DanArts's Xanga

Book in Process

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 03:23:57 GMT

Some of you know that I am an author. been working on several stories for some time now. Here's a few excerpts from my story Cougar Moon (sorry plagiarizers, its already been copywritten with the library of congress...)

Cougar Moon—Teaser Snipits

It was already late Jubilay, and with the Elk Star still burning brightly in the summer night sky Jamess’ misgivings were not relieved. Old Pageos, the Observatory scribe, insisted that the brilliant Elk meant something fell was at hand, but Master Kithom flicked the pronouncements of doom aside as fables.

Jamess tried to resume concentration on their lesson. It was hard enough to concentrate without… Mathew passing notes!

Swimming Hole tonight? Mathew grinned excitedly.

Jamess nodded quickly to Mathew and then tried to resume his measurements…

Finally they were released. Master Kithom reluctantly concluded the lesson, seeming resigned to the fact they would never become astronomers. The boys scooted from their chairs instantly, causing them to squeak on the slate tiles of the Observatory’s roof. The pack of twelve-to-seventeen year-olds funneled down the rickety spiral staircase, through the stuffy library, and out into the night air again. The moon, in its first quarter, was just rising, finally a broad grin again after its last cycle…

They came out of the thick trees, exposing themselves to the starry canopy above once again. Mathew didn’t seem to notice, but Jamess craned his head to look up at the Elk Star. It was still there, glaring back at him.

“What do you think of the Elk Star?”

Mathew groaned, “Don’t you ever get tired of school?”

“Pageos thinks it’s an evil omen.”

“Old Pageos is cracked. You heard what Master Kithom said.”

“Master Kithom said it was just rumors, and usually nothing ever happens. But Pageos says the Elk star never usually comes in summer, it’s always fall; and then it’s not so bright. The legends had to start sometime. Maybe they started because of a summer appearance.”

Jamess threw his shirt and leather case by a tree and gratefully splashed into the cool water.

A strange, wild cry suddenly ripped through the night. The friends stopped sputtering, frozen silent. The wail trailed off like a woman in pain. Then the eerie scream whipped out again.

“Was that a person?” Mathew asked.

The tortured cry came a third time. Jamess stood up in the water nervously.

“Maybe we should go home,” he suggested.

*******

Isias bolted upright at the sound of fists on his lean-to and Tobbel’s voice demanding, “Where are you, you sluggish lout?”

Isias shook his head violently, “Here!” he blurted. Light was streaming in through the cracks in the door and corners. “I’ll be right out!”

“You should be out already!” Tobbel growled.

Grabbing his jack-club Isias stepped out into the blinding late-morning. Tobbel stood there with his arms crossed.

“Well I hope you had a lovely sleep,” he reprimanded, “Because we’ve got a lot of work to do.” Tobbel wore his fancy wide-brimmed hat, which made him feel important, and had the silver Constable’s insignia pinned on his shoulder. Isias waited impatiently as Tobbel looked him up and down critically. “You look like a mess. Is that how you think we ought to represent the law around here?”

Isias wasn’t in the mood, “Maybe I’d look better if you actually paid me, or commissioned, or something.”

Tobbel put his finger in Isias’ face, “You watch it, boy. I don’t have to have you here at all. You remember that. Now let’s go.”

There had been two murders. Or at least Isias knew they were murders. The Constable could only conclude they were deaths. But the pasty white corpses bore the telltale black streaks across their bodies. Apparently the Elk-witch killed the first man as he slept. No one else had seen or heard anything. But Tephan the Potter, the second victim, certainly had. Constable Tobbel decided he must have been drunk before he died, because much of the craftsman’s crockery and pitchers had been smashed recklessly; the man’s corpse was flung against the wall with his hands covering his face. Isias knelt by the body, remorsefully imagining the man’s last desperate moments facing the ancient curse.

As they walked away from the Potter’s house Isias slapped his club against his leg in frustration. Tobbel would never listen to him.

Trying to be discreet he asked, “What if these people were murdered? I mean: it’s strange that they both died the same night… of the same cause!”

Tobbel didn’t look at him. “That’s ridiculous. They died of the same thing Porter’s pig died of. Besides, there were no marks on the body, and no one has witnessed anything to suggest a murder.”

They moved through town in silence, hoping to reach Maachah the Undertaker’s before any more bad news sprouted up. Then Orbais Driftfoot called to them, “Oh Constable! Praise Thean you’re here!”

“Of course I’m here Orbais, what do you want?”

Orbais looked worse than Isias. The man was known to drink, but his clothes were dirty and torn, and he looked haggard. “I saw him!” he exclaimed, horrified, “I saw him last night!”

“Who?”

“He was moving through the town like a ghost, going into people’s houses!”

“What? Who was?”

“Something horrible! He was half man and half animal, with antlers on his head, and a gigantic sword!” Orbais sputtered, accidentally spitting on the Constable’s vest. “He was killing them! He killed Tephan!”

Isias looked to Tobbel hopefully, twisting his jack-club in his hands.

Tobbel wiped his vest disdainfully. “Orbais, I don’t take you seriously by rule, or I’d lock you up more often than not. But this is no time to mock the dead with drunken lies!” Tobbel pushed passed the man gruffly.

“I’m not drunk!” Orbais called frantically, beginning to wail madly, “I didn’t have anything to drink!”

Isias snapped his fingers angrily. Running up to Tobbel he said, “What are you doing? He saw something! You know it.”

“I know he’s drunk.”

“The taverns weren’t even open yesterday!”

“So he had a personal cache. Why should I care how he got it?” "

Interested in more? Email daniel@ambassadorarts.org for information on the publication process, and how you can support this book project.

Welcome to Texas!

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:37:38 GMT

A month of changes has whirled past. Ambassador Ministries is now a resident of the great state of Texas! I’m sure you’ve been aware of the change, but I hope you’ll continue to stay informed of what we’re up to. We hope to bring you relevant news, whether you’er in CT, TX, or somewhere else, so you stay connected to the Ambassador adventures, and know when great art is coming your way.

Right now plans are underway to work alongside of the Ad Deum modern dance company of Houston, and Dan Cossette has already begun helping them out in preparation for their Summer Dance Intensive, Aug 1st-8th. If you are interested in professional or pre-professional dance and mime, then this week is for you! Check out www.danceaddeum.com for more info and to register online. It’s going to be fantastic, with faculty like modern dance legend Steve Rooks, Randall Flinn, Pilobolus co-creator Bill Wade, Rockette Cheryl Cutlip and more.

Dan will be dancing with Ad Deum, as well as continuing to mime independently when the company’s official season starts up again in Sept. Until then he is enjoying a little time off, while moving into his new place, and taking some time to pursue his writing! If you didn’t know, he’s working on some hot new fantasy adventures that will be great for the whole family. Stay tuned for excerpts and more info on this new avenue Ambassador will bring you great stories with redemptive messages!

Justice 2

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 20:11:52 GMT

Praise the Lord!

I wanted to update you on the Justice Project last week. I know many people were in prayer, and your support was needed and felt. While on Capitol grounds it was obvious that God was doing things both seen and unseen.

My first realization on the grounds was that I had nothing to fear but fear itself. God gave usvery pleasant police officers to work with; they were courteous, and even thanked us for our working with them some conscienciously. The sergeant came by and informed us that we could handout all our information, but if I dipped my hands in the red paint then people might complain, and kick us off grounds. I thought about it and decided we would be more effective with a long-term presence, than offending our audience beyond reception. This turned out to be correct.

Over the three days we, myself and my mom (who accompanied me the whole time), talked to 2 Senators, 2 Representatives, and many more Legislative staffers walking between the Legislative Office Building and the Capitol. One asked me straight out what I wanted him to do about abortion. We had additional volunteer presences most of the three days, and did lots of praying. People commented on our sensitive display, and thanked us for our peaceful demonstration, and sensitivity in presenting such a controversial topic. Many pro-life supporters stopped by and thanked us as well, and were able to use the handouts in their offices. One of the Reps commented that "everyone" was talking about me. A Capitol news blog posted a picture and a link to the Justice for All website www.JFAweb.org . One person commented in 20 years at the Capitol he's never seen anything with such a unique presentation as this.

We were also on the hill the same week as National Lobbyist Day (who knew), and a CT tea party.

One last observation, that I suspected might happen, was that by presenting so constantly, for three consecutive days, we were able to earn the respect of some of the more aloof passers-by. Maybe it’s an American thing. But the first, sometimes, 20 times certain people walked by on business, they would not even look at the statue. But finally they would start to peak at it; then examine; and many finally took brochures in the end.

I would invite you to continue to pray for this issue. We planted many seeds, and will probably never see the full effect of this project. But as evidenced by the abortion doctor shooting last week, there’s a very real need to godly Christians to make positive impact on their culture, to win people. Not to exacerbate violence with violence. We need to let love and grace accompany truth, and win people with the winsomeness of Christ.

Thank you.

Project Justice

Wed, 27 May 2009 18:34:25 GMT

For those who have been following, we are in the middle of Project Justice. It's a three day event up at Connecticut's State Capitol, May 26-28, from 10am-1pm.

Project Justice is all about justice for ALL humans, even the unborn. Abortion is not a question of Women's Rights, but a question of Human Rights. The same living baby that can be saved by surgery, respond to a surgeon's hand, has an eye color, hair, feelings, awareness, and more, can be brutally ripped from its mother's womb, either whole or in pieces and discarded as though sub-human. This is not right. (check out more details at www.JFAweb.org)

That's why Ambassador Ministries, LLC has stepped up to raise awareness at our state capitol. Come and join us if you have time tomorrow. We've been having some great opportunities. I've been blessed to already have discussions with Senators, and Representatives, and my volunteers have talked with these and more. We're handing out all kinds of great literature and really planting seeds of new thought into these wonderful people who influence our laws and culture. God has given us favor.

God has also favored us with the weather. Though it was supposed to rain today, we enjoyed a dry morning and afternoon. One skeptical suit passing by said, "Better get an umbrella." My mom was helping out and heard him. She said, "It won't rain 'til we're done." As he kept moving I watched the man suddenly check the sky, wondering how she knew what the weather would do! But she was right... Thank you Lord!

Please pray that the ripples of this simple demonstration will effect the whole Capitol, and the nation. My own district's senator passed by, and told us that the people in the buildings, "all talking about you." This could be a turning point. Pray for our nation. Thank you.

Dan

Project Dance/Ad Deum Connecticut

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 18:46:08 GMT

Last weekend represented the culmination of several months of planning. Not just for Ambassador... Saturday was the 8th annual Project Dance, NY: dancers bringing hope, blessing, and life to the city in a free, all day, outdoor dance concert. PDNY blocks off 44th Street right on Times Square (and Broadway), and brings there message of encouragement to this cultural hub of the world in its own language: dance! (www.projectdance.com)

Of course, they let a mime in... I have to say, its been a year or two since I've been to PDNY, and its so much fun. We had beautiful weather, and there's few stage experiences I enjoy more than miming in the open air, with God's wind greeting my face. This year was a milestone for Connecticut too, as for the first time ever about 16 dancers came from the Constitution State to represent! A thing unhead of! Who had heard of CT just three years prior at my first time there??? God is truly doing a work in CT's artists.

I performed two mimes, one of them the popular new duet about two quarrelling siblings, called Get Along. My partner is the ever-expressive Katherine Sarris, and the reviews were rave once again. Apparently we've all been a quarrelling sibling at some time--people relate. But I also got to perform Mighty Spirit, by Randall Flinn, and that was my true pleasure. Though a perfectly square stage (uncommon) it went very well, and many were blessed. I confess to being nervous, performing for some many dancers, but once I took the stage I felt the fears melt away, and really sensed the presence of God carrying me through the dance. See photo below.

My Texas friends and collegues Dance Ad Deum were also present, and they astounded the crowd with their breathtaking performances. Below the troupe performs former Martha Graham Principal Dancer Steve Rooks' piece, Prophets.

The following day we bundled all ten Ad Deum dancers, and Randy Flinn, into vans to cart them off to Connecticut for the CT pemiere of their show Libera! It was a particularly special event for me, since it was a chance for so many of my friends, family, and supporters to meet Ad Deum live, and in person. The event was held at Living Rock Church of Killingworth. We rolled in around 2pm, cleared the stage, taped down the marley (with many helping hands), marked the show, and then it was LIGHTS UP!

I cannot explain to you the blessing that was poured out that night. The audience seemed to drink in the performance. The dancers danced with a vigor, grace, and annointing that was beautiful to behold. The whole evening seemed saturated with joy, and all who came seemed reluctant to leave. Though we had to get the dancers back to NYC that night, many stayed late to talk, and share, and pray with the dancers. But the pleasure was ours. It was a seed sowing moment, I think, and I look forward to seeing the fruit that comes of it. But after everyone had gone (around 10pm) we finally ate our nutritious dinner (mmmm, chili) and loaded everyone back in the vans for the trek back.

Thanks to everyone who came, and/or made this event possible! It was truly blessed, and a blessing!

(Concert photos provided by Annalise Nielson)

Opportunities

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 19:47:20 GMT

More travels, more adventures. My latest stint abroad was to a place that will soon be called home. A combination teaching opportunity and scouting trip for my relocation to Houston, TX had me working with professional modern dance group Dance Ad Deum once again. The artistic director Randall Flinn brought me in to teach mime at their spring intensive. “And if you can stay another week,” he said, “you can perform with us in the prelude to the Alvin Ailey Company.”

Like I was going to turn that down!

So I went. I taught mime to an extremely talented group of dancers, who picked up the mime with a deftness I don’t often get to see. They turned it into a ministry performance in just a few short days for the workshop’s student showcase. I borrowed my college roommate Chris Hobart’s classic choreography once again from his work entitled Everywhere, to bring the story of Jesus’ interactions with certain women of the Bible to life. A powerful story of how Jesus heals and forgives the broken and sinful. After a fantastic week of intense classes, and several sore muscles (and floor burns), we began to shift focus towards the Alvin Ailey performance.

The Ailey Company was on the road with their 50^th anniversary celebratory tour, including a new work by Ailey dancer Hope Boykin, and Alvin’s own classic 1960 work Revelations. Ad Deum had been asked to provide the prelude performance. A task they were very happy to undertake.

Bonus upon bonuses, Randall Flinn knows Hope Boykin (she’s set choreography on Ad Deum before), so we got to take a master class with the talented Ailey company member, and then have a private brush-up rehearsal for her piece, called Long Journey Home (which you’ll be able to see in CT April 19^th, call 860-870-5432 for ticket info…). I even got to have lunch with Randall, Hope, and Ailey principal dancer Matthew Rushing—a privilege in and of itself, compounded but wonderful conversation, and some great insight into the workings of Ailey, and cool things that God is doing in and through the Christian members of the team. It was a very encouraging meal!

That weekend Ad Deum performed for the prelude as planned, and Randall asked me to do my signature piece Cookie: Impossible. The responses were very positive. And as a reward, we all got complimentary tickets to watch Ailey’s performance twice (I saw it three times, but who’s counting)! And Hope actually brought us in to meet more of the company, and do a private showing for them.

So after two weeks in Houston, I’d rubbed shoulders with several dance legends, and had opportunities few people get. And that’s not mentioning the performances we did at the United States largest arts festival (Bayou City), or a chance to teach at the fourth most prestigious ballet in the nation as well (Houston Ballet). You’ll have to ask to get those!

So if you want to see this incredible group from Texas, and you’re in the CT area, come check out their show Libera, April 19^th at

Living Rock Church, 138 Route 81, Killingworth, CT 06419

April 19th, 7pm

For tickets call: 860.870.5432

Tickets $12 in advance, $16 at the door…

Questions: Daniel@AmbassadorArts.org

For general info visit

www.DanceAdDeum.com

I pulled some strings so you could enjoy them too!

Good Choices!

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 14:37:21 GMT

Choices 09, the show, was a great success! Thanks to all you who came from near and far to join us for what is probably the last big Ambassador Arts event in CT. (Ambassador is moving to TX. See subsequent posts for more info). But last or not, there is no denying the night rocked. God's blessing was on the whole thing from start to finish. Even the refreshment-time afterwards was better attended and extended than ever before (in fact we had to throw a few patrons out towards the end, because we had cleaned, and packed, and they were still hanging out and chatting.) People really enjoyed. And that was our prayer--that God would bless every aspect, and people would be touched.

The show itself was great. We opened with the crowd favorite Curio's Hands, an exploration of the many choices we have simply within the ability of our hands.

Master Storyteller George Sarris related many stories from the Bible, including Belshazzar the Druken King of Babylon, Elijah and the Prophets of Baal, and Jonah.

Dan Cossette and Kathy Sarris reprised their popular Get Along mime, about two children learning the value of doing just that (special thanks to Bruce & Bev Lindemann, and Charlie Whitehead for the music!).

Kathy Sarris supplied a number of beautiful and throughful dances, filling the stage with expression, questions, and passion.

Plus the Ambasssador stage premeir of The Apprentice Juggler, by David and Karen Maines. This wonderful story follows the inner struggle and doubt of a young juggler trying to find his place within the Juggler's Troupe, to juggler for the King. But his own inner timing keeps him from truly blending in. Finally a begger tells him to trust his inner timing, and the juggler's clowning instinct comes out! Rather than lose his spot in the Troupe, the juggler finds his own honored place. Then to his surprise he discovers the begger is the King! Being himself was always the key to finding fulfillment.

Ambassador's guest artist for the evening was Angie Settlemire, mime from PA. She brought the truth of the cross's substitution for our sins close to our hearts.

And we closed the evening with Randall Flinn's choreography of Might Spirit, danced by Dan Cossette--a powerful close to the question: what will you choose to do with the cross? Invite the mighty God closer...

Thanks again to all who attended. I'm sure you all have your own personal favorite pieces, and it was a privilege to have you. Stay tuned for more updates. There's much more to tell you....!

Choices!

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 15:47:06 GMT

If you didn't know, Ambassador Arts & Ministries, LLC is teaming up with the World's Greatest Stories again for another home run with Choices!

Choices, choices…

“Think of the glory of a choice. That makes a man a man. A cat has no choice, a bee must make honey.” ~John Steinbeck, East of Eden

Expect an exciting, funny, thoughtful, and inspiring evening as master storyteller George Sarris, international mime Dan Cossette, and interpretive dancer Kathy Sarris take you on a tour-de-choice, from the Bible, life, and literature. Choices looks at the choices we face: good, bad, big, and small, and the impact they have on our lives.

At:

Church of the Living God, 199 Deming St. Manchester

March 7th, 7pm

For tickets call: 860.870.5432

Tickets $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Group rates available by phone.

More info

www.WorldsGreatestStories.com/Choices

In cooperation with www.AmbassadorArts.org

December in Review

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 20:25:30 GMT

It was a month of dress rehearsals! I went from one show to another, to another last month, and boy are my arms tired!!!

After Ahavah (see below blog) I went on to participate in my church's Christmas Cantata. It was a compilation of different artists, musicians, and dramatists refocussing on the adoration of Christ. The shows went very well, bringing quick snapshots of life, Christmas through the ages, and the reason behind the season, including some beautiful violin pieces, and of course a mime by yours truly. My prayer was that people would just really be blessed through the whole thing, and even my small offering of mime (and dance). I was pleased to have several people come up to me afterwards and say, "Your dance just... ministered to me!" Clearly God was in the business of blessing people.

The following week was Imagine Christmas II with St. Paul's Collegiate Church. What a production: take a Willow Creek show, downsize it to fit into a 200 person auditorium, drop it into "theater in the round" add, lights, smoke and snow machines, a flying stage to boot, video, puppets, actors, dancers, mimes, and you begin to get an idea of what it was like. I was asked to come in and do a few mimes and dancers, and maybe to work with St. Paul's volunteer dance team on one or two of the numbers. I ended up helping to choreograph two group pieces: one being It Came Upon A Midnight Clear, and the [infamous] Kite Dance (a nebulous piece of lively celtic music that springs up out of nowhere in the production). The Kite Dance actually turned into my favorite piece (celebrating the birth of the savior) that I was involved with in the production, although the added drama of working the dancers in to help with a mime segment of Midnight Clear really brought a great dynamic to the show as well. All around though, the show was a great production, and a lot of fun to work in.

(Kite dance)

(dancers miming celtic instruments in Kite dance)

(dancing in Kite dance)

Despite the horrible weather of the weekend, and the fantastic turnout considering... there was one more bright ray of blessing. Before the second day of the show, one of the dancers came in, and shakily told the team she wasn't sure she could dance--she was experiencing extreme dizzyness, for no apparent reason. Nothing like a little demonic vertigo to glitch up an already weather-vexed event. At the suggestion of my colleague Judy Buch we gathered around to pray. Several cast members chimed in, and in a few moments the dancer said, "I feel great! Completely better!" Praise. Jesus. That's what I'm talking about." No more let sin and sorrow grow, nor thorns infest the ground. He comes to make His glories known..." That's the Jesus I serve!

More Pics...

(in the darkness, Midnight Clear)

(angels come from heaven, Midnight Clear [yes I'm the angel, okay? miracles happen!] )

(the messenger bringing good news, Midnight Clear)

Top off the month with another snow-bound event New Years Eve, First night celebration in Westerly Rhode Island, and you have my December. Happy New Year everybody! May God bless and heal all in need this year!

Christmas Marathon

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 19:08:30 GMT

Well if you missed me at Ahavah last weekend you still have a chance to catch some great mime and dance this month. I'm performing with two churches, one of them my home church. Church of the Living God's Christmas Adoration will feature dancers, actors, musicians, choral vocals, soloists, and of course a mime. It's been likened to Riverdance without the Irish step--a collection of different artisans to create a Christmastime collage-reminder of who we're really celebrating this time of year. The show will feature the directoral expertise of Sarah Warner, recent CCSU theater graduate and talented vocalist, as well as Manchester's own dance mistress Kandie Meledez's choreographic inspirations. Christmas Adoration will be held at CLG, 199 Deming St. Manchester CT, December 12th-14th. Show times : http://www.clgonline.net/upcoming_events.html , Admission is FREE to the public. Refreshments served afterwards. Come and Join us!

As for Ahavah itself, the production was a blast. I was reminded of how much I love dancing with the Christian Academy of Dance, and working with its director Elisa Schroth. CAD's commitment to ministry, the Gospel message, and student discipleship make the working atmosphere encouraging and hope-inspiring. Each of the performances were full houses, and Saturday's evening performance enjoyed the best run of the show (and audience participation) despite a false fire alarm which forced performers and patrons alike outside into sub-freezing temperatures for 10 minutes while the fire department checked the building. The show itself, combining ballet, mime, ballroom dance, and martial arts was a truly inspired retelling of the Christmas story in a Nutcracker-esque format. If you missed it, I'm sure you can check it out next year. http://www.christianacademyofdance.org/

Coming December 19th-21st at St. Paul's Collegiate Church: Imagine Christmas II! Stay tuned for details.

(Me and beautician Katie George getting ready for Ahavah... I didn't have my own blush, okay!)