Creative Salon
The ABQ Dance Connect Creative Salon is a supportive space for established and emerging dance professionals to develop work, discuss issues in their field, and generate new ideas. Creating work in a collaborative, open environment leads to fresh new ideas that can then be presented to the greater artistic community and the general public and fosters networking in our community.
The initial Salons will focus on dance, but we are hoping to eventually expand the experience to include other artistic genres to give the opportunity to share in a multidisciplinary cross pollination. We intend to hold a Creative Salon at least four times per year depending on the availability of space and facilitators.
“I really see this as a needed space for creators, and hope that it continues. So many could benefit from this event! It’s low-pressure, yet encouraging, and possibly just the nudge/stimulus one might need to get going on a project.”
what to Expect
In each Salon, there will be a brief icebreaker and introductions followed by three presenters and feedback sessions.
Presenters
Three presenters per session will have 30 minutes to present an idea for further development, show a work in progress, or workshop a vision and ask for feedback. This 30 minutes is completely open for the presenter to do anything to further their creative vision. Presenters can bring in dancers for a work in progress or use willing Salon participants to explore and workshop their idea. Props or additional materials required for the work may be used as long as they are within the location’s rules and guidelines. Details about cast and props must be shared with us in advance.
Participants
Non-presenting participants offer their presence to thoughtfully and physically (if willing and able, and if requested by a presenter) give feedback to presenters as supportive peers. Participants will gain inspiration and networking for their own practice.
Feedback
Feedback is the key gift of the Salon and is intended to provide attentive focus, respectful energy, and a supportive vibe. Participants are expected to give constructive feedback (not opinions). Feedback should be a response to the presenter’s questions that offers a constructive way for the presenter to consider their work and open to potential new lines of thought. It may also serve to confirm to the presenter that they are achieving their desired intent.
How to Attend
Attendance is currently limited to three presenters and five participants. The link to register will appear below when it is available one month before the next Creative Salon.
When you register, please specify whether you would like to be a Presenter. Previous presenters will be prioritized if they wish to follow up with their work from a previous Salon. The first three who would like to present will be given priority; the rest will be put on a waitlist and prioritized to be presenters in future Salons. Once a location and date are locked in, we will send out an email to confirm presenters and participants availability.
Note: dancers who are part of a cast for a work in progress are not considered the core group of ten and are invited to listen and observe. For the sake of the time constraints, the feedback session will be limited to the core group of ten.
What Past Salon Attendees Are Saying
“I observed how valuable it is to bounce ideas off peers! I was impressed by the organization and clarity of purpose of this, the Beta version of the Creative Salon. I was impacted by the thrill and challenge of participating in the presentations, as well as the collegiality I felt amongst all. I was also impacted by the generative feedback for the presenters and think that it really gives them traction for their work.”
“As a participant it definitely inspired my creative juices… got glimpses of processes of other positive connections for the ABQ network of dancers.”
“I got inspiring insights into other artistic processes, for how and what to create. I exercised my ability to give constructive feedback. And I felt my connection to the Albuquerque dance community was made stronger for my participation.”
“I was very happy to see my emerging piece workshopped. I could see, clearly, what was working and what was not. And I really appreciate [her] comment about the stare. She helped me to rethink that particular moment so that it would make sense.”