Dancers As A Force For Change

Please Don't Touch, Enforced Arch

James Koroni of Enforced Arch was interviewed by Dance Advantage. Here's a spotlight from that interview and a link to where you can read the rest:

Dance Advantage: Why did you create the Enforced Arch community?

James Koroni, Enforced ArchJames Koroni: All my life I have had a strong desire to sing, dance and entertain everyone. All of which was an attempt to brighten someones day.

As an adult I went through two devastating losses – each breathing new life into my love of performance art – - the death of my brother and later the loss of my father who both died of cancer.

It wasn’t until I felt the severity of my fathers illness that I knew I needed to change my own life. After he died I sought the truth behind the causes for cancer and I found an abundance of resources, including The China Study, linking many causes of cancer to our diets. This sent me on a a course of research that changed my life forever. The first step I took was adopting a vegan lifestyle, not only for my brother & father, but also for my health, the environment, and all of the animals suffering for our dinners. This discovery has filled my life with great intention.

Every moment following that day has contained yet another opportunity to inspire change through my lifestyle and as a dancer/choreographer. Dancers have a unique ability to speak to others and I value those who use this talent to create awareness.

READ MORE HERE!

Advantages of Dance: Melinda Marchiano

Melinda_MarchianoAfter reading about Melinda Marchiano on Dance Advantage, I felt compelled to share this article by Nichelle Strzepek with the Enforced Arch community. Cancer has effected my own family twice now, which is why I am pleased to read her story of recovery. The article highlights Melinda's use of dance as a means for emotional support:

Dance Advantage: You’ve said that dance “saved your life” throughout this process. How so?

Melinda Marchiano: Well, originally, it helped us to get a diagnosis. Every time I danced, I had a high pitched cough I called “The Dolphin Cough.” It led us to find the mass in my chest. Dance also “saved” me emotionally by being my outlet during treatment – my goal and passion. 

Melinda Marchiano was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma. She’s transformed her confrontation with cancer into something beautiful, documenting her path through diagnosis, treatment, and recovery in a memoir, Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery, which she published in October, 2010. (SOURCE)

To read the rest of her interview, visit: Dance Advantage: Melinda Marchiano

SUPPLEMENTATION: Part 2 of 7

CALCIUM AND VITAMIN D

Two nutrients currently receiving a great deal of attention are calcium and Skeleton, Enforced ArchVitamin D. This is in part because inadequate levels of Vitamin D in the body have recently been linked to higher risk for a host of diseases (including multiple sclerosis, dementia, Alzheimer's, certain cancers, heart disease, and all-cause mortality). It is also because many populations living in wealthy areas such as the EU, UK and U.S. have been seeing a decrease in their bone-strength (e.g. osteoporosis). And it is calcium (with the help of Vitamin D, Magnesium, and other nutrients) that is the primary raw material for making and maintaining strong bones.

This increasing trend for weak bones has contributed to the popularity of calcium supplementation. Yet those populations around the globe that consume the most calcium (such as Americans in the U.S.) actually have the highest rate of osteoporosis. And often those in other populations (with different lifestyles) who consume much less have bones that are surprisingly stronger. In the end, it seems that calcium intake is not the most important factor for having strong bones. Rather it comes down to three others: 1) quantity and type of exercise, 2) dietary intake, aka food, and 3) Vitamin D via sun-exposure, certain foods or supplementation.

Safe, health-promoting exercise and strong bones are mutually dependent. Movement that is both vigorous and safe requires strong bones to support it. At the same time, maintaining an active, movement-based lifestyle is key to having strong bones. This, coupled with elevated rates of osteoporosis and people seeking healthy ways to treat it, is why bone health is an important sub-topic for the Axis Syllabus student and practitioner.

SUPPLEMENTATION: Part 1 of 7 SUPPLEMENTATION: Part 3 of 7 SUPPLEMENTATION: Part 4 of 7 SUPPLEMENTATION: Part 5 of 7 SUPPLEMENTATION: Part 6 of 7

For more on the Author, Sebastian Grubb, visit his ‘Movers’ page!

Dance Against Cancer

DAC-LOGO 2011 Dance Against Cancer (source) Manhattan Movement & Arts Center

The Manhattan Movement & Arts Center is proud to present Dance Against Cancer. The year's performance will take place on Monday, April 25, 2011. Cocktails at 6 PM, performance at 7 PM and reception at 8:30 PM.

** Logo and Invitation Design by Paula Salhany

The evening’s performance, produced by Erin Fogarty and Daniel Ulbricht, will include three World Premiere pieces and will be performed by Daniel Ulbricht, Robert Fairchild, Amar Ramasar, Tyler Angle, Craig Hall, Wendy Whelan, Maria Kowroski, and Sterling Hyltin, as well as Matthew Rushing, Attila Csiki, Keigwin + Company, Alex Wong, and Martin Harvey to choreography by George Balanchine, Christopher Wheeldon, Benjamin Millepied, Larry Keigwin, Lar Lubovitch, Earl Mosley, Alex Wong and Robert Fairchild, and Daniel Ulbricht.

TICKETS

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

MOVE for AutismOur compassionate 'Mover' Nicole Johnson created an initiative for dancers to contribute their "voice" to assist communities with compromised living conditions. She developed JP, Javanna Productions, when she was thirteen years old and since then has had a very positive response from audiences across the country.

JP's 'M.O.V.E.' is their most recent endeavor which is ultimately trying to make the world an easier place to live in. They focus on many different social issues and reach out to those who are in need of resources such as the Autistic community, the Cambodian community, Cancer stricken patients in the U.S. and an orphanage in Uganda. They intend to raise awareness and funds for these causes while using their craft and doing what makes them happy.

Check out their promotional video:

Here's where you can contribute. Simply stop by and enjoy the show! The most charming aspect of Nicole Johnson's 'M.O.V.E.' is all her efforts inspire happiness in the lives of those involved.

Move For Autism

LINKS: AutismSpeaks.org jpmove.webs.com BroadwayDanceCenter.com