The Inaugural Nachmo Boston Showing 2013

In January 2011, I watched Erica Frankel, a dancer I met at NYU create and document new choreography every single day. I was inspired by the challenge and the opportunity National Choreography Month presented; a call to action to set aside excuses and overcome obstacles to create new dance work. In 2012, I set aside my excuses and created new work, in four 1 1/2 hour rehearsals. We performed for the camera in the studio on the last rehearsal.

In 2013, Nachmo founders Sharyn Korey and Anna Brown-Massey suggested I organize a Boston showing for choreographers to share their work. I was both afraid and excited. If I organized a showing, I would have to submit my own work to be performed for the public, which would be in many ways for my company Intimations Dance.  

Put excuses aside. I sent an email out to the Dance Action Network, an list-serv hub for dance happenings in Boston. Crickets. I posted on facebook, on my website, and emailed again. I almost called it off. Meghan McCaffrey, founder and artistic director of Impact Dance Company encouraged me not to give up so easily. So I sent one more email. Over 10 companies responded to my email, and from there the show fell into place. Green Street Studios contacted me about hosting the event and suddenly I had a venue, a date, and a 75 minute run time show.

80 audience members, including many dancers, teachers and choreographers from the Boston dance community, came out to see 9 new works. In addition to challenging choreographers to an intense month of dance-making, Nachmo hopes to create connections and gather energy that will last throughout the year. I am thrilled to have this event contribute to an already vibrant dance community here in Boston.

Here are some photos from the event by Kristophe Diaz and I look forward to Nachmo 5 and the second annual Nachmo Boston showing.

“It was so cold, but the colors” by Jessica Muise – Intimations Dance

“Weightless Souls” by Katie Egan – Cambridge Dance Company

“A foundation from which to fly” by Sarah Mae Gibbons and Renée Amirault

(de)construido by Callie Chapman – Zoe Dance Company

“Untitled” by Meghan McCaffrey – Impact Dance Company

All photos © Kristophe Diaz 2013

– Jessica

New Year, New Cubicle, New Dance Happenings

It has been a while since I’ve posted here, and wanted to update y’all on current dance happenings. In addition to my cubicle location changing (I now work at MassArt and thankfully am surrounded by art and artists all day), I am currently working with 16 dancers to create new choreography for National Choreography Month (Nachmo)!

Nachmo Rehearsal

This year in Boston, almost 20 choreographers are putting their nose to the grindstone for Nachmo 4. I started participating in Nachmo 3, having been inspired by videos from the previous year, where dancers committed to creating new phrases each day. I am excited by the call to put aside all excuses, objections, and barriers to choreographing for the month of January.

This year, in addition to creating new work and challenging myself, the most exciting yield of Nachmo 4 is the networking connections that are brewing in preparation for an inaugural informal showing of work I am organizing. Green Street Studios, a non-profit center for movement and dance, is excited to host the event and support the continued development of dance-making in Boston.

If you are in the Boston area, we are still open for a few more choreographers to participate, and hope you can attend the show and support dance making in our community.

Nachmo Boston Informal Showing
February 16th, 7:30 – 9:00pm
Green Street Studios
Cambridge, MA
Register to present work
*Ticket info coming soon

Looking forward to sharing new choreography with you in 2013!

– Jessica