Gimme One Riddim is a hit!

Wow! I'm still overwhelmed by what has happened with Gimme One Riddim!  We had an amazing school tour and successful run for the public as Winchester Street Theatre!  Thank you to all of our sponsors, donors, families, friends, and of course a stellar cast for making our vision come true.  We couldn't have done this without every single one of you!  For those that missed it, an encore performance is in the works, so stay tuned for all the details!! www.gimmeoneriddim.wordpress.com

And we continue to make history...

CONGRATULATIONS Jamaican pair skating team Nigel Davis and Tamra Mitchell. They made history by winning silver medal at the Special Olympic World Winter Games in PYEONGCHANG, Korea.

Nigel Davis also won silver medal in the singles category during the figure skating competition. 


JA to di worl!!!!

NEWS! OAC Grant Award & New Upcoming Production!

So I haven't posted a proper happy new year, so here it is....Happy 2013 everyone!

2012 was a rollercoaster to say the least, but I have a feeling that 2013 is gonna treat me better, because it's already off to a good start!

First, I'm happy to say that I've been awarded an International Residency Grant from the Ontario Arts Council!  I will be taking up my summer in New York this year to do in-depth research into African-American social dances, in which my focus will be on vernacular jazz and it's connection to hip hop culture.  Extremely excited to dive into this because Moncell Durden aka iLLKozby will be my mentor throughout this process.  If you don't know about this man check him out here!  I brought him up to Toronto this past summer and he offered some great insight into social dance practices.  Thank you so much to the Ontario Arts Council for supporting this project!

And secondly, myself and Jasmyn Fyffe have been selected to co-produce and present a dance production as part of TD Then & Now Black History Month Series!  Together we are choreographing a new dance-theatre production titled "Gimme One Riddim" featuring a cast of some of our favorite male dancers.  We will be doing a school tour in the month of February, as well as public performances March 13-15 at Winchester Street Theatre! Check out the blog for all the show details..

As for my knee...it's getting there!  I just need to push a little harder (well...a lot harder) to get it's full use back!

Thanks for reading!  Have a good night!  Or day depending on what time you're reading this at :)

Ejoe get's busy!

The Past Few Months...

Hi...

It's been a while...

Stuff has happened...

And stuff hasn't happened...

But one big thing happened.  I had a repair done on my meniscus....

Back in August of 2011, I was in an evening rehearsal, and injured myself doing an inward turn down towards the floor.  I heard a snap, but at the time I didn't know what it was...so I just hobbled my way home from rehearsal.  I took a bit of time off from dance (but not much), but was back at it again, and going hard at it.  I finally got an MRI and X-ray done and found out that I severely tore my meniscus (which I still dancing on before I found out that it was torn) My choices were to continue dancing with this set back, or talk to an orthopedic surgeon.....so I spoke to a surgeon, and set up an appointment to have the scope done...after dancing for a year on it.

And this is what they did (1 day after)... and yes it hurt...

I wasn't able to bear any weight on my left leg, which meant I was on crutches for about 5 weeks. 

The pain killers made me sick and had me vomiting in the middle of the night, so I stopped taking them. 

Totally not what I was expecting, which left me with so many mixed emotions of guilt, sadness, and frustration.  It wasn't that I couldn't dance, but the simple things that I could do on a daily basis were taken away from me, which made me dependent on others (hence the feelings of guilt).  But I have to say my family is the best.  They have been there for me from the beginning and for that I am forever grateful.

Drawing from my nieces and nephew...

2 months later, I am able to walk.  No dancing yet though.  I experience a bit of pain here and there, but it's much better.  I've got about 4 more months of recovery to go, which is what I figured.

It's actually been good to be able to take myself out of 'dance' for a minute.  Stepping away from things has given me a chance to really identify what's important to me, and what I want for my life, and what my purpose is.  Which can actually be very fulfilling (to me at least - especially at this stage in my life ;).

I'll be back on dance floors soon...with a refreshed mind and different outlook on things....

Thank you those who have checked in on me and continue to do so..it means more than you know.

lots of love...
tash

Somethin's cookin in "The Kitchen"

Back in June, I presented a new piece of work titled "The Kitchen" at the Talent Defined Dance Festival.  With inspiration from Lindy Hop, Quincy Jones, and the film "Hellzapoppin", I created this piece and featured some of my favorite dance artists in the city - Jojo Dancer, Roney Lewis, Irvin Washington, Jasmyn Fyffe, and Esie Mensah.  This piece is part of something bigger that I'm working on!  So for those that keep asking - YES - there is more to come!  Here it is!  Enjoy!

Bang the Battle! Then Bang the Party!

It's about to be a party!!  If you love funk, hip hop (I mean from the 90's hip hop), soul, house - then Bang the Party is the place to be!  My boy Neo Boog and AndyCapp are bringing you Bang the Battle! - the pre-event before the party!  I will be judging the hip hop category, and the infamous Sweepy (Rock Steady Crew, LA) will be judging the popping battle.    Click here for the event page on Facebook!  Come out and party with us; even if you're not there to battle, let's just have a good time :)

My New Website!

I'm actually kinda proud of myself!  My website is complete, and was done by Yours Truly :)  Check it out and let me know what you think!! www.natashapowell.com

Natasha Powell - Choreography & Dance Artist

Photo by Paul Degner.

Presenting "The Kitchen" at the 2012 Talent Defined Dance Festival

Hey everyone, As some of you may or may not know, I will be presenting a new piece of work entitled "The Kitchen" at this year's Talent Defined Dance Festival. This is the premiere of this new piece and I've been blessed with an amazing cast to support me. Dancers are Esie Mensah, Irvin Washington, Jasmyn Fyffe, Jojo "Jojo Dancer" Zolina, and Roney Lewis. Here's all the info:

 8th Annual Talent Defined: June 23, 2012

An exhilarating showcase of Toronto's upcoming and professional dance companies.

Talent Defined is an annual showcase of emerging and professional dance companies and choreographers. The event is sponsored by City Dance Corps for the purpose of promoting and supporting local dance companies and choreographers and sharing their art forms with the community.

 “Talent Defined is where you really see Toronto’s multicultural mosaic..." Paula Citron, dance critic.

 Check out www.talentdefined.com for a full line up of the 2012 talent.

June 23, 2012 8pm
Al Green Theatre 750 Spadina Ave, Toronto
$25 in advance $30 at the door
Box office: 416-260-2356 www.talentdefined.com

Photoshoot Sneak Peek...

Here's a sneek peak of a photoshoot I did today. Cylla von Tiedemann hosted a photography workshop in Hamilton this weekend with 7 very passionate photographers shooting dance for the first time. These photos are by Paul Degner...






More to come :)

DLC Spring Training Recap!!

Shout out to Emily for putting this together..here's what's on the DLC tip..

Spring Training with DiscoLoveChild!

Hey everyone! If you missed the HOLIDAY FUNKSHION with DiscoLoveChild, then you absolutely cannot miss our next workshop - SPRING TRAINING..Classes in Hip Hop, House, and Waacking, like no other in Toronto. People always ask when I'm teaching - this time around I'll be doing a collabo with the one and only Kwame Mensah. Be there!! Email discolovechilddance@gmail.com to register and also go to the Facebook event page here.

Some Dilla Soul...

Monday Night House Dance Sessions!

If you love house music and dance, check out Gotta Dance Studios every Monday for open practice starting at 9:15PM. All levels welcome! $5!!

Don and Whitney...may you both rest.

Wow...Black History Month and we loose two beautiful entertainers that have done so much for music and entertainment. February 1st we lost the man who provided a platform for African-American popular dances and music to take over the world: Mr. Don Cornelius.

Whitney...damn. An undeniable force in music. The voice, the legacy, and standard that this legend has left will never be forgotten.

May you both rest in peace ;(

Peace of Mind...

"For peace of mind, resign as general manager of the universe."- Anon

HOLIDAY FUNKSHION!

Come and dance with me and my lovely DiscoLoveChild family! Classes in hip hop, house, and waacking. Celebrate the holiday season with us! Check out the Facebook event page here!

PS....I'm back... ;)

See you soon...

Taking A Time Out...

So...I've had this idea that I'm superwoman, and that I have these supernatural powers to do and take on anything that comes my way. 2011 has been a pretty intense year on many fronts, physically, mentally, and emotionally. With a very colourful calendar planned for August and September, much of those months are now clear. Last week during a rehearsal I sprained my knee and torn the meniscus.

Yah...ouch.

The snap that I heard and felt when it happened was probably one of the scariest things I've ever felt. In light of this minor set back, many things have come to light about my health, my work life, and my personal life. While in treatment with my chiropractor Dr. Blessyl Buan (who has been my saviour in the past and present), we've come to realize that August seems to be a transition month. Last year I was knocked out with a really bad sinus infection, and now this year its this...

People have told me that I don't know how to take it easy, and it's true. I'm off to New York next weekend for a mini getaway, and to really put things in perspective. We only get one life, so it's important to know what you want to do with it..

I don't know how to take a time out, so God has put me on one...

RIP Baby Girl...

R.I.P Aaliyah Dana Haughton..This is one of my faves..the vibe on this one is too smooth...jazz personality, G mentality..

Let's Beat Cancer's A#@!!

Over the past 2 years I've come to personally know a few people that were diagnosed with cancer. The first being my brother with breast cancer (YES - you read correctly, breast cancer). And now most recently my Godmother with lung cancer ;( I will never know the feeling that one would have when the doctor comes back into the room with your results to give you this news.

In Canada, our health care system is a bit better (and more affordable) than that of our American counterparts. On Sunday August 28th, DiscoLoveChild will be hosting PARTY FOR A SISTER! House Jam for Large Marj. Marjory Smarth is a pioneer in the street dance culture and has been battling cancer for the past 2 years. I had the honor of meeting Marj this year in Montreal. She has to be one of the most beautiful, soulful, and spiritual people I have ever met. (Not to mention we wearing the same kicks! LOL!) But the thing that I remember her saying when she was talking to us was, that when she was feeling down and out, she said - "let's go dance and hear some music." And that has been her saviour.

Let us all come together to not only raise funds for this amazing woman, but to raise the awareness of what is happening to those that we love, and beat cancer's you know what!

Please RSVP to our Facebook event page and spread the word!

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=160644137345543

Check out this video clip of Marj!