Rouge Workshops
YOU ARE THE MUSIC: JAZZ DANCE with Ashaand Simone
Saturday, February 14th
10:00am - 11:30am
$27 per person
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Jazz music and dance share a linked history. Jazz dance is a result of combining traditional African movement with European movement, and jazz music combines African musical traditions with European instruments. This class focuses on musicality as a means to understanding jazz technique and movement opportunities, and building students’ confidence to make bold choices within their own movement.
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Ashaand (he/ they) dreams through movement. Favorite performance credits include work with Brian Sanders’ JUNK, Visceral Dance Chicago, RWS Global, Jonathan E. Alsberry, [producingbody], The Seldoms, Ishti Collective, Silk Road Cultural Center, Cabaret ZaZou, Charlottesville Opera, Phillip Wood, Mandala South Asian Performing Arts, Nick Cave, Ashwaty Chennat, Elijah Motley, Yes Ma’am Circus, Joel Hall Dancers, The Laws Group, Two Penguins Productions, Abhijeet, Alix Schillaci, The Fly Honey Show, Haven Theatre, Jarrett Rashad, Kim Brandt, and Jess Martin. Ashaand has been featured in Art Intercepts, Dance Business Weekly, and as a finalist for Chicago Reader’s Best of Chicago: “Best Dancer.”
Learn to Balance Better with Guinness World Record-holding Handbalancer and Cyr artist Joel Herzfeld!
Saturday, February 14th
11:00am - 12:30pm
$27 per person
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This workshop is great for students looking to improve their balance and consistency in a handstand. We'll focus on the specifics of actually balancing the handstand once you're up there, including wrist strength and speed; shoulder position and movements; and building correct instincts. We'll spend our time on precision balance techniques and solo drills. Everyone will leave with exercises they can do on their own!
Prerequisites: Comfort being spotted in a handstand.
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Joel Herzfeld is a Guinness World Record-holding handbalancer and cyr artist based in Boston, USA. Joel has performed around the world. With Les 7 Doigts De La Main, he toured nationally and internationally in the Tony Award-winning Broadway production of 'Pippin.' He has also performed with the prestigious Circus Roncalli in Germany, and was proud to entertain US and NATO troops across the world while touring with Armed Forces Entertainment (previously the USO). At sea, Joel performed on the flagships of the Celebrity Cruises and AIDA Cruises fleets, and was also a guest artist on the ship ranked "best in the world" by Berlitz Cruise Guide. Joel has collaborated with a MacArthur Genius and performed in front of orchestras across the continent. Joel currently holds two Guinness World Records in his field, including the record for world's longest one-arm handstand.
Teaching is Joel's other great passion. Before running off to join the circus, Joel studied Education at Brandeis University, earning his Teacher's License in Secondary English. He subsequently earned his license to teach Mathematics as well. When not on tour, Joel delights in teaching math and English with the Boston Public Schools system and coaching circus online and at local circus institutions.
Joel speaks English fluently and German conversationally. He is a tea enthusiast and a published poet. Find him on Instagram at @UpsideDownJoel