One thing I love about the flow arts community are the jams. If you’ve never been to a flow jam, it is a magical place. It’s a beautiful blend of skillshare, showcase, and everyone doing their own thing. And I want to create something like that for the Atlanta Burlesque community. I wanted to create a space where people can be creative together, to get experimental. And that’s how The Ironing Board was born! I wanted to write out my vision for this event, so people can get a better idea of what to expect, and so maybe I can manifest this outcome (imagine sparkly glitter text there).
How it will work:
- RSVP on Challenge Aerial’s website. The event is free, but everyone needs to sign a waiver before they dance!
- Show up on Wednesday, February 22. You will go up the stairs (or use the chair lift. Please let me know beforehand if you plan to use it, so I can send it down to you!) and walk past the main aerial studio to the dance studio.
- We will have some seating available, or you can sit on mats on the ground if you are a floor gremlin like I am. Get comfy and say hello!
- Have costume pieces you want to swap or giveaway? Set up a little space! In the spirit of giving, I’m asking that we only offer free/swap items.
- Want to perform? I will have a sign-up sheet that’s first-come, first-served. You will provide your name, the song, and what you would like feedback on. We will run through the list until we are out of time. When it’s your turn, there will be no introduction. I will call your name and announce what you want help with. Here are some examples:
- “Ellie wants more ideas on how to transition to and from floorwork in this act.”
- “Ellie feels like the second chorus of this song needs some different choreography.”
- “Ellie has no idea how to end this piece.”
- After you perform, there will be time for a short discussion. This is focused on answering the specific question or request of the performer. If you have other ideas for the performer, please ask them if you can share privately. For example, if I asked for help with floorwork transitions, you could say “I don’t have floorwork ideas, but I had an idea for the opening. When the next performer starts, would you like to hear it?”
I hope this is a communal and collaborative event where people can offer judgement-free ideas. The guiding principle is my teaching philosophy: Take what works and leave the rest! What does that mean for the performers? You can feel empowered to use as many or as few ideas as you like! All of them? None of them? You choose what works! What does that mean for our viewers? Our input’s value does not rely on the other person using it. We offer without expectations and with the goal of empowering the performer.
So that’s it! I hope that answered some questions, and that you’ll come and have fun with us!