#readysetdc

Dancer and Choreographer Sebastian Rousseau was knee deep in philosophy class and pretty into google voicemail when he came up with the concepts behind "IF or IF" - a Kool Raunch Collective collaborative performance piece presented by ReadySetDC at The Dunes this Saturday, June 2nd.

"Having Daniel Jenkins as a professor, that changed my life. We were learning about epistemology, which is the study of knowledge... what we can know."  With Memory Criterion on his mind, Rousseau envisioned a vast performance exploring questions of identity using storytelling, dance, technology, theater, installation and soundscapes. Meanwhile, Kool Raunch Collective Co-Founder, Adrian Parsons, left another google voice mail. As Rousseau read through the transcription he was struck by the abstract poetic pauses and phrases like "what or what" and "if or if." 

"I saw the abyss of objectivity. It began with a long table and two people on each end. If or if, could be anything."  Rousseau presents the piece in three parts, each dealing with different aspects of human identity. The first and third portion use storytelling as the primary medium. 

Seasoned performer Andrew Bucket explains his part: "My portion is a sort of surreal intimate barroom conversation (at least in my head) with Catalina Lavalle in which we trade stories. The stories are of profound importance to both of us, which is pure happenstance that I happened to be preparing this story in my head when Sebs approached me for the show. That Catalina and I already have an intimate friendship is all the more nutritious for this piece." 

In the last act, Haleh Pedram, who hasn't spent much time on stage, works with Kevin Boggs, a veteran actor and storyteller. "The story is one that I have told many, many times. Well, at least the punchline has been shared every time I hear a particular song.  It has been awesome working with Kevin Boggs to craft my story.  I started off telling him and Sebastian, out loud, the story I wanted to share.  Then I wrote it out a few times, changing summaries into scenes until I got to a point where I felt good about sharing what I had written.  Kevin and I practiced several times and I am glad to have made a friend in the whole process. I am hoping that people find my story funny, because I do." 

The second portion, in contrast, has no words and features collaborative choreography with Corey Landolt (who is in his fourth season with The Washington Ballet after dancing for three seasons with the Studio Company) and Rousseau himself (who studied dance at the Hamburg Ballet School in Germany, The Washington Ballet School, CPYB and Miami City Ballet School).

Rousseau directs and dances in this multi-disciplinary performance featuring all original music by Ivan Khilko, production design by architect Kashuo Bennett, and performances by Adrian Parsons, Corey Landolt, Catalina Lavalle, Andrew Bucket, Legba Carrefour, Kevin Boggs and Haleh Pedrem. 

Last day for presale priced tickets is TODAY:

 http://stage.readysetdc.com/ Pre-sale tickets are $10 Space is limited to 100 attendees Atlantico Open Bar from 7-8PM Performance begins at 8PM followed by a DJ set w/ Adrian Parsons and Andrew Bucket The Dunes: 1402 Meridian Place NW Washington, DC 20010

  Landolt rehearses with cell to talk to Rousseau (outside in security camera)

"...art isn’t just for wall decorations and investment diversification. It is its own creative economy; a tool so powerful that I would argue it is not only beneficial to those within the art community, it is essential to economic growth and development for those outside of it. By organizing an art festival in the middle of an economically struggling neighborhood, LUMEN8 proved that even with non-permanent installations, the economic effect on the surrounding community could be felt."

Each month we will showcase a Washingtonian who works in a fashion related industry. By doing this we hope to show off the great talent we have in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. We are excited to announce ReadysetDC's editor-in-chief Jordan Culberson as our April 2012 “Fashiontonian of the Month.”

Are you originally from the Washington, DC area? If not, how would you compare Washington, DC to other places you’ve lived.

 I was born in Washington, DC and raised for the most part in Alexandria, with stints in the Midwest, the Caribbean and the Deep South.

  What are some of your favorite places to go in the city?

I really enjoy taking advantage of the National Mall. Sometimes, after living in DC for awhile you can forget how amazing it is to have that space at your fingertips. Right now, you’ll find me at the Hirshhorn for Doug Aiken’s incredible video display SONG1. As far a dining goes, I’m a sucker for my neighborhood joints. I live in Bloomingdale, and on any given day you’ll find me at Big Bear Café or Boundary Stone. Some of my favorite shops include Treasury on 14th Street and Nana’s in Mount Pleasant.

  Random Question: Describe your perfect day in 140 characters or less.

Coffee and the New York Times. Yoga & a walk with Georgia (my dog). A day trip of some sort then back to the city for dinner at Komi, no biggie.

 

Did you always imagine yourself working in media?

I’ve always loved storytelling and trying to understand how we communicate with one another. That, combined with an insatiable curiosity, created a natural interest for the media, which I’ve been unable to shake since. I originally started in broadcast journalism, working in public radio.

 

What advice would you give to someone interested in breaking into the field of communications?

Be bold, and be accountable. Whether you are writing a press release or an article, you should be proud of what you’re putting your name on. Have standards and stick to em’. Oh, and fact check, fact check, fact check. See something not being done? Go do it yourself. The internet has (for better or for worse) democratized communication.

 

How did you first get involved with ReadysetDC?

I had graduated with degree in Journalism, I moved to DC. I was blogging on my own when I met Justin Young, the founder of ReadysetDC. My role has grown with each year, and in 2011 I assumed the role of Editor in Chief for the website.

 

ReadysetDC’s fifth Fashion District is this month. How did you develop the idea to host the first Fashion District?

In late 2009, I was fortunate to meet a lot of talented and inspiring people, business owners, residents, designers and artists. I wanted to come up with an event that would place all of these components and people together in one night, putting a positive spotlight on fashion in DC and disproving those stale accusations that DC has no style. (Die pantsuit, die!)

This year’s event will be better than ever. We’re excited to slow down the event, allowing for more attention to detail, more conversation and overall a better fashion experience. We’re taking over an enormous space in Georgetown. You’re going to be wowed, I guarantee it.

You can check out our latest Fashion District at: fashion.readysetdc.com.

 

What sets the Fashion District apart from other fashion events in the area such as DC Fashion Week?

Fashion District is specifically aimed at supporting and promoting the local design talent in our region. We select businesses and designers who are paving the way in DC for future fashion endeavors in the city. We focus a lot on emerging designers like Kelly Tang, or those who represent great entrepreneurship being done in this city, like Hugh & Crye. Our event isn’t simply an excuse to have a fashion show or to show off trends, its fashion on a mission done in an exciting way.

 

Do you think Washington, DC provides enough financial backing to its fashion industry?

I think that the fashion community in Washington is becoming more and more cohesive and supportive. With the help of the community and bloggers, more and more people know about local entrepreneurs and talent and how exactly to support them, whether that’s by visiting a storefront or by online commerce. However, while there’s been positive growth, we still need to go a long way. We don’t have much of the infrastructure needed to create a real fashion industry in DC, like New York’s garment district. You can’t stay in DC and continue to design if you don’t have the attention of the community and the purchases to back it up. I’d say awareness is the key to financial support. DC residents are smart. They want to know who they are buying from and from what I’ve seen, people in DC are genuinely excited to be able to support local businesses.

  Be sure to purchase your tickets for ReadysetDC's Fashion District which will take place on Thursday, April 12, 2012. 

[INTERVIEW EXCERPT]

You work during the day – when do you find the time to create?

I guess after work (laughs).I’m fortunate to have flexible hours where I can go in and pretty much after work or – I just come home and I do this. Sometimes it’s… a continuation. The good thing is I like doing this, also, so it doesn’t really become so much of work until I put on a show, obviously, that’s more planning and things like that. That’s how I sort of balance out my time a little bit.