Short version: Backhausdance is raising funds to fly 11 dancers and a small staff to New York City to perform two full nights of repertory at Joyce SoHo. We've been invited to perform as part of an amazing dance series. Now we just have to get there.
Long Version: Concert dance ain't cheap. Even when you're making money often times it's not enough. For 6 years, Backhausdance has managed to not only survive but succeed at this difficult art form. We've won awards, received rave reviews and managed to maintain a group of amazing dancers. We're growing and improving on all fronts. We recently set our sights on expanding our performance schedule out of California and started looking toward the mecca of dance in the U.S.: New York City. Sure enough, almost right away we were invited by Joyce SoHo. to perform. This is an amazing opportunity for us. Not only were we invited to perform, but we are one of only seven companies from all of North America. That's an entire continent, people. It's really big. We've seen pictures taken from space. It takes up almost the entire frame.
So why are we on Kickstarter? We need to get 11 dancers, an Artistic Director, a Managing Director, an Executive Director, and a Lighting Designer all the way across the continent. Oh, and they might need to eat while they're there too. The funds we raise on Kickstarter will be used to purchase airline tickets, pay the salaries of our talented dancers and cover basic production costs. Like I said earlier, concert dance ain't cheap. But we're not just looking for a handout (if you want to just shower us in cash we won't say no,) instead we've put together what we think are some cool rewards for helping us out. And here's another bonus. Backhausdance is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization so your support is tax-deductible. Once we all settle up, we'll send you a reciept that you can take to your accountant while you feel good about giving to charity.
Suffice it to say this is an amazing opportunity for us as we take our years of success on the West Coast and bring our work to the mecca of dance, New York City. Thank you for supporting Backhausdance.
About our show at Joyce Soho: Backhausdance will be performing an evening length program of repertory: Arrive, a commissioned piece based on a quote by poet-laureate Maya Angelou with music by Mogwai and Explosions in the Sky; Shift, an elegant four-part work with music by Zoe Keating; Sitting on January, the award-winning signature work by Backhausdance, set to music by Bela Fleck and danced effortlessly on wooden chairs; and a world premiere by Jennifer Backhaus.
Project location: Orange, CA
You’ll get your name and link listed on our site as supporters. In addition, you’ll get your name listed in the program for the Joyce SoHo show. I hope you like your name because if you support us it’s going all over the place. We’re proud of our supporters.
Backhausdance T-Shirt. We always sell out of our T-Shirts so take this opportunity to get yours. They might even be a limited run strictly for our kickstarter supporters. I’m not promising...You’ll also get the $5 reward
Backhausdance Tote Bag. Do you feel guilty when you go to the grocery store and get plastic bags? Stay awake at night knowing that those bags are choking a penguin somewhere? So do we, which is why we are having some custom Backhausdance Tote bags made up. All the stuff from the $5 reward is yours too.
Backhausdance at Joyce SoHo Poster. We’re known for our great promotional materials (and dance too I suppose). Our Executive Director also handles their creation and puts out a great poster for all of our evening-length shows and they’re always limited runs. (He also writes about himself in the third person) The Joyce SoHo show will be no exception. You’ll get a copy of the 12”x18” poster signed by the dancers and the Artistic Director, Jennifer Backhaus. Go pick out a frame now because you’ll want one waiting for this guy. $5 reward listings come with.
Postcards from New York. This is cool. While we’re in New York we’ll send you a postcard every day we’re there. Thats going to be 5-7 postcards, maybe more. Maybe I’ll get a deal on postcards and a bulk mail license and have every dancer and staff member send you a card everyday. It’s a mystery even to me. I have no idea what they’ll be about but I’m guessing at least one day will be about food. You wouldn’t know by looking at them but our dancers like to eat. It might be due to the 8 hours of dancing that they do everyday. I’m no doctor. As if that wasn’t enough, you also get to pick one of either the T-shirt, tote bag or poster to wear, use or admire while you’re waiting at your mail box for your daily postcard. Fear not, you also get the $5 stuff.
“The All Three-er” Can’t decide between the t-shirt, tote bag and poster? This is the one for you. You get all three. It’s that simple. And if you couldn’t have guessed, you get the $5 stuff too.
Show Preview + Two T-Shirts. So I can hear what you’re thinking, “I love Backhausdance but I’m not going to be in New York and I really want to see the show and new work. Oh, and I’m in Southern California.” Well, I’ve got a solution for you. Come to our studio space and see one of the final rehearsals before we leave. You’ll get a behind the scenes peek at how our shows come together and be one of the first to see the new work performed. On top of that you’ll get two t-shirts. If you want, wear them to the rehearsal and just pretend that you are one of the dancers. If you’re good enough we might take you to New York with us. We’ll throw in the $5 listings as well.
Two Tickets To the Show + Two T-Shirts. If you live in New York or happen to be there when we’re performing then this is the one you’ll want. You get two tickets to the night of your choice and two t-shirts. But wait until after the show to put on the shirts. You don’t want to be THAT guy. $5 dollar stuff to boot.
Costume Sketches. Our costumes have won awards. No joke. They are “award winning.” This is due to the immense talents of our costume designer Rhonda Earick. You’ll get a series of design sketches from a specific piece drawn and signed by Rhonda. She might even be able to add a swatch of the fabric used if she has some from her files. $5 rewards also apply.
“Sitting on January” Chair. If there is one piece that Backhausdance is known for it’s the award winning and critically acclaimed “Sitting on January.” If you aren’t familiar, nearly the entire dance happens on wooden chairs. Well, it’s been five years and these chairs are due to be replaced. That’s good news for you. You’ll be getting a chair used in numerous actual performances, signed by all of the current dancers and choreographer Jennifer Backhaus. In addition we’ll send you an 8x10 photo of your chair being used on stage during a performance. You’ll also get a T-Shirt and the $5 dollar rewards. Take this rare opportunity to own a piece of BD history.
Hang out with the company in New York or Orange County, Ca. Are you tired of sneaking around after our shows and getting the booth next to ours while we eat just to catch a glimpse of the behind-the-scenes scoop? Would you prefer to come out in the open and actually hang out with us? We do too, because frankly, it was starting to creep us out. Hang out with us for an evening as we enjoy food and drink in Orange County, Ca or New York while we’re on tour. We’ll work with your schedule and make sure that you have a great time. You’ll also get the $5 rewards, a t-shirt, tote bag, poster, postcards from New York, and two tickets to the New York show or rehearsal in Orange County.
“Funded By” Credit. This is the big daddy. Your generosity will get you a “funded by” credit. Your credit will appear anytime information is presented about the new work, e.g. the programs for the upcoming Joyce SoHo and Irvine Barclay Theatre shows, our website, press material, and anytime the work is performed in the future. If we have any say (and we usually do) then your name will be right next to the title of the piece. In addition we’ll send you the $5 rewards, a t-shirt, tote bag, signed poster, postcards from New York and two tickets to the show in New York or the rehearsal in Orange County.
Custom Choreography Direct To You. Let's say you’re a big fan of Jennifer Backhaus’ choreography. Let’s also say that you are an amazing dancer (that part doesn’t have to be true). Jenny and an assistant will fly anywhere in the U.S. and spend the day with the cast of your choosing to set choreography for your event, show or spectacular extravaganza. Seriously, want some kick ass wedding stuff? Have a dance company and want a guest choreographer? Have a film or music video that needs some magic? We’ve got you covered. Turns out we do this for a living. You’ll also get a t-shirt, tote bag, poster, postcards from New York, two tickets to the Joyce SoHo show or preview rehearsal and the $5 dollar rewards.
Orange, CA
Artistic Director Jennifer Backhaus formed Backhausdance in January of 2003. The company is a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit corporation with the mission to create excellent art and expose and educate the community about the relevance and vitality of concert dance. The company currently consists of eleven dancers, four of whom are original members.
Backhausdance has an eclectic and dynamic vocabulary borrowing from many dance styles. Their movement is physically demanding and original with a wonderful sense of fluidity and strength.
Backhausdance, now in its sixth year, has performed extensively throughout California at venues and festivals including Fall for Dance at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, Laguna Dance Festival, the Los Angeles Arts Holiday Celebration held at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, and the Celebrate Dance Festivalat the Alex Theatre. The company has served as artists in residence at Santa Ana College, Mount San Antonio College, Chapman University, Brigham Young University, Moorpark College, and as guest artists for the California Dance Educators Association. Backhausdance has received 15 nominations and ten awards from the Dance Resource Center of Los Angeles for achievements in choreography, design, and performance, helping propel them to the forefront of Southern California modern dance.
Backhausdance has a diverse repertory that is entertaining as well as artistic. Repertory works include powerful, athletic dances, emotionally charged dramatic pieces, and whimsical, humorous glimpses at the human experience. All works are professionally produced with beautiful lighting and costume designs. Backhausdance also offers concert pieces with a focus on younger audiences that include master class workshop components.
In 2007, Orange County Performing Arts Center added Backhausdance to the Artist Roster for their arts education programs, Arts Teach and ArtsConnect, reaching public schools throughout Orange and San Bernardino Counties. Under the training and guidance of the OCPAC education staff, Backhausdance has developed and implemented a variety of assemblies and workshops for educational performances in classrooms and theatres.