Goodbye Buzz Dance Theatre

The end of 2014 brought big changes to the Perth dance community. The company I worked work for Buzz Dance Theatre and another company Steps Youth Dance Company joined forces to create a new entity (at the moment called The Contemporary Dance Company of Western Australia) but in doing so both companies closed their doors for good.

An end to an era.

I started working at Buzz not long after we moved to Perth. Starting there in March of 2010. Over the 4 years I spent at Buzz I learned a lot and became distinctly attached to Contemporary Dance. Buzz had a 30 year history and during that time changed its branding once, going from 2 Dance Plus to Buzz Dance Theatre. It had multiple Artistic Directors that each made a mark on the company and that of the culture of dance in Western Australia.

As Buzz was closing down I got to know the Buzz history intimately. It was a company the community of Western Australia should be proud of. 30 years is a long time for a dance company to stay open and performing. Buzz survived times of plenty and times of funding drought, but what it always did well was give back to the Western Australia community in the form of approachable dance performances and education for the youth of WA in both Metro, Regional and Remote areas of this BIG Australian state. 

I feel honoured to have worked for Buzz in its final years and having the opportunity to close it down with what I hope was perceived with respect for its rich history.  2014 was a tough year and I was so glad I got to share my time with the Buzz Board, Pippa Davis (GM), Lucas Jervies (AD) Nicole Ward (Buzz Dance Specialist), Anna Gulati (bookkeeper) and our many dancers. In the last few months our team dwindled to just the myself the Board, Nicole and Anna. Nicole spent days cleaning out 30 years of documents and archiving 30 years of history, a HUGE job, for which I was extremely grateful. On the last day at Buzz I was the last one out the door and I felt proud that Buzz was wrapped up with so much care and respect.

A few photos from out last few weeks.

Nicole and her archive photo boxes

Going through 30 years of poster...

We did have a Buzz 30 years celebration in October. This is Nicole, Pippa and Me in the photo booth. Love this photo.

Moving Day for our officemates Performing Lines, and closing day for Buzz Dance Theatre.

I have never been good at goodbyes.. But I think Nicole and I summed it up well with our goodbye video. In 2014 we did a show called Ecobots. The show featured 4,000 ping pong balls that got flung at the audience. 

As we packed up we still have 4,000 ping pong balls in storage so we decided to give Buzz a good send off by dumping all the balls from the 3rd floor of the King Street Arts Centre. We had a good turn out with most of the building tenants coming to watch, Nicole, myself, Buzz AD Felicity and some Buzz dancers laid on the floor as the balls fell and it was good!

Please enjoy!

Goodbye Buzz! 

Jam-packed October

Well October 2014 was a very busy month for me and for Graham. We hardly saw each other this past month, I had lots of work commitments, Graham traveled to Sydney to see family. I managed a show for Buzz and a 2 week schools tour, then wrapped up the month with Proximity Festival and a 30 Year Celebration for Buzz Dance Theatre. 

 Graham went home to spend time with his family this month. He had a nice visit with the Buchanan and Weaire family. He got to play some golf and enjoyed great food and good wines at home with Karen and Stewart. We are looking forward to spending time with them this holiday season. 

Buzz Dance Theatre celebrated 30 years on October 31st. It was also to mark the end of an era for our brand. In January Buzz will turn into a new company.  30 years is a long run for any small to medium non for profit arts company. Its been an honour working at Buzz and being part of the dance legacy in Perth for the past 5 years. This is the Buzz team from 2014. Nicole, Pippa and myself. 

The Queens of King Street. Pippa, Robyn and me.

This happened in late September while visiting our good friend Sarah. Her dog is very patient, and Graham well he's just silly.

Graham did a lot of the cooking while I was working days and nights in October. Thanks Razza for taking care of me and Kitty. This photo slightly resembles the one of Graham above. It seems we both like the hold animals in the air and pose for pictures. 

Me and my old man cat. Kit cat. He's 14!!!!!

Buzz Dane Theatre had a work in the Awesome Festival this year. Its an absolutely amazing festival for kids. I wish Indianapolis had one of these.  Please check it out here AWESOME

Buzz performed our primary/elementary school work called Plain Jane. 

This year I worked on Proximity Festival for the 3rd consecutive year in a row as the Stage Manager. 

Its an annual festival in Perth that see's 12 artists develop and perform intimate performances meant for one audience member at a time. Working on Proximity is an absolute joy. Every year it keeps getting better. 

This year we had a performance that involved flowers and it was great to see these beautiful arrangements every night.  The venue for this year was the Fremantle Arts Centre. It was the perfect location for the festival and I have no idea how another venue will top it. 

Proximity Artists for 2014. Each one a joy to work with.

Please read more about Proximity Festival HERE

Dr. Graham even became Proximity's official doctor. This is Graham treating a patient on the dance floor. Even artists need love too. 

Stage Manager Mary sitting on the roof of the Fremantle Arts Centre.  I love my job because it leads to the most unusual of experiences. Having a performance space on the roof of a heritage building is pretty cool. 

November see's life slowing down for us. Thank goodness. 

Onwards toward Christmas we go!

Much Love.

Me

Trip home USA

In August I went home to spend time with my Mom and Dad in Indiana. I had not been home since December 2012, so it was a long over due trip!

On my way home I stopped over in Sydney and had a quick layover catch up with my bestie Mel.  Mel is my Canadian sister and I am glad our paths crossed in Australia!

After 35+ hours of travel I made it to Indiana. I got up early the next morning and did what every girl does when she gets home and has very bad jet lag.. Took the dog and cat for a walk. 

I helped Mom at the cat shelter for two days. I got to feed this sweet little kitten, who now has found a forever home!

I caught up with my old friends, Phil and Laura Mott. I also go to meet Phil's beautiful wife Kristen and his adorable son Noah. So thankful for old friends! We meet up at the fair, can't get better then that!

Some things never change, and I have to say the Indiana State Fair is still as amazing as I remember. Mom and I watched the horse shows, rode the tractor pull around the grounds, had lots of food including a lemon shake up. Saw the chicken and bunny barn, saw sheep and goats. It was a great day!

Me and Mom inside the newly renovated Pepsi Colosseum that I am sure has a new name I can't remember, but its great inside and they kept the rustic charm. Good job Indianapolis! 

Oh and I am so glad I got to see the horses with Mom, even the old lady that plays the organ in the middle of the ring is still there. 

Big Wheels...

After almost 2 years of waiting I finally got to meet this sweet girl. I gave Wren Rush her first Mango Seed and I want the world to know she loved it!

Low fog, its the small things you miss.

When I think of home in the summer this is what I see. My Mom on a John Deer and the old red truck full of mulch. Your garden looked beautiful Mom!

I got lots of cuddles off crazy TomTom, he's and odd ball but he has won my heart.

Went to the children's museum!

Here's Mom hard at work at the cat shelter!

I am not accustomed to American grocery stores anymore. I got lost looking for cool-whip. 

Me and the coolest cat at the shelter. Sir Thomas. If I could have brought him back to Perth with me I would have.

Good friends Sarah and Kurtis! Thanks for spending time with me and sharing Wren, she is a doll!

Drinks is the city, seems all the cool kids hang on Mass Ave now.

yeah.. I waited 2 years for these hot wings.. and they tasted great!

My friend Holly traveled to see me in Indiana and we spent the weekend hanging out and even went to the Zoo. Holly and I met while we both lived in Perth, she is from Michigan but lives in Duluth Minnesota now. Holly and her husband Sam became as close as family while we all lived in Perth together. I am so thankful for her friendship!

So funny to have a formal dinner with Mom, Dad and Holly, three people who have all been to my home in Perth.  As an expat this kind of thing does not happen very often. Holly heard a lot about my family and Indiana home while we both lived in Perth. It was such a joy to actually get to share my family home with her. 

Holly got a tour of Mom's garden!

Holly and Jack even became friends, so glad they got to meet!

Mary 2 and Mary 1. So glad I got to see Mary 1 while I was in town! Mary and I are childhood friends, I meet her before I could string two words together. Mary and her sister Kristen have a special place in my heart aways.

Dad got a new car while I was in town. Looking good Dad!

We took a lovely family trip to the lake for a few nights. Jack fell in the lake, a raccoon moved into Mom and Dad's room, I fished from a canoe, Dad and I paddle boated. I swan, we had a fire and roasted marshmellows. I even got to have a somemore! 

Dad and a sun fish! 

Hanging with Dad fireside at the lake!

 Me and crazy TomTom again.

Dad must love me cause he let me drive his new car. It was fast!

Me and Wren, blowin bubbles. 

Mom, Dad and I traveled to Fort Worth for my cousin Sean's wedding. I got to spend two afternoons with my Aunt Gretchen, my only Aunt on my Dad's side. Love you Aunt G, im so glad I got to see you!!

Me and Dad in Fort Worth

Me and the King of Greenfields.

Sean marrying his beautiful wife Michelle, so glad we got to be there for it. 

From Fort Worth I flew back to Australia, I went to a really cool aquarium in Dallas after I dropped Mom and Dad off at the airport.

I had a wonderful trip home and these pictures don't even scratch the surface of all I got up to and the people who shared their time with me. Im so thankful for my American home.

I have been gone 9 years now, hard to believe. Going home is wonderful, but at the same time it is a reminder of all the family and friends I miss dearly. Living abroad is a constant roller-coaster of emotions. I love my life in Australia and I know it is where I want to be. But I love my American home, family and friends, and I am so thankful to them for understanding that my life is in Australia, and still loving me anyway. 

Im also so thankful for my parents who gave me big strong wings, strong enough to venture far from home but who always remind me that they love me and accept me no matter where I roam. I love you Mom and Dad, and I miss you everyday. 

I am looking forward to planning another trip home soon. As always there is never enough time to see and do everything I want to!

Thanks to Graham for supporting my trip home for 4 weeks, I missed you so much and in many ways going home is not the same without you. I hope the next time I fly over the Pacific its with you Razza.