Totally Zen » Art

The 14th annual Philadelphia Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe, 9/3 -18/2010.

Stephanie — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 22:54:23 +0000

The Philadelphia Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe is an internationally recognized presenter of performing arts. They support the work of a broad array of performing artists from Philadelphia and around the world by producing two concurrent sixteen-day festivals each September in venues throughout Philadelphia. The 14th annual Philadelphia Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe will take place from September 3 -18, 2010.

Philadelphia Live Arts Festival

A collection of the world’s best contemporary performing artists energize Philadelphia audiences each year during the Philadelphia Live Arts Festival. Selected by Nick Stuccio, the Festival’s Producing Director, about half of these artists are based in Philadelphia, while others come in from across the globe. In 2010, 15 Live Arts Festival shows will be presented.

The mission of the Philadelphia Live Arts Festival is to commission, develop, and present a wide range of the latest cutting-edge, high-quality performance.

Through this, we seek to:

• Present audiences with high-quality work that entertains, challenges, and stimulates.

• Support Philadelphia-based, regional, national, and international artists who create this work.

• Showcase Philadelphia-based artists alongside their international peers.

• Provide workshops for diverse audiences and aspiring local artists to encourage the growth and continued health of the local and regional performing arts community.

• Create a festival that engages fully in the global dialogue about contemporary performance and that solidifies Philadelphia as a performing arts destination.

Philly Fringe

Philly Fringe is an unfiltered festival, where new and established artists present their work free of a selection process. For some it’s a once-a-year, or once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a show; for professional companies, it can be an opportunity to try something new and join in the fray. It’s come one, come all! In 2009, 185 Philly Fringe shows were self-produced by artists from throughout the region. How many artists will participate in 2010 will be known in May!

The mission of the Philly Fringe is to provide an opportunity and a platform for Philadelphia-based artists to produce their work.

Through this we seek to:

• Create a cityscape filled with theater, dance, music, and everything in between for audiences to enjoy.

• Encourage artists to give expression to and develop their talents and artistic visions in total artistic freedom without any curatorial barriers in bringing that work to an audience.

• Help artists become successful independent producers.

• Ensure the growth and continued health of the local and regional performing arts community.

Some People WHo are Performing:

“Constant Perfection”

Location: Ruba Club 414 Green St

Time: September 2nd, Thursday, 7:30pm

“The Acting Class, the Play”

Location:Media Bureau 725 N. 4th Street Phila PA 19123

Time: September 3rd ,Friday, 8:00PM

“The Exchange!”

Location:Copabanana, 4th & South St.

Time: September 7 at 8:30am – September 8 at 1:30am

Handmade Philly and VolkLibre! Swap Meet, Sunday, 8/29, 3-6pm

Stephanie — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 23:56:26 +0000

Handmade Philly in conjunction w/ VolkLibre will be hosting a Swap Meet on Sunday, August 29 from 3-6pm.

Check it out here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=133718756670385

Swap, trade is great for recycling and reusing old stuff or new stuff you don’t use or want..Why use money when you can lighten your load and acquire new things as an exchange?

Start setting aside those things you want to get rid of! And start daydreaming about all the lovely things you will find, that will soon be yours..

Lots of people will be milling about looking for finds and they look forward to having you be a part of the action.!

You are all invited.

Admission: $3/ per person

What to bring?

All the stuff you no longer want:

Art supplies

Books

Clothes

Art

Handmade Stuff

Etc.

Potluck: beverages and food – bring something to share!

Address: Robin’s Books / Moonstone Arts

110 S. 13th Street (2nd floor!), Philadelphia, PA 19107

Rittenhouse Flower Market, A Charity Event for Children

Stephanie — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 17:04:33 +0000

Rittenhouse Square Flower Market for Children’s Charities is an annual event held in the Rittenhouse Park, Philadelphia , for 96 years. I took time to stop and talk to people this year; so, now I understand what a fabulous and admirable concept the flower market in Rittenhouse Park really is. It is a contribution to our communities. If you are a Center City Philadelphian chances are you know the park well.

Rittenhouse Park was one of the five established park spaces that William Penn planned for Philadelphia in the 17th Century. Originally it was called Southwest Square and then it was named after a descendant of a paper-makers’ family, David Rittenhouse. He was an fried in the American Revolution, an astronomer and clock maker. In 1975 the Friends of Rittenhouse have looked after the conservation, beautification and development of the park. It is one of those fabulous, warm, eccentric popular parks that has visitors from all walks of life there.

The park hosts the Flower Market Charity event to showcase up to four deserving local children’s charities. These children’s organizations are highlighted because of their excellence in the field. Helping children to have better foundation, education, care, discipline, assistance and much more. The children from the schools actually make items to be sold at the event. There were beautiful cards, drawings, painted potters, gingerbread men cookies all made by the children. There were potted flowers galore, plants and herbs. The local SPCA was out there with some adorable pets to be adopted. People to educate and talk to you about the schools, foundation and park association. There were plenty of food, drinks, animals, balloons and fun to be had by all.

It was a perfect place to buy mom a present and one that comes from the heart and helps children at the same time. I left the park touched to have taken the time to understand and experience the wonderful meaning of this event. Try and remember to stop by next year. I think they adjusted the date to proceed mother’s day so it is convenient for us to support the cause.

Philadelphia/Washington DC Exchange, Painted Bride Art Center, 5/29 & 5/30.

Stephanie — Tue, 25 May 2010 22:23:56 +0000

Human Landscape Dance, a contemporary dance company based in Washington DC, and Anne-Marie Mulgrew and Dancers Co, a contemporary dance company based in Philadelphia, will present the Philadelphia/Washington DC Exchange at the Painted Bride Art Center in Philadelphia Memorial Day weekend: Saturday May 29 at 7:30pm and Sunday May 30 at 3pm.

As part of a showcase to share their many talents with Philadelphia the Human Landscape Dance will premiere two pieces this coming weekend, “January Night” and “Closet Dances.”

Human Landscape Dance use structure and the environment to work within to develop the characters and reveal the attributes of their selves in a dance that moves and enraptures you. The physical elements involved in their performance keep you suspended and anxious for more to come. They use the contemporary dance as a spiritual and artistic endeavor as you are sure to feel their souls express and communicate with you on many levels in a compelling way that leaves you inspired and satisfied.

Each time they create a new piece they find inspiration in the environments we embody and the many parallels and contrasts we humans have as we grow and develop as part of the Human Landscape that exists as a relationship to mother nature. They use contemporary dance to create a lush expression of what it means to exist in this place and time.

Malcolm (Mac) Shute is a dance artist. His performing career began in Washington DC with Nancy Havlik’s Dance Performance Group and Jane Franklin Dance. In 2006, he completed his Master of Fine Arts in Dance with a concentration in choreography from the University of Maryland. He went on to found Human Landscape Dance to showcase his own artistic vision. Shute is fascinated by relationships between people and the environments we inhabit. The performers of Human Landscape Dance appear on a variety of alternative spaces, lawns, stairwells, and walls, as well as the stage. Shute extends his understanding of movement craft by teaching. He is an adjunct professor in the Towson University BFA Dance Program.

Don’t forget to check out/buy tickets here :

Human Landscape Dance will bring their compelling dances to Philadelphia’s Painted Bride on Saturday May 29 at 7:30pm and Sunday May 30 at 3pm. The Philadelphia/Washington DC Exchange is a shared concert with Anne-Marie Mulgrew and Dancers Company.

Swimming Dragon Sword Dance Performed by Sifu Chik Qadir Mason

Stephanie — Tue, 04 May 2010 01:25:28 +0000

You are cordially invited to attend a chi dancing and flow motion display by Sifu Chik Qadir Mason. The performance will feature Chik wielding a traditional Green Dragon sword as he pierces, jabs, stabs, and leaps his way through an ancient form set to modern ambient and trip-hop music.

Kung-Yang Lin/ Dancers’ INhale Series is a community initiative to help local and emerging movement artists perform their work.

Go to www.spiritwindinternalarts.org for more information on Chik’s Tao Yin Yoga and Kung Fu classes, as well as his acupuncture, Thai massage, and other healing services.

Earth Day 2010- Celebrate and Reflect on Earth’s Force.

Stephanie — Sat, 01 May 2010 12:00:00 +0000

Earth day has been going on for forty years and we know the Earth has been here much longer. There are SO MANY FRIGHTENING REALITIES RESONATING FROM OUR EARTH WE SHOULD TAKE NOTE OF BEFORE OUR EYES! It’s not a soapbox here but I do feel strongly about our behavior. We watch the Earth suffer devastations that affect our people, homes, businesses, quality of life, environment, energy and every last thing. Do we have the power to join together and make a positive effect on the Earth?

Unfortunately, it is quite a daunting task and I am not sure if we can reverse the winds of change and to redirect them to a positive flow. It would take more momentum than most people are putting out at this current time. It’s like solar wind power on top everyone’s house not just some fields here and there. We need sustainable living in every direction and conscious use, conservation and replenishment of our resources.

I do not wish to sound grave; but in my heart it feels like a losing battle. More people need to take more responsibility and action. Currently, I am doing a decent amount of conservation, educating and participation in activities and events that could lead to more change id more people followed suit in a similar fashion. I believe I can do more. I vow to make more attempts to support the Earth and its health in the coming year(s) and will give an update at year-end. I am making myself more accountable right now.

It is a worthwhile cause & we all know we can and should join in for this monumental movement to Help the Earth. Of course, our footprint(s) might have already been too large and eventually the Earth may reclaim itself, as nature is King. The Earth will eventually rejuvinate and revive itself by starting new again. Until then, we can ignore it or take action. I like to Live in Action!

So, in support of the Earth I joined in for the second time at Uhuru’s Earth Day, Clark Park celebration of Earth and Freedom. These are things I want to be sustained forever. It was awesome to see the event grow from the previous year. There were more vendors, more types of people to join in the celebration.

The Uhuru does a great job of bringing education in many areas to the forefront; they did not fail to bring a variety of entertainment to us. The weather was cool and breezy. The feeling of the Earth under my feet, the breeze on my skin and the good vibrations of people, art, culture and food was a sensory delight!

Remember Earth Day every day and not just once a year.

http://www.earthday.org/

http://earthday.net/earthday2010

Zen Tales: A Tradition to Learn from..

Stephanie — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 05:24:40 +0000

Proverbs are short, popular sayings that usually communicate some commonplace truth or useful adage.

Wisdom in any form is good to note and incorporate into the life.

In America, we hear them often when elders are trying to teach us something. *Out of the frying pan and into the fire (to go from a bad to a worse situation), Don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched (don’t start making plans for something until it is a reality, rather than a pleasant speculation) and Six of one, half a dozen of the other (each choice is really the same thing). * They are really great truths; but often times when they are communicated they go in one ear and out the other.

Recently, my teacher or Master was speaking of the beauty of the Zen tales. He happened to tell me one the other night and I would love to share it with you. It is funny and cute and powerful. It is deep or shallow and treads all the water in between.

My Master reminds me it is not the answer but yet the question. That is the teacher. The search for these things makes the question worth thinking. Contemplation is the journey to a wider answer, a bigger solution.

In knowing you do not know, truly there opens the possibility that you are not all knowing. This in turns releases the ego from its strong position and allows humility, understanding and knowledge to be incorporated into your person or being.

In fact, it isn’t the question or the answer that is most important; in my opinion it is the journey and if this is the ultimate reason for existence then the journey is the teacher and no matter what the question or answer there is wisdom in the action and the non action all you have to do is stop, listen and experience it.

A Zen Tale from my Master:

A Master and his disciple are walking down a dark hall.

The Master has a lite candle.

At the end of the hall, the Master turns to the disciple and says, ”Where do you think this light came from?

The disciple blows out the candle and says, “If you tell me where it went; I will tell you where it came from?”

* http://www.peaceinspiration.com/proverbs/

The Kalachakra and Losang Samten- Culture, Art & History

Stephanie — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 23:15:53 +0000

People and their stories never cease to amaze me and serve as inspiration to us all! Losang Samten escaped from Tibet with his family by trekking over the Himalaya to Nepal and then India.

Losang Samten went on to become an accomplished artist, dancer, philosopher and teacher. He was the first person to make a sand painting in America with the blessing of the Dalai Lama. He was awarded the Pew scholarship, National Heritage, Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. He is the director of the Chenezrig Tibetan Buddhist Center of Philadelphia.

Recently, Losang returned to Philadelphia in conjunction with the Gershman Y with an offering in the spirit of peace, a sand mandala. He worked for a month to complete the Kalachakra mandala. Working daily for hours of intricate labor requires skill, discipline, focus and dedication. Some people returned several times to watch as the month passed and the mandala slowly evolved. It was a pleasure to meet him and spend some time with him. He has a Zen-like presence and a hearty sense of humor!

*Here are some very educational and interesting things you can learn to make the meaning of a “simple” sand painting into a life lesson:

The best-known form of the Kalachakra mandala is the sand mandala, for which colored sand grains are painstakingly placed. This sand drawing represents a 3-dimensional palace of which every single detail has a symbolic meaning. A mandala is a symbolic representation of many aspects of a specific tantra. In the Kalachakra tantra, all elements of the mandala refer to the universe (outer Kalachakra), the body and mind (inner Kalachakra) and the practice (initiation, generation and completion stages).

Every detail of the mandala, from each deity to every adornments of the building, refers to time and the universe (Outer Kalachakra), physical and mental aspects of Kalachakra and ourselves (Inner Kalachakra), and also to aspects of the practice (Alternative Kalachakra).

The sand mandala is typically drawn in sand using a chakpu – a metal funnel with an opening through which sand is tapped out. The sand image is intended to be a two-dimensional representation of Kalachakra’s three-dimensional palace; therefore it is drawn in plan view.

The word Kalachakra means “Wheel of Time” and it is the name of the primary deity who resides in the Kalachakra mandala. In Buddhist teachings, Kalachakra is time itself.

Kalachakra is described as having black skin, four faces (one black, one white, one yellow, and one red), twelve arms, and twenty-four hands. He is represented by a vajra (or, “thunderbolt”), drawn in blue sand in the very center of the mandala. Losang Samten, the creator of the mandala, was carrying a bronze representation of a vajra in his hand during the ceremony]

The palace contains five stories, each divided into four quadrants by compass direction. Each quadrant is colored so as to represent the elements within the human body; East corresponds with the color black, North corresponds with white, West with yellow, and South with red (just as the four faces of Kalachakra are colored). The five stories consist of the Enlightened Body, Enlightened Speech, Enlightened Mind, Enlightened Wisdom, and Enlightened Great Bliss. They are drawn as exponentially-proportioned mandalas nested within each other.

Beneath the palace are four elemental rings and two outer rings (for a total of six). From the inside outward, they consist of rings of earth, water, fire, wind, space, and wisdom.

Dwelling within each story of the mandala and some of the outer elemental rings is a total of 722 deities, both male and female, of varying colors, dispositions, and symbolisms. They are usually depicted as dots called bindus, resting on the petals or centers of lotuses. The sand mandala is drawn as a temporary home for these deities.

As the final step in the process, the deities are dispersed through prayer, and the sand mandala is dismantled. The energy of the mandala is cut along the orthogonal Brahman lines using a vajra, and the sand is swept into the center and eventually into a special urn. On the edge of a body of water, such as a river or an ocean, monks pray for the purification of the environment and those within it. The sand is then poured into the water, as an offering for the welfare of all beings. Many of those who are unfamiliar with Buddhist thought are confused or taken aback by the destruction of the intricately detailed mandala. However, the dismantling serves an important purpose in acknowledging the impermanence of all aspects of life. *

Losang Samten travels the world bringing mandalas to people as well as dance, music, prayer, chanting and teaching Tibetan culture and practices. Broadening our horizons here in Philadelphia and everywhere he goes his presence and work are sure to be a delight and a blessing!

*Conley Cheaberlin contributed this portion of the mandala explanation & WE THANK HIM GREATLY FOR EFFORTS!

http://www.losangsamten.com/

http://kalachakranet.org/mandala_kalachakra.html

Living Your Dream

Stephanie — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 01:03:50 +0000

Ahh. Returning to something you love after a hiatus can be challenging. It’s been one month since I wrote a blog post. Although I do truly love blogging I found it a little hard to sit down for the first few days and dig in to my old routine. Isn’t it strange that anything new or old you lose connection with can be hard to return to after the absence that separates you from someone or something?

I wanted a blog for so long and it took so much effort to create the “right” home for www.TotallyZen.com. Developing my ideas, doing the work, being professional, working with other like-minded individuals, creating the path in pursuit of my goals and follow through were all very important for this or any project to succeed. My vision, www.TotallyZen.com, was launched nearly two years ago.
I have been blogging weekly and have barely skipped a week .

Currently, I have been working SO HARD and HAVING SO MUCH FUN!!! Returning to another dream I once worked really hard at but temporarily abandoned without being fulfilled. The dream is being involved in the entertainment industry. Truth be known since I was three years old I dreamt of being a “star”. Did you know we are all just stars? Yes, universal energy compounded into one vital mass until our star power leaves our soul and we move on to another realm.

Anyway, I did not immediately pursue my childhood dream and for a while didn’t know what to “become” when I got older. Not feeling satisfied, I searched and searched and found my path of self- realization and actualization. Eventually, I become educated and excited about this journey and I realized I wanted to apply this knowledge to help others find their way more peacefully, happily and healthier through their own journey.

In the meantime, I realized I could combine this beneficial cause with another unfulfilled childhood vision. Hence, Totally Zen and Stephanie Churchill embody the helping, healing soul who may someday see her DREAM become a REALITY. I certainly have worked, sacrificed and not given up for a long time to be fit for this task. Then, just when I was not sure what my next move and I pondered how I was ever going to get to my final destination I ran into an unexpected opportunity.

No Joke Productions is an independent production company originally focusing on special FX and can build you any kind of set you want. Executive Producer and owner of No Joke Productions, Jeffrey A Cox, is a talented, driven, charismatic entrepreneur and has 19 years of hands-on production experience in the motion picture and television industry. In the last two years Jeff has been transitioning into full television production projects. His work is exceptional!

Jeff sees Totally Zen as I see it existing as in this world. As a lifestyle, health, wellness, natural living, conscious, engaging, adventurous, fun and energetic entity that brings its best to you! Helping you heal, grow, transform and evolve through sharing my experiences, knowledge and passion with you. Jeff and I work well together and have been spending a lot of time creating a development piece for television. It will be amazing to share this part of my journey that manifests my dreams and lets them come ALIVE!!!

Destiny is calling and I am working overtime.. Wish Me Luck.

Finding the connection between Yoga, Dance and Pilates at the Philadelphia Dance Academy

Stephanie — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:21:45 +0000

Often times when you enter into a new situation you are met with a mix of excitement and anxiousness. Such was the case when I recently went to teach the girls from Philadelphia Dance Academy summer session.

Here were teenage girls participating in a brand new activity; nonetheless, the girls seemed to be able to flow from dance to yoga almost effortlessly. Their yoga forms were as good as their dance moves I had just seen. They moved into the postures with ease and comfort. They seemed naturally able to understand the form.

I studied dance from 5 yrs. until about their age. It was something I loved and enjoyed thoroughly. I wasn’t the size of a traditional ballerina nor did I have the grace of one. I advanced more in jazz and modern dance. I was slightly frustrated by the fact that I wasn’t as expressive or advanced as some of my mates. I had no idea why, if I wanted to do something, I wasn’t able to fully engage in it. I think my level plateau and I never found a method or worked hard enough to excel past my natural talent.

Such as life; but, it is a good time to discuss the natural advantage that people would have in advancing their dancing skills with the addition of yoga or pilates to their regimen or vice versa. Joseph Pilates (1881-1967) knew this when he created a way to strengthen the body, elongate muscles, improve health while working the mind and body in harmony.

For me, learning yoga after I danced was very interesting and enlightening. I found it was the tool that could have advanced my dancing. When you practice yoga you learn how to concentrate, control, breath, engage in that moment in that form. This is very necessary to make each movement, pose, step, action a deliberate and artistic one in dance. The zest in a dance performance is the energy in the form.

In yoga I found my energy. I found my focus. I found my form. Slowing the mind down to control the body and emotions. While every person does not struggle with the same set of challenges I believe a true dancer must have high skill levels in these areas naturally or trained.

Beyond the immediate benefits to a dancer, anyone can benefit from these forms of exercise because they are mental and physical forms that help create grace and perspective in life. A free spirit will know how to release their body and mind and move to the rhythm thereby building a connection to their spirit. Let your spirit shine!

If you have a girl that wants to study dance, find out more by contacting:

Lori A. Lahnemann
Director
The Philadelphia Dance Academy
232 S. Fourth Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
215.922.2422