The "N" Word

I just finished watching a documentary I got on Netflix called "The N Word". It was powerful, thought provoking AND emotionally provoking.
I was raised from birth to love all people no matter who they are. I was taught to despise the word. The documentary however goes deeper than that. Check it out and let me know what you thought of the movie.
With Love and Respect

The VIP/Performer Party!

These two beautiful women are Lindsey and Heidi. Lindsey is one of my board members and Heidi is a long time donor to the SFHHDF. We had a lunch meeting the other day to discuss this years VIP party. Last year, the SFHHDF hosted a VIP/Performer party after the Saturday night show. For being the first attempt, it went pretty well. Heidi stepped in this year to help make this year even better. More booze and more food!

By the way, I must mention last years VIP party. We had Hennessy as our alcohol sponsor. The first part of the party was all about the dancers from different parts of the world showing off. Loved it! There were the guys from Chicago battling the guys from Austria battling the dancers from Miami.....and so on......

Well toward the end of the event, people started to get horny! Next thing you know, everyone was dancing and grinding all over each other! It was very entertaining to say the least. I'm not sure what they put in the hennessy, but it made folks crazy.
As you can see by the photos above, the dancing started out for show but ended up in a big clump!

You may be wondering why I did not get caught up in all the sexual tension. As the producer of the event, I withheld from an excess of the alcohol in order to keep my wits about me. Hey it was still fun. You better be there this year because it is going to be all that and way more!

ZAPPOS

So my students are always asking me where I buy my shoes. I go to Zappos.com. Free shipping , lots of variety , easy to send back. The shoes in the photo are the last two pair I bought at Zappos. I Love em.
--- Now ya know!

SFHHDF Hires A New Booking Manager!

This very lovely lady is Janeen. Many of you already know her as the stage manager for the SF Hip Hop DanceFest for the past few years. Well now she has been hired as the booking manager for the SFHHDF. The beautiful part? Janeen is now going to do BOTH jobs! Back in the day , my girl Andrea used to do both jobs. Its great because it streamlines all the performer info through one person.

The booking manager will contact all the artists that the SFHHDF is interesting in booking for this years show. She deals with contracts, deadlines and all performer interaction.

WAAAAY back in the day, I used to do this job. Let me tell you why this was a huge disaster. I am way too sensitive to negotiate with artists. These people of course, are my peers. I absolutely could not say no to their requests without feeling HORRIBLE. I would get off the phone and cry, for real. I wanted to accommodate EVERYONE, but did not usually ever have the funds to do so. I almost quit producing the SFHHDF because of this issue alone, until it dawned on me that someone else could do it.

SO GLAD YOU ARE BECOMING SUCH A HUGE PART OF THE SF HIP HOP DANCEFEST JANEEN, YOU ARE FABULOUS!

Listen and Learn

SO I lost my voice, so the past few days have been kinda frustrating. I'm cool for my regular life, but it is very hard to teach class! The classes that I taught yesterday were hilarious. I am very thankful that I have assistants because they pretty much interpreted what I needed to say (well ..sort of, that was the funny part!)
What I also realized is that I DO talk a lot in my classes. Its not just about being a good dancer and demonstrating the moves and expecting people to imitate them. To be a good teacher requires SO much more than that. Its about watching your students and relaying to them what they are doing (or not doing). My students expect my feedback and my ability to express teaching movement in a very understandable way.

If you are in a dance class and your teacher says NOTHING, please beware that you can only learn so much. Don't get me wrong, you CAN learn through watching movement alone, but it is only a partial learning process. Your teacher should be able to EXPLAIN and DEMONSTRATE, know what i mean ?

There is a big difference between being a good teacher and a good dancer. A HUGE difference...

with respect and love

The Donation Brochure

Looks beautiful doesnt it? I still need to look it over a little more before we print it. Ive already found one error. The sunday night show is at 7pm , not 8pm. Otherwise do you guys see anything else? The form in the middle is the insert that people can fill out and return with their donations. The brochure is a tri-fold , the top image is the outside and the bottom image is the inside of the brochure. Whaddayathink?

REALLY?

So Every so often when I think of it, I google myself. ( oh please , Im sure you do it too!) I find it fascinating to read that people post online that they have done ALL sorts of things with me (professionally speaking of course). There are people that claim that they danced exclusively with me, choreographed for the SF Hip Hop DanceFest etc. Some of these people I have NEVER met!
For real, ya'll , I think its kinda tacky, dont you?Sorry for the negativity . My advice to people who are writing their bios and resumes is to be truthful. Especially when it comes to people you have worked with. And if you haven't googled yourself in a while, I suggest you do it and see who is claiming stuff about YOU!
Much Love and Respect--

Presenter at the Bay Area Dance Awards

Every Year the Isadora Duncan Dance Awards Committee presents the Bay Area Dance Awards, The "Izzies". "The Isadora Duncan Dance Awards Committee seeks to honor local dance artists and promote their visibility, primarily by acknowledging outstanding achievements within a twelve-month period of performances."

This year I will be a presenter of one of the awards (don't know which one yet). I am looking forward to it. In 2006 the SF Hip Hop DanceFest received an special "Izzie" award for "producing this pioneering event dedicated to the innovation and evolution of Hip Hop choreography and performance".

The event is FREE so come on by and support your girl...
Here is the info-

Isadora Duncan Dance Awards Ceremony Presents at the the Bay Area Dance Awards in association with Bay Area National Dance Week, VoiceofDance.com, and Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
MONDAY APRIL 28TH, 2008
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater
6:00 pm Greeting Reception
7:00 pm Awards Ceremony


*By The way - this photo is of "Imani's Dream"' a youth dance company that is up for an Izzie award this year. I am secretly hoping that I am going to be the presenter for their category . Imanis Dream has always had a special place in my heart, they are my babies..

My flyer is DONE!

After a lot of time and energy, I finally finished my class flyer. I think its purty - what do you think?

The Best Compliment

I went last night to the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre to see the production of Fences. I enjoyed it very much and thought the actors in particular were fabulous. After the show, I saw a woman I know named Elizabeth in the lobby and spoke with her for a while. As I was leaving she hugged me and said "I'm so glad that you could make it to see the show".
I left and went to have a drink with a friend and when I sat down it hit me. I opened my purse to get out the program from the show to look to see who played the main female character- What the fuck- it was her ! Elizabeth! At first I felt stupid that I did not recognize her. But then I thought that as an actor, to hear that you were not even recognized on stage must be one of the best compliments ever!
Elizabeth - you were GREAT last night, woman- good job!

More help for the SF Hip Hop DanceFest

This cute lil thang is Meegan. She is one of the newest members of my dance company SoulForce. But more importantly for the SFHHDF, Meegan has been hired to (part time) help me out with countless tasks that pile up like you would not believe. I already have Elaine come by and help out occasionally. This is fabulous but it just wasn't enough. Now I got 2 people !
Hey, I got a staff ---- - well kinda

DJ Miguel Fonseca

Miguel Fonseca has been a friend of mine for a long ass time. He is also been on the advisory board for the DanceFest for a long ass time. You all however, probably know him as one of the hottest DJs in the Bay for a LONG ass time. It looks like he is going to be at these events. All I've got to say is "If Miguel is going to be there, Its going to be Fun!"

SCARY!

So I teach kids classes on wednesdays which I love. However, it is THAT time of the year. -Time to decide what costumes they should wear for the show next month. If you look at the costume catalogues for kids, this is what they think a hip hop dance costume should look like. SERIOUSLY? Its frightening. I usually end up having them wear baggy jeans and a t-shirt or some sweats. Sometimes i have them wear cute socks,suspenders or hats, but occasionally I wonder if the kids are disappointed. Do you think they really WANT to wear crap like in these pictures? Im scared to ask them...

NEQA

NEQA stands for Nancy Quinn Associates. Quinn Associates has provided small and mid-sized arts organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area with an extensive array of professional fundraising and strategic planning services for nearly two decades. I use them for grant writing services and PR services for the SFHHDF. I am going there today for a meeting about corporate funding.
Let me tell ya, they aint cheap , BUT we do get the grants that they write proposals for.
Here is their web address http://www.quinn-assoc.com/

One of my Favorite Days of the Year

27 years ago, after 12 hours of labor, I gave birth to the most beautiful baby boy in the whole world. My life has never been the same since. It was by far, the best thing that has ever happened to me. My life has been so blessed so many lessons that I would have never had the opportunity to learn if I were not a mother. I am so thankful.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY YESHUAH!!! I LOVE YOU WAY TOO MUCH!

"Everything Remains Raw"

Many of you know Moncell as a member of the Mop Top Crew from New York/New Jersey. They have performed at the SFHHDF for many years now. Moncell is also a filmmaker and has just completed a new film "Everything Remains Raw". This film will be screened at the 10th anniversary SFHHDF in November on Sunday Nov 23rd at 3:30pm. Here is his description of this film:
" a documentary about the deep-rooted structure and African retention present in dance practices throughout the African Diaspora. This film investigates and re-presents Hip Hop’s lineage. It also highlights an assortment of influential black cultural phenomena that helped construct and characterize the movement practices demonstrated in African-American expressive culture"

I also am including some of Moncells blog regarding his film. The following is written by him: enjoy!

"MIs-conceptions and realities."
"thought I'd share some view points on one of the sections in the film. "Mis-conceptions and realities. In this section I address many incorrect things about Hip Hop dance. One of those things is the marketing of classes. I've seen and heard of many named classes in the U.S. and around the world. Let me share with you some truths about this advertisements, which are just a means to fill a class by giving a creative name to the same old style of dance that was previously taught. One word "Integrity"
1) JAZZ-FUNK: there is no such thing as a Jazz-Funk class, why you may ask. Jazz-Funk is a music not a style of dance. The term comes from groups and artists like Miles Davis, Tower of Power, Herbie Handcock, Roy Ayers and many other musicians who where trained Jazz artist and fused the Funk bass sound of James Brown and the JBs into there sound and created Jazz-Funk Fusion. However, no new dance style was created to be called by the same name. The dances that where already out are the same ones done to this new fusion.
2) STREET-JAZZ: the true meaning of a Street-Jazz dance class would mean that the teacher is teaching the authentic style of "street" Jazz from the 20's, 30's and 40's. Remember Bob Fosse and the like are a codified form of movement that is not authentic Jazz, there movement is a more broadway performance based style. So, a Street-Jazz dance class would mean you are learning dances like the Truck, Apple Jack, the Dip, Slow Drag, Boogie Woogie, the Buck, Suzy Q and many, many others.
3) NEW-STYLE: there is no such thing as New Style: My question is what's new about it? all I see are people doing hybrid Jazz, modern, lyrical etc. or they say its just choreography. There is nothing new about those forms of dance. The term new style as I was informed comes from dancers in Japan as well as France, dancers who where inspired by the famous documentary "Wreckin' Shop...live from Brooklyn" with Mop-Top and Misfits in 1992. Instead of saying New York Style dancers began saying New Style to refer to the dancers from NYC.
4) MTV DANCE: there is no such dance as MTV style, MTV is a Music Television station they report news and show music videos. They have never created a dance and much of the dances you see in the videos they air are codified Jazz based movement, besides the few that show authentic hip hop social dances like "aunt Jackie, Soldier Boy etc.
5) PUSSYCAT DOLLS STYLE: the Pussycat Dolls do not have a style of dance they do Codified Jazz, lyrical and modern that is choreographed for them.
----and finally a few last thoughts. Choreography is not a style of dance. it is simply placement. A car chase is choreographed, a fight sequence is choreographed and neither of those are dances.
---and for all of you that love Michael Jackson, who is a great dancer, and was also taught by Popin Pete of the Electric Boogaloos and by Popin Taco, Taco who spend the better of 10 years teaching Michael how to isolate and pop. So for those of you who think you are imitating Michael your really imitating Michael who is imitating Taco."
peace and blessings.
ill Kosby. (Moncell)

Collaboration

I just got back from the Collaboration show , produced and directed by Greg Chapkis. He has a studio in Vallejo called Dance Unlimited. Somehow he gets all these local dancers from different companies together and they perform together. I really dont know how he gets all those folks together, it is amazing. Good job Greg! By the way, you really are a smoking hot dancer, I certainly am a fan of yours....

Pay Your Dues Dancers!

Back in the day ( I feel old just SAYING that) we used to have the saying "pay your dues". It referred to dancers getting their experience and training before they felt ENTITLED to perform professionally.
I do not hear this saying anymore and I find that disappointing. It seems to me today that young dancers today really do feel more ENTITLED than ever. Not sure why. These days I see folks that feel like they should be instructors, performers and choreographers way before their time, before they "paid their dues".

I offer a performance workshop once a year to give students an opportunity to learn how to perform. This is such a valuable opportunity because it is a supportive and constructive experience which builds performance skills to a whole notha level.
My performance workshop class will perform 6 times at my annual community show "Mission in the Mix" .You cant really LEARN how to perform unless you DO IT. This workshop is golden because students work very hard to learn a piece, then they have the opportunity to perform it for 2 weekends straight. This helps dancers learn about consistency in performing and the skills it takes to be a performer.
Check it out if you are interested. - all details are at www.micaya.com -
much love and much respect

Dedicated to Gary

As many of you know the hip hop dance community lost a huge member last December. Gary Kendall was more than a special soul, but that is what I remember about him the most. Of course we will all remember his one of a kind dancing style, but I remember his smile and his constant positive energy. As soon as I learned that we lost him, there was no doubt that the DanceFest would be dedicated to him. When the DanceFest first started in 1999, Gary performed with Mind Tricks. They were always the hit of the show.
Later Gary ended up training dancers in such places as Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa. These dancers ended up getting his style so well that they performed his choreography for the DanceFest on several occasions. (who would have thought that anyone could get so many santa rosa kids to dance so well!).
This is not his bio at all because he did SO much more than what I have written here. He travelled the world , performed with countless companies and taught countless students. No this is just what he meant to me, this is just what an important figure he was here in the Bay, as a performer, teacher, choreographer and soul. Many young men looked to him as a father figure ... I find that so beautiful.
I must say however, when I was around Gary I always felt motherly. In the way that a mamma feels when she wants to support her kids, but also to get their shit together. know what i mean?
anyway I am sure there will be more about Gary to come later. thats enough for now
much love and respect

That was NO headache..

Damn y'all I caught the flu going around. I thought i was just thinking too much (hee-hee). But for real I've been sick.
Anyway-- heres whats going on- Sterling sent me this logo as a joke and I got such joy from it. My board said that I should get some t-shirts printed up with "10 Years bitches!' printed on them. Not a lot, just a few for fun, because some of us really find it halla funny. We could sell them amongst the official regular shirts that we will have this year. (which by the way are going to be so beautiful) What do you think?

AARGH- I Got a Headache

So I spent the better part of my Sunday with Navin from my board, writing the new donation brochure for the 10th anniversary SFHHDF... on no- I do not like writing this stuff - i will tell you now. Its that business mode that I have to tap into, but dont feel very comfortable with. Plus I dont love asking people for money. It is not necessarily about creativity here, its about finesse of wording things properly. I try to be playful, but i end up with a headache for some reason. I wish I could just say -
"HEY WE NEED SOME MONEY Y'ALL ,HELP US OUT OK?"

This picture by the way, is of my lovely Board of Directors, (from left to right) Abbey, Jeremy, Navin (top), Joy , Lindsey and me (center)

Bears of San Francisco

Last Year, after one of the shows, one of my students Sam, introduced me to his friend Scott. Scott is a member of the Bears of San Francisco (www.bosf.org) , a non-profit organization serving the San Francisco Bay Area Bear Community. Well Scott informed me that they have beneficiary program to organizations that represent diversity and encouraged the SFFHDF to apply for a grant.
We are so happy to say we were awarded a grant by the Bears of San Francisco! I would have not thought they they were so organized and so supportive in the community, how cool!
If you dont know what a bear is and you are curious,

WHAT IS A BEAR?

The Term "Bear" has come to mean so many different things to different people, it is hard to clearly define it. "Bear" is a gay male identity label, that generally refers to a decidedly masculine man with a commanding presence and size, and quite often has natural facial and body hair.
Calling a man a "bear" is usually a term of endearment and dichotomy.
Since the introduction of teddy bears, bears have become the symbol of cute and cuddly, yet bears represent the toughness and ruggedness normally associated with hyper masculinity.
Definitions
"Bear" more often than not, represents an attitude. A sense of comfort with ones own masculinity and body that doesn't cater as much the styles and models so prevalent in most gay circles. The most common definition of a "bear" is a man who is hairy, has facial hair, and a cuddly body. However, the word "Bear" means many things to different people, even within the bear movement.
Many men who do not have one or all of these characteristics define themselves as bears, making the term a very loose one. Suffice it to say, "bear" is often defined as more of an attitude than anything else - a sense of comfort with our natural masculinity and bodies that is not slavish to the vogues of male attractiveness that is so common in gay circles and the culture at large. Bear as a gay male self-identity developed in the late 1980s and 1990s.

Another Legend Lost

This just in from Popmaster Fabel, (New York) :
On April 3rd, 2008 at approximately 7:50am, Wayne "FROSTY FREEZE" Frost started his journey in to the next life. Our condolences go to his family and friends and all who knew of his great legacy. Frosty acknowledged those of us who came to visit him and was in good company during his last moments on this earth. For those of you who had the honor of knowing him, we all know that Frosty had a very celebrative spirit. He was constantly educating people and helped preserve the rich history of urban and Hip Hop culture. He was "the walking Hip Hop encyclopedia" and was one of the few brothers who had almost total recall in terms of history. We ask that you remember him as this great positive light who cared and loved many of us just as we loved and cared for him. On this day, we ask that people continue to keep him in their prayers. God willing, we will post any new information with regard to the wake and his memorial on April 11th.


FROSTY FREEZE TO PLEAZE = ROCK STEADY CREW FOREVER!

Frosty Freeze, also known as The Freeze To Please (born Wayne Frost on 8 December 1963 in New York City, New York, U.S.) is a legendary old school hip hop B-Boy best known worldwide as a member of the second generation of the acclaimed hip hop/Breakin' crew, The Rock Steady Crew.
As a member of RSC, he was known for his comedic, highly acrobatic but yet fearless and inventive style, due to his trademark move, 'The Suicide', also known as 'The Death Freeze Drop' (a move that he created accidentally by attempting a poorly executed backflip and landing on his back).
His talents with the crew were featured in movies such as Flashdance, Wild Style, Style Wars and The Freshest Kids and made history as the first b-boy to appear on a magazine cover (The Village Voice, 1981). He was also featured in early hip hop music videos like Afrika Bambaataa and The Soulsonic Force's 'Planet Rock' and Malcolm McLaren's 'Buffalo Gals'.
In 2004, he along with several other members of RSC were honored at the VH-1 Hip Hop Honors.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aze1njK-yhs

Leave your ego at the door and DANCE!

So I recently sent a request to my students for some quotes about my classes. I wanted to post them on my web site and put a few on my new class flyer. They are fantastic! I posted them on my web site, if you want to read them, go to www.micaya.com, some are hilarious. I posted ALL of them , (nobody said that I sucked)
My new class flyer is going to say "Leave Your Ego at the Door and DANCE!"
That means just come on in and stop trippin about how you look. Nobody really cares if you look awkward ,because we have ALL been there. ITS PART OF THE PROCESS ! You need to know that you are always welcome in my class .

ITS DONE!

Im so hot for this image. This will be on all of our promo materials. Much thanks again to Soul Sector- Naytron, Pharside, Bionic, Jardy and Mikey Disko!
Thanks also to Bing (Sterling) for the rockin graphics. every year, she not only takes the picture, but then she works the shit out of it honey!
I cant believe that 10 years ago Bing and I playfully came up with ideas for the first annual SFHHDF. "Playfully" is the operative word here. If we all substituted the word "play" every time we we say "work" , i think that more creative energy will flow. Not to mention that there is so much more joy in the process.
Anyway- Here is the image- whaddaya think?

call for submissions/auditions

So here is the call for submissions/auditions notice that just went out around the world. I am posting it here just in case not every soul has seen it yet.
However, I am having to update the info as I go along because some of the feedback I am getting from folks - -such as :
1 mention to send good quality footage- oh my gaaa - if we cant really see your piece, how can we hire you?
2 Clarify that this is NOT a competition.- (Everyone wants to be a judge). I love the SFHHDF because it is NOT a competition. Not that I find anything wrong with it. I know that battling has been part of the culture all along. But the SFHHDF honors these dance companies by presenting them on our stage. I suppose that the competition part comes in during the hiring process. Only 22 companies will be hired !


So anyway- here is the notice - forward it to anyone who may be interested and fabulous-




WORLDWIDE CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS & AUDITIONS


10th Annual San Francisco
Hip Hop DanceFest
(Micaya, Founder and Artistic Director)

The San Francisco Hip Hop DanceFest is now booking for their legendary 10th year anniversary show, presented at the prestigious Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, November 21st-23rd 2008!

What we look for:
· Professional Dance Companies from all over the Globe (Any size, from solo to group)
· All styles of Hip Hop and Hip Hop Fusion
· Use of Hip Hop styles in unique and interesting ways
· Use of Hip Hop Dance to tell a story
· Social Content/Commentary
· Artistic Quality
· Extraordinary Technical Skill and Ability
· Representation of all ages, sexes, races, and sexual orientation

IF Hired :
· SFHHDF will provide travel expenses and/or performance fees
· Companies must provide to SFHHDF a URL, BIO and PHOTO
· Companies must submit/audition the same piece that they intend to perform
· Pieces must be between 6-9 minutes long
· Companies will be invited to attend VIP events hosted by the SFHHDF


TO SUBMIT or AUDITION:


SUBMIT- California, National, and International Companies :
Upload (good quality) footage of the exact piece (6-9 minutes) you intend to perform (full cast and costume) to Youtube.com and send the link to info@sfhiphopdancefest.com
OR
Send DVD or Video (good quality) footage of the exact piece (6-9 minutes) you intend to perform (full cast and costume) to:

SF Hip Hop DanceFest
PO Box 411492
San Francisco, Ca 94141-1492

*DEADLINE: August 30, 2008 (It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you submit as soon as possible as the show may be booked before the deadline date.)

AUDITION - Bay Area Companies :
Live auditions will be held in September 2008. Please audition the exact piece (6-9 minutes) you intend to perform (full cast and costume).

To schedule an audition, email: auditions@sfhiphopdancefest.com


For more information: email info@sfhiphopdancefest.com OR go to

sfhiphopdancefest.com

ABOUT THE DANCEFEST:
Established in 1999 by Founder and Artistic Director Micaya, the San Francisco Hip Hop DanceFest celebrates both the extraordinary artistry and the growing legacy of Hip Hop dance and culture. Acknowledged as the FIRST festival devoted specifically to Hip Hop dance, the DanceFest is a ground breaking event, hosting companies from all over the globe. The San Francisco Hip Hop DanceFest remains unique for its dedication to presenting the highest quality professional Hip Hop dance companies and for its forward-thinking curatorial focus.