ALLIANCE - International Tour

Enforced Arch Presents an International Tour London, Paris, Berlin October, 2013

VegFest - London, England Paris Vegan Day Festival - Paris, France Site-Specific Installation - Paris, France Site-Specific Installation - Berlin, Germany

ALLIANCE Art & Activism By Creative Directors, James Koroni & Tracey Katof

Enforced Arch Dance Company is thrilled to present ‘ALLIANCE’ Art & Activism, a presentation that harnesses the relationship between performance art and the pursuit of social justice. In our fall 2013 tour we will be presenting a collection of past and new works honoring the 'ALLIANCE' of art and activism. The performance features video installation by exceptional video artists including, Joshua Katcher and Yessi Yes-Yes Ruiz.

In the past two years Enforced Arch has been invited to share their work in cities such as, Washington D.C., New York City and Paris, and has addressed issues such as human rights, environmental awareness, animal rights and ethics & fashion. Each piece celebrates our ability to speak up for those who are less fortunate.

By making a donation to our fundraiser you also contribute to our collective voice and make it heard that much louder. Thank you for making our important work possible. Here's how we will be using the money raised by this campaign:

Costumes = $500

Rehearsal space abroad = $270

Rehearsal space in NYC = $270

Travel (London, Paris, Berlin) = $2,414

Per Diem = $560

Housing = $700

TOTAL COSTS = $4,714

ADDITIONAL funds raised will go toward our annual company performance of ALLIANCE: Art & Activism in New York City tentatively scheduled for Spring of 2014.

MAKE A DONATION BY CLICKING HERE!

Please join us this Fall for an informal studio showing before we head abroad:

New York City Studio Showing (LOCATION TBA) Thursday, September 19th

For more information regarding this performance please contact us at EnforcedArch@gmail.com.

THANK YOU!

Instrumental music in video by Clara Lofaro www.ClaraLofaro.com.

Paris Journal 2011 Part 13

Paris Vegan Day was overwhelming in good way! I couldn't believe the amount of delightful treats at every turn. Vendor after vendor presenting yet another goody to share with you and of course I couldn't say no! I snapped a few photo's to share with you. If you have questions about the products here, just write a comment below and I'll get back to you with company information ASAP.         

        

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Paris Journal 2011 Part 9

         I'm thrilled to have two inspirational dancers, Carly Fox Horton & Tracey Katof join me in Paris tomorrow at noon (12h00). I've heard numerous people say that they are thrilled to see our performance at La Bellevilloise for Paris Vegan Day(PVD) and even more to see a marriage between art and activism in our performance piece 'Please, Don't Touch!' PVD wrote an article on the PVD website. You can read it, translated from french, here!

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Paris Journal 2011 Part 5

At the Grand Palais I stood in a line along with a thousand excited Parisians to enter and experience an evening of flash mobs, cultural dancing, free gifts and all at no entry fee! How is this possible? Never have I seen anything like it! In line I could have lifted my feet and floated along with the crowd into this event. I'm not kidding! Once inside I was given an umbrella and a T-shirt with a babies body on it! There really is no other way to describe the space other than a Grand Palace with a central dome and two vast wings that were completely open space, free from obstruction. The architecture was breathtaking with two staircases at the opposite end from the entrance. As you look up you're reduced to the ant you are. In that moment I lost and gained an equivalent amount of inspiration and desolation. Then my eyes reconnected with the presentations!

First of all there was 300 people at the main stage holding open umbrellas with the Baby T-shirt on, all participating in a follow my lead type of dance instruction.

Now when I said cultural dance I was referring to classes. Only the classes weren't taught to you live. There were 12 foot LCD screens lifted 5 feet from the ground with a repeating video with a master of each dance form helping you through the basics of each style. You could find anything from Ballet, Contemporary, Capoeira, Belly Dance, LA style(haha),  African, Hip Hop, Buchaechum, Bollywood, etc.

Then on either corner of the space were stages where performances from all these style were performed by dance artists from France. An invigorating experience!

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Paris Journal 2011 Part 3

I really wasn't expecting a day like today. I woke up at noon with no sign of my biological clock. Not that I didn't get enough sleep but I felt as though it could be 8 AM or 4 PM. Very odd! Well Joshua and I decided to skip breakfast and eat lunch at a vegetarian restaurant called Le Potager du Marais. It took us 20 minutes on the Metro to arrive. Finally at Le Potager du Marais I ordered a mushroom pate with le café avec le soja (coffee with soy). Although I didn't order a dessert at this time I took a few pictures of them in the deli case!  Have a look:

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Paris Journal 2011 Part 2

Last night Joshua & I took a stroll to the local bio supermarche (organic supermarket) where we picked up soy yogurt, fresh tomatoes & cucumbers, olive spread, an assortment of vegan deli slices and vegan cheese alternatives so we were set for today's homemade meals. Our gracious host made coffee before we even woke up. As we sipped the fresh coffee, creamed with chestnut milk, we enjoyed soy yogurt with a dollup of rhubarb jelly. What a delightful way to start the day!

Then I explored the surrounding neighborhood near our metro station called Porte de Clichy. I found it interesting to see how cordially people interact. Although the pace is still quick like New York City, people acknowledge you when you walk into a store and pardon themselves when they bump into you. On my way back to prepare lunch I stopped into the same boulangerie (bakery), as I had the night before, to grab a fresh baguette. The gentleman recognized me and excitedly hopped out of his seat and reached for the whole grain baguette that I had previously ordered without me asking for it. To top that, he respectfully attempted to teach me how to ask for it in French! I already forgot how to say it but I will return tomorrow for yet another chance to learn!

Upon arriving home we had lunch. A french grain baguette, Vitaquell Creme Olive spread, Vegi-Cheezly & Taifun Papillon. I then chopped up crisp organic produce such as cucumbers & heirloom tomatoes to accompany our sandwiches.

In the evening I attended a debate on Ethical Fashion hosted by the American University of Paris (AUP) where Joshua Katcher spoke. Many points were made regarding fair labor, sustainability, animal rights, buying local, etc. I won't delve into it but if any of these topics interest you I recommend Joshua Katcher's website for Ethical Gentleman called The Discerning Brute. An exciting moment during his presentation was when he mentioned his Anti-Fur initiative PINNACLE: Reinvent the Icon, which encourages artists to use their creative voice to speak up against the cruelty involved with Fur production. During this part of Joshua's presentation he used my performance piece, 'Please, Don't Touch' as an example of an artists contribution. The AUP panel then walked to a charming french restaurant near the college to have dinner. Luckily there was one vegan penne vegetarienne on the menu! I enjoyed it with an organic glass of Rose.

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Paris Journal 2011 Part 1

Walking through the streets of Paris today I noticed that many Parisians present themselves in such a way that shows self respect and confidence. I don't mean designer labels and expensive accessories. I'll call it thoughtful. I appreciate their thoughtful sensibilities because I very similarly put thought into what I wear, for example, in the image above Joshua Katcher & I are both wearing vegan biker jackets from APRIL 77. The "Mastermind" shoes on the left are from Brave Gentleman, an eco-vegan brand. I previously wore these shoes for the dance promo video Cut Color Move. Here are a few vegan meals I've enjoyed thus far:

Airplane Food: chickpea masala, white rice & broccoli, romaine salad with tomatoes & olive oil/balsamic dressing & honeydew. Bon appétit!

Dinner: grain baguette, Vitaquell Creme Olives, Vegi-Cheezly & Taifun Papillon.

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Introducing, 'Arrest Yourself'

Ignorance Is Bliss. By avoiding inconvenient and unpleasant information we hide from the worlds current state. Whether it be Factory Farming, Green House Gas or Climate Changes we must understand and address these issues before it's to late. Visit the following link for more about Arrest Yourself!

FEATURING: Lauren Cox Scott Hamilton James Koroni Kiet Lam

VIDEO PRODUCER: Joshua Katcher

CHOREOGRAPHER: James Koroni Contact: JamesKoroni@gmail.com

James Koroni: Arrest Yourself, Part 4 of 4

JAMES KORONI, Arrest Yourself for complying with a mindless day to day routine. With that as our permanent attitude there would need to be an endless supply of goods for you to consume. Our common products are far removed from its original resource and this intangible "object" somehow gives us permission to relieve ourselves of any responsibility. This is how the huge corporations would like to keep it however, if we are kept dumb then they can do whatever they want. By not feeling any of the suffering that goes into production we give them power over us asa consumer almost as if we're hypnotized by their marketing campaigns. I find the statement "Ignorance is Bliss!," as the downfall of society. We turn our heads at uncomfortable information because once understood we might need to make change in our lives that are outside of our comfort zones. Our comfort zone is only concerned with our personal well being and this is where hope is lost. Selfish acts are blind to suffering.

This doesn't mean we need to write on signs and head out to the nearest protest. By being particular in where we make purchases we decide the results of tomorrow. How do we create a more compassionate and sustainable future through thoughtful consumerism? We need to trace our products back to its source. Were people treated as dignified human beings in the production of my clothing? Are animals individuals, do they deserve a life free of exploitation? Why is fast food so cheap and how does it affect your health, the environment and small businesses? There are too many issues to list.

'Arrest Yourself' was created to inspire individuals to seek answers and make change. Make your comfort zone bigger and offer compassion to those beyond yourself. It's not a question of faith. It's a question of reality. Where does 'this' come from and who did it affect prior to arriving before me.

James Koroni studied at ‘The Edge‘ in Los Angeles,‘Broadway Dance Center‘ in New York City and Santa Monica College in Los Angeles. A few of his credits include choreographing and dancing for Princess Superstar in Paris, France, dancing for Madonna at MACY’s in Herald Square, choreographing and dancing for Clara Lofaro in NY, NY, performing in ‘Rhapsody’s Sirens after Dark‘ at the BLVD on Bowery, participated in the production of Bagabones at The Fringe Festival in New York City and teaching at NorthPort Dance in Long Island. His Internships and Administrative credits include ‘Broadway Dance Center’ under the International Student Visa Program with Director Bonnie Erickson and is currently employed at Cynthia King Dance Studio in Brooklyn, NYC as Cynthia King’s Executive Assistant.

“So much of life carries the potential to shock and excite me and whether traditional or controversial, if it offers compassion I find a reason to appreciate its beauty.” - James Koroni

LAUREN COX: Arrest Yourself Part 1 of 4 SCOTT HAMILTON: Arrest Yourself, Part 2 of 4 KIET LAM: Arrest Yourself, Part 3 of 4

Photography by Joshua Katcher of TheDiscerningBrute.com

Not such a 'Bad Babysitter'

I recently danced for Princess Superstar in Paris. She is charming, exuberant and hilarious! We met at an Olsen House fashion event. She is not only a fantastic DJ selling out houses all over Europe and Asia but also an animal rights activist.

She asked me to team up with her as choreographer and dancer for her performance at Paris Vegan Day. When I first heard her tracks I could not stop pressing repeat and found myself distracted for hours dancing to songs of hers like 'LICKY' and 'Bad Babysitter.' I immediately began sharing her music with all of my friends. I love this feeling! Check it out for yourself!

I needed a talented and professional dancer to accompany me so I contacted Bonnie Erickson the Educational Director at Broadway Dance Center. She introduced me to Celine Orang a fellow vegetarian, dancer and owner of Creadanse school in Paris. She and I worked through choreography, rehearsals and costuming for our performance with Princess Superstar, which was a huge success. This year Paris Vegan Day brought in about 5,000 people! Can you imagine how this concert must have gone?

The musicians preceding Princess Superstar were not of the same genre as her, some were groovy and others were hard rock. She was not worried saying, "We'll get them dancing," and within 30 seconds this came true. One of my favorite moments was when the song 'Party People (JUMP)' was thrown into the mix. She speaks French fluently and rather than screaming jump she yelled "SAUTE," which most dancers know means JUMP in French. Well I just about lost it. I joined Parisians in the crowd yelling, "Party people wanna SAUTE SAUTE, Party people wanna SAUTE SAUTE!"

We went NON-STOP for an hour when Princess Superstar said that she and her unborn child needed to get to bed. Seriously?! She flew to France, rocked out at Paris Vegan Day, got the crowd partying, and meanwhile she was 4 months along. She has certainly inspired us all. I can't wait to see more of Princess Superstar in the future.

Photography by Joshua Katcher of TheDiscerningBrute.com