Research Series Workshop: Karen Asher

Research Series Workshop: Karen Asher

When: Sunday, March 14, 2021

Time: 7:00 – 8:00 pm (CST), Online over Zoom *Please note daylight savings time shift* 

Cost: This is a Pay-What-You-Can event

Please visit younglungs.ca or click HERE to sign up.

In this workshop you will learn some sexy shower theatrics, how to bathe your inner animal, and more!

About the Workshop:

Got the daily living blues? Welcome to the Shower Bonanza Extravaganza! For a soothing hour, our brilliant team will take you on a journey to wash those tears away! Learn some sexy shower theatrics, how to bathe your inner animal and more! Neilla Hawley, Petty Davis, Jeanne Randolph & Rebel will knock your socks off! Ideally you’ll be setting up shop in the shower! Hide behind your curtain for comfort! Drop down a mat for slippage safety! Wear whatever you want!!! Sweatsuit, bathing suit, costume suit, probably not birthday suit. No water needed! Just pull that curtain back any which way you like and enjoy! Too freaky? Just plunk down on a couch with a drink and wiggle as you may.. Watch! Participate! Gawk! It’s a choose your own adventure shower power delight! Come on down! Think you’re confused? Imagine how I feel!

About Karen Asher: 

Karen Asher is an artist living on Treaty 1 Territory in Winnipeg  whose work explores her obsession with stress, absurdity, and  the catastrophe of everyday life. She received her BFA Honours in  photography from the University of Manitoba in 2009. Her solo  show, “Class,” was exhibited at Plug In ICA in 2019. The  installation featured photography, live performance, a 90 minute  video, flashing neon and a peep show. Asher is currently working  on “Preaching to the Perverted,” which will premiere at the Gimli  Film Festival next summer. Though she barely gets off the couch now, as a kid Asher was a real good dancer and has the medals to prove it. 

Young Lungs Dance Exchange’s Research Series is generously supported by Winnipeg Arts Council, Manitoba Arts Council, and Canada Council for the Arts.

Research Series Presentation: Emily Solstice Tait + Jeanette Kotowich

Research Series Presentation: Emily Solstice Tait + Jeanette Kotowich

When: Sunday, March 14, 2021

Time: 2:00 – 3:00 pm (CST), Online over Zoom *Please note daylight savings time shift* 

Cost: This is a Pay-What-You-Can event

Please visit younglungs.ca or click HERE to sign up.

Emily Solstice Tait + Jeanette Kotowich will present their creative research from their time in residence with Young Lungs Dance Exchange

About the Research:

Diving into ideas, concepts, themes and values during this creative incubation period, we share embodied expressions from our findings. As we follow our individual creative pathways, we hold each other up with supportive accountability, nurturing each-others process with compassion & kindness. Join us in the virtual realm as we reveal to ourselves our research offerings, inviting you as witness. 

In our research we have called for ‘Artistic Knowledge Sharing’ from our community of Prairie based Indigenous performance makers to root our process in creative kinship; Meegwun Fairbrother, Tracey Nepinak, Marsha Knight, and Yvette Nolan joined us for talks over tea.

We acknowledge the Land (our first Mother) which holds us in all our creative endeavours.  

Emily residing on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota and Dene Peoples in Treaty 1 Territory and the Métis Nation.

Jeanette residing on the ancestral and unceded Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw), Tsleil-Waututh (səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ) and Musqueam (xʷməθkʷəy̓əm).

About Emily Solstice Tait + Jeanette Kotowich:

Jeanette and Emily both trace their families lines to prairie lands. Jeanette is originally from Treaty 4 territory Saskatchewan, and creates work that reflects a Métis cultural narrative within the context of contemporary Indigenous dance performance and Indigenous futurism. Emily is from Treaty 1 Territory and is a member of Beren Rivers First Nation (Treaty 5), her practice is rooted in contemporary dance but her work crosses into theatre, devising, choreography, and stage management. Dance and theatre have criss-crossed our creative paths for the past three years. Now, in this time of stillness, we have come together to strengthen one another and build our collective dance methodology with the guidance of selected established Indigenous artists who have gone before us. Marsi, Hiy Hiy, Meegwetch to those who so generously share with us.

Young Lungs Dance Exchange’s Research Series is generously supported by Winnipeg Arts Council, Manitoba Arts Council, and Canada Council for the Arts.

Research Series Workshop: Emily Solstice Tait + Jeanette Kotowich

Research Series Workshop: Emily Solstice Tait + Jeanette Kotowich

When: Sunday, March 7, 2021

Time: 12:00 – 1:30 pm (CST), Online over Zoom

Cost: This is a Pay-What-You-Can event

Please visit younglungs.ca or click HERE to sign up.

This workshop will offer space in the virtual realm to connect with each-other, our bodies, our hearts, & Spirit.

About the Workshop:

Emily + Jeanette offer space in the virtual realm to connect with each-other, our bodies, our hearts, & Spirit. We will share creative concepts we are currently exploring in our individual processes and invite participants to experience their own relationship to the themes and values we are presently articulating. We invite you into this digital space with expansion, playfulness, & joy! Come as you are and stay as you feel. All are welcome.

We acknowledge the Land (our first Mother) which holds us in all our creative endeavours. Emily residing on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota and Dene Peoples in Treaty 1 Territory and the Métis Nation. Jeanette residing on the ancestral and unceded Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw), Tsleil-Waututh (səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ) and Musqueam (xʷməθkʷəy̓əm).

About Emily Solstice Tait + Jeanette Kotowich:

Jeanette and Emily both trace their families lines to prairie lands. Jeanette is originally from Treaty 4 territory Saskatchewan, and creates work that reflects a Métis cultural narrative within the context of contemporary Indigenous dance performance and Indigenous futurism. Emily is from Treaty 1 Territory and is a member of Beren Rivers First Nation (Treaty 5), her practice is rooted in contemporary dance but her work crosses into theatre, devising, choreography, and stage management. Dance and theatre have criss-crossed our creative paths for the past three years. Now, in this time of stillness, we have come together to strengthen one another and build our collective dance methodology with the guidance of selected established Indigenous artists who have gone before us. Marsi, Hiy Hiy, Meegwetch to those who so generously share with us.

Young Lungs Dance Exchange’s Research Series is generously supported by Winnipeg Arts Council, Manitoba Arts Council, and Canada Council for the Arts.

Research Series: Krystina Dejean – Workshop

Research Series Workshop: Krystina Dejean

When: Friday, March 5, 2021

Time: 5:00 – 6:00 pm (CST), Online over Zoom

Cost: This is a Pay-What-You-Can event

Please visit younglungs.ca or click HERE to sign up.

This workshop will explore the techniques and style of Waacking/Whacking.

About the Workshop:

Waacking/Whacking is a style of dance that encourages dancers to express themselves through freestyle. This workshop will explore techniques and concepts from this style of dance to help you find your own way of storytelling and self expression.

About Krystina Dejean:

Krystina Dejean is a Montreal based dancer specialized in street dance styles, particularly waacking. She considers herself a storyteller, as she loves to escape and bring her audience with her in another world when she dances. It’s usually through freestyle that she best expresses herself, highlighting her vulnerability and spontaneity. She is currently active in the dance scene as a performer, as an up-and-coming choreographer and by curating events that are socially engaged and bring people together in the street dance community of Montreal.

Young Lungs Dance Exchange’s Research Series is generously supported by Winnipeg Arts Council, Manitoba Arts Council, and Canada Council for the Arts.

How to Make Choices: An Artist Talk with Marie-Josée Chartier

How to Make Choices: An Artist Talk with Marie-Josée Chartier

In this artist talk, Marie-Josée Chartier will discuss her approach to choreography and directing (mise en scène) sharing how she makes or suggests choices regarding design elements, music, casting, video, voice, or text—drawing from her inspiration in contemporary art and music. Q&A to follow.

Friday, February 26, 2021 from 5:00 – 6:00 pm (CST)

Online through Zoom

Limit: 100

Cost: FREE

To register, please click HERE.

About Marie-Josée Chartier

A multi-faceted artist, Marie-Josée Chartier moves easily between the worlds of dance, music, opera and multi-media in the roles of choreographer, performer, director, vocalist or teacher. Her choreographic works have been presented in festivals in Canada, Europe and Latin America, and have been featured on documentary films. Her choreographic repertoire is greatly influenced by contemporary visual art, music and literature in terms of concept, composition and dynamic structure. She is the recipient of the Jacqueline Lemieux Prize (2015), the K.M. Hunter Award (2001), two Dora Mavor Moore Awards and 9 nominations in either performance or choreography.

In 2019, Chartier choreographed two plays Le Dire de Di and l’exercise de l’Oubli (Montréal, Québec, Coraquet and Toronto). She choreographed and acted as touring director for Charlotte, a music theatre production of Theaturtle, presented in Israël, Ukraine and the Czech Republic. She performed in How it Ends a play by Debbie Patterson of  Sick + Twisted Theatre and started the creation of a new theatrical physical work Fracas with writer Margaret Sweatman, musician Daniel Roy and director Arne MacPherson (Winnipeg). Projects in 2021 include mentoring musicians in Banff, directing two contemporary operas (Montreal and Toronto) and creating new choreographic works in Halifax, Fredericton, Toronto and Québec.

In 2003, Marie-Josée Chartier founded Chartier Danse to support herlarge scale productions involving national and international collaborations; notable works include Screaming Popes, Bas-Reliefs, Stria and petites danses. www.chartierdanse.com.

YLDE is generously supported by Winnipeg Arts Council, Manitoba Arts Council, Canada Council for the Arts.

Photo by Jeremy Mimnagh

Devising Performance for Immersive Webspace: Volumetric Performance Toolbox

Devising Performance for Immersive Webspace: Volumetric Performance Toolbox

How can movement artists still create and perform from their living spaces during the COVID pandemic?

Volumetric Performance Toolbox is the collaborative project of Valencia James, Glowbox and Sorob Louie, which envisions live online volumetric dance performance as a new way for artists to create and perform from their own living spaces and audiences to communally experience art using minimal equipment, during this time of pandemic. The project is currently being developed through Eyebeam NYC’s Rapid Response for a Better Digital Future Fellowship. After a successful first creation phase during Summer 2020, we are now hosting an artist residency program in order to make our tools and findings accessible to all artists so they can create their own volumetric performances.

Date: Tuesday, February 2, 2021

Time: 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm CST

Cost: FREE

Limit: 100

To register, please click HERE.

Instructor: Valencia James

About Valencia:

Valencia James is a Barbadian freelance performer, maker and researcher interested in the intersection between dance, theatre, technology and activism. She believes in the power of the arts to inspire change. In 2013 Valencia co-founded the AI_am project, which explores the application of machine learning and artificial intelligence in dance. The project has been presented at several international forums such as the 2015 International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Buenos Aires and premiered their first evening-length work in Budapest and Gothenburg in 2017. Valencia also creates solo works which explore stereotypes and post-colonial narratives. She has performed extensively in Hungary, Romania, Poland, France, Israel, Sweden, Argentina, and Canada.  Valencia is currently a 2020 Rapid Response for a Better Digital Future Fellow at Eyebeam Center for the Future of Journalism.

This YLDE workshop is in collaboration with Video Pool Media Arts Centre (VP). VP is Manitoba’s only artist-run centre dedicated to the exploration of technology-based art.

YLDE’s programming is made possible with the generous support from the Winnipeg Arts Council, Manitoba Arts Council, and Canada Council for the Arts.

Title Motion capture with your webcam

Title Motion Capture With Your Webcam

Dance with a virtual body through your webcam and the RADiCAL AI-powered motion capture software.

Designed with contemporary artists and dancers in mind; the workshop will begin with an overview of motion capture techniques available today. The virtual hands-on component of the workshop will explore RADiCAL, an AI-powered motion capture tool, to generate data files from web camera recordings and apply the data to animate readymade avatars or 3D objects in Unity (free software).  Workshop open to all skill levels, no previous experience is necessary.

Date: January 25, 2021

Time: 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm CST

Cost: FREE

Limit: 100

To register for the workshop, please click HERE.

Note about RADiCAL software: https://getrad.co/core-free-trial/ for free you can use the trail for a month which automatically converts into a monthly plan (when you download your files). So participants will need to unsubscribe after the workshop if they don’t want to keep their access to the application. The time length recording limit is a one-minute long video exported per week.

Instructor(s): Freya Björg Olafson

About Freya:

Freya Björg Olafson is an intermedia artist who works with video, audio, animation, motion capture, XR,  painting, and performance. Olafson’s work has been exhibited and performed internationally at the Bauhaus Archiv (Berlin), SECCA – SouthEastern Center for Contemporary Art (North Carolina), and the LUDWIG museum (Budapest). Olafson has benefitted from residencies, most notably through EMPAC – Experimental Media & Performing Arts Center (New York), and Counterpulse (San Francisco). Olafson holds an MFA in New Media from the Transart Institute / Danube University and joined the Dance Department at York University as an Assistant Professor in screendance in July 2017.

This YLDE workshop is in collaboration with Video Pool Media Arts Centre. Video Pool Media Arts Centre is Manitoba’s only artist-run centre dedicated to the exploration of technology-based art.

YLDE’s programming is made possible with the generous support from the Winnipeg Arts Council, Manitoba Arts Council, and Canada Council for the Arts.

Research Series Coordinator Opportunity

We’re Hiring!

Title: Research Series Coordinator (3 month contract)

Wage: $26/hr  

Starting Contract: $1,560.00

Timeline: January 1st – March 31st, 2021 (averaging 20 hrs/month)

DESCRIPTION

Young Lungs Dance Exchange is a not-for-profit artist-run support organization committed to the development, creation and presentation of contemporary dance and performance on Treaty 1 Territory, Winnipeg, MB. 

YLDE’s Research Series is designed to support the creative processes of artists from all disciplines engaging in dance and/or movement-based research, by providing resources such as artists fees, rehearsal space, and public presentation opportunities. The purpose of the residency is to allow for in-depth research, critical thinking, risk-taking, professional development, skill enhancement, and an exchange of ideas. YLDE is committed to nurturing the beginnings of the creative process with this Artist-In-Residency program.

We’re looking for a Research Series Coordinator to manage all aspects of the 2021 Research Series. The ideal candidate will share with us a love for dance and the belief that dance should hold a vital and valued place in society. As well, they will have an excitement for the creative process, project planning, and engaging with people.

RESPONSIBILITIES of YLDE’s RESEARCH SERIES COORDINATOR

Administration

  • Report to Managing Artistic Director
  • Collect all necessary materials from all Research Series participants to promote the Research Series (Ex. Headshots, bios, etc)
  • Liaise with contractors (Marketing & Communications Director, Research Series Tech Support, etc.)
  • Liaise with selected artists to ensure all needs are being met, including technical support for virtual based projects and activities 
  • Collect photo consent from participants and the public at events
  • Liaise with, and maintain positive relations to all those connected to YLDE (contractors, artists, funders, partners, stakeholders, etc.)
  • Work within and maintain Research Series budget
  • Maintain an organized filing system for all Research Series related documents
  • Monitor and respond to emails
  • Monitor work hours, budgeting time appropriately for work dense periods

Operations

  • Oversee all Research Series activity
  • Secure appropriate studio space/venues, and work with the online platform ‘Zoom’
  • Working with Research Series Technical Support, ensure all technical needs are being met for virtual based activities
  • Working with Marketing & Communications Director, ensure all promotional material is being sent out in a timely and effective manner
  • Ensure all necessary accessibility needs are being met
  • Respond appropriately to evolving MB COVID-19 protocols 
  • Create rehearsal schedules for all participating artists in the Research Series as needed
  • Administer contracts at the direction of Managing Artistic Director
  • Organize and schedule public showings, and workshops
  • Hire, and ensure proper documentation is taken for all Research Series event
  • Work with EventBrite and organize registration for virtual events
  • Coordinate volunteers and event staff needed for public activities
  • Keep track of numbers, significant learnings/events, and write a final report summarizing the 2021 Research Series

QUALIFICATIONS for YLDE’s RESEARCH SERIES COORDINATOR

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

  • Excellent communication skills (written, verbal, and visual)
  • Strong independent work ethic, and excellent organizational skills
  • Strong project management skills, ability to handle projects end-to-end
  • Must be highly adaptable and able to work collaboratively
  • Must have a love for communicating with people, and deep respect for art 
  • Must be willing to work occasional evenings and weekends to attend events
  • Must have an understanding of the online platform ‘Zoom’
  • Must have access to wifi, work space, and a working computer

Experience

  • Must have experience in event planning and coordination
  • Experience working in dance, performance, and/or the arts is an asset
  • Experience working in the non-profit sector is an asset
  • Must have expertise in the areas of correspondence, time-management, budget keeping, and scheduling

Our Board of directors, Natasha Torres-Garner, Johanna Riley, Ali Robson, Alex Ramos, Jill Groening, Susie Burpee, Trevor Pick, Kayla Jeanson, and Hillarie Tasche, welcomes all humans to participate in YLDE activities, and strives to work on/with accessible platforms, and in physically accessible studios and venues. YLDE has a zero tolerance policy for any racial discrimination, transphobia, gender discrimination, misogyny, bullying, or sexual harassment. YLDE strives to be a safer space for everyone.

YLDE is committed to the principle of equitable access to employment, and welcomes applications from diverse backgrounds. We encourage you to self-identify in your cover letter.

If you are interested and qualified for this exciting opportunity, please submit a cover letter and resume by end of day, Tuesday, December 8th, 2020 to Natasha Torres-Garner, Board Chair, Young Lungs Dance Exchange.

By email: younglungs.wpg@gmail.com with subject line: YLDE Research Series Coordinator

We thank all applicants for their expression of interest, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Photo by  Omid Moterassed, 2019.

Managing Artistic Director Opportunity

We’re Hiring!

Title: Managing Artistic Director (12 month contract, possibility of renewal)

Wage: $26/hr  

Starting Contract: $20,904.00

Timeline: January 1st – December 31st, 2021 (averaging 16.75 hrs/week, 67 hrs/month)

DESCRIPTION

Young Lungs Dance Exchange is a not-for-profit artist-run support organization committed to the development, creation and presentation of contemporary dance and performance on Treaty 1 Territory, Winnipeg, MB. 

YLDE’s range of projects are aimed at dancers, makers, thinkers of dance, and anyone contributing to their physical understanding of self and the world around them. YLDE believes that physical expression is a political act that requires support and community interaction. We therefore are committed to nurturing the beginnings of the creative process when artists are most engaged in experimentation, research, building new ideas and discovering new collaborations. 

We’re looking for a Managing Artistic Director to lead our organization in supporting the evolution of dance in Manitoba. The ideal candidate will share with us a love for dance and the belief that dance should hold a vital and valued place in society. As well, they will have an excitement for creative visioning, and the drive to steer this organization.

RESPONSIBILITIES of YLDE’s MANAGING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

  Organizational Development

  • Research, vision, and plan future Young Lungs Dance Exchange organizational development in collaboration with the board of directors, and board committees
  • Research grant opportunities that match the direction of the organization

Human Resources

  • Lead team of contractors (Marketing & Communications Director, Research Series Coordinator, Bookkeeping, etc.)
  • Liaise with, and maintain positive relations to all those connected to YLDE (contractors, artists, funders, partners, stakeholders, etc.)

Operations

  • Oversee all YLDE activity
  • Secure appropriate studio space/venues, and work with the online platform ‘Zoom’
  • Respond appropriately to evolving MB COVID-19 protocols 
  • Manage workshops, training, jams, presentations, and outreach events
  • Write grants, reports, and contracts
  • Write calls for artists, calls for contractors, statements to the public, etc.

Admin

  • Propose projected budget and maintain actual budget
  • General bookkeeping, and work with bookkeeper to manage YLDE finances
  • Manage payroll and pay all invoices
  • Maintain an organized filing system for all YLDE related documents
  • Report to the board of directors
  • Monitor work hours, budgeting time appropriately for work dense periods (ex. grant deadlines)

Communications and Outreach

  • Act as media contact
  • Establish and maintain partnerships by engaging with relevant organizations, artists, and stakeholders within the local, national, and international arts community
  • Oversee, and at times manage, social media accounts (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook)
  • Manage website redevelopment
  • Monitor and respond to emails

QUALIFICATIONS for YLDE’s MANAGING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

  • Excellent communication skills (written, verbal, and visual)
  • Strong independent work ethic, and excellent organizational skills
  • Proficiency in excel spreadsheets
  • Strong project management skills, ability to handle projects end-to-end
  • Must have a love for communicating with people, and deep respect for art
  • Must be highly adaptable and able to lead a team, as well as work collaboratively
  • Must be willing to work occasional evenings and weekends to attend events
  • Must have an understanding of the online platform ‘Zoom’
  • Must have access to wifi, work space, and a working smartphone & computer

Experience

  • Must have experience in leading an organization or team
  • Must have experience working in dance, performance, and/or the arts
  • Experience working within the Winnipeg dance community is an asset
  • Experience working in the non-profit sector, and with a board of directors is an asset
  • Experience using WordPress, google drives, Mailchimp, Eventbrite, Facebook, Instagram, and twitter is an asset
  • Must have expertise in the areas of grant writing, budgeting, making schedules, and keeping deadlines


Our Board of directors, Natasha Torres-Garner, Johanna Riley, Ali Robson, Alex Ramos, Jill Groening, Susie Burpee, Trevor Pick, Kayla Jeanson, and Hillarie Tasche, welcomes all humans to participate in YLDE activities, and strives to work on/with accessible platforms, and in physically accessible studios and venues. YLDE has a zero tolerance policy for any racial discrimination, transphobia, gender discrimination, misogyny, bullying, or sexual harassment. YLDE strives to be a safer space for everyone.

YLDE is committed to the principle of equitable access to employment, and welcomes applications from diverse backgrounds. We encourage you to self-identify in your cover letter.

If you are interested and qualified for this exciting opportunity, please submit a cover letter and resume by end of day, Tuesday, December 8th, 2020 to Natasha Torres-Garner, Board Chair, Young Lungs Dance Exchange.


By email: younglungs.wpg@gmail.com with subject line: YLDE Managing Artistic Director

We thank all applicants for their expression of interest, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Photo by  Omid Moterassed, 2019.