Upcoming 
events
react: april–june, 2010
collision_theory enters its last stage with a final set of monthly "blind-dates" between improvising musicians and dancers. The series' winter season has sparked an array of exciting questions about improvised collaboration and performance between disciplines: what improvisational methods and concerns do music and dance share, and how do those concerns intersect in performance? What is the improvising performer's responsibility to the audience, and how does that contradict or reinforce his/her responsibility to other performers? How is the viewing of improvised performance itself improvisational? Each of the series' spring collisions will present unique practical responses to these questions, and no doubt give rise to others.
This series is curated by Links Hall Artistic Associates Rachel Damon and Dan Mohr.
All events take place on the second Monday of the month, at Links Hall
Tickets are $12, $10 students/seniors/unemployed
A moderated post-performance discussion will follow each show
Columbia Chronicle Article
04_12_10
7:30PM @ LINKS HALL
ZELIENOPLE VS. THE ARCHITECTS
We anticipate that April's collision will be a compelling juxtaposition of dynamic movement and moody, hazy washes of sound. Zelienople have long been a smoldering presence in Chicago's experimental rock scene; the trio's newest release, Give It Up (Type Records) is a murky, cinematic expanse of effects-laden guitars, subtle percussion, and distant vocals. Versatile improvisers Jennifer Kayle and Lisa Gonzales of The Architects bring decades of collaborative experience and adroit movement research to the table. With their meticulous attention to each layer of spontaneous composition, they will likely provide a playful and unpredictable counterpoint to Zelienople's glacial sounds.
05_10_10
7:30PM @ LINKS HALL
TV POW vs. JULIEANN GRAHAM & DANCERS
May’s collision between sound inventors TV Pow and JulieAnn Graham’s ensemble of expert improvisers promises to produce strange fireworks. Leading an ensemble of dancers assembled for the occasion (Asimina Chremos, Sam Goodman, and series curator Rachel Damon), JulieAnn Graham brings years of experience to an improvisation practice based in equal parts on intuition and analysis. Employing an ever-evolving array of electronics and invented instruments, the members of TV Pow have been stalwarts in experimental soundmaking for 15 years. Their unpredictable live set will provide a mercurial obstacle course of sound for Graham and her dancers to navigate.
06_14_10
7:30PM @ LINKS HALL
CHARLES RUMBACK vs. ADRIANA DURANT
FRANK ROSALY vs. ZACHARY WHITTENBURG
In the final performance of the series, collision_theory presents a double-header: two matches between solo dancer and solo drummer. Percussionist Charles Rumback’s delicate touch and experience improvising in multiple genres will complement Like You Mean It dancer Adriana Durant’s elastic sensitivity and history of dancing to improvised soundscapes. Zachary Whittenburg’s taut contortions and geometries will surely create some sparks when juxtaposed against Frank Rosaly’s athletic, articulate flurry at the drumset. In addition to the live collisions, a video retrospective of collision_theory’s performances will be screened.
Granting News
Rachel Damon, the Artistic Director here at Synapse, is thrilled to announce that she has been selected as a 2010 Chicago Dancemakers Forum Lab Artist.
In her year-long project, Factor Ricochet, Rachel will investigate the body and voice as a soloist and in cooperation with others to travel the spectrum of gender options.
More information coming soon!
Collide. Activate. Engage.
A year-long series bringing together first-time pairings of musicians and
dancers. Monthly events include improvised performances, workshops,
discussions and more.
Co-Curated by Links Hall Artistic Associates Rachel Damon and Dan Mohr
2nd Mondays, 7:30pm
at Links Hall
Past Events
Audition
Synapse Arts Collective seeks dancers for the 2010 season. Performers should have experience in contemporary dance and be open to improvisation.
These are paid positions.
Saturday, April 3
1:30-3:30 PM (registration begins at 1pm)
At Links Hall, 3435 North Sheffield Ave
Dancers must be available for class and rehearsals
Monday evenings and Wednesday afternoon/evenings, beginning April 14, to be eligible for both new works.
Choreographers: Rachel Damon and Lauren Warnecke
Performances in September 2010 with additional performance opportunities throughout the season.
Please bring a dance resume with minimum two references. Please prepare to stay for the entire audition.
RSVP and any questions: e-mail rachel@synapsearts.com
ENGAGE
January-March, 2010
collision_theory’s performances and post-show discussions have been
fertile ground for deep discourse about the presentation and viewing of
improvised performance. The winter events of the collision_theory seek to
engage the larger music and dance communities through a series of
workshops and events that explore practical fusions of the two
disciplines.
Reviews/Press of collision_theory’s Fall term
trailerpilot.com http://trailerpilot.com/2009/10/13/σ-parts/
timeoutchicago.com
http://chicago.timeout.com/events/dance/308409/4204014/collisiontheory
NewCity
http://newcitystage.com/2009/11/10/meetings-of-minds-dancers-and-indie-musicians-improvise-in-collision-theory/
The Reader
http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/the-list-november-5-11-2009/Content?oid=1227185
January 10, 2010
Stridulations
a voice/movement workshop
2pm-5pm
$30, $20 students
Register
Employing original generative exercises and repertory developed during the
creation of Stridulate, participants will begin by engaging in group
exercises geared toward expanding vocal palate and physical creativity.
They will then be lead through a series of small-group improvisation
structures in which they will generate vocal and movement material
simultaneously, ultimately leading to the creation of repeatable
voice/movement performance hybrids.
Stridulate has been named one of NewCity's 2009 Top 5 Performances by
Chicago Dance Companies
See the list here
February 8, 2010
Rates of Reaction:
an improvisation lab for movers and musicians
7:30 – 9:30pm
suggested donation $5
Were you inspired by one of collision_theory's fall performances? Put
impulse into action, and make yourself an active component of a
large-scale dance/music collision. The night will begin with a structured
improvisation led by Lisa Gonzales (of The Architects) and musician Bob
Garrett, and develop into a free-form jam. Transform your existing
practice by colliding with new artists or immerse yourself in a new art
form as a participant or observer.
March 8, 2010
Spooky Action:
an evening of “silent movies” confronting disembodied performance
7:30pm
$10
Buy Tickets
In dance performance, music is often presented as a static, prerecorded
element. In this format, sound is disembodied from its source,
decentralized and omnipresent; what happens when that table is turned and
the dancing is disembodied? Spooky Action will riff on dominant
dance/music paradigms on this night of "silent movies,” pairing
prerecorded performance with live "accompaniment."
Dancers and musicians will be commissioned to create improvised videos
during the week leading up to the event. These films will be screened to
live improvised music and dance, performed by artists viewing the videos
for the first time.
Participating Artists:
WUMMIN
Parallel Process
Carol Genetti
Ayako Kato
Colleen Leonardi
and more!
Millennium Park
Family Fun Festival
FREE performances right in Millennium Park!
Monday August 24
1pm and 1:45 pm
Tuesday September 1
1pm and 1:45pm
More information at www.explorechicago.org
JWDS
The 4th Annual Josh Weckesser Dance Spectacular
Fri Aug 21 and Sat Aug 22
At The Building Stage
412 N. Carpenter St.
Stridulate
our year-long ensemble
project joining body and voice
Named one of the Top 5 Performances of 2009
NewCity article here
June 12-13, 19-20 2009 | Fridays: 8pm Saturdays: 4pm & 8pm
Fractured Atlas Blog
Stridulate reviews
TimeOut Chicago
NewCity
trailerpilot
This project is generously supported by CROSSCUT, a partnership
between Experimental Sound Studio and Links Hall
February 2009
Feeling Into Form-
a motion laboratory
Taught by Lisa Gonzalez and Jennifer Kayle
of The Architects
at Links
Hall Three Saturdays: February 7, 14, 21
June 2009
Premiere of the 2008/2009 collaboration Stridulate,
an endeavor to integrate voice and the moving body.
Co- Directed by Rachel Damon and Dan Mohr
Created with ensemble members Lara Burrows, Lily
Emerson, Jeff Harms,
and Erica Mott
PAST EVENTS:
Rachel
Damon and Jesse Coffelt premiere their aerial duet,
Impossibility
of Certainty
at the Josh Weckesser
Dance Spectacular
Saturday,
October 4 - 2pm matinee performance
at
the Galaxie-
2603 W. Barry
tickets at the door: $15, $10 with a hard-luck story
Workshop/Audition
Sunday,
September 7th
2:30-5pm
at Links
Hall
FREE
Movers and vocalists of all types are welcome
at this combined workshop and audition. Synapse Artistic Director
Rachel Damon is working with musician/performer Dan Mohr on a year
long project. We're looking for 4-6 ensemble members interested
in experimenting with partnerships between bodies and voices.
We
will meet on Monday evenings starting in mid September. The project
culminates in PAID performances.
Generously supported by CROSSCUT: a co-venture
by Experimental Sound Studio and Links Hall, and The Chicago Moving
Company
Stridulate
at Hyde Park Art Center
Rachel
Damon and Dan Mohr will show work from their current project.
Friday,
September 12
9:30pm
5020
S. Cornell, Hyde Park
www.hydeparkart.org
Kinetic Current
a
co-presentation by Elisa Foshay, Synapse, and Links Hall
June 20, 21, 22
8pm Friday, Saturday
7pm Sunday
$12, $10 students/seniors
Choreography by Elisa Foshay, Sabrina Cavins, and Synapse Arts
Collective
THAW
- a benefit for Links
Hall
Thursday,
April 10 at Sonotheque
See surprising duets and
unexpected actions as a part of this excellent event featuring many
artists!
Creative Move - a 24 hour Festival
at
The Hyde Park Arts Center
Friday/Saturday, April
25 and 26
late night performances
by Synapse
Looptopia
2008
24 hours of downtown arts
and entertainment
see Synapses Crosswalk
Dances
Slit- an evening of performance + poetry
with works by Rachel Damon and Sarah
Haas
Friday and Sunday, November 16 and 18
at the Around the Coyote Gallery
8pm - $10
Slit premieres works
of dance and writing in an open gallery event. With experimental
audience opportunities and photography on display, it's not to be
missed!
Around the Coyote is located at 1935-1/2 West North Avenue
in Chicago. Check it out at www.aroundthecoyote.org
Shudder Duets Outside
Rachel Damon and Jesse Coffelt perform duets
on memory in a setting of immediacy.
12 and 12:30pm
South Lincoln Park - near North Ave.
FREE
Crosswalk Dances
Saturday, August 25
1-3pm
FREE
Locations:
1ish to 2ish Michigan Ave./Madison St. - near Crown Fountain
2ish to 3ish Michigan Ave./Jackson St. - near the Art Institute
Dances to be viewed from a car, bus, or sidewalk.
Add a Little Dance to Your Day!
Featuring:
Susan Aldous, Jesse Coffelt, Rachel Damon, Elisa Foshay, Katie
Matteson, Brad Norris, John Peruzzi, and Laura Tennal
Second Annual!
Josh Weckesser Dance Spectacular
"Freak Show" at Links
Hall
8pm, $15, $10 with a hard luck story
Synapse members Rachel Damon and Jesse Coffelt perform a new duet
on
Friday and Saturday, September 7 and 8
9x22 Dance Lab
at Bryant Lake Bowl, Minneapolis, MN
Jesse Coffelt and Rachel Damon will be showing and discussing Shudder
Duets
Wednesday, July 25, 8pm
Tickets: $6.00-$10 Sliding Scale
810 W. Lake St., Minneapolis
Reservations: (612) 825-8949
www.bryantlakebowl.com
- SHuTTeR
Dances of memory, identity, and anticipation
Thursday and Friday, April 5 and 6, 8PM
Hamlin
Park Fieldhouse, Second Floor
3035 N. Hoyne, at Damen/Barry, Chicago
tickets $12, $10 students/seniors at the door
Reservations: email rachel@synapsearts.com
choreography by Rachel Damon, Tabitha Faes, and Elisa Foshay
- Heartless Bitch Benefit
Saturday, November 11, 10:30PM, show at 11PM
Price: only $5!!/ 21+
Spin Nightclub
800 W. Belmont, at Belmont/Halsted
Performances by Breakbone DanceCo., Synapse,
Jyldo, Meredith Miller, Gremlinski, drag kings, and more!
-Dance Chicago
date TBA
at the Athenaeum Theatre
(Lincoln/Southport/Wellington)
Synapse will be showing Language Body
