The Meaning of Change

The Meaning of Change - Amy Marshall’s recent performance “Tides of Change”,

commissioned by the macau Cultural Centre

Seven months after the launch of the “dance to new york – Choreographer Exchange programme” created by the macau Cultural Centre, the Amy Marshall dance Company (AMDC) and local choreographers Candy Kuok and Stella ho energetically presented the fruit of their labours on the 18th of October in macau. On its world premiere evening, the performance “Tides of Change” was greeted by the local audience with overwhelming enthusiasm. despite critiques of Amy Marshall’s provocative style of overt sentimentalism and her abundant usage of tiresome body movements, one has to admit that the whole project ended in a remarkable success in terms of local acceptance and involvement. groups of local students and friends who met the troupe during school tour workshops waited at the backstage door as if the AMDC were visiting rock stars. unrestrained cheers and applause were showered on them. in retrospect, the generous response of our notoriously “passive” macau audience is worthy of our attention and thoughts.

A small troupe of just nine dancers, including lead choreographer Amy Marshall, the New York-based AMDC enjoys a fame centred on its technical ability, often expressed in terms of powerful physical movements. Local choreographers Stella ho and Candy Kuok both commented on their impressions of the company’s “efficiency” and “skill”, observed during their visit to new york. “Personally, I tend to learn from many different styles and skills,” Candy Kuok says. “in contrast, I realised that the AMDC dancers would rather spend their time focusing on the development of their own style. Though they might seem not to know very much about what other troupes are doing, they certainly know what they themselves are getting at. The concentration is amazing. This has led them to be experts at what they do.”

During the three-week workshop in New York with the AMDC, Candy and Stella participated in a series of intensive training and brainstorming sessions. “For me, the experience was certainly new,” Stella Ho says. “As my background is based exclusively on Chinese dance, the training sessions in yoga and modern dance gave me a chance to reconsider my previous approach, and my view of Chinese dance was further developed thanks to the distance I experienced.” The influence was certainly not one-sided. as was observed in the performance of “Tides of Change”, a lot of Chinese dance elements were incorporated into Amy Marshall’s choreography.

continue reading........... @ page 59/80

(interview by Macau Closer Magazine, November issue @ page116 / page59 digital versio)

http://www.macaucloser.com/downloads/closer%20november%20book%20A.pdf

Meet-the-press @ Macao Cultural Center (2008.10.05)

click to the link to hear the recording of the press conference:

http://candykuok.googlepages.com/pressconf.rev.wma

Tides of Change - 5 days more to come

So five more days to come, and the new commissioned work "Tides of Change" <浪.無止> will be on stage. I am very excited. Once again, I have to say how greatly impressed I am by the "efficiency" and "energy" of AMDC. Even though I am undergoing some hard times in my personal life, I work and dance so happily together with the group. As what Alex said, "dance is magic and the best therapy".

-- Candy

Article taken Time Out Hong Kong

The crowds, buildings, history and energy of Macau are turned to dance in Tides of Change, a special presentation by New York’s Amy Marshall Dance Company. The show draws on the memories, experiences, and impressions the city has left on professional dancers and choreographers Amy Marshall, Stella Ho and Candy Kuok.

In a new program sponsored by the Macao Cultural Centre, Dance to New York (www.dancetonewyork.blogspot.com), this summer Macau natives Kuok and Ho spent three weeks in the Big Apple training with the AMDC, to promote cultural exchange between the cities, and nurture talented local artists. AMDC is a small New York-based modern dance troupe, which has won critical acclaim in its eight short years for original choreography and intense performances.

Ho, who has trained in Chinese classical and folk dance since the age of six, was inspired by the dedication and passion her contemporaries. On the Macau duo’s blog, she describes New York as a place where there is, “so much to explore, learn and experience.”

As well as allowing exchanges between Macanese and American artists, Dance to New York was an opportunity for two of Macau’s top dancers to collaborate. Kuok writes, “I believe we definitely lack this kind of communication amongst local choreographers and dancers, which would have a positive effect on the development of dance [and] performing art in Macau.”

Tides of Change focuses on the change and growth Macau has undergone in the artists’ lifetimes, and was inspired by conversations about construction, the SARS outbreak, gambling, economic fluctuations and uncertainty about the future. The AMDC will also perform company repertoire pieces Fire of the Dove, Unharvested and Homeland.

Annie Gotterson

美國經驗VS澳門現況

轉載自澳門日報-文化演藝 (2008.10.09)

美國經驗VS澳門現況 -- 編舞精英紐約歸來的思考

Stella向美國舞者敎授中國舞的造手和舞步

Candy(藍衣)和Stella(紅衣)在艾米·瑪素的指導下學習

本月18日，觀衆可於澳門文化中心欣賞到一場由紐約艾米·瑪素舞蹈團（Amy Marshall Dance Company），和兩位本地編舞精英郭瑞萍（Candy）、何雅詩（Stella）共同奉獻的舞蹈盛宴“浪·無止”。該舞作將兩人對澳門昔日悠閒恬靜小城的回憶，和艾米·瑪素初涉澳門繁華喧囂的印象共冶一爐。Candy和Stella月前才從美國參加完澳門文化中心和艾米·瑪素舞蹈團合作的“跳躍·紐約——編舞精英交流計劃”歸來，且聽她們娓娓道來在紐約的三周密集式短訓經歷，感受她們此次美國取經對編舞理念的體會，和對澳門舞蹈事業、澳門舞團發展的新思考。

收穫與改變
Candy和Stella表示，美國之行最大的收穫，是西式舞蹈元素與思維對自己舞蹈生涯的衝擊，“不但圓夢，還超出了我們出發之前的期望”。

初到紐約，Candy和Stella兩人抽空參加了Movement Research工作坊，專門學習脊椎和肌肉在軀體動作中的工作原理，讓舞者理解身體的構造，硏究身體動作。對此她們感觸頗大，“在澳門學跳舞不會有這種課程，但這對練好舞蹈基本功很有幫助的，瞭解你的身體，感受你的身體，之後你才會知道如何更好通過舞蹈來表達。”這些對舞蹈細節關注點的差別，正好反映了東西方在舞蹈觀念上的差異，“美國人會更多地認為舞蹈是表達思想、展現身體構造、美態的一門藝術”。理解並吸收這些看似微小，但重要程度卻可以無限放大的細節知識，讓舞者對舞蹈的理解進一步昇華。

Candy原本專注於現代舞，她直言紐約的學習讓她對舞蹈的理解和看法大為轉變。“以前我比較鍾情歐洲那種偏重於自由釋放的現代舞，對美國百老匯式的舞蹈有少少抗拒。但當我去到紐約，看到Amy那群專業的舞者對舞蹈的投入、熱情和專注，我被徹底感動了。”這讓她體會到，舞蹈的風格並不是最重要的，跳舞的關鍵是要“express到你內心的東西”，這才是舞蹈的眞諦。
長期練習中國舞的Stella，到紐約之後變成“朝九晩五”密集式地跳現代舞和芭蕾，這對她而言是一個衝擊，一柔（中國舞）一剛（現代舞），落差很大，“出發之前我沒有想到兩個星期的訓練能改變我對中國舞的思考，但原來眞的有了變化，我會去思考中國舞的長處，反思它本身有什麼可以改變、可以豐富的地方。”對中國舞長期以來形成的慣性思維的改變，Stella說她已經着手嘗試添加現代舞的可取元素到中國舞中，她的目標是改變中國舞遺留在普通人心目中的“老土”印象，要感受“現代的中國舞”，“有傳統中國舞的造手和舞姿，也要滲入現代舞的元素”，Stella這樣定義。

效率、熱情、創意
交流計劃中一件令Stella和Candy大感驚訝的事：艾米·瑪素這班職業舞者的效率極高，排舞導師陳述主旨5分鐘，各組舞者準備10分鐘，彙報15分鐘，最後導師從中組合整理感興趣的動作再讓舞者跳兩遍，需時15分鐘，“眞不可思議，短短一堂45分鐘的課就能排出3分鐘的舞”，而在澳門，這需要一個月。

Stella覺得這可能要歸因於文化的差異，“他們的思維很跳躍，很創新。在Amy的課程中，導師一直鼓勵學生表現自己的創意，先做了再說。”在這種的思路下，學生一開始就被培養出積極思考、不斷發掘的習慣，到編舞、排舞的時候大家各種想法也就噴湧而出。“澳門的學生比較乖，他能夠按照你的動作跳，但未必明白你的用意，就算跟住跳反應都較慢……老師跳了右邊，他不一定能跳出左邊。”Candy對此也有見解：“東方人含蓄內斂，不輕易直接表現自己，這對發揮創意是一大障礙。”

“當然，編舞的外部大環境也有很大的不同。”Stella補充道，“澳門也有一些團體或者公司請舞團排舞、跳舞，但往往不放心讓她們全新創作、編一個舞，只需要我們看一下以前的錄影帶，抄現成的就可以，說這樣保險。”在美國，情況迥異，項目的出資方會把選舞、編舞、排舞全權交給舞者，給予他們廣闊的表演空間。改變社會對藝術的思維方式，培育舞者寬鬆創作的外部環境，並非一蹴而就，但是，這是澳門要發展藝術產業努力的方向。

澳門要扭轉觀念
Candy和Stella均為本地舞團的主要負責人，她們稱澳門舞團現時的發展存在不少問題：缺少經費和資助、沒有機會作大型公演、沒有專業舞者、舞者訓練的熱情和效率不高……要維持一個團體的運作，經費是關鍵。政府部門，如敎靑局和文化局每年會因應民間舞團寄送的項目和活動計劃書給予部分資助，但是這部分經費卻不足以覆蓋活動的支出，舞團惟有寄信到各大基金會繼續申請支持。有些本地舞團，如“紫羅蘭”等會定期開辦舞蹈培訓課程，靠收“學費”維持舞團日常的運作。為了開源，舞團會承接社會或私人團體的表演節目，如民署、街坊會等舉辦的活動，商業公司的推廣活動，但這些機會畢竟屬少數。七拼八湊之下，錢僅僅夠用。

反觀艾米·瑪素藝術團，規模和澳門大部分舞團相似，他們也未得到政府津貼，也鮮有私人資助，而是靠學校、社團、商業機構委約編舞、排舞、表演等，維持經營。在美國經營一個舞團的成本花銷更大，昂貴的訓練場地租金足以讓很多經營者卻步，幸虧藝術市場的繁榮和濃鬱氣氛為舞團帶來不少工作。

Stella介紹道：“美國舞團的創作是project based的，接一個job就相當於一個project，這個proposal寫得很詳細，從場租、編舞、排舞訓練到舞者演出服裝、交通、眞正踏上舞台演出的演出費都分項詳細列明，項目的資方會逐項支付舞團。”資方對舞團風格的尊重和欣賞，是對其提供高質素表演，對舞者專業技藝的肯定和鼓舞，這也使美國的舞團經營者能夠始終固守創作風格，登上一個個新的台階。
講到舞團的創作風格，Candy所在的石頭公社是以創作為主要運作方向，但她坦言，礙於經費和成本，未來會更多地專注在“低成本創作”。被問到為何不搜索更多途徑獲取資助？她說目前不會在這方面費心思，“首先是觀念的問題，他們找我們跳舞、敎舞，不會考慮到之前要有大量的準備，要為他們度身訂造、去編舞，要租場排練，往往只給你算‘車馬費’，算跳舞或者敎舞那一刻的時薪……我們在寫項目申請計劃時，連Artists都不敢列明，寫來也無用，這些觀念極難扭轉。”Stella補充說：“澳門的商業演出機會少，但絕非無，某些商業公司的贊助只是低層次的贊助，比如他們會要求你背着其公司的Logo，穿與其產品顏色一樣的衫，用他們指定的廣吿歌做背景，隨便跳幾個舞步就可以交貨。”這樣的“項目”完全談不上是創作，對一個舞團自身風格的形成和發展並無幫助。

政府缺乏培育機制
澳門也缺乏對民間舞團的培育機制，未能有舞團成長的鍛煉平台，舞團難有機會登上大舞台展現。“以前，澳門藝術節有舞蹈專場給各個民間舞團表演機會，每個舞團可以演出一二個舞蹈；另一個主要活動澳門舞蹈節以前也會鼓勵各個舞團參與，但是現在需要遞申請，審批過才能‘有機會’表演。（能給予舞團機會的）現在僅剩下藝穗節了。”談到這些，Candy和Stella無不流露出絲絲遺憾。她們希望政府多給予舞團大型公衆演出的機會，讓舞者獲得更豐富的經驗和鍛煉，更好地展現才華。

美國專業舞者對跳舞的專注熱情和練習的高效率，讓Candy和Stella兩位詫異萬分，和澳門的兼職舞者或舞蹈學生再加比較，更覺有天淵之別。“美國舞者的收入不高，他們要到餐廳、酒吧做兼職幫補，但是對跳舞的熱情從不退減，他們堅稱跳舞才是正職。澳門剛好相反，敎和學的都是兼職、業餘的。很多跳舞老師正職那份工落班才去敎舞，dancers更不用說，都是兼職。”如果說這是敎育體制和藝術文化政策等客觀條件造成——因為澳門很少舞蹈系的“正牌”畢業生，勞資市場上也沒有專門從事跳舞表演的職位供應（學校的舞蹈敎師不算），那麼這些兼職舞者和學生對跳舞的態度和參與熱情就屬個人主觀問題。“他們從不會在排舞前提早熱身，為了幫他們熱身，總要拖到指定開始排舞時間之後一個鐘先可以開始排。”對於長期接受“塡塞式”敎育的東方學生，就算在接受跳舞這樣一項需要創造和熱情的藝術學習時，也不能期望他們像美國學生在導師重複兩次示範就能做出動作，他們多數依賴老師找出錯誤，手把手地敎，直至做出動作為止。“明明知道連續不斷、稍長時間的密集訓練對他們體能、技巧的提升都有幫助，但他們不願意，很快就變成軟皮蛇攤在那裡喊‘辛苦’。”跳舞的熱情戰勝不了疲勞來襲，更不能祈求他們會花時間進行創作思考。

Candy和Stella在美國目睹的情況，美國的藝術市場發達，市場化經營能為舞團提供充足的生存空間，澳門的舞蹈表演市場亟需發展。從舞團自身來說，應致力提升編舞、表演的專業技巧，吸引觀衆；同時在政府的支持下通過招生授課，參與更多演出使收入來源多元化。
但凡一個組織的誕生和發展，外在環境的催生和培育必不可少。政府相關部門要致力提高舞者的專業性，完善敎育系統內的科目設置，培養出一批舞蹈系的優秀畢業生。除了資助舞團硏修提升外，還應通過更多的文化宣傳，組織境內外的各類精彩表演，培養市民、商業機構舞蹈欣賞的水準與需求，造就良好的外部環境，讓舞團自己擁有造血功能，也為畢業後的專業舞者營造生存空間，這樣舞蹈事業才會有眞正發展。

樊越欣

浪.無止將首演精彩可期

刊登於澳門日報 2008.10.06

現代舞進階工作坊參與者衆，將選出本地舞者參演《浪舞止》。

艾美 · 瑪素舞蹈團走進校園示範表演受歡迎

美澳舞者合演本地元素新舞作 [浪.無止]將首演精彩可期

【本報消息】於今年三月舉辦的“跳躍 · 紐約——編舞精英交流計劃”脫穎而出的本地舞者何雅詩、郭瑞萍，經過近月排練，加上文化中心資助下赴紐約開展三周的編舞訓練與交流，學有所成，二人本月中旬將聯同艾美 · 瑪素舞蹈團藝術總監艾美 · 瑪素在澳首演全新舞作《浪.無止》，精彩可期。

由澳門文化中心主辦、歷時七個月的“跳躍 · 紐約——編舞精英交流計劃”進入最後階段。美國著名現代舞先鋒艾美 · 瑪素將與何雅詩、郭瑞萍兩名本地舞者，於本月十八日晚上八時在文化中心小劇院首演以“澳門”為元素的全新舞作《浪.無止》，誠為本澳“度身訂造”的舞作。艾美 · 瑪素舞蹈團另將獻演《和平之火》、《徒勞》、《家鄉》和《二重奏》四支舞作，不容忽視。
艾美 · 瑪素生於日本京都，對歷史文化抱有一份與生俱來的好奇，其藝術生涯則於紐約開展，並熱衷以舞蹈象徵不同的生命歷程；郭瑞萍自小習舞，曾到過海外不同地方接受不同類型的身體訓練和舞蹈技巧培訓，經常參與創作及演出外，還連同本地藝團致力推廣藝術教育；何雅詩現任澳門紫羅蘭舞蹈團副團長，除積極參與本地演出外，亦曾隨紫羅蘭舞團赴海內外交流。

對於與本地舞者交流合作，瑪素表示很高興，甚讚賞二人的舞技，尤其主動向舞團提出意見以完善演出。瑪素寄望郭瑞萍、何雅詩以至本地的舞蹈愛好者，能嘗試不同的舞種以提升個人舞技。
郭瑞萍說，在紐約艾美 · 瑪素舞蹈團受訓和交流所遇到的人，感受到他們對舞蹈的那份狂熱、投入和執着，身處如此環境，學習事半功倍。面對澳門城市不斷變化，尤感有點“失衡”，但在各種變化和失衡中總有一些本質是恆久不變而安穩的，冀透過舞作，讓人們有所感悟與反思。
何雅詩坦言赴紐約習舞是多年的夢想，在紐約習舞時認識到不同的編舞技巧，懂得將舞蹈語言發揮得淋漓盡致，自知前路很長，要學以致用的機會還有很多。可以肯定的是，參與這次編舞交流計劃，令舞蹈世界更精彩。

舞蹈團近日到五所中學開辦連串現代舞示範演出及外展工作坊，成效顯著，瑪素對澳門學子的舞蹈技巧與熱誠表示讚賞。昨日壓軸推出的《現代舞一○一》進階工作坊，獲瑪素親自指導，舞蹈團將從中選出參演《浪.無止》的本地舞者。

AMDC Takes Macau by Storm

Here they are ! AMDC. I just couldn't imagine, one and a half month ago, we were dancing together in New York City Center Studio, now we are dancing together again in Macao Cultural Center. I feel the urge to dance so strong inside me. Amazing.

Today, when we are having the ballet class, Natasha said it reminds her of the ballet lesson we had in the New York City Center Studio.

In the photo, Chad and Amy are wearing the costume for the "Tides of Change" , it's such a great and beautiful work by Aileen Roehl. I love them.

Want to know more about AMDC tour in Macau, check it up in this blog: http://amdcinmacao.blogspot.com/

-- Candy

兩澳舞者完成在美編舞訓練

參演新作《浪 · 無止》以“澳門”為元素

兩澳舞者完成在美編舞訓練

【本報消息】應澳門文化中心邀請，由艾美·瑪素舞蹈團 (Amy Marshall Dance Company) 藝術總監艾美·瑪素與本澳舞者何雅詩、郭瑞萍聯合擔演的新編舞作《浪·無止》(Tides of Change)，將作世界首演，下月十八日在文化中心小劇院拉開序幕。何雅詩、郭瑞萍獲文化中心資助下，完成在紐約為期三周的編舞訓練及交流，參與全新舞作的構思和編排，日前結束返澳。

《浪·無止》是以“澳門”為元素的全新舞作，有幸參演的兩名澳門舞者，源於澳門文化中心今年三月舉辦“跳躍·紐約——編舞精英交流計劃”，邀得艾美·瑪素來澳選拔，何雅詩及郭瑞萍憑紮實舞技及對舞蹈的熱誠脫穎而出，得到文化中心資助赴紐約進行三周的編舞訓練及交流。四月起，三位舞者以互聯網交換意見及創作構思，並設立博客將創作過程與公衆分享。

新作《浪·無止》將以澳門的傳統、文化、價值觀，融入何雅詩及郭瑞萍對“舊”澳門的童年回憶與懷念，以及艾美對小城的直接印象而度身訂造。該舞團來澳上演《浪·無止》外，亦帶來四支首本舞作屆時獻演。舞團十月來澳亦會開展“駐場藝術家計劃”，到本澳學校進行連串現代舞示範演出及外展工作坊，現正接受報名。名額有限，有興趣的學校可致電八七九七·七三○七查詢。

http://www.macaodaily.com/html/2008-09/16/content_223503.htm

"Artist-in-Residence" Project-Amy Marshall Dance Company

-- New York and Macao’s partnership in modern dance!

Tickets on sale from 05.09.2008

http://www.ccm.gov.mo/en/page/page_programs/programs_details.asp?event_id=1259

Hojemacau 2008.09.04

Companhia de Dança Amy Marshall estreia, em Outubro, peça inspirada em Macau
Marés de mudanças coreográficas Coreografias de um território em movimento

O Centro Cultural de Macau (CCM) vai apresentar a Companhia de Dança Amy Marshall (CDAM) de Nova Iorque no dia 18 de Outubro, mas o enfoque central do espectáculo de dança moderna não são as peças norte americanas, mas antes uma muito particular criada por duas coreógrafas de Macau e uma de Nova Iorque. “Marés da Mudança” é o nome da nova coreografia inspirada em Macau que foi conjuntamente coreografada por Amy Marshall, Stella Ho e Candy Kuok, duas bailarinas seleccionadas durante o Programa de Intercâmbio Coreográfico “Dançar até Nova Iorque” providenciado pelo CCM.Na sequência de um trabalho em prol do desenvolvimento da dança no território, o CCM lançou este programa coreográfico no início de Março. Na altura, Amy Marshall esteve no CCM para uma audição, escolhendo as bailarinas mais qualificadas, que viajaram depois até Nova Iorque durante o mês de Agosto, ingressando num programa de formação e criação coreográfica de três semanas com a CDAM. Foi aí que também trabalharam com a directora artística da companhia em “Marés da Mudança”, o novo projecto comissionado pelo CCM que agora terá estreia absoluta no palco do Centro Cultural.

Fonte de inspiração

A coreografia, que tem como fonte de inspiração a cidade de Macau, vai incidir artisticamente sobre dois pontos centrais: a diversidade cultural do território, com a sua fusão de crenças e tradições orientais e ocidentais, e o recente “boom” urbanístico, com a sua galopante profusão de casinos e empreendimentos. A peça também vai beber às memórias de infância das coreógrafas chinesas e a ligação ao “velho Macau”, e incorpora ainda as impressões com que a coreógrafa norte americana tem ficado de Macau.Para além de “Marés da Mudança”, a CDAM vai apresentar um repertório de quatro peças em Macau: “Fogo da Pomba” descreve o julgamento de Joana d’Arc e o seu momento final antes de ser consumida pelo fogo; “Por Colher” retrata as relações entre casais que lidam com o amor e a consequente perda; “Pátria” leva o público pela viagem de um homem longe da sua família e em busca de uma vida melhor e “Dueto” é um estudo acerca da complexidade de uma pauta musical.

Projecto de intercâmbio

De acordo com Amy Marshall, este projecto de intercâmbio do CCM também foi bastante enriquecedor para a companhia norte americana, já que as duas bailarinas de Macau possuíam experiência e talentos muito particulares: Stella, com as suas raízes na dança chinesa, mostrou-lhes a beleza dos movimentos da dança tradicional do seu país; ao passo que Candy, que gosta de enveredar por formas mais experimentais e de incorporar diferentes media, deu à companhia mostras da sua curiosidade e fulgor. As duas bailarinas, por seu turno, sentem-se agora mais técnica e artisticamente inspiradas para produzirem as suas próprias coreografias no futuro. Stella Ho é de momento a vice-presidente e professora amadora de dança da Companhia Violeta, tendo começado a aprender dança a partir dos seis anos de idade, e formando-se através das técnicas básicas das danças chinesas clássica e folclórica na Companhia de Dança de Macau Dragão da Nuvem, na Trupe de Dança Estudantil da DSEJ e na Escola de Dança do Conservatório de Macau. Stella possui ainda um certificado de professora de dança chinesa concedido pela Academia de Dança de Pequim e tirou um curso de coreografia de três anos na Escola de Dança do Conservatório de Macau. Esta bailarina tem apresentado muitas das suas criações em diferentes edições do Festival de Artes e no Festival Fringe de Macau. Candy Kuok é um dos membros centrais da Associação Cultural e Artística Comuna de Pedra. Além de participar em mais de 30 produções em Macau e no estrangeiro, Candy é ainda uma professora de dança e uma coreógrafa regular para esta associação. Começando a aprender dança desde tenra idade, esta bailarina formou-se principalmente em ballet, e depois em dança moderna. Tem apresentado diversas peças nos Festivais de Arte e Fringe.

Workshops de dança

A CDAM é uma companhia de renome fundada pela directora artística Amy Marshall e pelo director executivo Chad Levy. Desde a sua fundação em 2000, a CDAM tem vindo a desenvolver extensivamente um programa educacional que inclui residências, cursos demonstrativos e workshops que visam educar o público sobre a arte da dança moderna. Entre 3 e 8 de Outubro, a CDAM vai visitar diversas escolas de Macau, onde irá apresentar várias demonstrações educacionais e workshops, dando ainda dois workshops de dança moderna em Macau: o “Workshop Introdutório de Dança Moderna” (no dia 3) e o “Workshop Avançado de Dança Moderna” (de 1 a 5). Este último destina-se àqueles que possuam conhecimentos sólidos de dança e incide sobre módulos como técnica moderna avançada, elementos coreográficos basilares, improvisação e uma introdução aos movimentos de Amy Marshall. O primeiro workshop foi criado para quem tem pouca ou nenhuma formação em dança, e mune os participantes com os elementos básicos da dança moderna, como coordenação muscular, o uso do espaço e da música, etc. Entretanto, a equipa da CDAM fará uma audição no dia 5 para seleccionar os bailarinos de Macau que vão participar na estreia da coreografia “Marés da Mudança”.

Texto CCM editado

Reflection

What a beautiful quote Candy. And Governor's Island is definitely the place for quietude and thinking.
What a wonderful thought that water surrounds us. We were born from it. And around us the earth is made up of so much water. From the sky we are replenished by it. It is water that makes the plants grow and keep us hydrated, as we are made of water ourselves. We need it in our lives. It helps us to stay alive and it helps us feel comforted in knowing it surrounds us. So, in times of change, water remains a constant. Comforting to know. I, being Cancer the crab and a water sign, has always felt the need to be near water. I grew up with lakes surrounding me and the ocean not far away, and now I live surrounded by the ocean. On humid days I can smell the ocean and it provides me with calm. A reminder that no matter how crazy life gets around me, the is something there that is there unchanged.

-Amy

continue with water and goddess

It was a gorgeous day, I have planned a week ago to have this relaxing day.  I prepared my lunch box, snacks and book, and headed to the Governor Island.  Whenever I go for a long journey alone, I would bring Paulo Coelho's book with me, it's all about life-enhancing and spiritual journey.  This time, I have brought "By the River Piedra I sat down and wept" with me.

Between the lines, it says, "The Goddess uses water as the means to manifest Herself..........Her symbol is water ---  like the fog all around us.............the mist suddenly seemed to take on a life of its own, becoming sacred.............Why is water the symbol of the feminine face of God?............ I don't know.  But She normally chooses that medium to manifest Herself.  Maybe because She is the source of life; we are generated in water, and for nine months we live in it......."

Does it sound beautiful and immediately it reminds me about our discussion earlier. 

-- Candy@NYC

澳門舞者的紐約夢 (上 / 下)

非一般的“朝九晚五”生活

對於普通澳門上班族來講，這樣一張“朝九晚五”時間表或許不會太陌生：八時起床，梳洗穿衣出門，九時準時到公司報到，埋首辦公桌，打開電腦，回電郵、寫計劃書、開會、覆電話……直至午飯時間短暫放鬆之後，又再次陷進檯頭如山的文件堆裏，等到下班時間早已過了、天也黑了、肚子也餓了，才拖着僵硬的身體回家！可是，你可曾試過轉念一想：原來還有一種不一樣的“朝九晚五”生活？

此刻，兩個澳門上班族女孩就正在紐約體驗不一樣的“朝九晚五”生活：兩個澳門OL——何雅詩(Stella)及郭瑞萍(Candy)，加入紐約職業舞團艾美·瑪素舞蹈團，進行三星期的編舞訓練及創作。在紐約，她們的時間表也是朝九晚五，但內容卻與澳門生活大不相同：她們每朝六時就要起床，吃過早餐，就要坐公車出發，從所住的皇后區阿斯多利亞前往路程較遠的紐約市中心。九時正，抵達舞團報到，首先來一小時的瑜伽訓練，從生理及心理上準備好應付全天的緊張訓練；接下來，是一個半小時的現代舞技巧課及另外一個半小時的創作時間。午飯之後，緊接是芭蕾舞課（對主攻中國舞的Stella和專習現代舞的Candy來說，上芭蕾舞課就像重遇老友一樣），而既然身在“通識”的編舞訓練營，當然要對舞團的舞蹈風格有所認識，所以最後一節是舞團作品的練習。這時候，已是下午四時半，剩下來的半個小時就讓兩人做做伸展運動，紓緩高度緊張的肌肉。

同樣是“朝九晚五”，但在紐約職業舞團的生活當然與在澳門辦公室的生活截然不同，甚至與以往工餘或周末的舞蹈排練也不一樣。在紐約，除了每天都要保持身體的極限狀態，她們最需要適應的，還是職業舞團的“高效率”，因為不論動作難度與複雜性，導師只會作兩次（最多三次）示範，學員就要“認識”及“做到”這動作，對比以往習慣將動作重複數十遍的練習，她們承認如今需要頭腦更加專注及清醒。而這樣一天“朝九晚五”的舞蹈練習下來，最有力的證明當然要算是一身的瘀傷痠痛。其實，每次到練習中途小休，那種全身痠麻的感覺便會讓人只想趴在地上不動。不過，只要老師一聲號令、音樂一起，大家又會馬上跳起身，忘形起舞，也許這就是“舞蹈”的能量所在吧？ （上）

文心

http://www.macaodaily.com/html/2008-08/20/content_212594.htm

紐約的啟示

正如世上所有的大都會，紐約充滿一切令人驚訝目眩的新奇事物：一整條街看不見頂的摩天大樓、永遠擠滿了新穎房車跑車的馬路、匆匆而過彷彿要把全世界抛在後頭的西裝友、把夜空染成不止七色的霓虹光管……紐約的一切都來得更壯觀、更深刻，像要把其他大都會的新奇都比下去，無論在此逗留多久，都不會令人生厭。

要認識這個城市，最快速、最好的方法，可能就是參觀博物館。只有三個星期去認識紐約的Stella和Candy，每有空餘時間，無論一整天的工作坊弄得四肢有多痠軟疼痛，都會掙扎着到各式各樣的藝術博物館參觀，就如珍藏着當代最重要畫家（如畢加索、莫內、梵高等）主要畫作的大都會美術館，以及與“當代藝術”畫上等號的MOMA（紐約現代藝術館 / Museum of Modern Art）等。

典藏的藝術傑作給人不少靈感啟發，然而令二人感觸最深的，卻是在紐約大都會的繁忙、喧囂與霓虹光管後，倒映着“小城澳門”的影子：走在紐約街頭，抬頭望向令人暈眩的高樓之際，此景此情在澳門又何嘗陌生？由沙士時期的經濟低迷，到賭權開放後的急速發展，作為澳門市民的一分子，Stella和Candy享受着社會繁榮的同時，也憂慮着“小城”原本美好的一面在慢慢消逝。這亦自然成為她們編舞習作的其中一個題材。在名為“建構”(Construction)的兩篇舞作功課中，兩組編舞不約而同選擇了板直的身段與仿如工地機械的重複動作，營造出忙碌而冰冷的非人化景像，也許這就是她們對那些拔地而起的高樓的第一印象吧？

藝術源自生活，Stella和Candy用舞蹈表達對“澳門”這城市的感覺，也嘗試與未曾到過澳門的紐約朋友分享她們的想法。三個星期的紐約之旅，不單提升她們的編舞技巧，亦同時引發了她們對澳門的思考。(下)

文心

http://www.macaodaily.com/html/2008-08/22/content_213500.htm

Explorative & Inspiring

I should say " SO MUCH TO EXPLORE & BE INSPIRED" to round up the three-weeks training experience. In AMDC summer intensive, I've seen and felt people's urge, heating passion, devotion and seriousness towards dance, no matter you are a choreographer, a professional dancer, an amateur student or just a dance audience. So do Stella's and my internal fire being heat up, there is no exception. The thing is already there, how deep you can dig into it simply depends on what kind of "ATTITUDE" that you adopt towards the thing that you love for. To dance and to choreograph is a lot of funs but at the same thing it's a serious matter. To quote a meaningful phrase told by my friend who devotes himself in the theatre works : "We should learn how to play a game seriously; and how to deal with sacredness in delicate but relaxing way." , which I think are very strong words and worth to contemplate about.

During the creative process, I've the opportunity to learn from an choreographer (Amy Marshall), who oversees the whole picture, and worked through efficiently with just simple elements to an aesthetically,sophiscated dance piece. Movements need not to be complicated at all times, but how you can make interesting variations and choreograph out of simple little things is a real "big" thing. I am greatly inspired by Amy's works.

Honestly, everything is expensive here in NY, not me as a Chinese tourist said so, even the New Yorker themselves said so. Time is money, thus everything needs to be done in neat time. In the intensive training, we have to learn differents movements, combinations, repertories in a very short period of time and get into your body; We've got to create short dance phrases or make collaboration with partners quickly and presented it. There is no time for your mind to lagging behind, your presence and awareness is essential at all time. I do feel that my brain runs faster here.

Besides from the gorgeous learning experiences we have had, three weeks being lived and stayed together with Stella gave us a good opportunity for opening up some in-depth conversations, sharing our viewpoints and vision towards Macao dance scenario. And I believe that we definitely lacking these kind of communication among Macao local choreographers and dancer themselves, which in fact would have a positive effect on the development of dance / performaning art in Macao.

I don't know how to draw a conclusion here, for me this is just a start..............................................

-- Candy

An unfadable and valuable experience

After 3 weeks of staying in NYC for the program Dance to New York, I would say there is so much to explore, learn and experience here. Take for the summer intensive, the techniques of modern dance and ballet are very different from the dance training I am used to have in Macau, while the creative process and repertoires learning enabled me to learn more for choreography, and most important of all, I really enjoyed the experience of dancing with the passionate and enthusiastic dancers in New York. Their attitude, their relentlessness of performing well in class and their love of dancing really impressed me a lot. In New York, it is really not easy to be a dancer. Absolutely it is a profession that will not enable them to earn a lot. In fact, most of them have to get a part time job for their living. On the other hand, they have to pay for classes to keep themselves well trained for their profession. So, the more I contact them and understand about their profession, the more I esteem for their strong passion and devotion for dancing.

As said by Amy Marshall in the promotional video for this program, "New York is the hub of all kinds of art." With my own experience in New York, I totally agree with this. Just for the art of dancing, there are so many open or intensive classes of different kinds of dance which are available for dance lovers, from ballet, modern, tap, HIP HOP, African… to different movement techniques. On the other hand, there are always audition for dancers posted by different dance companies. Hence, there are plentiful chances of learning, so are chances to work as dancers in New York. Moreover, there are also a lot of opportunities to see different kinds of performances and shows held in New York, and there are many museums to visit. Art seems to be around everywhere. As an artist, it is really very excited being in New York, and I greatly value the experience of being here!

─ Stella

A Note of Thanks

To save money and time, Candy and I had breakfast at home everyday, while lunch boxes and dinner would sometimes be prepared during the weekdays when we attended the summer intensive. However, as I was very poor in cooking, Candy was in fact the chief cook during the time when we were in New York!

May I take this chance to thank Candy for taking this role. Surely the delicious food she cooked would be a part of my good memory in New York!

I would also like to cordially thank Amy and Chad for their attentive care, making me adapt to the life in New York very promptly. It is so pleasant to dance, discuss, co-operate or just simply as to chat and get along with them!

─ Stella

Mix of Cultures

After having the Dim Sum, Amy Marshall and her dancers accompanied us to walk around China town for a while. Then just by crossing a road, we turned to walk along the area called Little Italy.

Just like what one of the dancers told us, “In New York, it's interesting that the previous moment you were like being in Asia, but next moment you will feel like being in Europe!”

chicken feet

Just to make a correction. Chad said that he did succeed in eating the Chicken feet !!

Dim Sum Time....Show Off Time

In order to let the dancers start trying the Cantonese food before coming to Macau, Amy specially arranged a Friday Dim Sum Brunch at China town. And we are responsible to look for an authentic Cantonese restaurant.

Steamed Roast Pork Bun,spring roll, steamed shrimp dumpling, Beef Pan Fried Noodles, egg custard, fried tou-fu......and the most important and delicious of all-- STEAMED CHICKEN FEET IN BLACK BEAN SAUCE. Of course, this is our show-off time......finger by finger, bite by bite, we perform eating Steamed Chicken Feet. So, who dare to eat them ?.... Chad, Natasha, Alex and Aileen, nobody really succeeds.

Hey guys, it's just a matter of courage, it's yummmy.

Exploring NYC

Only after the summer intensive, we had the time to start to explore the “Big Apple”:

The Central Park is a place that could not be missed out!

Walking around the historic, neoclassical campus in the Morningside Heights of Columbia University, savoring the classical architecture of America.


We were lucky that the Guggenheim Museum is now exhibiting the representative selections of one of the most important artists of our time ─ Louise Bourgeois.

Walking around the West Village made us feel like walking in a small town of Europe. We enjoyed the leisure feeling there! The studio of Merce Cunningham Dance Company is also situated in the West Village.

It is so surprising for us to find the national flag of the People's Republic of China hung outside New York Stock Exchange Building.


To explore the Big Apple, the “glassy” Apple Store is another spot which could not be missed!

It seems that we have visited quite a number of places, but with so much to see, in fact there are still a lot of places of New York which could be explored, only time is limited ...

-- Stella, Candy

50th Anniversary of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Just the day after the summer intensive, Candy and I went to New York City Center (the studio for summer intensive classes is in this building) again, because on that day Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT) was celebrating its 50th anniversary there. The West 55th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues was close for pedestrians only and it was really a street party, with stalls selling clothing, accessories, food, etc, and stalls holding activities for kids.

There was also a stage set for providing free lessons of drumming, Horton, Hip Hop and West African dance to the public. As we saw, a lot of people passing by were attracted and joined the free lessons. It was really happy and excited to learn dancing with so many people on the street!

Aside from the street party, free dance performances were provided as well, and we were fortunate that the programs shown on that day were the classical dance pieces created by Mr. Ailey, such as Phases (excerpt), "Bird" - With Love (excerpt), Blues Suite (excerpt) and Revelations. The dancers were terrific with sophisticated dance techniques. On the other hand, the audience was mostly fans of AAADT, highly lifted up the atmosphere of the performance.

We had a great time for this celebration activity held by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater!

--- Stella

Snap Shots after the Student Showing

(From left) Amy with her lovely daughter Pasha, Stella

(From left) Alexandra, Stella, Candy with Devlin and David

Alexandra and David are the dancers of Amy Marshall Dance Company as well. All the dancers of the AMDC are very excited about their upcoming trip to Macau!

Delving into Amy Marshall's Works

During the second week of the summer intensive, we had to learn excerpts of 4 repertories of Amy Marshall Dance Company, including "Duet", "Fire of the Dove Solo", "A Klezmer Nutcracker Fight" and "Two Duets and A Quartet Duet", and these excerpts are performed at the Student Showing on the final day of the intensive program.

Before coming to NYC, I have already seen some of the works of Amy Marshall from the company's website, however, learning to dance the repertories enabled me to have much more understandings about her works, and I am especially impressed by their diversity --- pieces that are created from a thematic approach or movement approach, pieces that are emotional, touching, energetic or humourous. Most of Amy's works have very complete story line which clearly conveys the pictures and most important of all, feeling to the audiance, while some are with sense of humour which I think is not easy to add into choreography. Even for some of the works which are abstract and more from a movement approach, the use of space and arrangement of movements of different qualities within the pieces make them substantial.

I really enjoy learning to dance and learning the techniques of choreography from the repertories of Amy!

--- Stella

We want more intensive

So two-weeks of intensive dance training now finished. We have had a wonderful time and we want more..........we are mentally and physically ready, we want more dancing.........

-- Candy, Stella

Creative Process (diary 006)

The infant rate of heartbeat is around 130-150 bpm, the toddler's about 100–130 bpm, the older child's about 90–110 bpm, and the adult's about 80–100 bpm. 75 beats per minute translates to 4500 beats an hour, 108,000 beats per day, and 39,420,000 beats in a year. How about the pulses of the city ?

Creative Process (diary 005)

Constructions going on and on in the city.

A Drink before show

With ADMC former and present dancers, we went to see Battleworks Dance Company's 5th Anniversary Season performance at Joyce Theatre. Joyce Theatre is located in Chelsea, is one of the active theatres showcases modern/contemporary dance. And just before the show, we have a drink together.

The choreographer, Robert Battle, has brought to the audience 5 pieces of work -- "Reel Time", "Ella", "Overture", "In/Side" and "Juba". Among them, I like the first and the second. "Reel Time" definitely catches the attention, the fast movements, spinnings, jumping and intersecting are terrific. On the costumes, different colors of dayglo strips were sewed on them, and I expected that there would be black light on while dancers doing all the fast movements, but it didn't. As for "Ella", the music was "Air mail special", sang by the "first lady of song" - Ella Fitzgerald, her pure and perfect voice of jazz suck me in. The dancer's sophiscated movements were awesome, but could be considered of adding more unbridle sense of feelings in it. At the end of the dance, there were a line of three/four performers entered and walked across in upstage, just like a passer-by, so funny. I love it.

Dance review of Battleworks @ The New York Times :

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/31/arts/dance/31batt.html

-- Candy

Creative Process (diary 004)

After the first week of summer intensive, we had a meeting with Amy and Chad at the weekend. Amy came up with the idea of having a part of pedestrians walking to represent the heart of the city, while adding different movement to project the image of the Macau people, followed by a part of buildings rising up to show how Macau changes with the increasing number of construction projects in different parts of the city. So, we started to talk about the feeling of the Macau people towards all the changes in these few years. We talked about the time around the outburst of SARS when there was economic slump in Macau, that people looked forward to the opening of the gambling industry to boost up the economy of Macau. We also talked about now as many of the Macau people earn their living by working for the gambling industry, they are enjoying from the rise of the economy but on the other hand feeling uncertain about the future. Some of the Macau people may also be afraid that the inner beauty of Macau will gradually diminish.

The content of the above discussion then became the elements to work on for the creative process of the second week of summer intensive.

Creative Process (diary 003)

The studio of AMDC summer intensive -- City Center Studio, is located in the heart of Mahatten. The Fifth Avenue, the glamorous world-renowning shopping street, a symbol of wealthy New York, is just about 1o minutes walk distance from our studio. It has been consistently ranked as one of the most expensive streets in the world. Right after the 1st-week student showing, we rushed straight to the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), in order to be benefited from free Friday evening admission (free for all visitors during Target Free Friday Nights, 4:00–8:00 p.m.), the museum is so big, with so many many people, we wondered if we had entered a funfair market rather than a museum. Frankly speaking, we were really very tired with muscles shaking, but for the sake of free entry, hahahh, we just couldn't raise up our legs anymore and we have to glide on the floor instead of walking.

After MOMA, we took a walk along the 5th Avenue. We were surrounded by a forest of high-rise buildings, heavy traffic, pedestrians, traffic lights,....... we looked up and felt dizzy. We found ourself being lost in the city. In fact, I begin to have this kind of feeling for my home town Macau already.

- Candy

Creative Process (diary 002) - Student Showing

Could u find the elements of 'flowing','juxtapose','spiral','drowning','inner beauty' in the piece ?

dance efficiently - II

In the morning yoga class, the teacher (Lara) told us about the 3 "A"s of Yoga - Attitude , Alignment , Action. (Attitude being the power of the heart and willingness; Alignment being the mindful awareness of how various parts of ourselves are integrated and interconnected; Action being the natural flow of energy in the body, which provides both stability and joyful freedom). This 3 "A" does not only apply to people who practise yoga. It applies to all of us, all walks of life. During a discussion with Stella, we've came up with the consensus that the dance students in Macau are in general lacking an intense initiative of learning or practicing. Students depend so much on the teacher to demonstrate the movement or sequence for them over and over, over and over, over and over again until they get into the movments. Morever, after teaching the right side of the movments, they think that it is the responsibility of the teacher to demonstrate and teach the left side. Here in summer intensive, the teacher will teach and demonstrate once, twice and maxium three times, then students should be able to do it , and for the left side, of course, students should be able to figure out by themselves. So this is the differences in the way we are trained.

Definitely, we have to contemplate on the 3 "A"s of yoga.

- Candy, Stella

Creative Process (diary 001)

At the beginning of the first creative process session in the summer intensive, Amy briefly introduced to the students about Macao and gave them an idea about the present situation and phenomenon that Macau is facing. Then based upon the elements which we have discussed earlier in our creativity meeting (water,transition,contrast,inner beauty,claustrophobia), Amy threw a related key word to each of the four groups and letting the students to work on it. These key words are:"Flowing" and "drowning" which connected with the elememnt of water; "Juxtapose" connected with contrasting situation; "chaos" with claustrophobia and "Spiral" with transition, etc. So students worked on the basic idea, and during the whole process, Amy added in different layers and colors. Thus, by the end of the fourth session, a 7-mins-20-secs collective work of creativity was done and ready to be presented in the Student Showing.

Candy and Stella in the Student Showing (Week 1)

Candy in the repertory "Aria"




Stella in the repertory "Moonshine Let me Fall"

Amy Marshall introduced the two assisting choreographers from Macau to the audience in the student showing.

dance efficiently - I

so, the first week intensive was completed with the presentation of AMDC's 4 repertories ,"Gustav's wedding" , "Moonshine Let me fall", "A Klezmer Nutcracker Dreidel" and "Aria" + work of creative process. Everyday, we spent an hour and half to learn a new repertory. I'm surprised by the speed and efficiency that the summer intensive students learnt the pieces and got them into their bodies. For me, I had some difficulties in memorizing the pieces in such a short time. In Macau, I am always working "Shanti Shanti" and I have got used to this working habit already. So it really took me some times to run the pieces over and over again, and worked them out at home with the help of Stella.

-- Candy

Meeting the AMDC Dancers

From the left: Matt, Stella, Aileen, Natasha, Danielle and Candy

During the summer intensive program, most of the dancers of Amy Marshall Dance Company also join in or even be the teachers of some of the classes. Last week we had the chance to meet Matt, Aileen, Natasha, Danielle and Alexandra. They are all very good dancers with sophisticated dancing techniques. In spite of this, I am impressive that they are all very friendly and helpful!

--- Stella

Candy and Stella take NYC by storm!

It has been such a terrific time already having Candy and Stella in NYC and studying at the summer intensive. This is definitely more dancing than they are use to as well as a very different style, but they aren't letting that stop them! I give a lot of credit to them both for jumping right in head first and doing it all. I am very impressed with their work ethic and commitment to dance. I have enjoyed teaching them and starting to work with them on the creative process. They have both added so much to this week's dance. Both with their knowledge of Chinese classical dance (Stella) and intense dramatic moments (Candy). The piece about Macao is sure to be a hit! We will post the outcome of this week's work-in-progress this weekend.

Meeting with AMDC

New York - Day 4

Our main thing to do in New York is to join the summer intensive program of AMDC, and on 28th July we started our first lesson on the program. See how intensive it is :

9:00 -9:55 Yoga
10 - 11:30 Modern Technique
11:40 - 13:00 Creative Process
13:00 - 13:45 Lunch break
13:45 - 15:00 Ballet
15:05 - 16:30 Repetory
16:30 - 17:00 Stretch

Though we've been here three days already, Candy still got the jet-lag problem, during the Ballet class in the afternoon, she just couldn't figure out clearly how the movements are going.

Work of Creative Process

Modern Dance Class

Modern Dance Class and Stretching

New York - Day 5

"Our bodies got sore and bruises all around. When we walked down the staircase, hahah.....lovely pain. "I enjoy the sore !" said Candy

"After 2 days of training, I would say that the dance lessons I have in the summer intensive are very different from those I had had in Macau. If I have to describe them, I would say that the lessons are highly efficient and speedy. For every movement combination, teachers only demonstrate once or twice, then the students have to do it by themselves. So, it trains not only the body but also the mind." said Stella

During the class, Amy said that when we come to take intensive classes,we should push ourselves beyond limits. It's a challange and experience for our own-self.

Highlights of the day

Can u guess which bruise belongs to whose leg ?


daily treatment - - vaseline, muscle rub, herbal gel

Vaseline for glueing the split of skin on the foot palm, just like super glue.

muscle rub for relief the sore muscles.

herbal gel for treating the bruises.

Though most of the summer intensive students got sore muscles, but when we are getting off the floor and start dancing, all the pains were burned out by our passion of dance. But really, We want a MASSAGE !!!

--- Stella & Candy

Feel the City, Feel the Art!

Day 2

On the second day of arrival at New York, we started by having a nice brunch with Amy, Chad, Matt and Natasha (two of the AMDC dancers), followed by more discussion on the project.

In the evening, we took the time to go to the area around Times Square in Manhattan to feel the atmosphere of this metropolitan, but where's the Times Square building? We don't find it!

Large digital signages, billboards and multi-colored neon lights make this city as gorgeous and splendid as it could be.

Just like other big cities in the world, New York is always crowded in its business area, and there are lots of different attractions for tourists from around the world, but somehow its harmonious blending of people of different races makes it unique.

Day 3

On our third day in New York, we visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

This museum is really huge and we only managed to see a small portion of exhibits. However, we really have a great time seeing the paintings of the famous painters such as Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, Picasso, etc as well as the works of some famous contemporary artists. We have already decided to arrange for more time to visit this museum again during our stay in New York.

--- Stella & Candy

Arrival

Day 1

Finally, we arrived at the city of hub of arts -- New York. In the airport, it's Amy and Chad (Amy's husband) waiting for us. Though we've never met Chad before, we just know each other through e-mail communication, but we've got the feeling that we've known each other just like we know Amy already. The weather was fine, and Chad drove us straight ahead to our accommodated apartment in Astoria.

That very same evening, we were invited to Amy's home where she's prepared a quick easy dinner with yummy nourishing food and wine. Devlin and Pasha (Amy's twin) are always the focus of the house and everybody, so cute and lovely.


Devlin on the left, Parsha on the right

During our dinner, we talked a lot, about Macau, about the ideas we have in mind which needed for further exploration, about the story of A-ma, about ghost,and many many more. Though we were really very tired, we all got excited and kept popping up new ideas, awesome!!!

-- Stella, Candy

great stories!

Stella and Candy,
I love the stories you are sharing! This is terrific! The flooding is definitely a good analogy to the influx of buildings and people. And I love the paper boats that it seems many children played with. It seems both of you had similar scary stories about water as well, hmmm this could be an interesting point...especially with Ama who is the protector of water so-to-speak. I think there may be a parallel here...any thoughts? Also, the bicycle man...what a funny character! And I can't believe he showed up in the paper after Candy spoke of him! It seems strange that people would use him of an example of what not to do. Here in NYC there are many characters that wander the streets and people sort of like having them around as familiar faces. For instance we have the "Naked Cowboy" who plays guitar in his underwear right in the middle of Times Square! Yes, he stops traffic and gets in the way, but New Yorkers and tourists alike find him hysterical! People like himself and the bicyclist you know keep the city interesting and helps to define the city's character. Is Macao really trying to unify everyone so much? This seems a shame. If we all become like one another and keep toning everything down....how boring will we be? Sometimes some of the impractical keeps things lively!
On anther note...have you both bought your tickets to NYC? When will you be arriving? And have you been able to get into any dance class and/or exercise classes? I just want to remind you that you will be jumping into the AMDC workshop and I don't want you getting too sore on the first day!
Keep up the terrific stories!
-Amy

Appreciating the differences

Yeah! That’s the stylist bicycle which I mentioned.

In the article, it said that “Traffic jam is already a problem of our small city, and recently more and more bicycles appear on the street. But decorating the bicycle in such a bizarre way, expanding its size, is in fact affecting the image of the city, this act shouldn’t be encouraged.”

I am definitely against what it wrote there. Vice versa, I do feel it adds to the beauty and break the monotone of the city. I wonder nowadays many people just cannot accept the differences and choices of variety. Anything which is out of what they think as “regular”, it would become an alien or need to be get rid of.

--Candy

Strange Bicycle in Busy City

In today's Macao Daily News, there is a photo with the caption "Strange Bicycle in Busy City " (鬧市怪車). It seems like the "stylist" bicycle which Candy has mentioned in the post "Childhood story - bicycle".

― Stella

Childhood Memory ― enclosed swimming area (泳棚)

(I fail to find the photo of the enclosed swimming area just before it was pulled down but one which was taken in the 1950s. The huts over water were where people changed their clothes and the actual swimming area was accessed by the ladders leading from the huts.)

When I was small, there was only one public swimming pool in Macau peninsula, while the other swimming pools and the 2 beaches were all situated in Taipa and Coloane islands. However, as public traffic was not so convenient in the old days, people were less willing to travel a long way to the 2 islands. Therefore, aside from the one and only swimming pool, there was an enclosed swimming area at the seaside that was very close to the Macau Maritime Ferry Terminal (港澳碼頭) now. That enclosed swimming area was in fact simply a large topless and bottomless cage placed in the sea water which people could swim inside.

My first and only time of swimming at the enclosed swimming area was very unforgettable because I almost drowned there. At that time I had learnt how to swim but I did not aware that my father just let me swim at where the water level was not over my height. However, when I went to that enclosed area where I had not swum in before, I was so excited that once I had changed my swimming suit, I did not wait till my father came out from the changing room but jumped into the water. Then I found that my feet could not touch the ground under the water and I was immediately frightened. It was like I could not retrieve my ability to swim and I struggled to grab anything to get onto the shore. However, I was in the middle of the water and of course I could get hold of nothing. Luckily, a lady who was swimming there found out that I was going to drown and immediately grab me to the rail. Only at that time my father came out and I didn’t know why I dared not tell him this fearful experience of mine. For the rest of the time, I just swam carefully within the enclosed swimming area.

Due to the development of the outport area of Macau, this enclosed swimming area had been pulled down for more than 10 years. Now, it could only exist in the memory of the Macanese.

― Stella

Re: Childhood Story ― rainy days & bicycle

Talking about rainy days, it could be a kind of "collective memory" of Macanese of our age. Yes, the sewage system of Macau in the old days was very poor. Once there was heavy rain, it is very often that the rain water rose to the knee-level. Just like what Candy did, I liked to fold paper boats and let them sail in the raining water. Ha Ha! Rainy days were the only time when we could sail our paper boats. Moreover, once my sister and I had worn our rain shoes out on the street and then happily kicked the rain water around. However, later my mother went out to look for us and saw our naughty behavior. Of course the result was my sister and I being scolded.

As for bicycle, I really haven't seen that special bicycle riding along 提督馬路 by an old man. Really hope that I could meet him on the road someday! On the other hand, your sharing does remind me of the time when riding on BMX bicycles became a trend in Hong Kong and Macau. At that time I always spent the Saturday mornings with my schoolmates by renting bicycles to ride in the garden near Hotel Lisboa (嘉思欄花園). There is a steep path in that garden which I would always want to overcome it by sloping down, U turn and then went up the slope. However, I had never succeeded in doing so. Aside from going out with friends, my father sometimes took me and my sisters to the open car park just in front of Macau Jockey Club in Taipa to let us ride bicycles there. Now of course that area is so full of cars parked and so it is no more suitable for people to ride bicycles there. Moreover, as demand decreased, the small shops which rent out bicycles closed down one by one. Now I wonder whether riding bicycle is no more a popular form of entertainment for the children in Macau, or the general living standard of Macau families is so good that children usually have their own bicycles. But as I observe, I seldom see children riding on bicycles around, instead, what I always see is children playing the electronic games such as PSP, Wii, etc…

― Stella

childhood story - bicycle

My sister used to go to school by cycling. It was something to me "super" and she became my idol at that time. But she never let me rode her bicycle nor bringing me for a ride. When I went to secondary school, I also wanted to have a bicycle of my own, but don't know why I never said it out and requested for one. Even for now, when I see people cycling on the street, I would admire the person or paying a certain kind of respect to the driver. It sounds strange, right ? But it's my feeling.

Don't know if Stella has even met an old man riding a very "stylist" bicycle in Red Market and 提督馬路 area. I called it "stylist" cos the bicycle would have different look and practical usage in different weather or season. During winter, the old man would fix cardboard all around the bicycle, with shelter on top and a transparent plastic in front as wind-screen, just to make it like a car. During rainy days, instead of cardboard, he changed using plastic sheet. Then in sunny days, he uses silvery anti-UV to build up his "car" to protect himself from sunburn. Is that cute ? I never got the chance to take his photo cos whenever I meet him, I am riding my bike and he's riding his "car".

On the busy road, so many cars and motor bike driving so fast, and there appear such a "stylist car" passing by slowly, I do really enjoy the scene.

The day before yesterday, when I was riding my bike after work, the traffic was busy, in the middle of the road, a woman was pulling her trolley with a big big load of cardboad paper on it. The load was big and it was moving slowly in between the cars, the cars just kept horning but this didn't help. The women kept pulling her trolley slowly.

Very often, it's these tiny things that make life interesting.

- candy

childhood story - rainy days

hei..hei, keep throwing out different ideas will definitley drive us to think more and more and in deeper layer. That's also my intention in my previous writing about structure -- it's a bait !

Regarding memorable childhood stories. That's too much to talk about. In this whole month, even today, it keeps raining so heavy here in Macau, this reminds me about my rainy games during childhood life. When I was small, my house was located on a steepy street. So whenever there's a heavy rain, I would fold a lot of paper boats, sometimes with short messages written on the paper as well. Then, I would run downstair and stayed by the main gate with my umbrella, watching the water rushing down like river. Then i would let go my paper boat, watching them flowing downstream, i felt happy . Sometimes by chance, other children who lived next door down the street would catch my boats and read the message. It's fun. When all paper boats gone, I would let go my slipeers. running after it and trying to catch it back.

Back to 15 or 20 years ago, the sewage system in Macau was not good. Whenever there's heavy rain, there would be flooded in many areas. My secondary school was located in the low-land district, so flood always happened in those days, the water would come up to above the knee level. What my school did was to build up a long bridge with benches, starting from the front playground to the main gate and to the road. It's so exciting and I love that. When there were cars in the opposite site of the road passed by, water current came, sometimes pushing the benches and make it shakes. we felt like walking on the water in the sea. I saw one time my classmate dropped off from the benches and got all wet, poor girl. Another time, we stayed after school for doing group work, it rained as well. When we finished our work and ready to leave the school, the flood water became so high and there were no benches. We were all afraid to walk in the water cos we couldn't see the road at all. So what we did was to grab hold of the iron fences of the houses along the road, tip toes walking along the edges. Finally, we got wet in and out, our books as well, and our white uniforms all cover with uncleanable rusty stain.

They are classical in my life.

-- candy