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

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!

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?

One of the yoga teachers I study wtih, Julie Rader, said something really interesting in class yesterday.  She said imagine gazing forwarding, looking a tiger in the eye.  That really stuck a chord with me.  When an animal is hunting, it has very specific focus, it’s prey.  I found if I put my mind in that place I could really be present calm my runaway thoughts and allow myself a chance to completely focus.

I tend to have a lot of projects going on at one time.  I wear numerous hats - wife, teacher, doggie mommy, friend, dancer, choreographer, video artist — so when I embraced looking at the tiger in the eye, I felt completely engaged in that moment.  

As I move forward in my creative process this week, in teaching classes, doing housework, creating video work — the image of looking a tiger in the eyes is in the back of my mind.

Have a Happy Day!

“I did get out and vote today.  I felt very patriotic about voting.  If you haven’t voted today, it’s not too late.  Make your voice heard”, stated Smaczny.  

“As an artist my response to the energy surrounding the US economy and election has me quite affected.  I haven’t felt this way since 911 /  going to war in Iraq.  My response was through making work (choreography) to help me articulate my sadness, hope, anger, and passion for my country.  I have HOPE for our country and world, but I feel sometimes so insignificant in the process of our government.  That is why voting was so important for me today.  I was able to finally voice my opinion.”

How to make art…  

I find myself searching everyday for objects, people, music that inspires me to create.  It is not a outright search, but more of a curiousity that draws me into a subject.  It might be an emotional conversation that inspires me to move or just the way the waves break on the beach (and, yes I do live in a place where I get to see the waves almost everyday, which is a blessing).  I also give myself challenges.  Especially with the video component.  I might improvising with the camera using a hand held technique, or locking down the camera having the dancer move within a certain part of the frame.  Exploring is the most exciting part of the work.

It is great to make the work, but I also enjoy reflecting about the work I have created.  Being critical artistically about what more could I have done to make this piece have deeper impact.  Sometimes I don’t get that perspective for a couple of years down the road from when it premieres.  I have a tendency to fall in love with the creative process of the work.  That is really what I love to do as an artist is CREATE.  

For me, dance is at it’s best in the rehearsal studio working at a movement until it feels just right.  For me, many great performances have happened in the dance studio with an audience of one — myself.

At the end of the day, I have to be happy with my work, and I am.  I stand by my work, it reflects my life, my morals, and being a young American woman making a statement of emotion, beauty,  and depth. 

Enjoy the show!

Grounding Point Dance Company’s Artistic Director, Carrie Smaczny, states ” I am really excited about our new project.  I am shooting footage of the company for the flash banner for our website.  This is another avenue of choreographing”.  GPDC’s forsees to have a new 25 second short every month.  

“It is a fun project to create and at the end the year, I will create a full-length work based on these improvisation pieces.  Grounding Point Dance Company wants to push the boundaries of what a dance company is.  People don’t always want to go into the theater to watch a production.  I want to give people a chance to see work quickly and on their own time”, states Smaczny.