Day by Day

Saturday

Today was Tanzfabrik day!  Jose and I went to Starbucks for breakfast that morning and then Saturn (similar to a Best Buy) to buy the Pina movie.   Then we headed towards Gerald’s side of town for class.  There was a two hour beginning class and then a two hour advanced class.  It was interesting to see how people reacted to some of the new ideas Gerald was introducing them to, such as Bartenieff Fundamentals.  Some were very open to it while others weren’t at a level mature enough to understand the concept and relativity of the exercises.  Both classes, however, were extremely fun.  I enjoyed having Gerald’s class so often because I found myself beginning to approach things differently than how I first did.  I initiated one time more with the head and then the next added more freedom in my torso.  It almost turned into a game of experimentation which is something I don’t often do but would like to try much more of.  Also, I liked having class with people coming from so many different places at very different times in their lives.  Trying to communicate was interesting but I found that the majority of the people in class were incredibly sweet and interested in making connections with new people whether they spoke a different language or not.

After class we went out with Aikido Richard, Johnny, Scott, Jeremy, Robert, and Gerald to an Indian restaurant before heading back to the hotel.  I was pretty sad to say goodbye to everyone.  It has been a long time since I’ve met such wonderfully kind people.  I truly had a great time in Berlin and I feel like I have a newly found clarity in my life.  I’m gonna miss saying “Johnny” like Baby from Dirty Dancing, Robert’s “cuddle fishin,” Jose’s MMMMhh sleep noises, and Gerald’s Mt. Crayness.  Thank you for an absolutely wonderful time and easing me out of my Milwaukeean ways.  I hope someday I can return to Berlin!

With Love Always, Brenji

Friday!!!

Last class with Sasha Waltz. Last time at the studio looking out at the river. But not the last time dancing side to side by a company, I promise myself. The experience with them was not what I expected. I had imagined to be more intense and serious. Yet, it ended up being like any other class with Gerald. Questions, easy going, thought provoking, specific, laughter, tiredness, etc. “Don’t take yourself so seriously. Laugh at yourself.” Gerald tells us….let’s just say I am still working on that.

Luckily I felt better about dancing with a group of strangers at Tatnzfabrik. A beginner class with mostly middle aged people had be surprised and excited. Exciting to see this age group interested in modern dance and open to the idea of it, specially with the somatic work that Gerald includes. Of course there are those that are really unsure of it and have to ask in the middle of class, “Is this a contemporary class?” Which is ok, I suppose my expectations would be the same  and realization of the class a shock. Nonetheless, it is great to reflect and remember how new I was to the dance world. I was probably as nervous if not more as the people in there, probably as quiet, confused, frustrated, and willing. Ironically I am still nervous, quiet, confused, frustrated, and willing in class sometimes, but not as often. Needless to say that the advanced class was just as interesting.

People ranging from twenties to late twenties maybe thirties were just as surprised by the beginning Bartenieff work. At the same time I began to put pressure on myself by making a “good” impression and being a “good” assistant, and so, I forgot combinations when they were following me. The next day was much better though. I was able to answer some questions and help them with a phrase count.

Overall, I found the dance experience to be more relaxed and reflective than I had imagined. I took time to explore the material I know in a challenging manner. How specific can I get, and how can I help those learning it? As for as Berlin in itself goes, good city. Much to explore, eat, shop, and get countless opportunities to get lost. I do admit, I went there knowing as much German as I did coming back, close to nada. Maybe I should try Spain, I could pass by I suppose  : )

JOSE OUT!

Thursday

We started off the day with the Sasha Waltz company class which was wonderful as always.  Afterwards, Gerald said Jose and I could have the rest of the day to do whatever we wanted on our own.  The two of us decided that we should go the Jewish Museum, Checkpoint Charlie, and then shopping on Friederichstrasse.  Our plan to get there was to jump on the U2 U-bahn.  Unfortunately, they were doing construction so we had to find a new way to get there which we did very easily (The public transportation there is awesome, trains are NeVeR late).

Moving on, Jose and I made it to Jewish Museum without too much trouble.  To be honest, I was apprehensive about going there.  I’m a pretty emotional person and I was unsure about whether or not I was up for the intensity of it all.  As it turns out, I am so happy to have had the experience.  The entire museum was a work of art.  Every detail was delicately thought out and executed.  For example, there was a special exhibit called Heimat Kunde.  It was a collection of artwork from 30 artists who were asked to interpret their idea of Germany.  Throughout this entire exhibit were white floors that had been built at different slanting angles.  Little added details like this were sprinkled from top to bottom in the building which made it that much more special.  The artist whose work in this exhibit impacted me the most was Boris Mikhailov’s.  More like collages, he mounted photographs he had taken on to paper and then then scribbled out different notes depicting something about the image.  One picture that stuck in my mind was that of a woman being stabbed.  The note on the paper talked about an old Russian saying that when a man beats his wife, it means he loves her.  There was another photo of an elderly woman’s face and next to it one of her standing in the street.  The note underneath said that the woman was standing in the exact spot where she was hit by a car.  There was one that had pictures of a coat, hat, a woman and next to each one the prices of each of the “items.”  The woman was the cheapest.  All these photographs struck something in me.  It made the world seem more real to me, more relative to my life.  I finally realized just how sheltered and naive I’ve been from it all.  I feel fortunate to have been woken to it all.

Another incredible experience I had at the museum was in the Holocaust Tower.  Leading up to a doorway are cases filled with little trinkets such as toys or dolls and letters from people affected by the Holocaust.  I remember reading one specifically about someone named Peter.  He and his family and been sent to Auschwitz where they were murdered.  Peter was 10 years old at the time of his death.  After seeing all these personal items and reading about the stories of these people, you end up standing in front of a man that opens up a giant iron door, allowing a few people inside the Holocaust Tower at a time.  Inside, there is total darkness.  You are in a concrete room with ceilings that dangle high above your head.  There is no heat and you can hear sounds of the happenings outside.  There is only a square window that allows natural light in at the very top of this dark room.  Even though I couldn’t see anyone, I sensed that everyone was looking at the same thing which was this tiny square of light.  It was a very erry and almost surreal moment. If ever given the opportunity to experience the Jewish Museum, GO!

The rest of the day went great except for when Jose and I got lost and then separated on our way home.  I sadly waved at Josie (who was on the platform) through the U-bahn window as it started away.  Fortunately, we both used our brains to find each other once again and made it back to Alexanderplatz.  It turned out to be a pretty hilarious adventure.  Overall, it was a very impactful and reflective day in Berlin!

Brenna

Wednesday. (Brenna to post on Tuesday)

So once again we started with class taught by Gerald at RadialSystem, proceeded to  go to Starbucks for a free WiFi break, and then lunch at “Fish N Chips”. As exciting as fish is, the most exciting part of the day for me was seeing “Pina” at the theater. The movie was in German and did have some translations, as the old company members are from different ethnicities, so I was able to understand some of it. I was proud of myself for understanding English, Spanish, and some French without the subtitles! In any case, the film revolved around some of Pina Bauch’s most famous work, such as “Rite of Spring” and “Cafe Muller”. Respectively, the dancers in her company reflected on the impact that Pina had on their philosophies of dance, some of the  dancers’s quotes: “She simply looked at me dance, and told me to keep working on what I was dancing, and I listened.” “I was told to create a phrase about joy, whatever that may mean, joy of life, dancing, sexuality, and I did. Then she proceeded to making the whole dance piece around that one phrase.” “I used to watch her sit behind her desk, watching all of us, crying in some instances. I watched her, and knew that she was a part of us, or more importantly, we were all a part of her. Every dance she would create about love, loss, the body, it was all about every one of us.” and of course, “Dance, dance, or we are lost.”- Pina.

The film showcased works that made me laugh, feel uncomfortable, and desire to one day be part of or create something to that impact. A girl putting raw meat in her pointe shoes and then dancing in an industrial setting. A solo where the body finds desperation and freedom in a canyon site. A trio where manipulation becomes a way of expressing love and lust. Only to name a few, but I truly hope to see this film again.

We then proceeded to go to the Brandenburger Gate only by first passing through the Memorial for the Murdered Jews of Europe, which consists of 4.7 acres covered with 2,000 concrete slabs in a grid patter  in a sloped field, all varying in height. A truly remarkable site and experience to walk through, almost claustrophobic. And then the Brandenburger Gate, close by reminding me of the history that Germany has and the way that the culture now reflects (or not) on the past history. Still comofrotable with direct rules, but somehow being modernize and visited by so many tourists. It is quite interesting, a feeling of uncertainty fills me everyday, not sure of whether to be respectful or be silly in hopes of releasing some day-by-day tension.

Well, that is it for now. Until next time. Check out the pictures!

Jose

Hallo! Dienstag (Tuesday)

The day started off with a great class at Radial System (the space is beautiful I can’t say it enough).  We spent the majority of the class on the floor, which I always love and is, I think, exactly what the company needed.  We ended up striking up a conversation with a woman named Monka (I believe she was from Thailand).  She was in Berlin with her boyfriend for a few days and decided to come take class.  I told her we were staying on “Alexanderplatz” with the most Wisconsin accent ever.  None the less she knew what I was talking about.  I thought she was very sweet and I enjoyed the short converstation we were able to have.

After this, we went to ComViet for lunch.  The place was tiny but very cute and the food was delicious and cheap!  I had a monster bowl of wonton soup with chicken for 3 euros BOOM.  Then the five of us (including our new best friend Johnny) went to the Pergamon.  It was beautiful!  When you first walk in there are giant marble steps that lead you to a room filled with statues of Greek gods and goddesses.  It was my favorite part of the whole museum.

Next, Jose and I skipped dinner to go shopping and then met up with everyone for the Sasha Waltz show Impromtus.  Impromptus is a show that Gerald has seen a few times but never from the second row which was where Jose, Johnny, him and I sat.  We could see everything.  The show had some performance art type moments:  people scribbling on the white slanted floor, shuffling around in rain boots filled with water, smirring different colored powder on one another.  There also was some incredible partnering.  At one point, one man started rolling/floating on top of another, utilizing every hook and shelf imaginable without the use of his hands.  Believe me when I say that they were both dripping with sweat by the end.  I also experienced a first during the show.  It was the first time I had ever seen nudity on stage WOO! Surprisingly it was not all that shocking.  Overall, I enjoyed the show and it was interesting to see how the dancers performed compared to how they took class.  Everyone is constantly striving for improvement and growth.  All are open minded and focused and I think that is crucial in  the field of dance.

It was a great and rainy Tuesday in Berlin!

Brenji out

Hello everyone! Sorry not keeping up with this blog, it is actually hard to find free internet connection. The hotel charges 6 euros an hour which is close to $10, and we do not have that kind of money…Regardless, the last post was on a Sunday and today is Friday….so Brenna and I are going to talk about each day as we remember.

So Monday was our first class with Sasha Waltz and Guests. Brenna and I were on our own and Gerald was to meet us at 8:30a.m. to take us to the studio. Before class we tried to find a cheap breakfast place, and found Dunkin’ Donuts (which happens to be everywhere)! So we had a bagel and coffee and then proceeded to take class. The company has had about a week of performances and wouldnt be done until Tuesday, so only four members including guests, stopped by for class. I think I was expecting a very serious, disciplined environment, so it was shocking to find that they are just normal pepople taking class. Granted, they are tired and have seven-hour days of rehearsals, so they have to pace themselves. Generally though, the class was easy-going and a new experience to take class from Gerald in a different environment. Having already known most of what Gerald offers in technique class back home I was open to exploring how much I learned from the semester and applying it here after a small break from school. Needless to say, the studio is beautiful.

It is called RadialSystem and has five floors, all with windows where you can see the river and a panoramic view of the city. Quite beautiful and inspirational. (Some pictures on the blog). It also has a small cafeteria when you walk in and the people are so nice. Another thing I found exciting was that the company is so diversed. There is people from different nationalities; Brazilian, Spanish, French-Canadian, Israeli, French, Asian, it is all so great.

Well I think that covers the first impressions at RadialSystem. Through the rest of the day we had lunch and went to this store “Muji” http://www.muji.eu/ where we began our shopping. I myself bought some socks, candles, and later on a notebook. All so nice. We ended the day by having homemade dinner at Gerald’s apartment and sharing stories about Ed and the dance world in Milwaukee.

Alas, that is it for now I believe. OH! The weather here is pretty ugly. Rainy, windy, only one day of sun, so it has been a struggle for me to keep my energy throughout the day. Nonetheless, we are making it work. Can’t wait to see you all.

Jose A. Luis

Vier!

Hallo All!

Today was quite a relaxing time.  In Berlin, people use Sundays as a time to relax and enjoy the company of friends and family.  For this reason, many stores don’t open at all on Sunday and theres not the need to multitask and accomplish a ton of things before the week begins.  We went out to lunch at a restaurant call Anna Blume ( http://www.cafe-anna-blume.de/).  It was very cute and delicious.  Johnny joined us and then we all went to Park Inn, mine and Josie’s hotel on Alexanderplatz.  The room is pretty small but there are down blankets, LOVE!  It is a little weird though because the toilet is in a tiny closet type room with frosted glass.  Needless to say it’s a bit see through.  Then the shower, located right next door, is clear glass so everyone in the room gets a free show…lovely.  Fortunately, there is a curtain you can pull to prevent this from happening but it still is different.  Overall it is very cute.

For dinner we went to Mirchi which is a Singapore style restaurant.  It was pretty tasty (geschmeckt) but very hot in the building and they kept bumping technoesque versions of songs like T-Pain’s “Apple Bottom Jeans.”  It was ganz toll!

Currently Jose and I are relaxing in the hotel room watching dubbed German movies and before taking our first class with Sasha Waltz & Guests in the morning.  We’re both very excited and can’t wait to wander around more of Berlin’s cobble stone streets tomorrow!

Alles Gut! Happy New Year Everyone, we miss all ya’ll

Brenski outtie

Three!

So, looooooooonng plane rides. Milwaukee to Detroit to Paris to Berlin. Detroit to Paris was a painful 7hour flight. Great service through AirFrance though! So nice, and apparently this was an alright service. Regardless, we got into Berlin at 3p.m. and got our luggage, although mine was close to the last one to be picked-up (which always seems to occur). I also have troubles accessing my debit card, didn’t bring toiletries, and was generally tired, well,  all four of us.

In Berlin, we got settled into our place, then proceeded to  do some errands with Gerald, stopping by Sasha Waltz’s “Radial System” before meeting a UWM Alumni, Johnny Balecki and going to get dinner at “Royal Elephant”. Being New Year’s Eve, we experienced a lot, A LOT of fireworks!! Everywhere. We got out of the subway (ubahn) and was greeted with a firework, great. Nonetheless, we were all very exhausted and just hung out together. At midnight it was firework mayhem right in front of our faces. WOW.

Today (Sunday, currently 12:48pm) we are getting ready for brunch (more like lunch right now), and apparently everything is closed (as is every Sunday in Berlin). Then Brenna and I go to Park Inn to get checked in!!! And the rest of the day is open to part-ay! Woo.

That’s it for now.

Jose out.

Second Post!

The day is finally here…and I’m still not completely packed! The procrastinator is at work as usual.  I’m sitting in my room surrounded by clothes with the food network blarring.  It still has not hit me that half a day from now I’ll be in an entirely different country.  How CRAY!

I feel so fortunate to have been given this opportunity, thank you thank you thank you a million times over!

Next post…Jose and I will be in Berlin following Gerald and Robert around, probably speaking broken German from the “Say it Right in German” book!  And like Jose said…we’re bringing back lots Lots LOTS of good chocolate (dark for Annette.)

Auf Wiedersehen Milwaukee! Ich Liebe Dich!

Brenna

First post!

Brenna and I will be alternating days/posts….she is busy packing and I can’t sleep, so, makes sense to post something!

It is 12:40 am. currently eating a quesadilla and realizing I will be in a plane headed to Germany in 18 hours. Hard to believe that it will be happening after talking about it, and after a long semester. I was able to to see a handful of people before the year ended and can hardly wait for the new year and new energy.

I have never done a blog before, but I think I just write what is on my mind, and aside the excitement I am thinking of having another quesadilla. I also plan on taking as many pictures as I can and of course finding good chocolate to bring back; I know Annette requested dark chocolate!!!

Well, that is it for now. See you all in the New Year.

Jose (Josie, Jojo, Jo, Joneeva, Ricky) out.