Hello All!

So there have been a few changes in my thoughts relating to my first professional Geeksdanz endeavor. I’ve decided that it might be a good idea to change gears and make Odorido the first Geeksdanz concert, primarily because rehearsing a duet with my fiancee is proving much simpler to organize than finding six dancers and a bunch of RP geeks. I’ve been scheming and planning lots of ideas based around both Kobudo and Iaido (Okinawan weapons and Japanese swordsmanship, respectively), and the current plan is to create two one-act pieces, each dealing with one of these ancient arts. The cast could simply be Josh and I, or could potentially include some of his fellow martial artists and one or two additional willing dancers. We rehearsed earlier this week, and we’re both very excited to see what develops.

On another front, I recently received a very exciting offer. Through my fiance’s martial arts classes I’ve met and become friends with Dan Keding, a world-renowned storyteller. A few days ago he expressed his interest in working with me on creating a performance combining storytelling and dance. We tossed several ideas around, including the possibility of performing at the Spurlock Museum in Urbana. I instantly became excited, not only at the honor of working with such an amazing and talented man, but at the fact that the finished product would most likely turn out to be a Geeksdanz! He said he’d plan to lend me some recordings of his performances so that I could listen and choose some favorite stories to work with. This collaboration has the potential to go somewhere REALLY exciting REALLY fast!

Dan has his own professional website, www.dankeding.com. Be sure to check it out!

~Ellen