What Would It Take...? (973 hits)
Category: NoneRating: 1.18 on 29 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Natalie <nataliefortin.at.yahoo.com> (View user info) at 2003-10-01 15:03:21 EDT
A little background: http://www.ubersite.com/cgi-bin/message_get.cgi?message=106454215392673717
After rehearsals the other night, we were all tossing around ideas about ticket sales, advertising, etc. One reoccurring issue is trying to get new people to come see dance (or any other artistic medium for that matter). It's often the same family and friends, other artists, and in the case of my dance company the Latino community because the director is Cuban. Then there are always the few over-dressed Culture Snobs who don't actually know anything about, well, anything but like to be able to say they went to the The-a-tuh.
I want to know about the regular guy/girl- what would it take for you to go to a dance concert (for Modern Dance that's usually a showing of several original choreographies)? For practical purposes, let's assume a regular guy is anyone not mentioned above. I may be wrong, but I'm thinking there are alot of you who fall under that category.
Seeing flexible T&A, although covered?
The possibility of T&A after letting a girl drag you to a show?
Catching a show before a night of partying (ha)?
"No fucking way in hell would I go" is an acceptable answer, but please say why not!
This doesn't have to be limited to dance.
Also, what do you think when you read this:
"[Dance Company]'s "JOURNEYS" FEATURES DANCERS AND CHOREOGRAPHERS FROM NEAR AND FAR.
On October 10 and 11 at 8:00pm and October 12 at 2:00pm [Dance Company] will perform "Journeys" a repertory concert. The concert will take
place at the ----- Performing Arts Center.
[Dance Company] comes back to the stage stronger than ever with choreography by Tommy Rapley from the Joffrey Ballet, Wayne Smith from Spellman College, and Artistic Director Tania Castroverde Moskalenko. Also in the concert will be a solo performed by former Bolshoi Ballet dancer Dmitri Roudnev. The piece was created by Albanian choreographer Altin Naska who has also done works for the Joffrey Ballet and the Nederlands National Ballet among others. Local artist Ondine Geary will perform Housecat which won her the Tennessee Arts Commission's 2003 Individual Dance Fellowship. [Dance Company] dancers had the opportunity to work and collaborate with wonderful artists that allowed each of them to grow artistically.
"Journeys is an excellent opportunity for the community to support the artistic collaboration between local artists and artists outside the region," says Tania Castroverde Moskalenko. "This concert will serve not only as an artistic force but also as a message that dance, in all its forms, continues to thrive and flower in [city].""
Personally, this doesn't do anything for me and I'm IN the dance community so I just wonder...
User Reviews
Submitted by angrykoz (user info) at 2003-12-29 22:39:21 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I wanna lick you!!!
Submitted by shandythedog (user info) at 2003-10-05 02:16:06 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
maybe you could go into park and public places and put on little free spontaneious shows. i remmeber once hearing a violinist busking in the square. normally buskers are annoying idiots, but this woman must have been highly trained and the sound and music she produced was amazing.
but how to liberate art from the arty and the repulsive art bureucrates is a vexed question
Submitted by Natophelia (user info) at 2003-10-03 15:55:19 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
"the most emo crappy parties where everyone was a fucking starving artist and all that crap where no one GOT their art .."
Oh Christ you've just given me horrible flashbacks!
So it seems to be an issue of perception and semantics. We think that people from out of town have 'made it' whereas those in town have not. Then the out-of-towners go home and get the same thing. Or I go out of town and am considered to be someone who's made it. Come back home... Guess there's not much to be done about that except to not suck!
Submitted by marc01 (user info) at 2003-10-03 14:05:00 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
when i think of local artists and stuff liek that i think of a band that hasnt made it anywhere. while ok they are not that great and play more cover songs than there own music. or i think fo the looney artist who just takles a bucket of paint and throughs it a a blank cavis,wall,sheet whatever and calls that art. and then gives the attitude if you cant see thats art then your ingorant.
i have actully went to see step/stomp? whatever the thing is that they used brooms/trashcans all that everyday stuff to make music and danced to with an ex girlfriend and it was excellent. unfortantly said ex also took me to some of the most emo crappy parties where everyone was a fucking starving artist and all that crap where no one GOT their art .. we lasted around 3 weeks.
so maybe thats why i kinda look at that stuff leary... and the funny thing is she didnt take to the stomp half as well as i did.
but um ya in answer to your question. boobies will get a man in everytime.
horray for boobies!!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by Natophelia (user info) at 2003-10-02 14:51:15 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
"Maybe it's just me, but I read this as sort of condescending. It's got a sort of noblesse oblige feel to it. You know, 'we've decided to give you the privilege of supporting us' kind of thing."
Ugh..ouch. Didn't see that before. And thanks ;)
PMJ- go see the weirdest possible thing you can find just for the hell of it!
Submitted by Quartermain (user info) at 2003-10-02 13:48:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
**Come on down here- some of the stuff can be artistically obnoxious, but the preformers will ask you out for a beer (or whatever) afterward!**
Sure. When it comes to beer, I'm disgustingly egalitarian and will drink with pretty much anyone, as long as they're interesting. Which I have a sneaky suspicion would not be a problem for you and your friends.
**Journeys is an excellent opportunity for the community to support the artistic collaboration between local artists and artists outside the region,**
Maybe it's just me, but I read this as sort of condescending. It's got a sort of noblesse oblige feel to it. You know, 'we've decided to give you the privilege of supporting us' kind of thing.
Submitted by potatomanjack (user info) at 2003-10-02 10:51:58 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
About the local artist thing, I'm Canadian, but this is knid of a stereotype that comes to mind when I hear it. I think of an unpolished performance that has a lot of potential. I think this is so because you're always hearing about up and coming 'local' artists who are young and have done something controversial or new and have gotten good reviews from the local or municiple media. I have nothing against them, but I usually will only go to see if the subject really interests me, or until they have been proven by higher level positive reviews.
Wow, I feel like such a snob after posting that, I'll have to try and get more into the local productions to keep myself in check.
Submitted by Natophelia (user info) at 2003-10-02 10:40:33 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Oh yes- GodChicken- we did the nightclub thing while teamed up with a band as well as a few other informal very accessable things around town. You're right- much fun and lots of exposure! But then the formal performances were back to the same old thing. Must bridge the gap...
Submitted by Natophelia (user info) at 2003-10-02 10:36:09 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Good stuff.
If you guys don't mind, I may print this out and share it with the few artists I know who are open to suggestions.
Do any of the Americans have negative connotations with the phrase local artist?
Submitted by Bellebrown (user info) at 2003-10-02 10:10:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I associate "community" and "local artists" with village hall productions.
Rather than say "local artists" which suggests someone that never quite made it anywhere else, Id say "Such and Such returns to [city] after touring with smash hit blah de blah"... or something like that.
Then, its like you're seeing someone that HAS made it and is returning to their roots.
Submitted by GodChicken (user info) at 2003-10-02 10:09:43 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Well Natophelia, thats where you have to get creative yet again.. maybe a mainstream sort of show, and then something entirely created as a "intermission" sort of thing, or even a warm up. The people who keep their butt in a seat during that intermission are the ones you are winning over. They'll be the ones to approach and actually communicate with. Increase your fan base and then the completely artistic shows can start to become more frequent.
What would people say if a group of you went down to a local nightclub and absolutely kicked ass?
Submitted by Natophelia (user info) at 2003-10-02 09:58:28 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Ah, you are so right, but there's the rub, GodChicken! Alot of 'hard core' artists (you know, the ones who will live by their art alone or die trying, the tortured souls blah blah) don't consider pop culture to be true art. It would be compromising their artistic integrity to stoop to using pop music or typical hip hop movement.
There's always the problem of giving an audience what it wants (usually nothing new, not too much challenge, just entertainment.) which fills seats versus staying absolutely true to your artistic goals and having the same old people coming around.
I guess until there are more 'artistes' who can manage both ends well, it'll be the same old same old...
Submitted by Sec (user info) at 2003-10-02 09:51:46 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
"No fucking way in hell would I go"
Why? It's 'dance'. Arty types prancing about. It makes me yawn.
Submitted by Natophelia (user info) at 2003-10-02 09:37:19 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Hm..need more explanation, if you get a minute. Why do those words make you think that? When it says local artists, it means professionals in the company HERE. In my city, I'm a local artist. Anywhere else, I'm not. It doesn't say anything to me, personally, about the level of ability.
I know sometimes when I hear 'community' though I think of community theater with hobbyists in it...
Submitted by GodChicken (user info) at 2003-10-02 09:33:42 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
I think SpikeGoddess is dead on in that there is a failure of translation from the artistic venue to the mainstream. The show has to have some major pop appeal before its going to attract newcomers.. such as if your dance company had done some background work for a concert or something (ie the dancers behind janet jackson / paula abdul sorta thing) Then you're going to pique some interest.
Myself, there is a dance studio down the road from where I live. I've watched a few of their practices out of mild interest, and not just hormones. They're doing it to music such as the people suggested above and its pretty cool.
unfortunately, these words of wisdom ring too true: You can give a man a veneer of class and scholarly wit, and sooner or later he'll be back to dragging his knuckles and wanting to fuck something.
Submitted by Bellebrown (user info) at 2003-10-02 09:15:19 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Just quickly -
"Journeys is an excellent opportunity for the community to support the artistic collaboration between local artists and artists outside the region," says Tania Castroverde Moskalenko. "This concert will serve not only as an artistic force but also as a message that dance, in all its forms, continues to thrive and flower in [city].""
This suggests to me that its going to be rubbish.
Why?
Because it has the words "community" and "local artists" in it.
Submitted by Natophelia (user info) at 2003-10-02 09:06:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Man..that's crap. Bad luck. I guess most of my experience is with the performers, back stage, all that. Come on down here- some of the stuff can be artistically obnoxious, but the preformers will ask you out for a beer (or whatever) afterward!
Submitted by Quartermain (user info) at 2003-10-01 23:54:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Keep in mind, I'm talking MN here. It might be completely different in TN(you're in Tennessee, right?)
First of all, when I went in to buy the ticket, the girl at the counter looked at me like I was offering her a human spleen and gave me that snotty 'Yes?' I said, 'I'd like a ticket for the show'
She gives me another once-over and says(stressing the first two words) 'The performance is 20 dollars for admittance.' I say 'ok' and hand her four 5's. She takes the money like she's doing me a great personal favour and I go in.
I'm sitting there and this guy comes up and gives me the fish-eye. I figure he might be a mime or something, so I kind of ignore him and go back to waiting for the show(excuse me, performance)to start. He then says 'Excuse me, you're in my seat.' I say 'I'm sorry, I didn't know the seats were assigned.' He gives me the fish-eye again and says 'If you were a regular...' and trails off. I hate a bugger what doesn't finish his sentences.
The performance starts and it's a pot-luck, variety kind of thing. The first act is some kind of spoken-word thing and some scarecrow looking woman comes out with a beat-up baby doll and starts talking to it. She starts in about the 'patriarchy' and 'hegemony.' She glares at me the entire time.
It kind of went downhill from there. Although they did have some dancers that were nice.
Submitted by Natophelia (user info) at 2003-10-01 23:42:19 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Well, I do tell guys, "Bring a date. She'll think you're sensitive, and you might get some." I don't know if it's worked yet.
Dark Side of the Moon, huh...that actually sounds kind of interesting.
Submitted by Bigmike (user info) at 2003-10-01 23:29:40 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
You choreograph a ballet to "Dark Side of the Moon" or "2112" and I'll show up.
Also, I wish my wife would show the slightest interest in the theatre, I would be there all the time.
Submitted by Yes at 2003-10-01 23:29:15 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
"Come watch us dance.
Free blowjobs for the fellas and pocket rockets for the gals!"
THAT would get some more people.
Submitted by Natophelia (user info) at 2003-10-01 23:23:04 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
"If I want to spend money to be told how uncultured I am and how everything is my fault, I'll rent a Spike Lee film."
Quartermain, can you tell me what it is that makes you feel like you're being told you're uncultured? Was it a specific incident or more than that?
Submitted by Quartermain (user info) at 2003-10-01 23:17:56 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
What would it take?
Hmmm...
If I were dating a girl and she wanted to go, I'd go with her. I actually wouldn't mind going to something like what you do, but the artists here in Minneapolis tend to be the snotty, self-absorbed type.
If I want to spend money to be told how uncultured I am and how everything is my fault, I'll rent a Spike Lee film.
Submitted by streetpunk (user info) at 2003-10-01 17:58:17 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Natophelia (user info) at 2003-10-01 17:01:57 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Gotcha, PMJ.
Submitted by Natophelia (user info) at 2003-10-01 16:41:57 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
"I think the problem is that the arts need to speak to people in a way that is vital, and need to really serve the community and NOT JUST THE ARTISTIC COMMUNITY if we want audiences."
A big sticking point with me. I agree completely. I had this discussion with a group I USED to dance with. We were trying to think of ways to get people from other areas of the city involved, one of those ways being offering classes. Space- we needed space to offer classes. Okay, so I offer three I know of in another part of town, but the idea is IMMEDIATELY shot down because it's not in 'our' area! What the hell? They were also very self-centered artists; they were offended by my suggestion that they do more than create dances as therapy for themselves. I wasn't just being a bitch, this was something they openly admitted to doing.
Can you tell I'm a disgruntled artist? heh
For the record, I don't believe that anyone HAS to care about the arts. I just really wanted to see others' views.
Submitted by potatomanjack (user info) at 2003-10-01 16:40:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
This does sound pretty cool and I would go see it if tickets somehow came my way. To tell you the truth though, the only dancing that I've ever gone to see was breakdancing that was part of a scratch-artist show that came to Montreal. It's not that i have anything against dancing, and I'd probably even think it was pretty cool once I got there but I just don't know enough or am interested enough to do the required research to find when shows are playing let alone the prices.
I do hope you get a good turnout though.
Submitted by SpikeGoddess (user info) at 2003-10-01 16:24:58 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
As a performing artist, this is of particular interest to me as well.
I think the problem is that the arts need to speak to people in a way that is vital, and need to really serve the community and not just the artistic community if we want audiences.
For example, hip-hop dance is wildly popular. It's a form that's speaking to young people. Just look at the fact that there's now a dance show on MTV with that young hip-hop choreographer. Forget his name, buy my sis did a workshop with him a while back. Ballet, for example, is a form that doesn't particularly speak to us in this culture. The precision and restraint of the form are no longer relevant to our daily experience, and don't speak to ppl our age----unless an innovative choreographer comes along and revitalizes the form, which I'd LOVE to see happen. Most people will recognize that ballet is beautiful, but b/c it doesn't get them fired up somehow, they don't go to see it.
Same thing with the theatre. Visual art. Music. The old forms are great and are worth preserving the way we'd preserve the Mona Lisa. But innovation and responsiveness to the needs of modern life is what will bring people back to the arts.
Art couldn't be more important to society. It's how we define ourselves, how we communicate cultural ideas, how we reach catharsis. But it's got to matter to people. Not just to the arts community.
SpikeGoddess
Submitted by Natophelia (user info) at 2003-10-01 15:50:27 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Oh! Oh! I know! A close up of my boobs, and you'll all come running to my show?? Hm? Right? ;)