Austin Afoot

Tapestry Dance Co. tours China

Mayor Lee Leffingwell and Tapestry Dance Company Artistic Director Acia Gray
Photo by Jessica Pages
The Chinese delegates arranging the Tapestry Tour gift Mayor Lee Leffingwell apainting created by a famous Chinese artist
Photo by Jessica Pages
Mayor Lee Leffingwell, Acia Gray and the Chinese delegates pose for a photo
Photo by Jessica Pages

Tap dance goes global when The Souls of Our Feet,Tapestry Dance Company's extravaganza, is getting a move on for a five-week tour. This time, all the way to Shanghai, China.

On Oct. 2, nine dancers, three musicians, a vocalist and a technical crew of four, along with Executive/Artistic Director Acia Gray, head to China for 15 performances of their acclaimed National Endowment for the Arts American Masterpiece production of The Souls of Our Feet - A Celebration of American Tap Dance. In addition to the tour dates, the company will represent Austin, TX at the China Shanghai International Arts Festival.

The Austin/China connection began with Gray's digital friendship with Chinese tap dancer Jiefang Chen. "He fell in love with Souls of Our Feet, and connected me to Zai Ping Wang of the Shanghai Singers Club. They put on big acts. Wang also fell for the show and then made the tour possible," says Gray, who will be traveling through a partnership between the Chinese Cultural Ministry and the Shanghai Singers Club.

"It's taken two years to get to this point." Thus far, the show has toured the US and Canada. Combining classic film clips with live dancing and music, the performance literally taps through the history of this uniquely American art form. "It's an entertaining and artistic package, and truly a historical and educational experience, although it's not set up that way, it can't help itself," quips Gray.

Newsflash: Austin is a national tap dance hub, largely due to Gray's extraordinary efforts and talent. All tap roads in Texas lead to Tapestry, the only full-time professional tap company in the nation.

Tapestry's Academy has also emerged as a leading training institution. Gray founded Tapestry in 1989 with Deirdre Strand as a full service dance troupe and education center. Gray trained as a percussionist first, and it shows in her musicality. In demand all over the world, Gray has learned from the greats, including Charles "Honi" Coles, Jimmy Slyde and Steve Condos. She has danced on the very same stage with legends such as Brenda Bufalino, Donald O’Connor, Fayard Nicholas, Savion Glover, Gregory Hines, and Dianne Walker. Gray describes her style as "bebop-based with a playful quality." Gray is also President of the Board of The International Tap Association, the only worldwide service organization for the art of tap dance.

Wait, there's more.

Gray, also a world renown teacher, wants to leave some tap tips behind. To that end, she will be developing a Chinese training system and syllabus of American tap dance for use in the university system. Meetings have been underway over the last two years, and the first stages of development will happen in conjunction with the tour. Gray realizes Tap is a diverse art form with numerous influences and she hopes to reflect that in the syllabus.

As for tap in China, Gray thinks it's going to be a great match. "Tap is our indigenous art form and a beautiful representation of our culture. It has some of that show biz nostalgia that has infiltrated to other cultures, including China. Most Chinese people, and some Americans, think that River Dance is tap dancing, which is fascinating. They may have heard of Shirley Temple and Fred Astaire, but not Coles or the Nicholas Brothers," says Gray. "Plus, I love to share the history and magic of tap with anyone."

Watch Tapestry hit the boards in Souls of Our Feet

unspecified

Outside the Lines

Buda artist releases intuitive drawing book with fun prompts

Photo courtesy of Ronald Gross

Artist Ronald Gross creates an intuitive drawing with crayon, which he considers a "joyful" medium.

Buda-based artist and writer Ronald Gross released a book in November called Unlock Your Creativity: A Guide to Intuitive Drawing, which will walk aspiring expressers through drawing without worry. On December 6, he'll be on hand to help in an intuitive drawing demo at Buda Public Library's Holiday Open House.

The book is a hands-on guide that teaches readers how to lean into their own desires and intuitions when drawing, whether they feel like an artist or not. In this way, intuitive drawing should feel relaxing, meditative, and ultimately, beneficial for mental health. If you find coloring books relaxing and meditative, intuitive drawing may have the same effect on you.

"Intuitive drawing is the practice of creating art without a specific plan or outcome in mind," says Gross. "It’s about letting your hand move freely, guided by emotion, curiosity, or subconscious impulses; not about making something perfect."

An intuitive drawing by author and artist Ronald Gross. Intuitive drawing is simple, joyful, and according to Gross can calm the mind much like meditation. Photo courtesy of Ronald Gross

This book presents exercises to access a mindful state: freeform doodling, blind contouring drawing, drawing from the imagination, and drawing from emotions. For artists feeling stuck, Gross also includes plenty of exercises for overcoming creative blocks and even discusses ways intuitive drawing can be applied to other creative projects and areas of life.

In the December workshop, Gross will give a quick demonstration on how to create an intuitive drawing using nothing but lines, shapes, and simple marks. Then participants can try it out with a variety of crayons, because crayons are "tactile" and can quickly transport people into a "playful, unselfconscious space," according to Gross.

"The workshop is all about creating a supportive, judgment-free space to explore intuitive drawing," he says. "Attendees will leave with tools to keep practicing on their own and, hopefully, a renewed sense of creativity and playfulness."

An intuitive drawing from author and artist Ronald Gross. In college Gross was taught how to take a doodle and elevate it into fine art.Photo courtesy of Ronald Gross

Gross's own journey into intuitive drawing started at a young age, when he would doodle and sketch throughout the school day. Years later at the Academy of Art University, a professor encouraged him to lean into this more intuitive and abstract style of art. Since then, Gross has been exploring intuitive drawing's ability to access a meditative state, as well as tap into the subconscious mind.

"When you draw intuitively, you’re fully present in the moment," Gross says. "Your mind quiets, and you become attuned to the flow of your thoughts, feelings, and physical movements. It’s akin to meditation, only instead of sitting still, you’re actively channeling your inner experience onto the page."

An intuitive drawing by author and artist Ronald Gross. Gross's intuitive drawings each evoke a different feeling through his simple use of color and linework. Photo courtesy of Ronald Gross

Gross adds that over time, doing some of the exercises included in the book may even help boost confidence, since intuitive drawing can help people learn to trust their instincts.

"Intuitive drawing can unlock creativity, reduce stress, and help people reconnect with their inner selves," he adds. "It offers a space to process emotions, spark ideas, and break free from perfectionism or overthinking."

visual art drawing books