Please visit for a review of our Women’s Works 2019 offering:
https://www.dance-enthusiast.com/get-involved/reviews/view/14th-Annual-Womens-Works-iLand-July-26-27-28-2019-3779
TESTIMONIALS
(Written by community members and collaborators after performances from 2009-2011)
“My god, I don’t know how you continue to enthrall me with these Women’s Works Shows year in and year out, but again, I was slayed. Each dancer/choreographer and each dance -- so unique and passionate and talented and excellent in craft and choice of music/sound. You three particularly shined tonight with your solos, especially, and group pieces as well. Each of your solo pieces brought me to tears. thank you. Maybe I’ll address the specifics another time, because all the pieces were great, and in such different ways, evoking different emotions in me and wowing me with movement.
Oh, I love dance. And Women’s Works is as good as anything I’ve ever seen in NYC and LA, truly. We are so lucky to have you right here. Shana, you are a genius, not just as a choreographer and mover, but as an electromagnetic force that pulls all these talented and brilliant dancers with varying backgrounds, ages, and techniques, together, make a whole out of all these disparate parts, and do it again year after year ... and always with a smile on your face. I tell you, if Terpsichore is listening, you will get that grant.”
-Kathryn Robyn
“What a feast of dance! Your Women's Works show
was brilliant. I loved it! The span of style, concepts, stories and ages
is so magnificent and true. What a testament to your openness and deep
sense of dance and all it can be.
The beautiful, powerful vitality and extraordinary force of women's work all together like that is so nourishing and inspiring!
I especially loved your solo-Tying the Knot. It blew my heart open
and felt like a celebration of that impulse and experience in me.
You're an amazing dancer and choreographer Shana! And you sure put
together a brilliant performance and show! I bow to you and all that you give us.”
Barbara Maria, Belfast, ME.
'I’ve attended three Women's Works dance performances in Unity and Belfast. These eclectic performers are in their 20's to 50's. Some are local experienced dance teachers and performers, others have danced with prestigious groups in NYC and elsewhere. Choreography is modern including a fusion of modern, Flamenco and Middle Eastern dance. The dancers' beautiful bodies reflect their beautiful spirits -- long and elegant, voluptuous and sensuous, lean and powerful. Their original choreography is imaginative: sometimes complex, sometimes simple and profound, often inspiring. Themes reflect real life issues and are set to music, which is relevant and right. I wouldn't miss their performances. They inspire me to move and they've brought me to tears.”
Mariah Williams, Liberty, ME.
“The show definitely came across- all the dances did. I'm always so impressed with the originality, skill, creativity, sensitivity, and courage of the women's works dancers. (as a busy mother and professional myself, sometimes I have to "force" myself to take time to go to live performances. But then I am always so glad I did.) I cried, laughed, went on a wonderful journey during the women’s' works show. It felt like you women were shamen leading us through an experience of unity and mutual strength, magic, healing with nature, mind and community. As a movement artist myself (dancer and yoga) I felt and connected with so much that opening night! Thank you again, and namaste. Maybe one of these years I can join the team too .”
Maria Orlova, Massachusetts
“Loved the women's work performance on Saturday night. I can't believe it took me so long to get to one...don't plan on missing any again, it was wonderful. I really enjoyed your dance, Untying the knot. Enjoy the rest of your summer.”
Jen Kirchoff, Hope, ME.
“ …congratulations on a remarkable show. I've told everyone I’ve spoken to since then about it and will bring a bunch of people to see it if you perform again, please consider bringing it to our theatre.”
Eleni Koenka, Blue Hill, ME.
“Shana-- First of all thank you again for providing an awesome evening of dance for us all!!!! The suit/white was so tender and sensual, the untying was incredible dancing and hilarious. I loved when you were flailing about under the skirt. Joan's piece absolutely blew me away as my mother had reverted to child before her death. If you make a DVD please make one for me to purchase, thanks!”
Susan Hellewell, N. Anson, Me
“Shana, you did it again, what a show! What a great compilation of fantastic movers and music. I still regret not being able to collaborate this year but am shooting for the future! I particularly loved your solo. The second episode of last season's experience! Incredibly moving for me really. Keep me posted on your teaching schedule for the fall. Love what you do, and all the dancers too!”
Hanna DeHoff, Rockport, ME.
“Thank you thank you thank you.... it (Women’s Works) was a true honor and blessing.
You are magic.”
Kristi Williamson, Camden, ME.
“Women's Works really grabbed me both at the beginning and the end. Beautifully choreographed and presented.
Hauswerk by Hanna was really funny. (The ordering of selections was excellent for me)
Essence and Form with Katenia deeply touched me - for some unknown reason, nearly to tears. Gradually I felt the exquisite interplay between a virginal/spiritual aspect of woman and the woman fully embodied in her maiden-mother-crone aspects.
See-Line -- I didn't understand the relationship of the music to the choreography, but the mutual inter-play, and support among the three of you captured the closeness of women. A feeling of fun, trust, and great love. You three work together as a unit.
Princess During this piece by Jesse I heard the question: "How many among us has been date raped?" Very evocative.
Sacred and Profane - Helena's rendition of the poetry was gorgeous. I loved the feeling of being beneath the veil and finding ways to lift it. For some reason, I didn't want the dress to be so brilliantly red -- I was imagining it a deep reddish-violet. Why was that distracting? I don't know... Her movements in the Profane aspects were elegant.
And Lisa's Girls just Wanna Have Fun - choreography and costuming was so much fun! A great way to involve us all.
Untying the Knot - Wow, this one captured it! Crossing the fingers, rolling around the floor caught up in the "dress," turning it into her pants, and walking backward from the altar -- those images linger long.
Me in the Suit... for me embraced the integration of our masculine/feminine natures so beautifully. There's an ancient story called "Half-boy" in which the more destructive aspect and the more loving aspect of the male self engage in a battle for days to determine which aspect will win. In the end the "good" aspect triumphs. This integration of women’s’ sometimes seemingly opposite aspects reflects a holistic feminine consciousness.
Mothering - was exquisite! I loved the sweet interactions between mothers and children of differing ages. And the reprise Women's Works felt just right after this showstopper.
Your use of the limited space, lighting and closet was amazingly creative - and it worked! :-) For me, the choreography and execution throughout the evening evoked such varying and deep feelings, I left the performance more "nourished" than I have felt in years. Thank you all so very much! And thank you Shana for your dedication and amazing talents. From my first experience of the smaller group at Unity, I have loved your work. It just seems to be getting deeper and deeper. If this performance were to be done again, I'd find it hard to miss. It always seems so sad to me that often gorgeous dance is often left behind never to be experienced again whereas music is performed over and over. “
Mariah Williams, Liberty, ME.
“congratulations to you on another great show
political, funny, heart breaking, spiritual, terrific...”
Karin Spitfire, Belfast, ME.
“The Women’s Work performance at the Belfast Dance Studio July 22 was absolutely brilliant. The pieces ranged from tender and lovely, to humorous and playful, to riveting and poignant. Soulful and exciting the dance in all of its forms touched me. The women are extraordinary and it all happens in this little corner of the world- a creative Mecca-Belfast, ME. “
-Anonymous quote written in contact book at studio after Women’s Works show of 2011.