Ink in Motion

Discover a world of words with Alive Dance Collective. Ink in Motion will explore themes in literature, day to day reading, and children’s books featuring guest artists Monkeyhouse and detritus dance. Performances will feature post show discussions and activities for all ages. Join us at The Foundry April 29 at 8:00pm or April 30 at 3:00pm!

“I laughed, snorted, and cackled as I watched Katrina Conte’s trio for Alive Dance Collective at NACHMO Boston. It was an outstanding preview of what these choreographers are cooking up for Ink In Motion,” gushed karen Krolak, Co-Artistic Director of Monkeyhouse. The performance will incorporate eight live pieces, all of which are inspired by literary content. Works in contemporary and modern styles have been choreographed by Alive Dance Collective members Brenna Banister, Katrina Conte, Audrey Hatas, Lila Klaus, and Alexandria Nunweiler featuring music by Ben Cuba, Christian DeKantel, and Graham Peck. Local children’s author Toni Buzzeo’s newest release, Eat Your Superpowers! inspires the opening choreography. Guest artists detritus dance and Monkeyhouse will each present work inspired by their own relationships with literary ideas. Afterwards, audiences will be invited to engage with the performers through games on Saturday night and literary inspired movement on Sunday afternoon. Pre-order a copy of Eat Your Superpowers! through Belmont Books, Porter Square Books, or Amazon and have your copy signed by the author after the Sunday 2pm show.

Founded in 2014, Alive Dance Collective is a Boston-local contemporary dance group composed of full-time humans and part-time dancers. We believe dance builds a stronger, more inclusive community in which movement permeates the lives of everyone involved. Our members’ backgrounds in dance therapy, yoga, occupational therapy, education, and physical therapy create more accessible and diverse engagements to bridge intersecting communities through deep involvement in the art of dance. We partner with local non-profits, community organizations, and other artists to nurture new ideas through workshops, exchanges, conversations, performances, and other events. “They do so many cool moves!” - Elsie, age 6. Connect with us! Instagram @alivedancecollective and Facebook / alivedance

detritus dance, founded in 2021 by co-Artistic Visionaries Caroline Bradbury and Claire Lane, is an artistic collective focused on feminist story-telling through contemporary dance, collage, and text. detritus dance’s research proceeds a lineage of intersectional feminists working towards dismantling patriarchal systems and values through subversive gender performance. detritus dance has presented work throughout venues in Great Boston including The Dance Complex, the Somerville Center for the Arts at the Armory, and at Jamaica Plains Porchfest. They were recipients of the 2022 Somerville Arts Council AiR Residency,  and have received funding through the New England Foundation for the Arts' New England Dance Fund and the Somerville Local Cultural Council. They have taught community workshops and professional-level classes with Urbanity Dance Company, Midday Movement Series, and José Mateo Ballet Theater. Claire and Caroline integrate a breadth of international perspectives including Gaga technique, Flying Low, and Physical Theater in their approach to dance-making.

Monkeyhouse, an award winning nonprofit that connects communities through choreography, encourages people of all ages to move with meaning. Founded in 2000, we began with a promise to build a laboratory where choreographers could create, experiment and present new work. We have mentored, nurtured and supported local, national, and international choreographers ranging from students first experimenting to established favorites. Thanks to the Miner Nagy Family Gift Fund, we launched the Covid Collaborations in April 2020 to support over 115 artists and arts organizations within the New England dance ecosystem, and our Buttress program has mentored almost 50 artists in 2022. Learn more about them at monkeyhouselovesme.com 

Ben Cuba is a multi-instrumentalist, accompanist, and composer based in the Boston area. He is excited for his first composition for Alive Dance Collective.  He works as a ballet pianist and dance-class accompanist for Boston Conservatory, Emerson College, and Greater Boston School of Dance.  He has composed music for dances in NACHMO ’19, ’20, ’22, and ’23 as well as Somerville ArtBeat 2020.  He also plays bass for the band Midnight Motion.  His recordings, compositions, and work can be found at bencuba.com.

Christian DeKnatel (DKNTL) is a Boston-based songwriter, performer, and audio engineer. Since graduating from Northeastern University with a degree in Physics & Music, he's worked on a wide range of projects ranging from live music, theatre productions, studio recording, and film sound & scoring. "SuperFoods!" is Christian's first time writing for dance choreography. You can check out more of Christian's work at www.dkntl.com or on instagram @dkntl.

Graham is a Boston based singer/songwriter, board certified music therapist (MT-BC), founder of Tonal Vibrations Music Therapy, and the lead singer of the project BayCity. Graham was raised in Boston, MA before moving to Los Angeles to attend the California Institute of the Arts for his BFA in Musical Arts. He has performed extensively throughout the LA and Boston scenes, and has been featured in Elite Magazine, as well as many local news publications. Graham's music has been used for campaigns by the charities STOP Cancer, Project Kindle, the UCLA Coalition for HIV/AIDS, and YMCA of Boston. He has found airplay on the UCLA Radio Station and UNregular Radio, and been featured on local Boston television stations. He recently received his dual masters in music therapy and clinical mental health counseling, and does work with special education in schools, senior living, and the Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Massachusetts Commission for the Blind.

Toni Buzzeo is a New York Times bestselling children's author of thirty-two books. Eat Your Superpowers! How Colorful Foods Keep You Healthy and Strong is her newest picture book.  A former librarian and college and high school writing teacher, Toni and her books have won many awards, including a 2013 Caldecott Honor for One Cool Friend, illustrated by David Small. Her fictional characters sing with her deep understanding of human emotion while her nonfiction topics range from inspiring biographies of women scientists to board books about food, vehicles, and transportation. Endlessly enthusiastic, Toni draws on her career experiences as a school librarian in crafting her books and speaking with young audiences in schools and libraries. Toni lives in Arlington, Massachusetts just downstairs from her two lovable grandchildren (endless sources of inspiration!) and their devoted parents. Learn more about her at tonibuzzeo.com