Tag Archives: The Lively Foundation

The Lively Reading: A HUGE Success

Sunday afternoon, June 25, 68 people gathered over Zoom to hear five writers read from their works. The audience represented every US time zone and many different states. The event also attracted one friend vacationing on an island in the Baltic Sea. Jimmy Kolker, a distinguished US foreign service office called in over Zoom to let everyone know that he was watching, too. This writer will not take a bet on what time zone that was.

The authors were Randall Nicholas, poet, Ogden Dunes, Indiana; Judith Offer, playwright and poet, Oakland, California; Joy Passanante, Univ. of Idaho professor emerita, Creative Writing, author of creative non-fiction, poetry, fiction, Moscow, Idaho; David Shepard, poet, musician, and psychiatrist, Denver, Colorado; Leslie Friedman, dancer-choreographer, historian, author, Mountain View, California.

Dr. Leslie Friedman, Artistic Director of The Lively Foundation, observed that bookstores and venues that supported live readings had gone out of business during the height of the pandemic. “I realized that there could be a reading over Zoom which would reach those interested in poetry and literature in many areas. It took a little while to line up the writers and get a date set. Then, we were ready to take off. I knew the writers were terrific. Turns out they were TERRIFIC.”

The program offered a wide variety of styles and subjects. The audience was truly appreciative. Emails with words like “stunning,” “brilliant,” “gorgeous,” “touching,” came from everywhere.

Lively has sent a recording of the readings to 17 more individuals who were not able to attend due to prior commitments. The recording will remain available to those who did not know about the event or who attended and want to hear it again. Interested in the recording? Email livelyfoundation@sbcglobal.net and let us know you would like to receive it.

“As The Lively Foundation’s activities had to be slowed or disappeared in the past 3 years, we are delighted by the great response to the Lively Reading,” says Dr. Friedman, “There have been requests for more such programs. ‘Watch this space’ to find out about exciting new events.”

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH: CELEBRATE!

Beginning in 1996, The Lively Foundation presented annual concerts honoring Women’s History Month. Through many years, Lively’s concerts, HEROIC, BELOVED, were the only concerts honoring Women’s History Month. Artistic Director, Leslie Friedman, noticed that she had choreographed dances about women, about specific, historical figures, and dances set to texts written by women and music composed by women. That work became the first repertory of dances and music. Each year new works would be added often featuring guest artists. Subjects of the dances included Harriet Tubman, with a text by her and a song created about her by Higher Ground, a singing group from Oakland,; the Bronte sisters, using texts from Charlotte Bronte and music by Chopin; Clara Schumann, composer and pianist, with music by her life long friend, Johannes Brahms; Willa Cather, American author, using text from her book, My, Antonia, and premiering music by Jon Deak, music by African-American composer, Undine Smith Moore.

Opera singer Pamela Dillard was one of our first guest artists. She performed classical music songs and others One of her songs was Come Down, Angels, music by Undine Smith Moore. Ms Friedman accompanied Come Down, Angels with a premiere dance.

Pictures from two Heroic, Beloved performances: L-R:Leslie Friedman, Opera singer Marnie Breckinridge, SF Supervisor Reverend Amos Brown; on right side: Pamela Herndon (L) and Sarah Moss (R) dance in the SF Civic Center Garden before their premiere performance of Muse News, music by Bach; choreograhpy by Leslie Friedman.

International Festival@Silicon Valley’s 10th Anniversary!

The International Dance Festival@Silicon Valley

Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary

The Lively Foundation is proud to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the International Dance Festival@Silicon Valley. This season the Festival’s Full Day of Dance© will take place on Saturday, November 13. All Full Day of Dance© classes will be offered over Zoom and will be free. See list of classes and schedules below. To register go to: https://forms.gle/dAd5DKho8sgFgPn8A

In addition to the Full Day of Dance© there will be classes offered during the preceding week days. For example, 30 minute Pilates mat classes will be led by Audreyanne Delgado Covarrubias, 9 a.m. Pacific time, Monday – Friday. Weekday classes will be offered on a Pay-What-You-Can basis, suggested amount is $5 – $15 per 30 minute class.

(L to R) Etta Walton, Audreyanne Delgado Covarrubias,

Starting in 2012, the Festival has offered classes in an amazingly wide variety: African, Afro-Haitian, Ballet, Bharatanatyam, Classical Chinese, Contemporary, Kathak, Korean, Line Dances, Manipuri, Mexican Folclorico, Salsa, Samba, Tango, Tap, Waltz, and even more styles. Participants learn from accomplished professionals and also see them perform. Winners

of the Choreography Competition present premiere works on Festival Concerts.

Artistic Director and Founder of the Festival, Dr. Leslie Friedman says, “Do what you love and try something new! A ballerina might discover she loves Tap. A ballroom dancer will find the Pilates mat to be just what he needs. Beginners get to fall in love with dance. Professionals in one style get to be beginners in something new to them. It helps to remember that dance can be fun.”

Lively Foundation Artistic Director Leslie Friedman

The International Dance Festival@Silicon Valley’s innovations were ground breaking and have been adopted by other companies: presenting learning experiences in multiple forms, for participants of mixed levels of dance training (or no training), chances for participants to perform, and the exciting opportunity for the whole community to gain understanding and appreciation of dance by watching fine artists in concert.

(LtoR)Megan Ivey Rohrbacher,Physical Comedy; Annie Wilson, Jazz

Artist-teachers will include Etta Walton, Line Dances; Annie Wilson, Jazz; Megan Ivey Rohrbacher, Physical Comedy; Audreyanne Delgado Covarrubias, Tap, Pilates mat. These artists have performed and taught in previous Festivals and all have devoted followers.

Full Day of Dance©

Pilates mat, 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.

Jazz 10:15 a.m.-11:15 a.m.

Physical Comedy 12:30 p.m.- 1:30 p.m.

Tap 1:45 p.m.- 2:45 p.m.

Line Dances 3:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m.

Full Week of Dance© mini-classes

Pilates mat MTWThF 9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Nov. 8-12

Line Dances MWF 2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Nov. 8, 10, 12

Repertory: TThF 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Nov. 9, 11, 12

“Dances for Small Spaces

All Full Day of Dance classes are free, but we do request that you register.

All Full Week of Dance classes request registration and are on a pay-what-you-can basis. Suggested amount is $5 -$15.

TO REGISTER PLEASE GO TO: https://forms.gle/dAd5DKho8sgFgPn8A

For further details please watch http://www.livelyfoundation.org/wordpress/?p=3586

Stanford’s Company of Authors presents Leslie Friedman

Congratulations to Leslie Friedman, Artistic Director of The Lively Foundation! Stanford University’s distinguished program, Company of Authors, honored her by inviting her to talk about her book, The Dancer’s Garden. Company of Authors presents Stanford related writers to talk about recent publication. The program took place over Zoom on October 24. There were 17 speakers all from a wide variety of fields. Leslie received her Ph.D. in History from Stanford. The event was free and open to the public; only pre-registration was required in order to receive the Zoom code.

The Dancer’s Garden, published in 2019, is available from The Lively Foundation and the Stanford Bookstore.

Response to Leslie’s talk was so positive that she immediately received an invitation to present her new book, The Story of Our Butterflies: Mourning Cloaks in Mountain View, in the next Company of Authors, April 24, 2021. This year’s Company of Authors was originally scheduled for May 2, 2020. It would have been live, in person, and on campus at the Stanford Center for the Humanities. The Stanford campus closed because of the pandemic, the Authors’ program, postponed, became a virtual event. With each author appearing individually from his or her home, the relationship of speaker to listeners became even more personal. The hugely successful event was created by History Professor, Peter Stansky. He serves as the moderator of the program. Professor Stansky gave Leslie an exceptionally generous introduction. Christina Fajardo of Stanford’s Continuing Studies coordinated the program and managed the technical direction. It was a wonderful experience, and we are looking forward to April 24th next year!

FULL DAY OF DANCE© RETURNS!!!

The Full Day of Dance© a unique, wonderful feature of the International Dance Festival@Silicon Valley will be back this August 8 & 9. Classes will be offered over Zoom. ALL CLASSES ARE FREE! This is too good to be true, but it really is true. Lively offers an array of artist-teachers who are gifted dance artists who also excel in the art of teaching. PLEASE NOTE: (1) Teachers will perform at the end of their class. You will want to sign up for the class to see the performance. (2) Classes are free, however you need to register to get the sign in code. Here are the artist teachers of Full Day of Dance© 2020:

Chrystal Bella Chen & Oscar Adrian Rodriguez are champion ballroom dancers. They will teach ballroom dance on Sunday afternoon, August 9. At the end of the class THEY WILL PERFORM!! You do not have to have a partner to learn the dance steps. No worries, you will enjoy it all!! The music is great, and Chrystal Bella and Oscar will help you improve what you already know or quickly learn what is new to you.

Audreyanne Delgado Covarrubias will teach Tap Dance on Saturday, August 8, and Pilates mat on Sunday August 9. Audreyanne is a MASTER of TAP. Do not miss the chance to learn and dance with her. She is an excellent and attentive teacher. After her class, watch AUDREYANNE PERFORM! You will wonder how she taps when it looks like her feet never touch the ground!!

Shambhavi Dandekar, Founder and Director of SISK in India and California will teach Kathak on August 8th. Kathak is a classical dance of India. All levels are welcome, beginners and experienced artists. Kathak tells stories with rhythmic feet, swirling turns, expressive arms. This is a GREAT opportunity to take a master class from one of the foremost Kathak artists. If you are a beginner, remember you will be at home! No need to be shy or worry about missing a step. This is your chance! Try it! By the way, Kathak and Tap can make a great combination. After her class, see SHAMBHAVI DANDEKAR in PERFORMANCE!

She’s back! Megan Ivey Rohrbacher teaches Physical Comedy on Sunday afternoon, August 9th. Last seen, she was given a going away party after a wonderful workshop she led at IDF@SV, 2018. Immediately after the cake and hugs, Megan went to Hawaii to get married. Now, all the way from Hawaii she will join in Full Day of Dance©. And MEGAN PERFORMS AFTER HER CLASS!

Etta Walton!! Etta will lead her fantastic LIne Dances class on Saturday, August 8. Etta’s class is fun for everyone, even the person writing this post who is also the person facing the back wall while everyone else faces the front. Great dancing for everyone. Terrific music–western and soul and pop–and ETTA WILL PERFORM AFTER THE CLASS.

Annie Wilson has got that JAZZ! She taught and performed in the 2018 Festival, and we are happy she’s back! She will teach Jazz dance on August 8th. All levels welcome. Get ready for Jazz. At the end of the class ANNIE WILL PERFORM!

PLEASE NOTE: ALL THE CLASSES ARE FREE, BUT YOU STILL NEED TO REGISTER. AFTER YOU REGISTER AND A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE CLASSES, YOU WILL RECEIVE SIGN IN INFORMATION. FOR REGISTRATION INFORMATION AND SCHEDULE DETAILS WATCH THIS LIVELYBLOG!

Artist in Residence: Dr. Leslie Friedman, Dancer, Choreographer, Writer

This is an article by author Don McPhail. It appeared in the November issue of OMVNA (vol. 31, Number 4) which covers the Old Mountain View, CA area.

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE: Dr. Leslie Friedman, Dancer, Choreographer, Writer

With quiet energy and a generous nature, Leslie Friedman is a local treasure. Her willingness to share and motivate other is distinctive. Residents who have participated in Leslie’s dance classes or the International Dance Festival@Silicon Valley which she founded and directs may be surprised to learn that this same unselfish teacher is an award winning, world-renowned dancer and ambassador of art. All of Leslie’s classes, the Festival, and other Lively Foundation events take place at Mountain View’s Masonic Lodge, in the heart of Old Mountain View.

Leslie Friedman’s extraordinary background is documented on The Lively Foundation’s website/blog www.livelyfoundation.org Leslie’s remarkable career as a dancer and choreographer has earned her acclaim from audiences and critics alike on four continents. She has performed with the support of the US State Department and host countries in Russia, China, India,England, Spain, Poland, Egypt, South Korea, Japan, and more. A writer and former history professor, she received her Ph.D. in Modern British History from Stanford. She taught at Stanford, Vassar, and Case Western Reserve before returning to dance professionally.

An invitation to introduce American modern dance to the artists of India’s National School of Drama led to a Fulbright Lectureship to support her work and travel. Beginning at Viswa Bharati University, home of Tagore, India’s Nobel winning poet, she performed across India: new Delhi, Bangalore, Madras, Calcutta, and Jaipur. Her work was so well received that each place invited her back for more performances.

Representatives of Indian arts institutions, US consulates or Fulbright in India took her to the next plane or train, but she traveled as she danced: solo. She was welcomed by people with whom she maintains long friendships. On China or Bulgaria she says, “I met wonderful individuals and learned so much.”

The success of her first India trips led to more. She performed and taught in Sri Lanka, Egypt, and Tunisia on that journey. Word of her beautiful dancing and ability to relate to new people and places spread, leading to more journeys touring her art. Next: Budapest, Pecs, and Gyor, Hungary; Barcelona and Madrid, Spain; Moscow and Leningrad, USSR. She knew these were peak experiences and was thrilled to be doing what she loved for appreciative, knowledgeable audiences.

The US State Department and The Place, London’s foremost theater for modern dance, co-sponsored her performances there. She taught her choreography to London’s Ballet Rambert. In China, she taught modern dance and created choreography for the national ballet academies: Beijing, Shenyang, and Shanghai. She introduced modern dance to Poland’s national ballets, making four extensive trips to Poland and Romania performing and choreographing.

Lively Foundation Artistic Director Leslie Friedman

She continued performing concerts across the US and the Bay Area. She and her company performed education performances about the the Gold Rush for thousands of students from San Jose to Marin. She created several firsts: concerts honoring the many holidays at year’s end; benefit concerts for breast cancer patients; Heroic, Beloved, a concert for Women’s History Month performed in multiple states’ universities and arts centers.

For this writer, Leslie Friedman’s delight in sharing her art is most inspiring see in the context of tumultuous historic events going on around her as she keeps dancing.

Current book: The Dancer’s Garden, published in April, 2019

Current project: International Dance Festival@Silicon Valley, Founder & Artistic Director

FERLINGHETTI’S 100th BIRTHDAY! GET THE POSTER!

This post was originally published for Lawrence Ferlinghetti’s 100th Birthday. We present it again to honor his passing at age 101 and 11 months. Good news: there are still posters to purchase as well as the remarkable greeting cards which were not offered 2 years ago. Buy one or more now to honor an activist artist who inspired so many. POSTER NEWS! We continue to get requests for this poster. Please note new price due to limited supply.

Lawrence Ferlinghetti’s birthday is March 24. Just a few days ago he turned 100. Celebrate this great life landmark with an exclusive poster designed by Jonathan Clark. His birthday is also March 24th! but not his 100th. Not yet. The poster is colorful with a strong image of Lawrence’s painting. Buy one now for yourself and another as a gift. It was a limited edition poster of which Jonathan is offering some of what he has in his own collection. In 1994, Jonathan –the internationally acclaimed photographer and fine art printer—was the Chair of the Visual Arts Committee for the City of Mountain View, CA. He organized and presented the first major exhibition of Lawrence Ferlinghetti’s paintings. Well known as a poet and publisher, Ferlinghetti’s visual art was not well known. Soon after the exhibition in the Mountain View City Hall, the exhibition moved to San Francisco to be shown in The Lively Foundation’s new studio at the corner of Grove and Gough Street, just a block from the SF Ballet and the SF Opera House. It was Lawrence’s 75th Birthday Party and our opening; a great day with a great crowd of art lovers and many who were devoted to Lawrence’s role in the cultural life of San Francisco.

Original poster. It is 18″ x 24″

Cost for one poster is $36. If we mail it to you, postage cost is $7.84 (exact postage cost can change depending on destination). Yes, that really is the postage. This is the real deal. You will not find this anywhere else, and it is terrific. Previously not for sale, but NOW AVAILABLE: greeting card, blank inside, with portrait photo by Jonathan Clark of Lawrence standing by his painting.

Email us at livelyfoundation.org Let us know your name, address and how many posters or cards you would like. This is first come, first served. Mail a check made out to Jonathan Clark to Jonathan Clark, 550 Mountain View Avenue, Mountain View, CA 94041-1941. You will love having this historic poster celebrating an individual who is a significant cultural force and who has done so much for many artists. Do it today!

IDF@SV TICKETS FOR FESTIVAL CONCERTS! 2018

TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE NOW for the Showcase Performance, Jun 22, 2018, 7 p.m. and the Gala Festival Concert, June 23, 2018, 3 p.m. and the Festive Dinner after the Festival Concert. Unique and wonderful experiences that celebrate the best of dance. Buy your tickets now; the acclaimed the Festival artists perform to full houses every time. Audiences embrace these performances by peerless artists. To buy your tickets: Mail a check made to The Lively Foundation to The Lively Foundation/550 Mountain View Avenue/Mountain View, CA/94041. OR if you prefer to use a credit card: please (1) go to the landing page of livelyfoundation.org (2) scroll down the page to see the PAYPAL logo (3) click on that. Follow the easy directions for making a donation. (4) Please email livelyfoundation@sbcglobal.net to let us know how many tickets for which date. OR Tickets available at the door. PLEASE bring cash or check and ID.

THE SHOWCASE PERFORMANCE program encompasses premieres of work from the Festival’s Choreo-Cubator©; an Awardee of the 2018 Choreography Competition, Sam Tribble’s amazing work on the Cyr, a circus art; and premier performances by guest artists. All tickets are $10. Complimentary refreshments. Attend the Showcase and you get a two-for-the-price-of-one ticket to the Festival Concert. FANTASTIC DEAL!

Audreyanne Delgado-Covarrubias

THE GALA FESTIVAL CONCERT presents the Tap Dance Star Audreyanne Delgado-Covarrubias whose wit and incredible quickness makes the audience gasp and applaud; Physical Comedy & Tap artist Megan Ivey whose feet never seem to touch the ground; Etta Walton invites the audience to join her in her amazing Line Dances–no one stays seated when they can dance with Etta. It is a concert to make you laugh and to make your spirits soar. Performances by Awardees of the 2018 Choreography Competition, Ballroom dance by Kris Mola with partner Yuriy Kuvshynov; contemporary dance by Marlene Garcia’s dancers Jessica Bozzo & Coryn Ware.

Above, L to Rt: Awardees Kris Mola with Yuriy Kuvshynov; Marlene Garcia General Admission tickets, $20; tickets for those over age 65 or younger than 10, $12; Sponsor tickets are $35. Sponsor ticket holders will have reserved seats and a tax deduction. Group tickets for 5 or more available, please contact livelyfoundation@sbcglobal.net

DINNER and a SHOW! “What are you doing after the show?” Don’t rush off; join audience members and artists at Amici’s pizzeria just a block and a half away for a festive, pizza celebration after the show. Please let us know that you will attend so we can be sure Amici’s staff is ready for us! Add $25 to your ticket cost. That’s all it takes to make the fun continue. Performance will end around 5 p.m. We will probably arrive at Amici’s around 5:30. PLEASE RSVP; we need to count you in to reserve our table. Response by June 21 would be great. Mail your check made out to The Lively Foundation to The Lively Foundation/550 Mountain View Ave/Mountain View, CA/94041 QUESTIONS? contact livelyfoundation@sbcglobal.net

REGISTER NOW FOR IDF@SV 2018!

EARLY BIRDS get the best price! You CAN register now for the Workshops & Classes of International Dance Festival@Silicon Valley, 2018. It’s the 7th season for the Best Dance Experience On This Planet –or on any other. Here are your Early Bird deals for Physical Comedy, Full Day of Dance©, Choreography Workshop, Festival Concert.

PHYSICAL COMEDY, Sunday, June 10, 2 – 4 p.m. $30 for one person; $45 for two

Megan Ivey, Ringling Bros. professional clown, will perform & teach Physical Comedy in IDF@SV 2018

FULL DAY OF DANCE©, Saturday, June 16, 10 a.m. -5 p.m. $60 for all five classes, $20 for single class, $36 for two, $48 for three, $56 for four: BEST DEAL & MOST FUN=TAKE THEM ALL

Etta Walton (L) & Audreyanne Covarrubias (R) perform & teach Electric Line Dances & Tap Dance

CHOREOGRAPHY WORKSHOP (THE CHOREO-CUBATOR©): Tues/Thurs/Fri, June 12, 14, 15, 19, 21, 22, each time from 6 -7:30 p.m., ALL six sessions of space & time to develop your own creative project AND perform on the Showcase Concert (not required), ALL this for $115.

All dance styles welcome in Choreo-Cubator 2018; Take a bow in the Showcase concert; finally have time for your own creating and rehearsing!

TICKETS !!! FOR THE FESTIVAL CONCERT 2018 are available. June 23, 3 p.m. $20 general admission; $12 for over 65 & under 10; group tix also available. $30 SPONSOR TICKET gives you reserved, best seating and a tax deduction for helping The Lively Foundation keep the IDF@SV dancing with the stars!!! Mail your check to The Lively Foundation, 550 Mountain View Ave., Mountain View, CA 94041 THANK YOU!

International Dance Festival@Silicon Valley:2018 Dates

International Dance Festival@Silicon Valley announces its dates for June, 2018. Now is the time to get it on your calendar! The Holiday Season sweeps in soon; your visions of sugar plums, candied yams, turkey, pies…may take your attention away from planning the Greatest Possible Dance Adventure: IDF@SV Season 7.

Workshops, classes, performance opportunities are available for advanced/professional dancers, for those who want to try a class or two, & for beginners.

Remember: a great ballerina may still be a beginner at tap dance. She could take Audreyanne Covarrubias’ tap class and have the most amazing time.

Choreography workshop, technique workshops, Physical Comedy, and the Full Day of Dance©; all this AND performances by the gifted artists who will bring the best in dance to our ever growing audience. Don’t miss this!

All events and classes take place at the Mountain View Masonic Center, 890 Church Street, Mountain View, CA 94041

Here are the dates:

Sunday, June 10, 2:00-4:00 p.m. Physical Comedy with Megan Ivey--she’s the professional clown from Ringling Bros. This is more fun than anyone can describe. Fall down, spit water, walk into walls–see what I mean? You have to be there.

Megan Ivey leads Physical Comedy

Choreo-Cubator© Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, June 12, 14, 15, 19, 21, 22, from 6:00 p.m. -7:30 p.m. Supportive atmosphere, chance to work on something new or polish a work in progress. Perform your work on June 22 (performance not required).

Guest artist from Berlin, Germany, Elisabeth Kindler-Abali, performing the premiere of Letters Like Feathers, Festival Concert 2016, choreographed by Leslie Friedman

Saturday, June 16, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Full Day of Dance© Take your pick of 5 different dance/movement techniques. Tap, Pilates mat, Etta’s Electric Line Dances, contemporary, and a special surprise. Price of classes reduces with each added class: Best deal & most fun: TAKE THEM ALL!

(L to R) Audreyanne Delgado Covarrubias teaches Tap; Etta Walton teaches LIne Dances; both perform in the Festival Concert

Sunday, June 23, 3 p.m., FESTIVAL CONCERT, the gala closing event of Season 7. Watch the artists you’ve worked with in class–and maybe perform yourself. This is always a stunning performance featuring premiere works and thrilling dancing. CELEBRATE! IT’S TIME TO DANCE! SAVE YOURSELF THIS TIME TO DANCE; THE SKY’S THE LIMIT. For more information, contact The Lively Foundation, watch this blog, friend the Festival on Facebook at facebook/international dance festival silicon valley

Lively Foundation Artistic Director Leslie Friedman