Spotlight
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Get Up and Dance
HE PANDEMIC HAS REALLY CHANGED THE WAY improvisation, modern, clogging, and even fitness. Participants that we work together,” says choreographer Jane are encouraged to go at their own pace, and even modify the Franklin. “What we have done — and I think many people lessons to suit their abilities. are using this as a solution — is trying to make material together “There's nothing that advanced,” says Franklin. “The only using online tools like Zoom. In a way, it's totally the opposite of class that's kind of tough is ‘Abs With Amy,’ held Saturday mornwhat dance is about, because a lot of dance is about the relation- ings at ten. She runs marathons, so she's doing these abdominal ship with the other people in the room. And certainly, touch is exercises that are pretty intense. But you don't have to do 10, you involved in that. But all of a sudden, you're not in the room with can do five, and then rest for the last five.” anybody. Your focus is very much outward on the computer The classes are free, but participants are encouraged to make screen, and there's none of that kind of sensing of a donation to Franklin’s Artist Support Fund “to help another person. It's very external.” offset the loss of income due to canceled rehearsals, Watch the Franklin’s namesake company, Jane Franklin after school programs, projects, and Trailer for residencies, Dance, has operated out of Arlington since 1997. performances.” All proceeds go directly to the artists. Aflight Originally from Colorado, the artist came to the Franklin has also made available several popular D.C. area in 1990, as a visiting guest artist at George works by the company. Four shows are currently Mason University, and has “been here ever since.” In addition to featured at Stream, under the performance menu on the website: a slate of performances throughout the year, the company prides Aflight, Splatter, Shorthanded, and Beauty and the Beat. Prices itself on community involvement as well as an abundance of spe- range from $8 to $25 to either rent or own. Money raised also cialized dance classes for both young and old. goes to the Artist Support Fund. The company is currently holding dance classes as daily “The one I put up most recently — Aflight — can be rented for livestreams using Zoom, with each designed to connect partic- eight dollars,” says Franklin. “You can watch it with your whole ipants to a different style of movement. Offerings include ballet family, and you can stream it more than once. So it’s much less barre, Bartenieff-based floor work, jazz, Zen-inspired stretching, than if you had to buy tickets to see it live.” —Randy Shulman
For a full schedule of dance classes and information about streaming content, visit www.janefranklin.com. APRIL 30, 2020 • METROWEEKLY.COM
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