life, rhythm, move

EL CUATRO – Aysha and the boys take it to the streets

2011-11-06T01:22:00.001-04:00

So the goal of “La Semana de Hip Hop” was to present the fourelements of Hip Hop to Santa Cruz. Claudia did an AMAZING job in assembling our crew of four:

DJ Ark and the kids

Yogui 13 freestyles for the crowd

DJ Ark is not only a great DJ, but he’sBolivia’s primary Hip Hop DJ. Yogui 13is a dope emcee. Dibustyle and 1979 aretwo incredible graffiti artists. Andthen, well, there is yours truly holding down the dance component.

We visited three cultural centers locatedthroughout Santa Cruz (La Cuchilla, Alto San Pedro, and Villa de 1 deMayo). Underneath sunny skies, we eachtook our turn covering the key information about our respective element andthen did some kind of demo with the students. We had 70-120 students at one time. The students learned how to scratch a record, the art of freestyling,basic top rocks and the four principles and how to make bubble style graffiti.

Dibustyle & 1979 showcase their art

I get the kids moving

I really enjoyed working with my fiveBolivian brothers the whole week. Wewere able to collaborate on the spot because we all spoke the same language,well besides Spanish…we were all versed in the true roots of Hip Hop. I am positive the students left knowing so much more about this culture than when they came and I know that the Hip Hop scene in Santa Cruz is going to grow. It's great to know that there are artists right there committed to sharing the art and the history.

ALL CLEAR! READY, SET, BOOM KHACK!

2011-11-05T23:45:00.001-04:00

I'm someone "Interesting" to meet!

So in my past envoy trips, it has typically been a whirlwindof classes, performances and interviews stretched over a two-week period withintra-country journeys to different cities. Well, this time, all of that would be concentrated in Santa Cruz forjust one week. But let’s redefine what aweek’s worth of work means on this crusade of the dancing diplomat. It actually meant five days of programming toinclude: lecture/demonstrations for students learning English, daily eveningclasses/workshops that would culminate in a performance, daily afternoonworkshops at community culture centers throughout Santa Cruz, a slew of televisionand newspaper interviews and being ready for anything else that could comeup. Did I mention that I left DC Sundayafternoon and arrived in Bolivia Monday morning…and the schedule started thatafternoon!! But I’m not complaining. I LOVE MY JOB!! It is an honor to havesuch an opportunity to not only share what I know but to learn from the newfriends I stand to make.

My immediate new cruceña family consisted of Claudia, akaPetty, Geovana, Rene and Alberto. Theywere my main contacts at the CBA. TheCBA is an amazing center that teaches English. (Hmmm, why aren’t there focused and funded centers for people of all agesto learn other languages here in the States, namely DC??) As partof my agenda, I would give presentations in English on Hip Hop history andculture and talk to the students about what I do. It’s part of the “MeetSomeone Interesting” series they have so that students get a chance to listento native English speakers and practice. I think the idea was a little intimidating to the students at first, butwe had a great time. And I assured them that although I speak Spanish, I toohave my “obviously-not-a-native-speaker” moments and it’s okay.


La Semana de Hip Hop

One small detail here. Claudia and the CBA with the support of theUS Embassy have prepared “La Semana de Hip Hop” or “Hip Hop Week.” Claudia hasmade sure that the week includes workshops with artists representing each ofthe four elements of Hip Hop. It isimpressive. So often in the States, Ithink we take for granted that we’re living in Hip Hop’s birthplace and that itentails more than the music and the dance. So imagine, telling folks about Hip Hop that know NOTHING about it. I mean, the 40-minute interactivepresentation I gave was the first encounter almost all of the students had withHip Hop. Again, I felt honored, and considered my task to be a seriousone. Not only did I want to make this alanguage experience, but I truly wanted to be an ambassador for Hip Hop.

There is an overall negative image of Hip Hopin Santa Cruz. It’s very akin to thenegative stereotypes some folks in the States hold about the culture, but therethey don’t have the opportunity or information to balance that against thetruth. So we talked about the fourelements, learned some fun phrases, listened to quintessential music, watchedsome clips featuring Hip Hop godfathers and gatekeepers and we learned aboutthe four governing principles (peace, love, unity and having fun) and the powerto use Hip Hop to inspire positive change. I shared how I used Hip Hop as a vehicle for community dialogue andsocial change. At the end, we all dancedand walked away knowing and believing in the power of this culture. (I give myself a gold star for having taughteveryone how to “throw their deuces up”…c’mon, it was a language and cultureexperience!!)

Cruzing for Hip Hop

2011-10-27T01:09:00.000-04:00

Hola Bolivia!!

Two years ago I came to Bolivia as a Cultural Envoy. I came with my great friend and colleague Juliana. We spent most of the time in La Paz (managing the intense altitude) and then we ventured to Cochabamba and we finished in Santa Cruz. But we only had two days with the crucenos. So, imagine how excited I was to receive an invitation to return to Santa Cruz for a week - workshops, lec/dems and a performance Unfortunately, this would be a solo trip. But all the same, I felt honored to have been asked and confident that I could put on my superhero cape and venture out to save the world through dance.


Dancing Diplomats CAN travel light!

After postponing the trip due to an H1N1 outbreak and learning that my rebooked scheduled flight was going to leave half a day earlier, I still managed to pack everything into my two allotted carry-ons and arrive at Regan National with plenty of time. Well, thank God I packed efficiently because I was quickly informed that I would need a visa to enter Bolivia. I almost died. (I do not do well at airports!) Thankfully they discovered that I would just need to run to a CVS to get passport photos and complete the visa application and could get the necessary stamp at the Bolivian airport. Whew!

I had a "really short" 7-hour layover in Miami. I'm not sure how I did it, but I survived, though I'm sure I NEVER want to do that again. I was excited to see Rene and Alberto from the CBA - Centro Cultural Boliviano Americano - where I will be working for the next week. All three of us experienced the "joys" of sitting in the non-reclining emergency exit aisle seats. And worse, riding in the middle on a 7-hour flight with no vegetarian food options was great!! Only topped by the 1-hour layover in La Paz -- just long enough to be teased by the altitude. (All reasons #537-545 as to why I want my own plane.)

Well, the flight experience wasn't the best, but immediately, it was worth it. Although I was jetlag-drunk, as soon as I landed it all became better. Claudia, aka "Petty" greeted us at the airport waving a newspaper that had major coverage on my trip and the Week of Hip Hop. That coupled with the sweet tropical temps put a smile on my face. The dancing diplomat was ready to jump in and get started...well, okay I was flat out exhausted, pero igual, bien lista para conocer a todos y empezar!

Dancing Diplomacy in action

2011-01-21T20:14:00.000-05:00

We speak dance...Brazilian Youth and Aysha Upchurch caught doing some dance diplomacy

Thank goodness we all speak rhythm!

2011-01-17T03:55:00.000-05:00

The prophetic musing my friend spoke in passing has truly become my career and revealed itself to be my life’s mission. “Aysha, you can just become a dancing diplomat.” What my classmate suggested to me my sophomore year in college as I struggled to reconcile my interests in seemingly divergent careers has truly come to life. Majoring in International Relations and going on to receive a Master’s degree in International Peace and Conflict Resolution, all while putting in long hours at the studio led me right here.

And where is here? Well, last week “here” was the Joy of Motion Atlas studio where I spent two hours with about 40 of my new Brazilian friends conducting a bit of Hip Hop dance diplomacy. My “Tales of a Dancing Diplomat” usually require me to use my passport and my minor in Spanish to get the job done. Well, this time I had the honor of playing on my home field. While I pride myself on my ability to pick up the basics of most languages, I had only mastered about 3 phrases of intelligible Portuguese. However, I was sure there would be an interpreter should the “5, 6, 7, 8,” “boom-khack,” or hand gestures not be sufficient for getting the main points across. Well, imagine how relieved I was that these students were fluent in English. They still taught me some basic dance phrases and relevant body parts in their native tongue. (Now my internal dictionary of useful but non-sequitur Portuguese vocabulary has greatly expanded…obrigado!)

However, as I have found in other similar experiences, rhythm is a universal language. Sure countries and sub-cultures have their own traditional sound and movement, but we all have just that – sound and movement. My new friends already know what should happen when you hear music. I simply gave them some new tricks and options for how they can react to the beat. Applause greeted every move I introduced to them and proceeded every time they executed it. We top-rocked, mean-mugged, popped, locked and grooved it out. I shared the what, when and why of Hip Hop and then got schooled about the Brazilian-side of things. Yup! You better believe the cipher turned into a full-out dance party exchange. I got some one-on-one samba tips, got a live Capoeira demo, and learned many other Brazilian dances and rhythms.

Smiles were abundant. I love my job. I get to share something I love and learn about how it looks in other cultures…for a living. After a full-out paparazzi session of photos and hugs, our session was over. But I continue smiling for two reasons: first because I know that everyone part of that workshop (the youth, the staff and myself included) will hold on to what we learned, and secondly because my friend was such a prophet and that workshop was just further evidence.

Many thanks to Joy of Motion for hosting the event and to World Learning for creating such a program. Stay tuned for more Tales of a Dancing Diplomat…have passport, will dance!!

Photos of Oberlin Residency

2010-12-06T09:43:00.000-05:00

Oberlin College Residncy

2010-12-06T09:35:00.000-05:00

This past September, LRMP had an opportunity to go to Oberlin College. Aysha Upchurch, Juliana Calderon, Nikki Gambhir and Natasha Hawkins represented the full company for the week, teaching master classes, setting choreography and performing. Jessica Monnerat and the student-run company, And What?, were responsible for bringing LRMP to Ohio. And What? dancers and other Oberlin students showed up in large numbers for 3 separate master classes and more than accepted the challenge of learning two new pieces in two days. The culminating concert featured these new works and LRMP repertoire. It was a lot of sweat and laughter...and an all-around amazing experience.

A Sole-ful Journey...pics

2009-12-27T12:09:00.000-05:00

Enjoy pics from Honduras follow-up trip:

Returning to Honduras

I’m still here, but I’ll back: Revelations on an extended stay

2009-12-27T12:03:00.001-05:00

Again, this was to be a four-day mission. But gracias to the snow in DC and cloudy conditions in Teguc, I was delayed by 3 days. Notice I’m not complaining. The extra time in 80 degree weather afforded me more time to hang with students, see more old friends, and go to La Tigra (a beautiful national park) with my dance family. It gave me more time at the center to figure out what I would like to do on a return voyage. It gave me time to consider Eric’s suggestion of applying for a Fulbright.

So, my wheels are turning…quickly. Even though the political climate of the country has changed, I feel so at home and charged in this country. And I can give something. I feel like I’m supposed to come back and give. I often wonder why certain people focus abroad when there are so many problems at home. I’ve stopped wondering this. I don’t know why I feel so connected to Honduras, but as Lempira said, “why not?”

I LOVE teaching and helping young people discover dance and the arts. I went to school to study international relations. I elected to start studying Spanish when I was 10 years old. I didn’t know what all of that could mean at the time, but now it’s making perfect sense. It’s all been necessary for me for me to live this life and use the gifts God has given me. So, I’m not going to question why Honduras. Besides, who knows where I’ll be called to next. I still have to get back to Bolivia and hope to experience many new places for the first time. But as for now, I’m going to keep trekking along with the goal to change the world one kick-ball change at a time. Maybe I wear big ol’ rose-colored glasses or maybe because I know what dance has done for me, but I know that this mission I’m on…it works.

Siempre estoy en casa!!

2009-12-27T11:58:00.001-05:00

Though I’ve only been to Masca once before for 2 days, I always feel at home here. It’s hard not to. First, George and Clara are two of the dopest people I’ve ever met. And their son, George Ever, is too cute!! They have made Masca their home and the base for George’s organization, Global Block. This brotha is on a fantastic mission using Hip Hop worldwide to reach and teach young people. They are both active with the Garifuna community, working in Masca to preserve the culture and traditions. Between the two of them, they have the four elements of Hip Hop covered. George has been a Hip Hop activist for years and his experience is astounding. I consider it a pleasure to chat and build with him in their lovely home and village. I’m glad that we both are on the same side and are going to team up for future programming.

Little George is walking now. I accompany him and Clara on their afternoon walk along the beach. I could have sworn I was tired, but being here is so refreshing. It’s not a tourist spot, but a real place. You place your order at a restaurant and put it on your tab. Lovely!! Clara’s dad is like the chief of the village, a very nice man. And the Sylvia Center is named after Clara’s mom. It’s where George and Clara teach workshops with the young people. This place is a gem. The breeze and sound of the crashing waves is therapeutic. Que lastima that I will be leaving early the next morning to head to Teguc…again, I will definitely be back here!

Back at San Pedro Sula airport to go to Teguc. Sad to leave my village, but excited to see my friends in the big city. An uneventful flight, I arrive and am greeted by my friend and colleague, Isadora Paz. She helped plan the last two envoy trips and has arranged a few workshops for me here. I will be staying at the brand new Centro Cultural Arte y Amistad. Mathilde runs this place and what an amazing job she is doing. Paris-Tegu is an France-Honduras alliance organization that has created a place for youth to come to learn dance, visual arts, music and so much more. They offer a holistic environment, teaching the kids about organic foods and how to take care of the building. I’ll be staying in one of the guest rooms. How sweet!! Living in an arts center…so if the choreography fairy visits me at 3 am, I could just jazz-run across the hall to the dance studio and get down. (This never happened, though.)

Thursday is a rest day. I let my friends and students know I am in town and just relax. Isadora and Lempira, her beau, are incredible dancers and friends. We have dinner at Isadora’s parent’s restaurants and catch up and start planning a future trip. (The theme of this trip is very Terminator-like, “I’ll be back.”) Friday is here…YAY!! I have two workshops, covered by press courtesy of friends at US Embassy, and lunch with embassy colleagues. The workshops were amazing…I got to meet new students and get reunited with some of my alums from last year. What an honor to know that my students still remember me and the choreography from 12 months ago. Additionally, they embraced me as eagerly as before…if not even more so. It was great to see Carmen Urcuyo and Eric Aldrich from the Embassy and not only catch up but plan for the future.

I love teaching. Be it in DC or Bolivia or St. Kitts, I love teaching and opening up the world of dance to young people (and adults too). Here in Honduras, there is a genuine lack of qualified teachers to meet the kids at their natural talent and give them technique and opportunities to use the dance as a career. Knowing my students still remember the choreography from a year ago and still use it…it’s more than a compliment; it doesn’t stroke my ego, so much as it tells me there is an opportunity here to do more. Well, my four-day voyage is coming to a close. But I know that I will be back…May 2010 is looking good…we’re going to start there and see what happens.

Traveling…not always first class, but always an adventure

2009-12-27T10:28:00.001-05:00

Feeling charged by my visit to Tela, I bid my hosts farewell (hasta la proxima) and begin my voyage by bus to Masca. Suzanne was careful to advise me (many times) about the possibility of getting jacked and to kindly let the potential assailant have all my things. I’m a world traveler from the Lou and already know what’s up, plus momma didn’t raise no fool. HOWEVER, for about 6.8 seconds, I was scared out of my mind as an image of me having to relinquish the little that I possess to some delinquent. Well, after those 6.8 seconds passed, I reminded myself that I always travel as an Envoy from God and would say my traveling prayer and be good to go. (Hey, don’t mock me! It’s what I know and believe and it hasn’t failed me yet!)

The bus ride was uneventful, thank the Lord, but I will offer a little commentary. I don’t like Greyhound or Peter Pan and I detest the Chinatown bus. They’re always full and smell of some mixture of funky toes and two-day old bologna sandwiches. I don’t like to be crowded, nor do I like the smell of food trapped in a vehicle. (Don’t judge, I’m not being a diva, just stating my idiosyncrasies.) My first bus is like a hot Chinatown bus, but minus the smell. Not too bad. I did manage, however, to pick the ONLY seat on the bus that received direct sunlight and had a broken window. Problem: it’s hot as Hades here!! I’m sweating profusely sitting still. We arrive at San Pedro Sula. I meet some Garifuna friends, Naul and Vanessa, who help me with my transfer. The next mini directo bus to Puerto Cortes is nice…it’s air-conditioned and small and uncrowded…YIPPEE!!! Random note: why has the bus driver picked a radio station that plays bad US 80’s music? Haven’t heard MC Hammer’s “Have you seen her?” in 15 years!

There was a big bus terminal in San Pedro Sula. So I assumed the same would be true in Puerto Cortes and I’d be able to more or less find my way with or without my new friends. And the survey says…..NOOO!! Thankfully Vanessa advises me to deboard with her and just wait a minute. Ummm, ok. She leaves around the corner and comes back and tells me to wait with this guy who will tell me which bus to take to Masca. She leaves in her taxi and I sit down on the curb next to a friendly stranger and wait for the signal. It’s a lovely day, so I just roll with it. I engage my new friend in some conversation and enjoy my wait. It really is a nice day and I feel myself taking on the calm of the pace of life here…and I like it. I also like that I look like I’m from here. I could be Garifuna…well until I open my mouth and my accent (I accept that I speak Spanish well but do not sound like a native) falls out. So, it’s been nice traveling with my Afro-Honduran family.

Oh, wait…here’s my bus. YES!! I’ve been waiting to ride one of these…the super long yellow school bus. Also, it’s totally normal for select people to get on and off this bus through the emergency exit. Oh and the guy who takes the money, sometimes needs to get off and sprint across the highway to get change at a pulperia (little store). Yup, just roll with it. Gosh, this scenery is gorgeous. Sometimes, I forget that trees SHOULD occur naturally. How refreshing to see beautiful green trees, mountains and the beach front on this short voyage. I’ve had an adventure today, but to take this in is so worth it. About 45 minutes later, I see something familiar. There it is -- the little sign on the side of the road that lets me know I’m home. Masca…I’m back!!

A Sole-ful Journey: Returning to Honduras to deliver shoes and workshops

2009-12-27T09:15:00.000-05:00

Okay, whew!!! That’s me trying to catch my breath and keep up with myself. In the last 6 weeks, I have mounted a successful evening-length show at Dance Place, conducted a two-week Envoy trip to Bolivia, and traveled to see family over the holidays. It would be hard to prove I’m a DC, let alone US resident given my travels…and there’s one final important trip to take before the year’s end.

Back to Honduras I go!!! Traveling independently of the State Department, the purpose of this trip is to deliver shoes from We Got Sole to the kids in Tela at the Casa de la Cultura. I will also travel to Masca to say hello to George and Clara and to Tegucigalpa to reconnect with students and colleagues there. The dancing diplomat was to accomplish this in only 4 days! (Juli cannot come this time, so it’s just me representing the work we both started.)

First stop, Tela (via San Pedro Sula). I must thank God for favor, because traveling with two big boxes of shoes turned out to be pretty hassle-free. Somehow I traveled first class for a leg of my trip (didn’t pay for it, but guess the airline realized a dancing diplomat was in there presence) and subsequently did not have to pay extra for my checked boxes. Upon arrival in San Pedro Sula, customs wanted me to pay a fee for the shoes, but after employing my diplomatic gift of gab and locating my host from the center, I was allowed to enter with boxes in tow free of charge. Jean-Charles Martel is a volunteer at La Casa, and he and Jessica, one of the students, pick me up from the airport. Jessica is the same funny little payaso I remember from May. Jean-Charles, or Juan Carlos, teaches theatre workshops with the students. He is SO devoted to the center and the kids and is the most consistent, positive adult active in their lives. I congratulate him for his dedication.

He and his partner, Suzanne, are from Quebec, but have been in Tela for 8 years. It’s quite a change of scenery from their hometown. However, they constructed a paradise of a house in Tela and I felt so at home with them and their 2 dogs. They tell me about how life really is in this town. I quickly understand that bringing shoes is just one small thing I can do, but to really be a change agent, I will have to be stay involved with the youth here.

Off to the center. How wonderful it is to see the same beautiful faces from only months ago! However, the numbers are down. This is due in part to some affects of the coup this past June and how the school calendar has changed. It’s also partly the nature of youth centers; the composition of the group is always going through changes. I am saddened to learn that one alum was recently killed. Even more bothered to learn that two of the guys just got out of jail. I’m trying to stay positive about my “gift” for the kids, but it’s a little bittersweet. The kids show me their moves…I’m still impressed and happy to see the guys have gotten better with their musicality. The ladies are still enthusiastic movers, but it’s so clear to me they are thirsty for a dance instructor. They have the natural facility to move, but lack technique and a challenge. Hmmm….my wheels start turning.

After their demo and a little pep talk, I present the shoes. It was exciting to see them sift through the buffet of shoes and find a pair they liked. Unfortunately, one incredibly talented dancer was left without a pair…we have to send Ariel a pair of shoes because he is very focused and gifted and deserving!! It’s a goal I will achieve. Due to a conflict with the schedule, I was unable to teach a workshop. So again, I felt a little shortchanged. BUT….estoy segura que regresare! (I’m sure I will be back.)

I HAVE to go back to Tela. I have something to offer. Of course I want to put on my deluxe cape and change their lives in one visit; but underneath my warm fuzziness is a woman who is quite aware of reality. These kids live in an environment that does not encourage them to dream. There are not lots of people really investing in them. I get it. I will HAVE to settle for small victories. And settling for that is a major accomplishment for me. So, I am already looking at the calendar and planning a return and a longer stay. More shoes, more workshops, more in-depth programming. I know it means a lot that these young people know they have advocates in the States. So I want to offer them a chance to really benefit from we advocates can do with them. I know I have a brother and sister engaged in this fight….I’m right with you Jean-Charles and Suzanne!! Tela, nos vemos pronto!!!

Just Cruzin on a Sunday Afternoon!

2009-12-20T11:02:00.001-05:00

So, we’re eleven days into the trip and one more stop before we wrap up this volume of Tales of a Dancing Diplomat. We boarded the plane for one more intra-country trip Fabiola’s hometown of Santa Cruz. We arrived on Sunday morning, greeted nicely by the humidity and palm trees….and absolute quiet. It’s Sunday and almost nothing is open (much like my hometown of St. Louis). Juli wasted no time finding the pool and it was nice to have some time to enjoy el sol. This truly was a Sabbath for us. We walked around the main plaza and acted like tourists…well, extra special tourists. Back in La Paz (and in Cochabamba), we went crazy with gift shopping. Both of us fell in love with a native instrument, the zampona. I vowed to take it with me everywhere and practice. (The entire photo and video montage of this new love affair will be coming soon.) This fine Sunday, the Ecuadorian national volleyball team has been let loose on tourist patrol in the plaza. There also was a small group of native musicians. Well, no se que me paso, but without too much thought I decided to whip out my zampona and accompany them. Suddenly the Ecuadorian team was taking pictures of and with me with the band. Not sure if the band appreciated my talent, but it made for an entertaining day off.

Monday was our full and only work day in Santa Cruz. It started early with a TV interview. That went super duper well. Next we headed over to the Centro Boliviano Americano (CBA) where we gave a live demo/promo for the workshops later that day. We were joined by a couple of the teachers from the local dance school, Fama Machine. There’s no greater rock star feeling that to interrupt a school day for a performance in the courtyard. :D Now, it’s off to the San Isidrio Cultural Center. This workshop was so much fun! We were joined by area youth and adults alike in this converted barn. Some were dressed for dance class, others in their work shirts, but we all got down all the same. The center is doing such beautiful work in such a marginalized area.

Only two more workshops left…and boy of boy do our bodies feel it! We refresh ourselves with an afternoon trip to the nail salon…gotta look fly for our last hoorah. At this point it’s mind over body because our bodies apparently went on vacation without telling us. We squeeze in an hour workshop for the dancers from Fama Machine; they are mostly YouTube-taught bboys, so starting with a warm-up, doing technique and learning choreography was a new challenge. This is the norm and also proof why the envoy program is needed. For many self-taught students we encounter, this is their first time doing something structured and having to think about musicality and performance quality. Not sure if the light bulb clicked during class but they certainly appreciated what we offered. And now, without a pause, in comes about 80-100 students for our last 1.5 hour workshop at the CBA. Thank heaven for adrenaline!! This was an amazing way to end the tour. We got so many folks of all different ages and levels dancing Hip Hop. Taking them through a structured class and learning the four principles (peace, love, unity and having fun). And of course we ended with what seemed to be the world’s biggest cipher!! So much fun!!! We raffled off a few DVDs and CDs, took pictures, shook hands and kissed babies.

WHEW!!! Another successful envoy trip!!! Muchas gracias to Fabiola and Ben for creating such a dynamic program and becoming not only colleagues, but friends. To all the dance teachers and center coordinators…que sigan luchando por nuestro juventud con los artes!!! And to all our students…muchisimas gracias por hacerse tan disponible a aprender cosas nuevas. Gracias a Bolivia!

COCHABAMBA…it’s the name of a city!

2009-12-17T22:17:00.000-05:00

Our traveling tales took us on a short plane ride to a lower altitude to Cochabamba!! Yay, warmer temperatures and easier breathing!! No rest for the weary in this profession. As soon as we arrived, we had time to check in to Hotel Diplomat and head off to our first interview. Then we’d be scarfing a quick bite before our first workshop at the Centro Boliviano Americano (CBA). Well, if that sounds like a daunting day, let me tell you it rendered me capeless and sick…like en serio. Tired but eager to get on with our day, we arrived for our schedule television interviewim. WE arrived, but the host didn’t until almost an hour later. Did I mention we had a long day…not time for this kind of delay! Nevertheless, it was a successful interview. We returned to the hotel…I wasn’t feeling so bueno. I forced myself to eat something…then I REALLy was feeling malo. But hey, I’m a superhero dancing machine…not time for tummy aches.

The first workshop was for advanced dancers and teachers. QUE DIVERTIDO!!! We started with West African movement and then got into some Hip Hop. Cochabamba has some VERY talented dancers. There were like 50 dancers in a small auditorium dancing with mucho gusto y animo. We all sweat like maniacs and smiled ear to ear for the sheer enjoyment of the experience. As the adrenaline was wearing off and the usual rock star treatment ensued – photographs, email exchanges, etc. I tried to hold myself together. As soon as the crowd cleared I was in the bathroom losing everything I had put in my body. I thought I felt better, but a little later I was ruining the dinner experience as I was taken to the hospital…some bacterial infection. The hospital was a, ummm, different experience. Thank God for Jesus and Juli and Fernando. After a few days, I got my appetite back and was putting on my superhero cape again.

Cochabamba was a great success! All of the workshops were excellently attended and we put together a great show a mARTedero, an old cow slaughterhouse converted into a hip artsy fartsy spot. We met the biggest Jesus Christ in the entire world – Cochabamba has bragging rights to biggest statue of Jesucristo in all the world. (The one in Brazil is on a higher mount, but He’s bigger in Bolivia.) The greatest highlight was our visits to local dance studios. To our surprise, they have really taken to jazz there…and they do it REALLY well! There are artists there doing innovative things and I have nothing but respect for them. We made so many new colleagues and friends there….hasta la proxima porque seguramente, va a ser una proxima!

Hip Hop Lives in La Paz…and Denmark!

2009-12-17T16:53:00.001-05:00

I am constantly amazed at the global appeal and reach of this thing that started in the Bronx in the 1970s. On these trips, I have met countless amazing Hip Hop dancers who are self-taught, courtesy of youtube. While I applaud the Internet’s ability to act as a teacher for countless of us, sometimes you can’t get the whole story from one article or video clip. With some of the younger dancers I’ve met, you can see how on fire they are to learn the moves and steps they see on the computer screen. Now, while I won’t be teaching anyone to spin on his or head anytime soon, I still feel there is something I can offer. The most important role as a Cultural Envoy is to impart information and make sure the history is being taught and shared. Only after laying this groundwork can I get in there and start teaching technique, musicality and performance quality. It is a job I do with much honor.

In La Paz, we were invited to an event while off the clock. When you’re on these tours, any moment of free time is precious because you are pushing your body and your voice to the limit. However, I usually am willing to subscribe to the “I’ll sleep when I’m back home” ideology and push through. I’m so glad we did this. There is an organization doing tremendous work with the youth using Hip Hop…ALL FOUR ELEMENTS!! They are on it with preserving the culture and history of this beautiful art form. KAI (Comunidad Oculta del Hip Hop) is my new best friend!! They hosted a show, featuring guest rap artists Zaiki and VAkili from Denmark to perform. These two were amazaing!! But even more than that the local youth performed….INCREIBLE!! Male AND female dope emcees, bboys and graffiti artists!! We thought we were just guests at the show, but we were invited to freestyle a little bit. Oh well for being off the clock. It was a great night…one big happy Hip Hop familia!!

Un Intercambio Lindo (A Beautiful Exchange)

2009-12-17T15:28:00.000-05:00

A highlight of the trip came very early. On our first night of teaching, we held a public lecture/demonstration on the influence of African dances on Hip Hop and other American contemporary dance forms. This was really fun. It wasn’t just because we got to teach the general public some new dance moves and spout off about what they are called and where they come from, but it was more so because this was truly new information. The audience was so attentive and eventually the volunteers were willing to try. But more than this, MOCUSABOL, an Afro-Brazilian group came and talked about their traditional dances and dress. A bailar Saya! I LOVE learning about other cultures first-hand. This community exists but is very marginalized. They live in La Yungas, located very high with very rough terrain. The general public was learning about this community right along with us foreigners. The standing-room only crowd was so receptive; countless people approached us afterwards thanking us for the new wrinkles on the brain and everyone was up and dancing with the Afro-Brazilian group, including Public Affairs Officer David Hodge. It really was a beautiful night.

Dancing for Peace….Cultural Envoys Dance in La Paz

2009-12-17T14:53:00.000-05:00

Okay, speaking as an athlete (yes dancers are athletes!), encountering extreme altitudes is a humbling experience. After our near collapse the first day from walking a half block uphill, Juli and I were excited to officially start our trip. We were ready to start kick-ball-changing, oxygen tanks at the ready just in case.

Our first stop was Capezio dance school under the direction of energetic Ceclia Pereira. The dance school is gorgeous – four studios of varying sizes, all painted in such a way that just makes your toes tap. The owner’s father converted the family home into a dance studio for his oldest daughter – the dancer of the family. Thought that was not Cecilia, she has embraced this art form and dedicated her life to creating a successful dance facility in La Paz. Working with her dancing hermana in Florida, Cecilia purchases dance supplies from the States and sells them in her academy. She also partners with organizations working to rescue street children. I am in awe of her dedication and energy and know that I have met a fellow soldier in this fight to save the world through dance. I feel led to stay connected and do something….I smell We Got Sole, Part Dos coming on!!

We were greeted warmly by about 70 students ranging from los chiquititos to los grandes. In two days of workshops, we taught Hip Hop and West African dance. We covered the basic movement and history of both dance forms. The love affair between the students and faculty and us went both ways. The dancers are extremely talented and disciplined and the choreographers (Noreen Guzman de Roas) have an amazing gift. A escuela Capezio….vamos a regresar y seguir bailando juntos!!

We held two workshops in El Alto (a.k.a. the highest city on the planet as far as I’m concerned) at Fundacion COMPA. This organization is housed in a funky, eclectic building decorated with completely recycled and repurposed items. It’s dope! COMPA has FREE workshops in every class of arts, including martial arts. How great is that… FREE ARTS?!?!?! Our students, and embassy officials, eagerly participate, learning basics in old skool Hip Hop, House, and West African. This group is much smaller, which allowed us to engage in a heart-felt discussion on why dance is so important to these young people living in an at-risk community. Again, I know that I’m not alone in using dance as a personal means of expression and vehicle to create a career.

The last dance school we visited was Track in La Paz. Only there for one workshop, we were greeted by 30 amazing dancers. Carolina Casso has done an amazing job with this dance facility; they produce incredible shows and receive guest choreographers from different parts of the world. Our time with Track was too short, so we HAVE to return.

Not only did we conduct workshops at dance schools and arts organizations, but we had public talks and demonstrations. Some attendees followed us to every possible workshop. This hunger to learn is rewarding and inspiring. Peace (La Paz) is definitely part of this global campaign to transform the world through dance.

Welcome to the Clouds!

2009-11-23T22:48:00.000-05:00

Well the adventures of Aysha and Juli, The Dancing Diplomats, continues, this time in Bolivia. After a really strange 4-hour plane maintenance delay in Miami, we arrived in La Paz. During our briefing before this trip, they let us know that the altitude would most likely affect us for a few days, but not to worry because there would be oxygen tanks on standby. WHAT??!! That freaked me out and I had convinced myself that I would be hospitalized because of the altitude. (Don't ask why I took it this far, but I did.) Well, the altitude in La Paz is NO JOKE!! As soon as I stepped off the plane and into the airport, my head began to hurt and started feeling like two huge elephants were sitting on top of me and the Energizer bunny was thumping his drum inside of my ears. This sensation only got worse as the day went on.

Anywho, we were wisked through customs and security (perks of working for State Dept, I suppose.) The airport is actually located in the city of El Alto. It's appropriately named because it surely is high...13325 feet (4061.5 m) above sea level. Denver ain't got nothin on this place! On the drive down from the clouds to La Paz, I am suprised by two things: 1. the indigenous culture here is very pronounced and intermixed into more contemporary culture and 2. golly-gee-willakers these streets are steep!! I've not been to San Francisco yet, but I cannot imagine anything more steep except a perfect 90 degree incline/decline.

The trip down from El Alto, one we took quite a few times, was like riding a rollercoaster. Not only because of the angle of the streets, but because there are no lanes and rarely stop signs or traffic signals. (My journeying mercies prayer became a daily occurence.) We finally arrive at our hotel, the Ritz Apartment Hotel, and get settled and head out on our first journey to a farmacia (pharmacy, yeah I'm trying to teach you some Spanish). We're told it's only about a media cuadra (1/2 block) from the hotel, so we set out to find it. This would be our first altitude-humbling experience. It truly was only 1/2 block away...but uphill. Can you imagine two pretty inshape dancers stumbling into the pharmacy completely out of breath to ask for vitamins??? My lungs and my head (and my pride) were so confused how I could be panting like I just performed a 20-minute piece after only minimal to nil exertion. Maybe we will be using those oxygen tanks after all.

Over the course of the next few hours, we met our Embassy superheroes (trip coordinators) - Fabiola "Fabi" Ibarnegary and Benjamin Hess. They take us on a little tour of the city and see one of the dance schools. I am SO excited to be on another Envoy journey, but I'm starting to feel like re-fried poop b/c of the altitude. There are now 6 elephants and 2 Sumo wrestlers sitting on top of my head and my ears hurt!! My breathing is not normal...anyone who really knows me knows I DESPISE panting. But there both of us were sounding like we just finished a marathon as non-marathon runners. Not cute.

We push on and decide to buy groceries for our apartment style hotel suite. This took the last bit of our energy and oxygen. Carrying those bags in that air for 4 blocks was like telling yourself you can get through the last 4-eight counts of a 10-30 minute piece. (Sorry if you're not a dancer & don't understand the analogy.) You're expending as much energy to cheerlead yourself to the last move as you are actually moving...so you're triple exhausted when it's all over. We collapsed in our hotel rooms and got ready for our full day of interviews and workshops ahead of us the following day.

My prayer: Dios quitame de este dolor y mar de altura (God take this altitude sickness away) and please don't let me be the first one to have to use the oxygen tank!!

Tela's Got Talent!!

2009-11-14T00:11:00.000-05:00

Okay, this post is coming really late, but it's still relevant. This past May, Juli and I were on a tour of the northern coast of Honduras as Cultural Envoys in Dance. After fun times and successful workshops and shows in La Masca and San Pedro Sula, we ventured to Tela. At La Casa de la Cultura we met and were floored by some AMAZINGLY talented and self-taught young dancers. The girls were sassy and fabulous and their vestuarios (costumes) were more dope than ours. The young guys...wow, apenas hay palabras (there are barely words)! These young men watch youtube clips and then try to teach themselves the breakdancing moves. What they've been able to accomplish on their own is incredible!! All these dancers meet everyday on their own will at the center and practice for hours. While Juli and I do not have the ability to spin our hands and head, what we were able to was help their musicality and teach them about the history of Hip Hop.

Again, we worked our two days of magic with willing students and coordinators and had a full house at the big show!! We performed, the students performed and members of the audience joined us for the final cipher. We were so impressed by this group of young people that we decided we should do something for them. Hip Hop dancers in the States are shoe fanatics (ladies and gents alike), so we thought maybe we could get a few folks to donate some kicks to these kids who do not have the latest or greatest foot attire. What began as an idea has materialized into a whole campaign. Life, Rhythm, Move Project put the word out about our shoe drive and it blossomed into "We Got Sole." We have collected SO many pairs of shoes for the Tela youth. It is apparent that the best way to ensure the shoes arrive and also to really show that we are invested in these young people, is to deliver them in person. So, in December, I will be returning to Honduras to continue this cultural diplomacy...shoe diplomacy if you will. We Got Sole is sure to continue as an ongoing LRM...Project!

Roses Spring from Concrete

2009-05-17T02:39:00.000-04:00

Hola!! La gira sigue!!

So, we have just spent the past two days in San Pedro Sula working with youth at Central Didactica de FUNADEH, a center in Chamelecon, one of the roughest areas in the city. We were briefed beforehand and reminded by everyone, including natives, that San Pedro Sula is a very dangerous city. Gang violence and homicides run high. This is not disturbing to me as I was born and raised in St. Louis, a city rocked by gang violence in the 90s and that consistently ranks in the top three for most dangerous/crime-ridden cities. Despite this, I like to think I turned out "okay," and I even attended public schools. So, in many ways I feel prepared...but then again what in the world do I know?!

Streets are different. Driving patterns are different (just say a prayer while riding). The poverty is different...vastly different. But the kids...there's something familiar about them. They are super excited and eager to meet us and hungry to learn. This is their first dance class...ever!!! And while they have heard about and seen images of Hip Hop, this is their first personal encounter with it. Juli and I teach them about the history, including the 5 elements and the 4 principles, along with basic steps. These kids are natural movers and absorb everything like sponges, extremely enthusiastic sponges.

We also did some self-image and self-esteem exercises to encourage these talented youth to embrace what they love about themselves and to be open to working on those things that they don't like so much. To our surprise, the students embraced this self-exploration and movement exercise. The guys were champs...not afraid to move or speak. Some of our young ladies in one group started out a bit timid, but by the end they too were "jammin on the one!"

So here's the long of the short of it: In one and half days, we worked with 100 young people and put on a show. For most, if not all, this was their first public dance performance. Although this is the beginning of the rain season here and we had some afternoon showers, the sun came out and lit up the stage at the center. A few words about this stage: It had been completed only 3 days before our arrival, created/funded by Coca Cola and was made of concrete. What an honor...our program was the christening for this performance space. No, concrete is not the ideal surface for dance. Nor is concrete an ideal source for flowers to grow from. But I'll tell you what, something beautiful happened on that concrete stage this afternoon!

And now, I realize why these kids seem so familiar. Their faces, their gorgeous faces, remind me of faces from my childhood - mine and those of my family and friends growing up in the hood, you know, that 'concrete jungle' as it has been called. I remember not having much in the way of money, feeling stressed by life at home at times, but being so eager to learn from any artist coming across my path. I remember being super geeked up about special assemblies at school and any chance to be picked to participate. So here I am in this different but familiar place, remembering myself in these new faces and realizing that I am "the assembly lady." I'm so happy to be "the assembly lady" because I am living proof that roses can grow and flourish from concrete gardens and jungles.

This afternoon those kids rocked that stage, performing our choreography and presenting their own. Juli and I shared 2 solos and a duet and were greeted by, almost mauled by our students, wanting autographs, photos, email addresses AND phone numbers. Some kids from the neighborhood came and wanted one more thing...besos!! As Juli fended off her smooches line, I looked at that stage and those little faces and realized that maybe concrete ain't so bad after all.

Muchas gracias a Arturo Aleman, Leslie Gamero y todos a FUNADEH, Barrio-Ciudad y Chamelecon por su trabajo. Esto ha sido un sueno realizado para nosotras y queremos seguir trabajando (y luchando) juntos!! Chamelecon Hip Hop Festival 2009 fue un exito enorme...hasta la proxima vez!! Un abrazo fuerte!!

-Aysha (y Juli)

Dances with Drums

2009-05-15T00:51:00.000-04:00

Tales of the Dancing Diplomat continues...

On a mission to save the world through dance again...but not solo this time. Juli and I are Cultural Envoys on a tour of northern cities in Honduras. We've been here for a day and a half and it's already been awesome!!

After arriving in San Pedro Sula and a "short" drive to La Masca, all the stress of US life melted as we arrived in my now-declared, second home. Greeted and received by people who look like me and speak Spanish, the sound of drums, and a view of the sea and beautiful mountains, I felt peace and joy. This Garifuna, Afro-Honduran, village is a gem. Virtually untouched by commercial tourism, we are being welcomed like family.

Our hosts, George Martinez and his wife Clara, have created a special performance for us; guests performers have traveled from two hours away to share traditional rhythms and dances with us in an evening program. Juli and I have Kool-Aid grins plastered across our faces the entire evening, so much so that our cheeks hurt. They hurt from smiling from the inside out. Both of us were raised learning traditional dances...and here we are dancing with drums again. We were so overwhelmed with joy and gratitude, that we didn't even want to share our Hip Hop duet. But we did and everyone loved it.

We taught and were taught in a dance exchange for about 4 hours today...sweat our brains out and I could have stayed longer to keep learning and sharing. Jumping in the beautiful water and talking to George and other friends was like having "perfect" acutalized. It was a perfect day...and it was only the start to our trip.

Tales of a Tap Dancing Diplomat

2008-12-28T16:22:00.000-05:00

Enjoy pics from my trip as a Cultural Envoy in Dance in Honduras

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Life, Rhythm, Move...post-rehearsal

2007-09-21T16:56:00.000-04:00

Hip Hop Performance Class at Joy of Motion

2007-09-18T15:28:00.000-04:00

Jammin' on the One!!!

Okay, that is my catch phrase (thanks to Theo Huxtable), but also my dance philosophy. After counting 5, 6, 7,8...you gotta be ready to get down and jam on the one. So, if you want to jam with me and get a chance to perform, check out my Hip Hop performance class at Joy of Motion Dance Center. This class is geared towards students/dancers at the low-intermediate intermediate level and above. That means you've been taking class consistently at the low-intermediate level for at least a year and can pick up choreography fairly well. This class will be fun, but challenging . The 10-week session will be held on Fridays from 6:30-8:30 pm October 5 to December 14 at the Joy of Motion Friendship Heights location. The class will perform December 15 and 16 in the Performance Class Showcase at the Jack Guidone Theatre. For more information about the class, go to http://www.joyofmotion.org/.

Success on the Millennium Stage

2007-09-11T21:35:00.000-04:00

A million thanks to my cast and crew for a fantastic job this past week at the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage. I'm speechless with gratitude to my family, friends, colleagues and everyone that came out and supported...I feel the love from the dance community and I am inspired to keep going. I also want to thank the teenagers that helped with this project...I will always keep my ear tuned to what young people are saying...forget the GDP or housing market, you can judge a nation's health by looking at it's most valuable resource -- it's people, and more importantly, it's young people. If we call them the future, we owe it to them and ourselves to listen.

If you weren't able to watch the show in person, don't fret...you can watch it online on the Kennedy-Center's website. http://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/millennium/artist_detail.cfm?artist_id=UPCHURCHAY# (If that link is too long or doesn't go through, go to www.kennedy-center.org and follow links for the Millennium Stage performance archives.)

Again...many thanks!!
Peace and Love!!!

and the nominees are...

2007-07-17T20:31:00.000-04:00

I'm so excited to announce that I have received a Metro DC Dance Award nomination for Emerging Choreographer!! The awards ceremony will be held on Monday, September 10, 2007 at 7:30 pm at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. I just want to say thanks for all the support and love from the DC dance community. I'm just learning and growing as a choreographer and am always inspired by other artists and by what's going on around us. For me, the stage is a classroom and a playground and I'm so charged to keep putting work on it that everyone can access and enjoy.

Carter Barron Performance

2007-07-17T20:10:00.002-04:00

Are you looking for something to do on Friday, August 10? Well, here's your answer: Aysha Upchurch & Co./Life, Rhythm, Move Project will be performing at the Carter Barron Amphitheatre as part of Mason-Rhynes Productions' Expressions Showcase. It's a great show with other awesome local performers that begins at 7:30 pm. Oh!!! I forgot to mention it's absolutely free!!! So, I'll see you in the audience!

big news

2007-07-17T20:04:00.000-04:00

Kennedy Center Local Dance Commissioning Project

I am one of the three choreographers awarded the Local Dance Commissioning Project for this year. I am so honored and blessed to have this opportunity to use the Millennium Stage as a forum to discuss the plight of today's youth. The commissioned piece is entitled "Am I On?" and is an examination of how youth's voices are sometimes suppressed and ignored. I have a talented group of local dancers who will bring this vision to life using Hip Hop choreography. I hope to see you in the audience at the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage on September 6 & 7 at 6 pm. Oh...the show is free and the location is Metro accessible...see you there!!