GP Dance

Grounding Point Dance Company produced A Second Chance Dance Festival at Hype Dance Studios May 16, 2009.  This dance festival was a fundraiser for Daybreak Day Center a program of OPCC, which helps homeless women get off the streets.

Carrie Smaczny, Artistic Director in coordination with Melanie Miller Event & Silent Auction Coordinator and Karen Smith assistant Event & Silent Auction Coordinator, were able to raise $3500 for the center.

There were a total of 10 pieces in the show, 8 different companies ranging from pre-professional to professional dancers held at Hype Studios in Torrance, CA.

“The event was a success to me because it did three things: 1) It brought together 2 different communities dance & social services, 2) The dance companies performed for a new audience, some who had never seen dance before, 3) The audience was involved because the ticket sales and silent auction items were purchased by them with knowing that 100% of the proceeds went directly back to the homeless center”, states Carrie Smaczny.

“We had over 15 volunteers to help set up the event and keep things running smoothly, it was a great to see people work together for a wonderful cause! I couldn’t be more happy with the results.”

If you were unable to attend and would like to make a donation please visit opcc.net

Thank you,

Carrie Smaczny

I have been working on creating “Come Along” for the past month with dancers Clare Bayens and Erica Perus. Getting into the studio to sketch work has been such a enjoyable process.  I am excited about the work especially about these two dancers they are passionate dancers who take the work seriously.  Both are committed to A SECOND CHANCE cause of supporting Daybreak Day Center a program of OPCC for homeless women.

You can see Erica & Clare perform “Come Along” on Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 4 PM @ Hype Dance Studios in Torrance, CA for the Second Chance Dance Festival.

For more info contact Carrie Smaczny at info@gpdance.com

Festival Title: A SECOND CHANCE
Grounding Point Dance Company is excited to announce that Artistic Director, Carrie Smaczny, will be producing a dance festival at Hype Studios.  The purpose of this dance festival is to raise money for the Daybreak Day Center at Ocean Pacific Community Center (a homeless shelter) in Santa Monica, CA.  ”100 % of the proceeds will go directly to the shelter to help get homeless women off the streets,” states Smaczny.
Smaczny states she is ” looking for dance companies and independent solo dance artists who want to help raise money by performing in this festival.  I am interested in all types of dance - Hip Hop, Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Cultural, Fusion, Multi-media from professional & pre-professional dance companies.   I am looking for 8-10 dance pieces from different (professional) choreographers with themes that are uplifting, artistic and entertaining for this family friendly event.  ”

How did Grounding Point Dance Company get involved with OPCC?

“I have been volunteering at OPCC as a Pilates instructor since November of 2008.   These women are so inspiring to me.  I want to give them more than just my time.  I want to raise awareness of the homelessness problem we have in America today and I want to help raise money to support their current programs.  We will be having a silent auction and reception prior to the performance” states Smaczny.

Smaczny’s friend and pilates client Melaine Miller, who has been involved in the film and music industry, has taken the role of silent auction coordinator.  More information about the silent auction items coming soon!

If you are interested in donating, dancing, volunteering at the event or just want to support us by passing on the information please contact Carrie Smaczny at info@gpdance.com

I find myself very fortunate to have the kind of job that allows me to be creative.  Teaching dance, pilates, and yoga as well as practicing those disciplines really fulfill my heart.  I have passion about what I am doing and I can get a bit overly excited to some, but I am EXCITED by life.  Especially today right now in 2009.

I know things are going to go up from here.  I believe we are destined for great things and each of us has to work towards our capacity to be great every single day.  Being the best person I can be for that day makes me feel open and allows me to experience things, question ideas, and give praise for being on this earth doing what I am doing.

Every evening and every morning, I count my blessing.

Have a great week!

Grounding Point Dance Company is current searching for new dancers for a project to benefit a OPCC a women’s homeless shelter in Santa Monica, CA.  Carrie Smaczny is seeking mature male and female dancers for a new Contemporary Jazz piece.  

This piece will be performed in the dance festival, Grounding Point Dance Company is producing at Hype Studios on May 16, 2009. This dance festival is a fundraiser for the women’s program at the Homeless Shelter, Daybreak Day Center of OPCC in Santa Monica.  

Requirements:

Strong Jazz and Contemporary or Modern Background, ballet background or improvisational skills a plus.  Come prepared to learn a Contemporary Jazz Combination.  Please bring resume & head shot.  You need to make a reservation to audition.  E-mail Carrie at info@gpdance.com

Positive attitude and Available for Rehearsals on Wednesdays from 8-9:30 PM beginning Feb. 18. Rehearsals will be on Wednesdays for February and March.  In April and May rehearsals will be twice a week (continuing with the Wednesdays & adding another day).  

THIS IS A NON-PAID POSITION.  Dancers would be donating their time to help fight homelessness.  

DATE: Wednesday, Feb. 11 @ 7PM @ Hype Studios, for company class 8-9 PM additional combinations. YOU MUST RESERVE YOUR SPOT BY E-MAILING info@gpdance.com

Address: 1951 West Carson, Torrance, CA 90501 

All DANCERS NEED TO BE LEGAL US RESIDENT AND OF AT LEAST 18 YEARS OF AGE 

For More Information contact Carrie Smaczny at info@gpdance.com or by phone at 949-302-1208.

Carrie Smaczny, Artistic Director of Grounding Point Dance Company, will be showcasing her choreography at Hype Dance Studios, Open House, on Saturday, Jan. 17 from 3-6 PM.  Crystal Truesdell, GPDC company member, will be performing RED and Smaczny’s Contemporary Jazz Class will be performing a routine.  

On Sunday, Jan. 17 HYPE STUDIOS, will have a DANCE DAY.  For $20, unlimited classes for the day.  Carrie Smaczny will be teaching Pilates/Yoga Fusion at 2 PM & Contemporary Jazz @ 3 PM.  More classes are available please check out Hype Dance Studios @ hypestudios.com .

See you there!

So, here I am in Yoga class once again practicing my headstand.  I decide to finally try it away from the wall.  No help, I either do it or crash and burn.  So once again I seceded, however, it was short lived: for about three seconds. I got too excited, lost my balance and safely tumbled to the ground.  What I realized is that I don’t need my “crutch” the wall for my support.  I am capable of more than I think I am.  

A good lesson for me to mediate on in the New Year.  I find that the person holding myself back from doing something really extraordinary is my own ego…

Happy Headstands! Carrie

I have been cleaning the house, cleaning my closet, and clearing my mind to gear up for the new year.  I usually know exactly what projects I will start in January and the professional development workshops in Pilates and Yoga to sign up for, but this year is different.  

I am setting goals for myself, but not necessarily a tight schedule, it is a loose time line.  I am finding that life happens to us and can control us, so it is best for me to leave space and time for something to happen, but not get too attached to that particular event at that particular time.

So I have cleaned out my closet, but what to do with all of the old, slightly worn out clothes and other miscellaneous items.  Donate to charity (I have one the OPCC, in Santa Monica, the clothes go directly to the men, women, and children, feel free to e-mail me for more info).  It is the season for giving in December, what happens in January? 

For me, I have decided to donate every month.  Every action has a positive reaction.

Happy Holidays!
Carrie

As I stumble out of bead this morning, my stomach is still full from the excellent meal we feasted on yesterday, but my motivation is nil.  Having a morning cup of coffee I look into what morning Yoga classes are offered today.  I find a teacher I like in Santa Monica, CA.  She is exactly what I need.  However, I have no motivation in my mind.  My body wants to move, but my mind just wants to chill…

So I did it I pushed myself out of bed into the shower and bounced to class only arriving 5 minutes late… Which isn’t bad consider I do live somewhat far away from Santa Monica.

Point being, is that I have this engrained sense of discipline of the physical body from Dance.  I was trained to take class, always 2-3 days a week at least.  With dance, the movement is constant and the body is challenged with rhythm, past paced direction and heat.  For me, with yoga the movement is purity to enhance breath, rid emotional blockage and cleanse energy.  Every class is hard for me to go to, but I push myself to do it.  And I am always happier after class, balanced and ready to eat.

Applying this discipline to other parts of my life, is my journey…  Yoga, Pilates, & Dance are pathways for me.

I was taking my 5th yoga class this week and I was finally able to execute a headstand.  I didn’t think I could do it, but I decided to give it a go and see what happens.  To my surprise, I was able to balance and immediately got excited / lost focus and came tumbling down while laughing.

I was really impressed and that same time frustrated, sometimes when I get in the moment I loose focus. To stay present is my personal struggle.  However, this got me thinking…  As the holidays approach, instead of getting stressed out about things, I am going to give myself a 30 day challenge.  This challenge is a physical challenge to practice movement in excellence and at the same time it is a mental challenge to stay present and focused inside of it.

Is anyone up for it?