Sunday, March 21, 2010

News (and more news)

hi friends -- and happy SPRING!

Lots and lots to tell -- here goes ...


New … career direction

First news to share is that I'm resigning my post at the real estate agency, having been offered a full time position as a marketing assistant. I’ll be working closely with a few different departments of an investment company - assisting with the content/distribution of various marketing efforts - (so if anyone knows how to use InDesign .. :) it’s going to be a challenging and I no doubt rewarding position - wish me luck!


In the end, I made some deals (thank you, thank you) and took my pound of flesh from the mania that is NYC real estate. Finally able now to start a Tracy Goes Back to School fund, which I plan to invest as soon as I've narrowed down to a program I can both finance and feel fits the bill for making more possible a backstage career in the arts. (Will also of course have to fit in with a full time job.)If you have recommendations or know people who have gone through a non-profit and/or arts administration program they felt was successful and worthwhile, I'd love some advice on making this choice.


Though I'm moving on, I have to say that the past year has been the crash course in initiative I probably needed. Outside of the work, I regularly find myself being more clear and direct about the things I need and want; from finally getting my landlord to fix up the apartment (my new windows are beautiful!), to day-to-day little snags I would have more typically let slide, this sink or swim nature of a living served me well to this end - a quality I don't doubt made me a more competitive candidate for the position I‘m about to begin. I’m going to keep my license active and stay informed of the market - it’s a fascinating world I remain intrigued by.

(Learning to Fly blares from the Ipod shuffle - both apropos and awesome godilovethissong)


New … apartment.


And speaking of the market, I’m seeking a long overdue change of address - will do so by the summer. I'm aiming to remain in my beloved Brooklyn, but keeping an open mind. Stay tuned.


New … teaching opportunities.


Put said initiative to work and submitted a proposal to be a guest teaching artist at SUNY Potsdam -- it’s looking good for me to bring Lori Russo and our project Love, Isadora to the college stage in the Fall. We would combine the performance with taking over the dance and drama courses for the week. The idea of seeing my work on 30 or so students at once is very exciting.
I’d also be speaking to the department about my artistic endeavors here in New York since graduation. If you can tell me where, by the grace of God, to even begin on that lecture -- I’m all ears.

Haven’t gotten official word of our acceptance, but I’m feeling confident we will make this happen. I know, I shouldn’t jinx it!


All levels welcome -- come dance!


I’m launching a weekly beginner modern dance class, beginning in April, latest May --adult beginner is my favorite level to teach and I’m working on a curriculum that I hope to be inspirational.
Still need a few more students to commit so I can go ahead and secure the time and place -- so far, it’s down to Wednesday or Thursday evenings at Mary Seidman Studios(again, stay tuned.)


New … Old.

The new(ish)bassist of The Possessions (Rob Carpenter) is also a stellar sound technician, working diligently on re-mixing old tracks from previous albums of ours. So far, the improvements are just astounding. Frank and I are re-recording a bunch of tracks, both vocals and other elements of the arrangements -- giving the songs a chance to shine in the ways they are meant to.
Selfishly, I’m most excited to redeem some less-than-pro vocal performances. I’m stronger and more comfortable with the recording process now - nice to get another go at it ;)



There is much more I'm tempted to get into, but I'm going to pause the newsfeed for now ...

On a side note, I want to mention a fun experience I had last night -
Went to see drummer Dave's friends perform a rootsy acoustic set at The Loving Cup in W'burg- I regret I don't know his last name, but Dave's friend Chris (drummer for The London Souls) is a truly gifted musician who makes "guy with a guitar" a listening experience during which you're not tempted to groove your head a bit and then return to your book. The range in genre, vocals and guitar chops keeps you in there. No small feat.

Dave wound up taking over on drums throughout the sets, which seemed to open the floodgates for willing musicians to jump on tamb, cowbell, sit in on piano or even sing harmonies, which I did myself to Poor Elijah -- one of my favorite songs, one that I've been wanting to cover.
It was an unexpected, purely fun and very warm musical experience - the way it oughta be.

Thanks for reading. More to come very soon - promise!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

on this .. holiday season eve ...

Coming up on the gluttonous kick-off to the insanity of the next 5 weeks - I'm preparing for a lot of overwhelming activity - eating, drinking, spending, traveling and many bouts of emotional outburst.

Right or wrong, I'm not one to focus on the historic and/or religious significance of this time - I grew up in a largely secular household, whereby the "holiday spirit" meant partaking in tireless traditions of which I feel so fortunate to have been part. Whether it be the annual Eisenberg NYC holiday dinner ("Dad, finally you get to see the big city!" -- he's been commuting here for 35 yrs), or Brandon's bizarrely accurate sound effects for Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmas Time", we typically leave no stone unturned, memory-wise.

In recent years, with both my brothers/sister-in-law elsewhere in the country, it's no longer guaranteed that we'll all be together during the holidays. Last year was the first in several we were able to swing it. While sadly, neither my brothers, nor my niece / coming nephew will be 'round this time, I look forward to us joining again in the early new year -- to welcome baby Henry!

Change is ever-present, commanding you not take time with loved ones for granted... of this, I am increasingly aware. And I will be reflecting on that most of all in the coming 5.

Ok ... this entry is far more corny than planned. Blame Santa.

Bottom line though, sincerely ... I'm thankful for all of you, near and far.




Thursday, October 9, 2008

opening night ...

it can drive you wild, but the nerves and anticipation of an opening show night is positively intoxicating.

can't wait to share all of this with all of you.

xo t

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

back & forth: an evening of choreography by tracy eisenberg






Something to blog about indeed!

Hello friends,

My favorite season is about to arrive - and along with it comes my must-see dance production:
back & forth: an evening of choreography by tracy eisenberg

October 9th and 10th, 2008 8pm

This evening-length event is the culmination of several months development, a gazillion rehearsal hours and the renovation / expansion of previously performed repertory (as ever, I bring in part, the "This Old Dance" element to the stage)

Below is a more elaborate description of what is to come, but I wanted to let you know less formally that these few nights are very important to me - and I would be so happy to have you all be there.

Frank Schiazza from my band The Possessions (www.myspace.com/thepossessionsnyc) will be part of the performance as a live guitarist. He has composed some amazing music for the production - sure to add a little grit and soul as only Schiazza can -




---



Tracy Eisenberg presents : back & forth: an evening of choreography by tracy eisenberg :
* featuring live music by Frank Schiazza
THURSDAY OCTOBER 9TH AND FRIDAY OCTOBER 10TH, 8PM
TRISKELION ARTS: 118 NORTH 11TH ST. BROOKLYN, NY
Tickets: $13 with reservation; $15 at the door (Free to Press)



Reservations: Call 845 401 9115, or e-mail tracy.eisenberg@gmail.com

back & forth is a contemporary dance production of both debut and renovated repertory by Tracy Eisenberg. The evening will be a stunning showcase of Eisenberg’s choreographic range; from the aesthetically beautiful to the contorted and broken, often overlapping seamlessly in energetic, emotional expressions. One returning favorite is the newly expanded “For A Good Cause”; an electric, whirlwind three sectioned dance beginning with a moody introductory solo (performed by Hannah Jean Lundeen) and Taylor-esque phrase-play in its following trio and duet. Eisenberg’s work in this series is a reflection of her years of classical technique training blended with an eye for grounded movement and space design.

Live guitar performance by composer, musician and recording artist Frank Schiazza will provide an added soulful dimension to three of Eisenberg’s debut dances. Schiazza will join “back & forth”, a 4 movement solo performed in 2 parts by Eisenberg herself, the aggressive and emotional duet to the blues of “Driftin” and the haunting untitled solo performed by Todd Henry, who through popped, puppet-like movements portrays the state of a man in the throes of mind-body disconnection and his journey back to its harmony. Schiazza’s live guitar will be blended in and out of recorded music of varied genres, enhancing cohesion and narrative continuity to the tone of each piece.

Since 2003, Eisenberg’s choreography has been enjoyed in various theaters including WAX, La Tea, Studio 111, Merce Cunningham, Galapagos Art Space, among others in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens. This will be her second production at Triskelion Arts; her first production here was in March 2005, when The Washing Machine premiered with her former collaborative dance company, Dialogue Dance Collective. The Washing Machine was attended by four consecutive sold-out audiences and the subject of a featured arts article in the entertainment guide Courier Life 24/7: Zraicke, Karen “Intriguing Washing Machine Set to Spin” Courier Life 24/7 (2005).

Eisenberg’s choreography was recently premiered on the West Coast, when Love, Isadora, a one-woman play by renowned playwright Rick Foster (based on the life of Isadora Duncan) hit The California Stage in Sacramento for a successful, critically acclaimed five-week run. Love, Isadora is a collaboration of Foster, actress Lori Russo, Drama Desk Award nominee Janis Stevens (Director) and Eisenberg (Choreographer). In August 2008, Love, Isadora was nominated for 3 Elly Awards.

For more information on Tracy Eisenberg, or to reserve tickets for back & forth, please contact Tracy Eisenberg at
tracy.eisenberg@gmail.com or at 845 401 9115.

back & forth: an evening of choreography by tracy eisenberg
Choreography by Tracy Eisenberg
Light Design: Andrew Dickerson
Music: Recording artists including Four Tet, Lightin’ Hopkins, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Live guitar performance by Frank Schiazza






Monday, August 11, 2008

as with the dual cassette, the dvd player, the Ipod, the laptop, e-mail...

... and countless other improvements in technology, i in true tracy fashion, have taken interest in something - in this case, blogs, several years after it's been explored, explained, exploited, expected and excited about.

i'm not sure what the protocol is for the inaugural published post, but a mission statement of some sort seems appropriate.

my name is tracy. i am a performing artist of dance and music. i will use this forum to to tell you about my life on this path, i.e., my process and ongoings. i will also tell you all about the other wonderful artists of various mediums whom i think you should know better.

as the reigning queen of tangents, i will likely talk about other topics i find "blog-worthy" ... once i figure out what that actually proves to mean.

until then ... thanks for reading!