Video stills compliments of Mark McBeth, Saturday March 10th 2012 as part of Kathleen Hermesdorf’s “DO IT NOW” improvisation series.

Hello,

My name is Justin Morrison – dancer and improviser, recently relocated to the bay area. I’m working to initiate an informal but regular working group of dancers and sound artist collaborators, interested in the interplay of music, dance, performance and other kinetic work (sculpture, video, etc.). Initially I’d like to propose a regular time to play and occasionally perform; a sort of meeting point for sound artists, dancers and performance makers working under the rubric of improvisation, instant composition, sound art, etc.

The specifics of when to establish a regular meeting would be left up to the collaborators, and I’m only now reaching out for interested players. What I’d like folks to consider is perhaps a weekly informal session, open by invitation (or reservation), where players could gather and establish a rapport. Some sound artists may be interested to play regularly where others may only be available occasionally. Still others might come from out of town or on the recommendation of other players. The same would hold for dance and other performing artists. Attention would be given to keeping an optimal number of players afforded by the space and frequent collaborators would be encouraged to collectively curate sessions specific to explore particular themes. Where sessions could occur as much as weekly, there’s also the possibility of a monthly or perhaps bi-monthly informal event open to the public involving recent and guest players.

I’ve secured space suitable for dance and without sound limitations at KUNST-STOFF arts, 1 Grove St. near Civic Center.

Day/Time/Frequency TBD

A bit about my history in music/dance collaboration:

Since 2004 I was a member of Magpie Music Dance Company and have performed in collaboration with Han Bennink, Michael Moore, Mary Oliver (ICP Orchestra), Rozemarie Heggen, Wilbert de Joode, Andy Moor (The Ex), Yannis Kyriakides and other luminary performers in the Amsterdam music scene. In San Diego I enjoyed performing with Charles Curtis, Lukas Ligeti, George Lewis, Joseph Waters (SWARMIUS), and members of the Trummerflora collective.

If you or anyone you know would be interested in this, please pass along my note along with my contact information.

Thank you!
–
Justin Morrison

Come out to this morning class at the new KUNST-STOFF arts space, located at 1 Grove St. near the Civic Center BART station.

Monday & Wednesday, 10am at KUNST-STOFF arts (click for more info)

For an ongoing class schedule see my yoga page

This blog has served less as a journal and more of a sporadic record of events and happenings. It’s been sorely neglected and will require some effort over the coming days to update old posts and fix formatting errors since moving to this new layout. This neglect is no surprise given the amount of time I spend online working on other web projects.

Considering most visitors to this site are family or friends, this update will likely not be new information but should serve as a shout out to friends and recent collaborators.

I’ve recently relocated to San Francisco, now splitting time each month between here and San Diego, were I enjoy time with friends and family, practice yoga and continue to work with several long standing clients in my IT Contracting and Web Development business.

I spend a lot of time lately going out to art, dance and performance events, recently enamored with the vibrant queer performance scene here in SF. I make my dance home at Yannis Adoniou’s KUNST-STOFF arts, where I’m volunteering to manage their web presence and collaborate on developing the organization. KUNST-STOFF is an exciting, multi-cultural community space that we hope to grow into a center for rigorous and risk taking performance, art and dance.

Still very much interested in music, developing my guitar chops and recently took up voice lessons. Hope to find some musical collaborators soon, to continue learning and make some sound together.

Still riding, enjoying the California roads, and camaraderie with the local Airheads and Homoto motorcycle clubs.

Teaching Yoga.

Recently collaborating with Erika Tsimbrovsky in her project, The Book, with 4 performances during the month of July at SOMAarts.

More soon…

-Justin

Solo excerpt from Shapeshifter from Justin Morrison on Vimeo.

Presented by ODC Theater, San Francisco:

An evening of concert dance with new work by Sara Shelton Mann and David Szlasa in collaboration with Maria F. Scaroni, Justin Morrison, Leslie Seiters and the newly named La ALTERNATIVA (formerly known as MOTIONLAB / Kathleen Hermesdorf and Albert Mathias.) in collaboration with Elaine Buckholtz.

Images from a work in progress:

Details below:

“nineRooms, LIVEArtINSTALLATIONS” features nine artists and their processes on exhibit for one night only.

Curator and artist, Melissa Stager of Susan Street Fine Art Gallery and the South Cedros Property Owners Association have joined forces to reveal the extraordinary underlying talents of live artists in San Diego. The exhibition will include installation and performance pieces by MiraCosta College professors, Yoshimi Hayashi and Anna O’Cain, and San Diego Artists Chris Warr, Hollis Swan, Benjalmin Eldworlds, Jessica Gannon, Joshua Bellfy, Justin Morrison, and David White, founder of Agitprop art space in San Diego.

The Installations are diverse and will vary between live performances of interactive process; artists creating in solitude who can be viewed through peepholes; and artists who are presenting installations documenting site-specific performance pieces. Artist, David White will be providing free legitimate tax preparation services for any viewer that comes with the required documents in hand. Musical entertainment will be provided by the engaging Pacific Northwest’s indie rock, low fi/country/folk band, ‘The Gift Machine,’ whose performance will be sandwiched by eclectic San Diego DJ, Nick Gaby.

“nineRooms, LIVEArtINSTALLATIONS” is a one-night event from 5pm–9pm that is expected to unite a large diverse crowd from both the San Diego and North County areas who are coming together to explore the engaging multi dimensions of live art.

This exhibition is in partner with Cedros Third Thursday Gallery Walk Night and the Cedros Blooms festival and will take place inside of:

444 South Cedros Avenue in the heart of the Cedros Design District in Solana Beach, CA

Note: I attempted to link everyone I could find a website for. Sorry if I missed anyone! -justin

Only 2 days out of the slammer and he’s nearly unrecognizable in behavior and temperament from that distressed and unhappy dog. This is a adorably homely, energetic, mature dog with a surprising capacity for learning. After only a few times out on the leash, with dilligent corrections and positive reinforcement, he’s ceased pulling and is able to heel while keeping a slow, medium or fast pace with me. This dog loves exercise and the promise of an adventurous walk is incentive enough for him to behave. With his ample energy, I’ve found a slow jog, slow enough that he’s not running (as he has a tendency to run ahead) but fast enough to promote a speed walk (more difficult for a dog of his proportions to maintain), works best to keep his attention and limit the need for correction. Afterward, he’s more attentive to changes of direction and pacing, and less inclined toward distraction.

We tend to start out slow, with plenty of stops to wiz and read the doggy news, moving up to a brisk walk and finally the slow jog home. Evening walks are more low key as he’s a bit more tentative in the dark and more willing take a slower pace. At least two outings a day with some fun play time in between seems to be what this dog needs, at a minimum, to be happy. He would do well with someone who appreciates an active lifestyle, is calm and willing to be assertive with him, and could benefit from this sort of regular physical regimen.

Homework for this week will involve reinforcing his name, staying and coming when called. Following that we’ll work on socializing. My neighborhood of South Park provides ample opportunity to meet other dogs, and most are well behaved and well handled.

Unfortunately, it’s apparent this dog has been abused in the past as he show signs of being hand-shy and will yelp and sometimes mouth to defend himself when afraid or injured. I imagine this is common with energetic and strong dogs who are paired with irresponsible and likely ignorant owners. My hope is that with care and positive reinforcement, these fearful habits will dissipate with time. This is a loving and devoted dog and is certainly worth the patience.

Here is a sampling of workshops I’ve participated in:

AMSTERDAM:

Magpie Umbrella Workshops

(formerly Magpie Music Dance Company)

Facilitated by Katie Duck, this series is quite popular with dancers looking for intimate exposure to contemporary and experimental dance practices, while avoiding the over-crowding and sometimes higher cost associated with Europe’s larger summer programs. Also in The Netherlands in July is Juli Dans, a city wide festival of contemporary dance performance, a dance film showcase (Cinedans) and workshops.

More info:
Magpie Umbrella Workshops
http://www.julidans.nl (2009 schedule TBA)
http://www.cinedans.nl

VIENNA:

ImplusTanz

The largest workshop series Europe has to offer, with 4 weeks of intensive workshops, performance, and artists in residence.

Consider applying for a DanceWeb scholarship if you want to take full advantage of this behemoth of summer programs.

More info:
http://www.impulstanz.com/en (2009 schedule TBA)

BERLIN:

Tanz im August

Various workshops and performances in Berlin. Outside of this, there are lots of dance happenings during that time in Berlin.

More info:
http://www.tanzimaugust.de

MUNICH:

Tanzwerkstatt Europa

Also a more intimate experience, when compared to ImpulsTanz, with access to some exciting teachers and choreographers, smaller classes and interesting performances in this lovely city.

More info:
http://www.jointadventures.net/web/en/tanzwerkstatteuropa

Elsewhere in Europe

See Also:

http://www.danceeurope.net/site/lists/summersch.shtml

We three did what we could to inspire health and fitness and above all, style.

Jazzercise!