Please join us in Philadelphia on Friday, February 17 for a discussion of RDDC’s program serving street children in Rwanda. Program: 7:30 – 9:30pm at The Performance Garage, 1515 Brandywine Street, Philadelphia.
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Entry #10: “Performance in Mostar: Live Life”
October 10, 2011
Over the last seven weeks, I have been working closely with children and youth from across the city of Mostar in preparation for a culminating performance scheduled for October 6th, 201. Although much of my work has been focused on developing our one-year plan for a continuous program in Bosnia-Herzegovina, this particular performance played an important part in launching that plan publicly.
Entry #9: RDDC holds children’s dance workshops at MESS
October 2, 2011
Long before I had first visited Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH), I knew of MESS, the International Theatre Festival held annually in Sarajevo. The festival brings together some of the top theatre companies throughout the Balkans and the world to perform in the capital of BiH over the course of two weeks. Thus, when I found out that my company had been invited to hold a series of children’s dance workshops as part of this year’s 51st international MESS festival, I was ecstatic!
Entry #8: “Something More Than Dance”
September 17, 2011
What would a dance look like if it wasn’t just about movement, but about a particular theme? Perhaps, something that inspires people or motivates them to make a particular choice? With that in mind, a goal of the RDDC/RINGO program here is to creatively depict youth’s impressions of the city of Mostar through dance, song, poetry and imagery. This week, in our second full week of training, we began a short choreographic work about Mostar.
Entry #7: “Two Young Dancers Lead The Way…”
September 14, 2011
I have taught youth all around the world, but today I was newly reminded of the amazing strength and potential of children. The “reminder” was two little boys from Egipatsko Selo (“Egyptian Village”): Benes and Soud.
Entry #6: “Three Words to Describe The First Week…”
September 11, 2011
I have three words to describe the first week of the RINGO/RDDC program: new, laughter, potential.
NEW. Although I have worked in countries around the world and have also carried out projects in BiH before, this collaborative project is certainly “new” for me, and I gather, for most of our participants. Each day of training I have the chance to work with children who have limited opportunities and face uphill struggles to meet their basic needs of life, and then I work with educated, talented and energetic youth who will shape the future of Mostar. The common denominator, however, is a love of dance.
Entry #2:
August 31, 2011
The first time I came to Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH), nearly every person I met said that I must find a chance to visit Mostar. Of course, I found myself already overcommitted with my dance company’s work in Brcko Distrikt, and consequently left the country without making the trip. Two years later, I found myself back in BiH and right in the middle of Mostar. Now, I understand why everyone was telling me to visit here…it is simply amazing.
Entry #3:
September 2, 2011
After a few days living in the exquisitely beautiful city of Mostar, it is easy to see why people would want to stay here forever. It is truly a remarkable place: serene aqua-blue rivers weaving through lush hills surrounding a city full of modern amenities. It appears that everything one could want is right in this spot. And yet, in my early meetings with youth, I hear a common goal that suggests the contrary: “I have to leave Mostar if I want to be successful in the future.”
Entry #4:
September 4, 2011
With excitement and a rather high level of anxiety, I am awaiting our first official day of the Mostar dance program. Tanja Raic Tarcuki, President of RINGO Mostar, and I have spent the last week in meetings, discussions and preparations. Now, it is nearly time to start with our participants.