I'm starting out the new year with an intensive travel schedule, heading to Amsterdam to study with Julyen Hamilton, Brussels to visit the P.A.R.T.S studios, and Berlin - mostly to check out the scene. I hope to return to Minneapolis invigorated and inspired, ready for 2006.
2005 was, in large part, spent in fundraising and administrative mode as I am working to move Catalyst's dance piece "Heat and Life" to all 50 states in the U.S. "Heat and Life" is a work about global warming and this 50-State-Tour will cover enough ground to define the U.S. as a site where art-based work can be seen and be an impetus for change. That, at least - is my hope.
We are on our way toward the 50-state goal with performances scheduled in New York at Dance Theater Workshop June 28-July 1 and Links Hall (Chicago) March 2007. Rogue performances will also happen in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Indiana this year, bringing our state count up to 8.
February in Minneapolis brings Catalyst to the highly hip Rogue Buddha art gallery with 3 performances in a series called "windfarm." I'm excited to bring some new work to this space, the first show includes longtime Catalyst dancers Melissa Kennedy, Vanessa Voskuil, Natasha Hassett and joining us for the first time - dancer Allison Lorenzen and violinist Jess Hayssen. I'm hoping to get a tattoo artist involved in this show, but am not sure I quite have the guts to be the one tattooed.
I wish you the best in 2006. May we all work for peace. -Emily Johnson Director, Catalyst