Robert Sher-Machherndl, co-founder and artistic director of Lemon Sponge Cake Contemporary Ballet, has brought his unique moves to bare-boned industrial Boulder lofts and international stages. Now, the Austrian-born creative is providing a weekly virtual class at no charge featuring a style of dance he’s created — called Uggi — born out of his jarringly captivating choreography.
“The idea of offering a free Sunday Uggi class was to bring people together, so they don’t feel isolated and lonely,” said Sher-Machherndl. “Through moving their bodies, people feel a positive outlook on life, learn, explore and discover new ways to move.”
Since launching earlier this month, the weekly class — taking place at 10 a.m. Sundays — has provided a much-needed outlet for both experienced dancers and beginners that simply want to step, stretch and sway. Sher-Machherndl playfully offers improvisational moves from the wood-floored living room of his North Boulder home.
“It is quite liberating and the mind arrives in a happy state at the same time the body is worked to its individual capacity,” Sher-Machherndl said. “Every time we finish a class, people can’t stop smiling. An added bonus is to connect with friends from all over the world. People have been very appreciate and thankful for the gift.”
The online sessions that will continue through June and perhaps months after aren’t particularly structured, but foster freestyling. Folks are encouraged to wear socks or dance barefoot, as Sher-Machherndl guides them through a series of suggestions.
“Participants will find pleasure and total enjoyment through moving their bodies,” Sher-Machherndl said. “It reawakens a child-like spirit through the permission to move freely without inhibition — something very much missing in Western societies.”
While Sher-Machherndl currently enjoys providing the public with an activity via a virtual platform, he is anxious to get back into Lemon Sponge Cake Ballet’s homebase — within Kinesis Dance at 5603 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder.
“It’s very difficult not working in the studio because it requires human interaction, group energy and human contact,” Sher-Machherndl said. “This is unique and vital to this art form. The screen is not a substitute for live performance, as it cannot transmit the energy or emotion conveyed on stage. I do look forward to performing in front of a live audience again.”
Due to COVID-19, Lemon Sponge Cake Contemporary Ballet has had to cancel performances at the Boulder Jewish Community Center, the Presenting Denver Dance Festival, dates at theaters in Germany and a residency at D.ID Dance Identity in Austria.
“We are planning programming online though the summer and hope that by the fall we will be back in the studio,” said Jenifer Sher, executive director of Lemon Sponge Cake Contemporary Ballet. “But, there are so many unknowns for all of us at the moment.”
Through an emergency grant provided by the Boulder Office of Arts and Culture, Sher-Machherndl will present a show titled “Six Feet Apart” to Boulder’s Holiday neighborhood — where he and Jenifer Sher live — at 7 p.m. July 4. The Holiday Park is surrounded by nearly 80 homes, all of which have terraces or balconies facing the land — creating an amphitheater of sorts.
“The residents will be invited to their outside spaces to witness a unique solo performance that travels along the sidewalk to every unit,” Jenifer Sher said. “Robert Sher-Machherndl will perform sections of personalized choreography, created in the moment, by reflecting the energy of each family.”
On June 7, viewers can catch the YouTube premier of “Dexter,” featuring choreography by Robert Sher-Machherndl created for Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London. On July 5, “Vertical Migration Experiment,” a stirring piece inspired by the topic of human migration, can also be viewed on YouTube for the first time.
For years, Sher-Machherndl has used his art form to convey a spectrum of emotions and also provide commentary on human rights issues. From previously teaming up with renowned cellists to incorporating jolting techno music into his performances, Sher-Machherndl continues to innovatively entertain during COVID-19 closures and enforced distancing.
In addition to the free Sunday morning Uggi sessions, Sher-Machherndl is offering unlimited ballet and contemporary classes for $65 a month.
“I believe it is vital to support small arts organizations that are rooted in the local community as they provided life-enriching arts and culture to everybody right on their doorstep,” Jenifer Sher said. “We invite all citizens to experience the art we create often with little or no charge during COVID-19. This goal can only be achieved through the generosity of others, and community support not matter how small or large the amount.”
Read Again https://www.dailycamera.com/lemon-sponge-cake-ballet-choreographer-offers-free-zoom-dance-classesBagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Lemon Sponge Cake Ballet choreographer offers free Zoom dance classes - Boulder Daily Camera"
Post a Comment