Catalyst Sneak Peak

Wednesday I had the absolute treat of a sneak preview of the CityDance Ensemble’s Catalyst production which is being held this weekend (Saturday 8pm and Sunday 4pm) at the Lansburgh Theater.  First, I had never been to the Music Center at Strathmore so that in and of itself was an experience. The CityDance Ensemble calls Strathmore home and they are extremely fortunate to have this state of the art center for use.  It’s a striking, contemporary, spacious, arts center filled with floor to ceiling windows within the studios, a theatre, a cafe, offices, and quite the opposite environment I’d personally grown up knowing as practice studios (we never had windows, too distracting we were told).

Alexe Nowakowski, CityDance’s Executive Director, and I sat in on two dances being rehearsed, one of which included all eight company members (which consists of 3 males and 5 females) and the other was a duet with Maleek Washington and Liz Gahl.  The first was an original choreographed piece by Rehearsal Director & Choreographer-in-Residence Christopher K. Morgan, whom I met and learned that his “+1/-1″ came from the inspiration of experiencing the absence of people in our lives, then the addition, then the subtraction.  When watching the constant dancers’ movements, all of whom are fit, flexible, agile, and strong beyond belief, yet seem to look like the girl/guy next door, I was completely entranced. I was afraid to move in my seat, take in a deep breath, itch my nose. Even in the room with sun shining in, mirrors reflecting our profiles, dancers in their practice attire, and dramatic notes coming from the speakers, it was captivating.  We weren’t in a studio.  We were transported to a timeless moment where every single flick of the hand, turn of the leg, bend of the back, and leap in the air, had significance.  Morgan’s choreography seemed to be designed to bring out each dancer’s strength and power, yet soft fluidity, stirring emotions, and dependence upon each other to complete the picture on stage.

The second dance was shorter but just as enticing, in fact it was fun, flirtatious, daring and sexy.  This was choreographed by Founder and Artistic Director Paul Gordon Emerson and had some challenging moves that made me gasp and hit Alexe unconsciously.  The chemistry between Washington and Gahl was apparent and both dancers exuded confident contentment.  It was very fun to watch them.  By the way, they will dance to live music, a take on Paul Brubeck’s famous “Take Five”, but with live accompaniment by Grammy nominee Christylez Bacon and a saxophonist.  The finished production live onstage Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon is yours for the watching:

Tickets are still on sale and VIP’s are selling out (which include access to the VIP party afterward): http://citydance.net/catalyst.cfm

Photos by Paul Gordon Emerson

Catalyst: CityDance in Concert (Promo 2) from CityDance Ensemble on Vimeo.

Miraval Resort “You Won’t Find You Anywhere Else”

Seriously. Granted I still have to write my last post for my Miraval Resort trip, but I can confidently say about the resort and spa’s newest tag line: Truer words were never spoken.

The Tuscon, AZ desert oasis also launched several new programs and activities just in time for the spring season:

o    The Desert Sky Zipline
o    Dragon Yoga and Partner Yoga
o    New Adventure Programs
o    Art at Miraval
o    Tony Schwartz’s “The Energy Project at Miraval”

o    Dr. Andrew Weil’s Integrative Medicine Practice
o    In-depth Explorations with Evelyn Resh, Miraval’s new Director of Sexuality & Relationships
o    Music at Miraval

Learn more and book your trip to Oprah’s (and my) fave spot to get away and to find herself: http://www.miravalresorts.com/

P.S. These three photos were taken on my first trip there last summer. For more photos, please go to:

Miraval Resort Trip 2009

Green Cup of Polo 2010

The Green Cup of Polo is back! Wow does time fly by. This year the all eco-friendly, sustainably focused event is being held on Saturday, June 27th at the Capitol Polo Club. As you remember, last year, we saw Punch Community Partner EarthEcho International co-founder and CEO Philippe Cousteau climb onto a polo pony (or horse for that matter) for the first time ever and actually score a point.

All details are on the site: www.greencuppolo.com.  We will be raising money for EarthEcho, ACORE and Epic.  If your company is known for being green and you want to donate, sponsor, or do something nice in-kind for the Cup, feel free to contact me at pamela@pamelaspunch.com. I have supported personally and professionally for the past two years (since its first year) and am pleased to be a part of this sweeping green movement again.

Check out the great video below from last year:

Opera and Ballet in Cinema

I mean, what more could one want?  Don’t answer that. But I know I’d be happy as a clam and so would many others.  Build it and they will come, as they say.  The Atlas Performing Arts Center and Emerging Pictures are partnering together this spring to bring joy to our faces with the Opera and Ballet in Cinema Series which will appear at the Atlas on H Street, NE starting March 10th and running through the middle of May.

Each week, a different operatic masterpiece, which has appeared in the world’s most renowned opera houses, will be shown in HD.  You can screen Carmen and La Traviata and watch some of the most famous stars to hit the lowest and highest notes, including our very own Plácido Domingo, in high-def.  There will also be a performance of Swan Lake from Russia’s legendary Kirov Ballet on screen during the series.

Opera and Ballet in Cinema can be seen at the Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H Street, NE. Tickets
are $20 and can be purchased online at www.atlasarts.org/tickets, by phone at (202) 399-7993 or at the box
office.

Opera and Ballet in Cinema schedule can be found here: www.atlasarts.org.

Bravo!

Spring Fling!

I just walked into my closet and screamed. I was facing … sweater after sweater after cozy knit sweater, aka “sweater hell”. Well, it’s hell on days like today with spring approaching. It’s heaven in the winter. And I just finally got around to organizing my winter wardrobe. Sigh. It’s definitely time to change out winter for spring … or go shopping (that’s always more fun).

If you are in “sweater hell”, join ladies who lunch on the weekend for a fashion show luncheon to benefit New Dominion Women’s Club which will be featuring Women’s Spring Fashions from Bloomingdale’s.

Sunday, March 21, 2010 12:30 p.m, Assaggi Osteria, 6641 Old Dominion Drive, McLean, Virginia

Tickets $50 through advance purchase.  Cash bar available.  Click here and print out the card to mail back for your registration: http://www.ndwc.org/MeetingsEvents.html

P.S My dear friend Sarah Kimsey is modeling. She’s the tall gorgeous brunette with the big smile. When you see her strutting her stuff on the catwalk, be sure to wave!

More Comes to Town: Five Tips to Successful Style

Post by Sharon Stringer, Guest Writer for Pamela’s Punch

For the first time in its four-year history, More magazine brought its women’s convention to the District.  The magazine used a cast of accomplished women to share advice on how to reinvent, refresh and reinvigorate your life.  More than 500 attendees had an opportunity to experience a spa for the spirit.

Anyone looking for the courage to make a change in her finances, attitude or her appearance had only to take a seat in one of the more than dozen sessions convened at the Ronald Reagan Building Monday.

Judy Coyne, executive editor of More, said that the nation’s capitol was the obvious next choice for the convention when she remarked, “Washington is the center of so many decisions that relate to women.”

Fresh off the Oscar runway fashion commentator Mary Alice Stephenson pleased the crowd with answers to their fashion questions and advice she gives to the stars.  “With celebrities we fit to the worst part,” she said.  Another item that helps the stars look so spectacular is that they use shapewear to get a smooth look under their clothing.

“Great style is not innate; great style is learned,” said Stephenson.  Stephenson was joined by Susan Swimmer, contributing editor to More magazine. She said that everyone could look good with a cheat sheet that included a list of must haves:  shrunken, fitted jackets, sheath dresses, coats of mixed lengths and jewelry that makes a statement.

Also important to good style, she said is good fit.  “If it fits the body, it looks great.”
Swimmer gave five quick tips to successful style:
Add a belt.
Try a bold piece of jewelry.
Wear sparkle for a day.
Invest in a good handbag.
Update your jeans.

*Special thanks goes to Whitney Stringer’s lovely mother Sharon, who stepped up to the plate while in town to partake in the More magazine convention.