JFD APRIL 2006 NEWSLETTER

An electronic publication of Jane Franklin Dance, 3700 South Four Mile Run Drive, Arlington, VA 22206. Tel. 703-298-3235. Web site www.janefranklin.com. E-mail to info@janefranklin.com.

You Won’t Want To Miss (Jazz on Foot, Dancing the Page, Lubber Run)
Recently Danced (Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall, Arlington Arts Center and Benefit Gala)
In The News (International Dance Festival in NYC)
Works in Progress (Capital Fringe and Tenth Anniversary Season)
Urgently Needed (Volunteers and Board Members)
Spotlight On (Profile of Amy Lubell)

Welcome

This is the sixth electronic newsletter of Jane Franklin Dance (JF D). Thanks for reading us!

You Won’t Want To Miss

April 22, 2006 at 3:00 pm for Performance. Morning workshop for ages 7-14, 10:45 am – 12:00 noon.
Jazz on Foot traces jazz music from its African roots in19th century New Orleans, to New York's Harlem Renaissance, to the Bebop era of the 1950’s with music by Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker and Miles Davis. A great opportunity for young dancers to have a workshop on stage in the morning, then perform with the company in the afternoon! Gunston Theater One, 2700 S Lang Street, Arlington VA 703-298-3235 Reduced price admission and workshop enrollment at www.janefranklin.com

April 22, 2006 at 8:00 pm
Dancing the Page Poetry by David Bristol, Reuben Jackson, Ramola D. and Martha Sanchez-Lowery resonates as dance snapshots. Simple objects, throw rugs, an exercise trampoline, a collection of hats, and luscious fruit, give a time and a place, while music by Jonathan Matis surprises. The program includes "To Flower" with music by the Snark Ensemble - Saylor/Simpson/Carluzzo and the male duet Early Autumn to a live piano performance of Prokofiev's "Visions Fugitives." Tickets may be purchased online at www.janefranklin.com at a reduced price or are available at the door forty-five minutes prior to performance. Gunston Theater One, 2700 S Lang Street, Arlington VA 703-298-3235

June 22, 2006 at 8:00 pm
Arts al Fresco An evening under the stars with JFD performing new and recent dances at Lubber Run Amphitheater, N. 2nd & N. Columbus Streets, Arlington VA. Check the 24-hour hotline, 703-228-6966. No reservations or tickets are required for any Arts al Fresco event. For up-to-date information on inclement weather cancellations, please call 703-228-1850.

Recently Danced

In January '06 JFD inaugurated Dance Sampler, a one-day festival of diverse dance classes culminating in an evening performance by choreographers Ziva Cohen, Ann Behrends, CJ Holm, Jane Franklin, Debra Floyd, Andy Coppola and danah bella, at Gunston Theater One. "Among the classes I sampled," writes Dona Davis, "were Ann Behrends' Injury Prevention class which gave me some great hip stretches and Debra Floyd's Jazz Fusion which had me moving in ways I didn't know I could do. I'm hoping this will become a Jane Franklin Dance tradition."
Luckily, our January events, both Dance Sampler and our debut performances at the beautiful Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall & Arts Center took place during mild winter weather. Putting poet David Bristol's words to work, we had a wonderfully creative time working with the Snark Ensemble to mesh words, music, and movement in "To Flower." After seeing his poetry on stage David writes, "People go to poetry readings mostly to hear a poet read their work. More interesting to me is to hear others read my work. When I see what Jane Franklin Dance can do to coax the poems into dance and song, I am gratified to see that my little creations can indeed survive in the world on their own." Dancer Rick Southerland who joined the company in November 2005 had his first performances with JFD in January, "working with Jane is truly Baptism by Fire. I had only a month of rehearsals with the company before my first concert at the Dance Sampler. Fortunately, ‘To Flower’ was a new piece, so I was involved with the process of its making rather than learning repertory. Schlesinger was the first full-out company concert that I performed in. Jane provided us the opportunity to perform in a beautiful theatre, which is not that common for most dance concerts in the DC Metro area. I look forward to the next season with Jane and my fellow dancers!" JFD gratefully thanks the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall & Arts Center for co-sponsoring our performances, and for putting our work forward in a new light in a wonderful venue.

In February, portions of Dancing the Page were performed at Iota Club & Café as part of Miles David Moore's monthly Poetry Series. The big treat of the evening was on-the-spot, improvised dancing during the Open Poetry Reading. Poets got right into directing the action, and for once, a true-true break down of the audience performer barrier was the result. Otherwise in February, after-school workshops got underway at Randolph Elementary and H-B Woodlawn in Arlington and then in March at Arlington Mill Center and at Carver Senior Center.

On March 4, a fun performance took place at Arlington Arts Center during the DÉJÀ VU Exhibit. If you haven't gotten over to Arlington Arts Center since their renovation, it is a must! We performed in front of art work by Freya Grand, a happy coincidence since I love trees and this is exquisite work! We were happy to have JFD t-shirts! Be sure to get one on your next visit with the company – reasonably priced and though not-quite collectors items, a limited printing of this edition. The rest of the jam packed month included workshops for St. Stephens & St. Agnes school in Alexandria and a kindergarten transportation –inspired residency at Glebe Elementary in Arlington.
Happily the Benefit Gala on March 18 was pulled off in grand style by Benefit Gala Chairperson Douglas Kehlenbrink. The silent auction, assembled by Marketing Associate Emily Schmidt, was a huge success with wonderful support from arts organizations such as Signature Theater, Dance Place and area businesses like Great Food, Traders Joe's, Alexandria Yoga and Balducci's.. Martha Taggart writes, "The evening began in the gallery area, where the Wind Rose Quartet played as guests gathered. In addition, ceramic artist Liz Vorlicek gave a talk about her works, the focus of a visiting show at the gallery that also features paintings by her father. Then on to the center's auditorium, where the company performed three works, one "amusingly accompanied by Kristen Benoit performing John Cage's "Suite for Toy Piano." JFD also performed two new dances from Dancing the Page. Our collaborator and featured poet Reuben Jackson commented, "Like children who grow up, move away from home, and in doing so, reveal sides of themselves you never knew, your interpretations of my poems were a powerful, astonishing education. Your company also gave them depth, humor and dignity."

In The News

International Dance Festival in NY
JFD proudly announces a performance of To Flower on July 24, 2006 at 8:00 pm at the DiCapo Opera Theater at 76th St @Lexington Avenue. Check back with us for details and ticketing information or let us know if you would like to attend. info@janefranklin.com

JFD Welcomes Marketing Associate Emily Schmidt
Emily Schmidt is very pleased to have the chance to work with Jane Franklin Dance. She holds a BA from American where she studied Psychology and Dance and is currently finishing her Masters in Arts Management at George Mason University. "It has been wonderful opportunity to work with Jane Franklin Dance and I have been learning how exciting it can be to work with a non-profit dance company."

Works in Progress

July 21, 22, 26, 27, 29 2006 – CAPITAL FRINGE performances at Calvary Baptist - Woodrow Stage
777 8th St NW, Washington D.C. http://www.capfringe.org

Tenth Anniversary Season
Include us in your plans next season as we celebrate in large and small venues in Arlington, Alexandria, Washington D.C. and Maryland.

Urgently Needed

JANE FRANKLIN DANCE SEEKS BOARD MEMBERS

Board duties range from advisory, consultant responsibilities to hands-on opportunities. Length of service can be as little as one performance season. No specific skills, but participation and input are required. An interest in furthering the presence of Dance in the community is a must.
Meetings are held at 3700 S Four Mile Run Drive, Arlington once every six weeks throughout the year. Call 703.298.3235 for more information.

Adult Dance Technique. Even though it may have been a long time since you've danced, or you've always meant to try but have never gotten around to it, You Are Perfect for this class and you can join at any time!
Saturdays from 9:15 am-10:45 am
$15 per class, Ongoing Classes are held at:
3700 South Four Mile Run Drive, Room 129, Arlington VA 22206, 703.298.3235
Enroll by mail via the above address, or drop-in. Free parking. Click here for directions

Volunteers Needed.
We welcome assistance--both from those who can make a long-term commitment, and those who want to lend a hand just once. Volunteers do everything from taking tickets at concerts, to helping organize community workshops, to helping with publicity.
We need volunteers on April 22, 2006 at Gunston Theater One to help throughout the day and evening.

We are also seeking contributed food items for a cakewalk (musical chairs with a cake) following the 3:00 pm Jazz on Foot Matinee, and for the refreshment table for both the matinee and evening performances (home-baked cookies, brownies, bars).
We are looking for ushers for the April 22 performances, staffing for refreshment table, and a Strike Crew following the evening performance.
To volunteer, or to contribute food items contact JFD at 703-298-3235.

Spotlight On Amy Lubell

Amy Lubell is a native of the Washington DC area. In 2002 she received a BFA in Dance and Choreography from Virginia Commonwealth University. She has studied with Nicholas Leichter, Bebe Miller, Gus Solomons, Mark Haim, Paul Taylor II Company, Doug Varone and David Dorfman. While a student at VCU, Amy was selected to dance in one of David Dorfman’s repertory pieces which was performed at the Carpenter Center in Richmond Va. In 2002 Amy received VCU’s “Outstanding Choreographer Award.” Her piece “Reel Elements” was selected to for the American College Dance Festival. In 1999 she performed as a member of the Theatre West Virginia summer stock company at Grandview National Park. Before joining Jane Franklin Dance Company, she performed with the Crossroads Dance Project and has performed in Choreographers Showcase. She has also taught dance for the past 5 years.

Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Washington DC and was raised in Burke Va.
When did you start dancing?
I started dances when I was 2 1/2, my big sister was in dance class and I had to do whatever she did. My mom tells me I was the only little girl in class with a diaper under my leotard. I loved it from my very first class.
What type(s) of training have you had?
Well growing up I took dance class from a local studio, where I took jazz, tap, lyrical and ballet. I was one of those competition kids. After I graduated from high school I attended Virginia Commonwealth University where I received a BFA in Dance and Choreography. The main focus at VCU was modern dance. That was my first experience with modern and it was there I finally found the form of dance I loved! I studied with many guest artists. Some of my favorites were David Doofman, Nicholas Leichter and Gus Solomons.
What brought you to the Washington area (and to JFD)?
I was living in Richmond getting ready to move to San Diego when the friend I was moving with backed out. I decided I couldn't make the move on my own. With 2 weeks left on my lease and no where to leave, that's when I decided to move back to DC.
After a few weeks in DC I started dancing with a small company called Crossroads. Here I met a lot of other dancers in the dance community. I was dancing with them for about a year, when a friend told me Jane was looking for new dancers. I made a call, went to a rehearsal and from there on out I've been dancing with JFD.
What inspires you when you dance?
This is a good question; a lot of people ask me this. The reason why I dance is because; it's what I love to do. It moves my soul deep down inside. It is what brings me up when I'm down and it's my way of sharing with people who I am. Some people write down there feelings, I dance. I can't image not dancing!
Have you read any good books lately?
The most recent book I read was Something Borrowed by Emily Griffin. It’s a great fun read. I would recommend to anyone who’s looking for something easy to read.
What do you do when you're not dancing?
During the day I am the Athletic Director at the Washington DCJCC. Other things I love to do is going bike riding, sleeping (that’s one of my favorites) and to hang out with my friends and family!
What have been the highlights of your experience with JFD?
There are some many wonderful things I have experienced while dancing with JFD. Some of the most memorable ones are rehearsal and going away on trips with the gang. We’ve shared some great laughs together. Also every time I get to perform is a highlight! Jane allows me to do what I love to do and I thank her for that!