Daily News and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved.

THEN GO TO WWW.GROUPMOTION.ORG and BUY YOUR TICKETS!!!!!

The Quest is on....

2007-03-12T11:28:00.000-04:00

Last weekend, we got an inside look at "Quest," one of the featured works from Group Motion's upcoming collaborative performance with the Network for New Music opening this Thursday at the Arts Bank. Last night, the public came out to an open rehearsal for "Lamentations," the second work featured in the evening of music and dance. Both instances left community members, board members and other advocates of Group Motion and Network feeling moved by the intense emotion of this work-- both instances left audiences ready for more...

"Quest" is presented Thursday, March 15th and Friday, March 16th at 8pm at the Arts Bank (601 S. Broad Street @ South St.). tickets are available online now or by calling us at 215-387-9895...

For more information on the work (with music compisition by David Ludwig and the legendary George Crumb, and choreography by Manfred Fischbeck and Silvana Cardell), click on our website or give us a call!

INSIDE DANCE, this Sunday!

2007-03-01T14:14:00.000-05:00

Group Motion is presenting our Inside Dance workshop this Sunday (March 4th) from 5:00pm-6:30, where we’ll be working with “Quest,” our upcoming premiere with Network for New Music! Inside Dance allows you to watch the piece, then participate (or observe) in the movement structures used to create the piece. The exploration inside the dance is fun, inspiring and a fantastic opportunity to work with Manfred Fischbeck and the Group Motion dancers… The piece we’ll be presenting is newly choreographed to new music by renowned composer George Crumb.

The workshop runs from 5:00pm-6:30 in the Studio space at the Community Education Center (3500 Lancaster Avenue—1 block north of Market at 35th). Inside Dance is open to dancers and non-dancers; we hope you’ll join us!

We’re offering this workshop for only $10 (noramlly $20!) OR for FREE if you have a dance pass! Call 215-387-9895 or e-mail MRobinson@groupmotion.org to reserve your spot!

If you’d like to buy tickets to the “Quest” premiere on March 15-16 at the Arts Bank, log onto our website at http://www.groupmotion.org/company/specialEvents.asp

JOIN US!!

Congratulations Dancers...

2007-02-19T11:43:00.000-05:00

Way to go Emily, Olive, Zach, John, Hedy and Lesya... your show Spiel Uhr Returns was spectacular! Your work was impressive, your energy is enviable and your creativity...well, I just can't find a word for it. We are so proud.

We hope you were one of the lucky audience members who shared this performance with us on Saturday! We couldn't have been prouder to re-introduce the Spiel Uhr Series with a better group of pieces...

Thanks everyone for a great show!

Rehearsing away....

2007-02-06T12:24:00.000-05:00

Preparations for Quest (March 15-16,2007 at the Arts Bank) are in full force! The company is busy rehearsing for the two pieces that are a collaborative effort between Group Motion and Philadelphia's Network for New Music . Tickets will be available online starting February 19th. Two pieces will be presented, Quest, with original composition by the renowned George Crumb, and Lamentations with original composition by Philadelphia's David Ludwig. Original choreography by Group MOtion's Manfred Fischbeck and Silvana Cardell is sure to be an experience.
Join us for this exciting collaborative event!

For more information, check back
here or log onto Group Motion's webpage. More information will be coming soon!

Spiel Uhr Returns!

2007-01-18T12:10:00.000-05:00

Remember back in 2002 when the Spiel Uhr Series was still kickin' with new work by company members, local artists and visiting artists? Well, April 2002 was the last time Spiel Uhr saw the light of day....UNTIL NOW! On February 17th, 2007, Group Motion's Spiel Uhr Series returns with.....drum roll please.... SPEIL UHR RETURNS (we're clever, aren't we?).

Group Motion’s forum for presenting local and visiting artists opens with work by Group Motion company dancers Emily Hubler Ramey (who performed in that last Spiel Uhr in '02), Olive Prince, Zach Svoboda and John Luna. Company members Lesya Popil and Hedy Wyland will also perform.

We're really excited to be reviving this important series that brings artists together. Join us on February 17th at 8pm in the Meetinghouse Theater (in the CEC) for an evening of reinvention....

You can buy your tickets at http://www.groupmotion.org/company/specialEvents.asp ...they're only $10 (or $5 with a valid student ID!)....See you on the 17th!

New Year's with Group Motion - Seriously!

2006-12-29T16:10:00.000-05:00

Join Group Motion in a remembrance of the year gone by and a celebration of the year to come! Our special New Year's Eve workshop will be held at the Community Education Center from 8-10pm on New Year's Eve. The cost is only $15! Live music and improv to ring in the new year? What could be better.....

Call us if you need more info - 215.387.9895

change of plans...

2006-12-18T15:19:00.000-05:00

Unfortunately, we did not receive enough enrollment for our New Year's Retreat in the Poconos, and therefore will not be moving forward with this retreat. We still want to dance in the New Year with our friends and community members! We would like to offer a special Workshop on New Year’s Eve in our usual space at the Community Education Center. E-mail, call or COMMENT us by Friday (12/22) if you are interested, and let us know what the best time to attend a workshop is for you (a morning workshop? An afternoon workshop? Our usual 8-10pm or a later workshop that extends into the New Year?) We look forward to hearing your ideas and hope we’ll be able to spend the New Year together!

Well done...

2006-12-15T12:41:00.000-05:00

Thanks to everyone who joined us last weekend at WINTERFEST 2006! The weekend was amazing...
Check out the review that RONDO got on Sunday, http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/entertainment/16217906.htm
and congratulations to the dancers, Manfred, Silvana, Brigitta and all the workshop participants for a wonderful weekend of movement and community.

dancing into the new year....

2006-11-28T16:23:00.000-05:00

Dear Group Motion Friends,
We hope this note finds you well! Our traditional January Retreat in Florida will not occur this year; instead, we are looking to gather in the Poconos at the Kirkridge Retreat Center near Bangor, a very beautiful place. This opportunity has just opened up for a small window of time—a significant one however; Dec. 29 through Jan. 1. We have danced into the New Year once before –on the beach in Sarasota. This time we will be in the mountains as we move and are moved into 2007.The workshop sessions will start Friday evening and continue throughout the weekend, ending on New Year’s Day (Monday) morning.The fee is $195 plus $115 per day for lodging and meals (for three days). As always, limited scholarships are available.
There are 15 places to be filled and half of them already are. So, let us know that you will be joining this wonderful way to dance into the New Year.Call 215-387-9895, or e-mail to company@groupmotion.org.
Love,
Manfred and Brigitta

Group Motion Multi Media Dance Company
3500 Lancaster Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19104
215-387-9895
www.groupmotion.org

$195 Workshop Fee
$345 Room and Board (meals included)
Registration Deadline: December 12, 2006
Please call 215-387-9895 or e-mail company@groupmotion.org to register!

Off we go, to TOKYO . . .

2006-09-19T12:19:00.000-04:00

The company is busy preparing for our tour to Tokyo from October 6-16. This trip is extremely meaningful to the company as it allows us to bring one of our most impressive projects, "RONDO" to the birthplace of its choreographer. You may remember our premeiere of RONDO, a collaboration with Tokyo dance company, Leni-Basso, last year. Traveling to Japan with this piece has been in the works since the project began, and we are THRILLED that it is becoming a reality...
We are, however, slightly short on funding, so your generosity is ALWAYS appreciated. You can make a donation ONLINE at www.guidestar.org/partners/networkforgood/donate.jsp?ein=23-1855995 or by phone (215-387-9895) or mail (3500 Lancaster Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104). Manfred, the dancers, the staff and the board are so proud of this project -- we promise to bring you photos and stories as soon as we get back . . . thanks for your generosity and support... we've ALWAYS appreciated it...
TO TOKYO!

Cell:Movement in Restricted Spaces. . . .how amazing

2006-09-11T10:36:00.000-04:00

How incredible! Four sold out shows, a great reveiw in the inquirer (http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/entertainment/performing_arts/15464453.htm) and dozens of comments from friends and community members about how moving the performance was--- we hope you were able to join us! Manfred, Silvana, guest artist Oscar Araiz and the dancers thank you for your support in this project...

DECODINGS is this weekend!

2006-06-06T15:57:00.000-04:00

Our season finale is THIS WEEKEND!! We are so excited to premiere Oracles and to present The Magic Flute, An Unveiling and Evita at the Drake Theater on Friday and Saturday. The dancers have been sweating like crazy and our staff has been working hard to make this show a success. We are truly looking forward to sharing it with you.
We are also excited to be inviting Brigitta and our children Laina (who traveled from France to be here!) and Aura (who traveled from San Francisco to be here!) to choreograph and perform as well. This is a unique and special night for our family and for everyone involved with Group Motion, we hope you'll share it with us!
http://www.groupmotion.org/company/whatscomingupArticle.asp?ID=105
for tickets and info- or of course, you can always call us! 215-387-9895 . . . see you this weekend!
-GM

Summer Retreats . . .be moved

2006-02-09T15:34:00.000-05:00

Group Motion continues to celebrate the language of movement as a language that anyone can speak . . . This summer, the celebration continues in the peaceful Claymont, WV; the magnificent Crestone, CO; and with Dancing in Nature in Arcosanti, AZ. Hundreds of individuals have been moved by this experience . . .

Welcome to Group Motion's Blog!

2006-02-08T20:17:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Group Motion's BLOG,

a place to interact with the Group Motion community!

We invite you to share your comments about a recent Group Motion experience . . . whether it be from a Friday Night Workshop, a performance of the company, a summer or winter retreat, a performance in the schools, a class you took with the company, a fundraising event, something you read about the company or any other time you were moved by Group Motion! We will regularly post our thoughts and journal entries too. Consider this a place to reflect, react, grow and BE MOVED . . . .

Of course, you can always get up-to-date information about Group Motion's programming and events on our website at www.groupmotion.org and you can always call us with your questions and concerns at 215-387-9895. Let's move and be moved together! Simply click on comments below and start blogging!