A friend in need

We all need a good friend now and then. Someone to talk to, vent at and have a laugh with. Well it seems i've acquired a whole bunch of new ones since taking up residence at the Brunton Theatre. The Friends of the Brunton Theatre are a group of community members who like to support whatever is going down at their local theatre and are basically pro-art. I was invited to give a talk about Room 2 Manoeuvre and my plans for the residency. As you can already tell....i dont mind talking about myself (hence this blog) so i was more than happy to give them the script. This ridiculous weather nearly stopped me having my moment. The wet, windy and cold nonsense i can take, but when it messes with my ego that's another matter. Luckily, the FOTB were as determined to get to the talk as i was to give it, so all my prep didn't go to waste. Now i wasn't gonna do any dancing (although i did end up doing a version of the running man as a demo of one of the first moves i learned). My plan was to talk, show some pictures and videos then answer any questions. I hadn't done a presentation since Vet School and that was like chewing through tar. I was gonna make sure i was a bit more relaxed for this one. It didn't start of too well as the technical equipment i had asked to be there, wasn't. But the good thing about developing a multi-media beast of a show like Watch iT! is that you're left with owning several bits of tasty kit. A quick nip up to my office/store room and the problem was sorted. I had to improvise the setting but it all seemed to go pretty well. I've noticed i talk as much with my mouth as i do with my hands. I couldn't tell if people were looking at me or my mittens but they seemed interested.

I got a few post talk questions. One of which was who are my "heros" in dance. I was pretty stumped by this question. There are a few local ones who i respect and have learned a lot from, but heros? I don't think there's ever been anyone I've looked up to in that way in the world of dance. Some dance companies and choreographers who's work stands out for me...maybe also some old school bboys that inspired me when i was getting into breaking. I'm beginning to wonder if i've lacked the hero element while developing (and still growing) as a dancer. Does it matter? Anyhow...small digression...another digression is that i'm just on the train back from G-town after seeing a Band i just discovered only last week - Brandt Brauer Frick. One of those internet discoveries that just blow you away when you hear it and now it's stuck on repeat. So good, i bought all the albums. that's me doing my bit for the music industry. But...what i mean to say id that i'm on the train sitting across from a grown up pair of clowns. Since sitting down they've managed to drop several food items onto the floor, spread all their Burger King wrapping across the table and are precariously messing about with bottles of water near my laptop. Would love to see what home looks like...no i wouldn't actually. Anyway, they've obviously had a good night out and are finishing it off with a double Whopper. We've all been there.

But back to the FOBT. It was good to finally begin connecting with some of the people that the building actually represents. I've been quite busy earning a crust so haven't been able to spend much time there of late. I'll be around now for a good couple of months and will be putting on my first show as a resident in April. Details to follow. I'm looking forward to the coming year and trying to make some kind of impact in the scene at the Brunton. It's not your regular type of Arts building as it's also the main council offices for East Lothian. There's also a particular type of audience who like a particular type of show. My work is definitely in the minority...but i like a challenge.

It looks like the clowns are starting to flag, and we are getting in to Edinburgh. I reckon they'll probably support each other on the way home...like good friends should.

Up in the air...

So much stuff going on right now in the land of R2M..it's bonkers! I still have my tan from the previous 2 months of sun and surf in Australia. But the stress might turn me pale once more. Apart from my impending identity crisis i'm busy juggling many balls...literally and metaphorically. This business is such an amorphous beast by nature that trying to stay on top of things is only a temporary state leading into chaos. The amount of energy one can expend into doing just that, ought to be enough to warrant any kind of fee at the end of a project...but it isn't. How is this business sustainable in the long run? I guess the dance industry as a whole will endure, but dance companies are another thing entirely. Much like dance itself you have to enjoy it in the moment and fall in love with the memory. However, we are not quite there yet. So dealing with the here and now, one of the balls up in the air takes the shape of a new/old duet that has been in the works since last dec. To be honest, it all started back in 2006 but if you have been paying attention to these posts then you'll know the back story. Sprawl will be a short duet created by Jennifer Paterson from All or Nothing and R2M. The piece is intended for outdoor spaces but will also be suitable for more traditional theatre venues. There are blocks...lots of them...we build things, we break them down and start all over again. Its like life...but a much shorter version. We're hoping to get this piece out and about this summer. You shall be informed.

So what else...well i'm off to Finland to oversee, partake in and perform at a screening of Public Service at the Loikka Dance Film Festival in Helsinki. Always game for a chance to get back over to scandinavia. Looks like a groovy festival and communications with the team up there have been good. The short film has been an incredibly useful and low cost method of spreading the word about R2M. If you have some work on film and haven't distributed it...do it. The bonus part of this trip will be to catch up with the legendary solider of fortune Jarkko Lehmus. The former Scottish Ballet pin up boy returned to his roots and has since been rocking the Finnish dance scene...no doubt killing it on the Zumba front as well. I will, however, be staying well clear of the crazed finnish lady who stole a pair of my American Apparel jogging pants...those that know, know!

March rounds off nicely with a presentation of Squish. Rejected for inclusion in a festival run by the same organisation where the work was developed (?), the good folk at City Moves reckon it's top material for the upcoming festival March Moves. R2M will be double billing with the coolest dancer in Scotland (no, not double billing with myself), Mr Jack Webb. Not to be missed.

See you next month for April Angst...x

Out to lunch....

Room 2 Manoeuvre is on holiday. Future performances and workshops as follows:

21st - 24th March • Public Service screening at Loikka Film Festival, Helsinki, Finland.
29th March • SQUISH as part of March Moves, programmed by CityMoves, Aberdeen.
24th April • Rock a Bye B-Boy & Box Fresh at Brunton Theatre, Edinburgh
18th - 25th June • R2M in Brazil (full details TBC)
1st - 7th July • R2M pro class at Open Look Festival 2013, St Petersburg, Russia.
July • R2M at the Almeida Festival 2013, London, UK.

in a bit....

Getting down, down under

Well tis the night 'afore and we're set to rock the house...the opera house that is. Blaze the show kicks off the Australian tour tomorrow. Although we did do a cheeky dress rehearsal for the opera house staff on sunday. A few changes have been made along the way this time. Change is often a good thing and as Blaze has been running for a while now it's good to do a remix every now and then. What's more, i'm actually doing a little creative inputting which is always good for one's sense of self (note i don't say ego). But yes it's all good so far and i'm still tripped out by the fact i've managed to stumble into gigging at the Sydney Opera House. I've not had much time to check out what's going on in the city. Once the show is up and running there'll be a bit of "Room 2 Manoeuvre"...if you know what i mean. The bboys and myself have been kept busy doing a bit of extra promo for the show. We've been getting loose with  local crew, SKB in a couple of spots in the city. Nice guys, nice moves and hopefully we'll get to link up and have a look at the scene in Sydney...

Blaze crew, SKB and some local heros

My time has also been taken up with indulging in 2 of my favourite things....

My pastry penchant is provided for.

I had intended to make a short vid with the gopro for this post but have decided ill do a kinda compilation at the end so it'll just be pics for now...here's inside the office....

Hmmm...if only i could get this many seats filled for Watch iT!

Right, project bedB4_12 is in effect and i might just make it. Big day tomoz. x

going pro

Yes indeed...go pro or go home! So i went pro and bought the Gopro Hero 3 as an xmas present to myself. Cue lots of wide angle, rolling shots of whatever i can find. This might involve some surf as i'm now down under for the next 2 months with Blaze the Show. The weather is superb. Although being caught in a heatwave does have it's down side of causing an abundance of bush fires that are currently waging war against man in certain parts of Aus. Highest temp recorded so far has been 40.1 degrees...too hot to handle quite frankly. The trip over here was quite decent. However, i have yet to find an airline that actually provides you with enough food for the journey. I'm sorry but 1 mini pain au rasin and some yoghurt and fruit juice for breakfast is taking the p!$$. I've decided there's no longer any shame in asking for a second helping. But my rumbling belly aside, we have touched down into what feels like will be an exciting month for Blaze. We shall be representing at the Sydney Opera house surrounded by the goings on of the Sydney Festival which lasts for the month of January. So lots of culture and sunshine to soak up before heading to Melbourne where i will be spending my days off visiting the numerous cafes the city has to offer. First day back on the job was pretty uneventful for me as my role is not so dance heavy. I was quite thankful for this as i was battling to stay awake and keep the jet lag at bay. I think i'm getting a handle on it as project bedB4_12 might make an appearance tonight. So nice to be back in Aus and visiting Sydney and Melbourne again, seeing old friends and spending time with the familam. Let's hope 2013 continues in this manner. Happy new year folks.

en route to work...day 1

fish eye view

No bones about it

Currently reclined and digesting an sizeable portion of turkey, stuffing, potatoes, veg, chipolatas, gravy and other sundries as only mother knows how to make. A spur of the moment decision has brought me home to roost for the holidays before i get set for another adventure into the unpredictable and precarious world of dance i seem to have found myself in. So here's just a quick update before i pass out:

• 31st Dec 2012 •
If you're coming to Edinburgh (along with several thousand other like minded people) to take in the New Year then you might well see my chevy chase about the street party as host for the REW1ND3R stage at this year's celebrations on the 31st of Dec. With a DJ playing music from the last 60 years of pop music, 2 live VJs and my banter it will no doubt be a night to remember...unless you have one too many hot toddys. Check out more on The REW1ND3R.

• 26th Jan 2013 •
Sees the return of Breakin' Rules to the Dundee Rep Theatre. Featuring hip hop crews from around the UK, this will certainly kickstart your 2013!

• Jan / Feb 2013 •
Making sure i get myself up in time the following day, I take myself and my hosting skills off to Australia with Blaze the Show for the month of January. Performances will take place at the Sydney Opera House (tick that box!) and Arts Centre Melbourne (epi-centre of great coffee and cafes).

• 29th Mar 2013 •
After sufficient time on the beaches of Australia, I'll be back in the northern hemisphere to present SQUISH as part of the March Moves programme by City Moves and double billing with Jack Webb.

2013 is shaping up to be a busy year for R2M, but right now it's time to let nature take it's course, allow the food to digest and the eyelids to close. Hope you're having a great day wherever you are and all the best for 2013.

x

R2M

I'm just trying got keep abreast of the situation

A Cool Breeze

It's that time of the year when the purple long johns come out and i begin to see my own breath billowing out of my mouth in the morning. The latter is primarily because the home boiler has decided 13 years loyal service is enough and has currently left the building. Remarkable timing given the freezing temperatures outside. Furthermore, getting hold of a chap who is savvy enough to remedy the situation at this time of year is about as difficult as maintaining your balance on the inconspicuous black ice outside. Anyhow, the silver lining is i am learning a lot about boilers and where my gas pipes go and valves and other such useful info. How i apply it is another matter. I faced another sudden temperature drop when i visited Russia for 3 weeks in November....yes, Russia. I think i need to write about this trip in more detail as it's a bit late now and really this post is about giving the (many) fans of R2M and heads up on what is going down. Basically i had an excellent time, met some cool people and did some cheeky networking while at work for Blaze the Show. A lot of golden blog material to have been had but i was seriously slacking. i will endeavour to make up for it. But onto the present and what's coming up:

I'm back in the studio with Tom Pritchard from On The Stage Of The Present as we spend a little time getting deeper into the Squish duet project. For now i'm naming it Squish Squared. This week is mostly about really trying to understand what we are making, how we will do it and what it will say. Although and abundance of ideas and possibilities have already come up and deciphering them will be difficult, i do feel like we have the beginnings of something interesting. Watch this space for longer residencies (and hopefully a completed project) in 2013.

Following this i'll be reworking and old piece with a new dancer. Box Fresh had a few small outings in the UK and France. But, do to commitments it has perhaps not seen as many stages as it should. I am hoping to change that over 2013/14 and begin to introduce a new dancer to the duet this month. Here's the original with fellow Aspekt Matt Foster from David Hughes Dance



The 3rd project this month is to revisit a piece made back in 2006! Jennifer Paterson from All or Nothing will join me at City Moves for a week's residency collaborating with the original choreographer Jillian Thomson. We'll have to see if i can still do the same moves 6 years on. The work be aimed at outdoor festivals as well as sort billings for theatres. Here's what we got up to 6 years ago...


And then it's xmas...and then it's Australia with Blaze The Show...i ain't complaining pal!