Too Young

Tremendous injustice is occurring all over the world. The most innocent and fragile of living creatures have no voice. Children are making textiles, toys (which they will never play with) and matches, among many other items. We call this Child labor. Child Trafficking is another malicious form of modern slavery. Each day, more children are trafficked into prostitution, forced labor, child marriage and other slavery-like conditions. Each day sees the growth of skills and experience of traffickers and those who purchase trafficked persons. Isn't slavery illegal? I guess not.

In our society we seek the most "delicious" food and at what cost? Do we know at what level of cruelty the farmers reach for particular forms of meat or dairy? Male chicks are useless to egg farms so they are simply plucked up and loaded into a grinder or left in a dumpster to die.

Veal production is also a bi-product of the dairy industry. It's beyond me how this kind of medieval torture is still around? Pulled from their mother immediately after birth, fed an anemic diet in a wooden crate to small to lie down in and then killed after 18 or 20 weeks.

You may ask what can I do about this? Being informed should be your first bit of effort. There are so many resources online for you to peruse. Then avoid companies that use child labor, create artistic works that educate your audiences, avoid cruel farming practices and you'll make a world of difference. All we have is each other to rely upon. It isn't difficult to be compassionate. It's simply difficult to know these ethical issues exist and then not do anything about it!

Wildchild Nation Inspiration

Luam Keflezgy is one of my most inspired mentors. Her style is confident, grounded, classic, smooth, edgy, and for her, all this is seemingly effortless. However she taught me effort and intention is everything!

She once said to me after a rigorous class, "It's where the movement comes from, that makes a statement." This has always rang true in my life as a dancer concerned with ecological and social issues. With her inspired statement I have been able to add quality to every movement I make, whether it be in class, choreography or with the clothing I wear!

Wildchild Nation offers a few alternatives to support my active and compassionate dance lifestyle! I even noticed a few eco-friendly materials such as Tencel! Hopefully she will expand upon these options in the future!

Check it out!

LUCKY for us there's a phenomenal clearance sale. Don't miss it!

MEN WOMEN

Leave a comment. Tell Enforced Arch how Luam Keflezgy has inspired you!

"So You Think You Can Prance?"

You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen. Or do you?

'364 The Series' wittingly addresses ecological and social issues while poking fun at popular culture. I find charisma in its playful approach. With a sense of humor they speak to somewhat unreachable ears. People often want to mourn in what ignorance is dwelling. It is our responsibility to tackle current issues and make it known that we are enraged. Until we make society realize that artists are not only talents but also 'Movers', we will continue to live in delusion or live without a voice. In order to make this shift we must do our research and make our medium carry a message.

James Manzello, the writer of '364 The Series' carries the leading role of Donner, a reindeer with good intention, although seemingly disheartened by the worlds current state, finds himself excitable at moments of truth. By alluding to certain topics, Manzello offers a platform of discussion influenced not only with his vegan lifestyle but by having a sense of humor. His performance will inspire others to develop opinions and hopefully make for a more informed society. Fortunately, compassion is found in many forms, and James' seems to find his voice within a chuckle.

While we thought reindeer only had one simple job of pulling Santa's sleigh - the other 364 days of the year they have lives just like you and me.

All styling for '364 the Series' done by cruelty free vegan Marlena Pavich, also featuring vegan recording artist Mandy Duffy in episode 4!

'So You Think You Can Dance' occasionally brings our attention to issues of grave importance. Pieces such as Addiction by Mia Michaels and 'This Woman's work' about a woman with Breast Cancer, by Tyce Diorio are a few I will never forget. With Diorio's message brought to the forefront of the dance community I would like to continue addressing the issue.

Looking back to April of this year, I recall Kentucky Fried Chicken making efforts to raise money for the Susan G. Komen foundation.

50 cents per bucket of deep fried, "chickens, breasts."

How Ironic, this irresponsible fast food chain not only serves food that is breast cancer causing but also perpetuates diabetes, heart attacks and a slue of other health problems! Not to mention it's a bucket full of CHOPPED OFF CHICKENS BREASTS!

Fortunately the Breast Cancer foundation involved pulled out of this fundraiser. These fast food companies are a disgrace to life, compassion and welfare. Not only are they death to small business, they cause health issues in all those who consume their products and get their food through the inhumane practices of factory farming.

A moving quote from Nigel Lythgoe, a judge on 'So You Think You Can Dance,' "I don't know as a choreographer, where you get the strength from... to do a piece like this."  Issues such as these often haunt us, hearing about it day to day almost makes us want to avoid it. Unfortunately being ignorant is more popular these days than ever. We can only make change for those suffering if we as choreographers, "find the strength" to be moved by such issues.

Why do you dance?

Please leave a comment, let everyone in the Enforced Arch community know.

Issues in Places we Never Knew we Had!

Artichoke Dance Company takes recycling to another level while creating a personal relationship with their environment. Their performance required them to literally comb New York City beaches. Not only did they find sand in places they never knew they had but also raised issues that New York City residents never knew needed attention! In fact before dancing in the sand they collected waste materials, primarily plastic, and made their costumes out of the debris. They have stated that "this work continues our ecology trilogy that began with the Human Mapping Project. This work investigates the exponential growth of single use plastics and the repercussions that plastics are being discovered to have on the environment and in the human body." I was astounded to come across the following list.

Top 10 debris items found worldwide during the Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup:

1. Cigarettes and filters, 3,216,991 2. Plastic bags, 1,377,141 3. Food wrappers and containers, 942,620 4. Caps and lids, 937,804 5. Plastic bottles, 714,892 6. Paper bags, 530,600 7. Straws and stirrers, 509,593 8. Cups, plates, forks, knives and spoons, 441,053 9. Glass bottles, 434,990 10. Drink cans, 401,412

Whether we like it or not litter is affecting our beaches, neighboring wildlife and the local water supply. I have seen countless images of animals caught in ocean debris. These animals have no way of freeing themselves once trapped in our urban ecosystem. It is our responsibility to be mindful of these tragedies. As mundane as it may sound recycling, reducing and reusing are all effective ways to minimize the effects we have on the environment. The following images by artist Chris Jordan are commonplace. [imagebrowser id=1]

Take it from Artichoke Dance Company and find ways to reduce your carbon footprint.

For upcoming performances visit: ArtichokeDance.org