OUR STORY (From Tahni Holt)
Through a huge community effort FLOCK opened it’s doors 4 years ago in 2014 and continues to be an incredibly vibrant and important part of the local, and the larger dance community. FLOCK is dedicated to creating access to affordable rehearsal space, classes and workshops. I believe that money should not stand in the way of participation. This is an underlying belief that underpins most of what FLOCK does. I thank Disjecta Arts Center (our landlords) for subsidizing our rent to make this model possible in the always charging higher rent market of Portland, OR.
Although many people call FLOCK their artistic home and are a part of our larger community, FLOCK’s day to day operations and the larger issues of keeping FLOCK afloat is run solely by myself. This is a labor of love that I commit to with all that I am. And yet as they say, it takes a village. Today I ask you for your help.
In January of this year Disjecta and FLOCK were broken into. Our beautiful stereo equipment was taken and to make matters worse FLOCK’s insurance deductible was almost exactly the amount of our sound system. It was a sobering moment for me and made me realize that I needed to call forth my community to support the sustainability of FLOCK’s on-going programs. These programs are: membership, education and my artistic projects.
These are the ways in which your financial support will be used:
-Procuring a new sound system and some much needed upgrades to the facilities. (A huge thank you goes out to PICA and Chris Balo for use of their sound equipment in these interim months.) $2500
-FLOCK’s Commitment to artistic exchanges. Currently FLOCK is working with Performance Works NW to bring Shannon Stewart/Screaming Traps (New Orleans) to Portland to teach and perform. FLOCK’s artistic exchanges has hosted people from New Mexico, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, NYC, North Carolina, Germany, Romania, Ireland, Poland and Morocco to name a few. This is the most ambitious collaboration yet and we need your extra support to bring this to fruition. $1500
-My latest dance project: Rubble Bodies
I am working with a dynamic team of collaborators: Luke Wyland, Holland Andrews, Willis Ross, Elizabeth Malaska and Kate Bredeson. And although we have procured minimal funding and residency support from Art Klub in New Orleans where Willis resides and Sofia Bulgaria at Derida Arts Center, we are in need of funding support. This will help us offset costs for travel, and production costs for our performance at PWNW in July. Rubble Bodies imagines a future where materiality of our bodies, emotionality and ideas of performers’ personal narratives are destabilized into a kaleidoscope of ever-changing expression. $3500
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And although I am the sole provider of FLOCK I am in no way alone. There is a team of amazing artists and supporters that understand that FLOCK is not just an important part of the arts ecology in this region but a necessary one. If everyone who ever took a class or workshop at FLOCK or saw a work in progress in our critical engagement series or a showing or who actively is involved with one of our member’s rehearsal process, or had an enriching conversation in our talk back series, would donate $10 we would make our goal. And yet, FLOCK holds true to the fundamental understanding that we can each offer different things. FLOCK is asking for all of us to donate, and for those who can afford it to donate more. Please take a moment to look at all the amazing perks being offered. And a huge thank you to all of you who are offering your incredible skills that make up our perks.
And lastly, in FLOCK fashion, it is time to DANCE. Please join us as this campaign finishes, for a SUMMER LOVE DANCE PARTY! On June 22nd we will shake out our spring and welcome summer. It is my dream to dance the night away with you and you and you. No one will be turned away for lack of funds at the door, but if you can afford a ticket before-hand as a perk here, please do so. FLOCK relies on all of us to not only continue what we do but to move forward into the future.
A Huge thank you and see you on the dance floor June 22nd!
