Author Archives: Christina

miriam chaikin’s new book JEWISH WISDOM FOR DAILY LIFE – The sayings of Rabbi Menahem Mendl of Kotzk

Rabbi Menahem Mendel (1787-1859) of Kotzk, Poland, a wise and strong-willed Hassidic master, was known as a stern and demanding spiritual leader whose mantra was truth and the suppression of ego.

miriam chaikin is the noted author of many books. More info here.

The book is published by Arcade Books, and will be coming out in March 2014.

BEVERLY BRODSKY’s paintings featured in Art in Embassies Program in Sierra Leone.

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Beverly Brodsky

For five decades Art In Embassies has played a leading role in U.S. public diplomacy through a focused mission of vital cross-cultural dialogue through the visual arts. It was first created by MOMA and President John F. Kennedy who formalized it in 1963 at the U.S. Department of State.

“It is a fulcrum of America’s global leadership as we work for freedom, human rights, and peace around the world.”
U.S. Secretary of State, John Forbes Kerry

The above shows one of the two Beverly Brodsky paintings that were selected for installation at the American Embassy in Freetown, Sierra Leone, for a period of two to three years and will be open for public viewing as a cross-cultural exchange beginning at the end of January 2014.

CALL TO CHOREOGRAPHERS: WESTFEST APPLICATIONS DUE JANUARY 24.

WESTFEST 2014 | Dance that transforms space
April 23-27, 2014

WestFest is an annual dance festival centered upon creating and performing new
dance works inside Westbeth

Westbeth
Home to the Arts.
55 Bethune,
New York, NY 10014

Applications are due January 24th, 2014

APPLY ONLINE: WestFestDance.com
QUESTIONS: westfestdance@gmail.com

DESCRIPTION
This year’s festival is happening in two parts, WestFest Top Floor and WestFest All Over
Westbeth. We welcome you to apply to one or both portions. A $25 application fee is
requiredfor each application you submit. Those chosen to participate in this year’s
festival must be prepared to create and present NEW WORK.

WestFest Top Floor (April 23-26, 2014)
Four fully produced dance concerts held in Westbeth’s legendary top floor studio
currently hometo the Martha Graham Dance Company and formerly to Merce Cunningham
Dance Company.Each artist will have the opportunity to share a new work (10 minute max)
in two nights ofperformance. A $250 production fee is required for each artist who
is accepted. This costsharing model helps to cover the rental fee of this historic
venue as well as production expenses.

WestFest All Over Westbeth (April 27, 2014)
One day site-specific guided dance tour. Each artist will be assigned a unique
space in theWestbeth building in which they will have the opportunity to rehearse
and build a dance (3-4minutes max). On the day of the show, groups of audience members
will be guided from site tosite to see the dances all over the building. Past sites have included Westbeth’s inner and outer courtyards, long hallways, spiral staircases, the gallery space, the rooftop and the Martha Graham Studio Theater.

We are looking forcreativity in pushing boundaries, confidence in artistic vision and
commitment to performance quality.

Selected artists will know they can tap into the space’s history, revitalize it in
new unfamiliar ways, choose to remain grounded within its restrictive aspects or go
beyond its limits.

The choreographers that most attract us are those who are natural team leaders and
community builders.
We want you to surprise us, excite us and show us what dance truly means to you.

IMAGES AND VIDEOS FROM WESTFEST 2013


Click here for videos and images from WESTFEST 2013

VIJA VETRA PERFORMANCE DRAWS RAVES.

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On December 12th, a luminous event took place in the Community Room.
Vija Vetra shared her beauty and dance with an audience of more than 60 people most of whom
were Westbethians, but many were her Latvian countryman where Vija Vetra is now a legend.
Vija Vetra was celebrating her 90th birthday. First she was celebrated in Riga on her Jubelee.

And on the night of the 12th Vija celebrated with her Westbeth community and created a rich program
beginning with a live performance dedicated to deceased Westbethians. She was accompanied by
Susan Schweitzer on the flute and Pawnee Sills reading a poem. It was magical. This was followed
by a 6 minute edited video of Vija Vetra dancing, clips from youth to the present dancing in the great
halls of Europe, enthralling an entire continent in India with her Indian dancing.

That evening I understood that we have a National Treasure in Westbeth. Lilly Rivlin