Poet-trees En Motion…presents “Extracts & Measures”

3858 Lancaster Avenue
West Philadelphia

Saturday 9/13 at 7pm & 9pm, Sunday 9/14 at 5pm

www.myspace.com/plumdragoness
www.bodyrockbootcamp.net

Interdisciplinary performance artist, Gabrielle B.C. (a.k.a. PlumDragoness), returns to the 12th Annual Philadelphia Fringe Festival, September 13-14th, 2008 to present two evening & one matinee performance of “Extracts & Measures.” Performances will be held at the Body Rock Studio on Saturday 9/13 at 7pm & 9pm, Sunday 9/14 at 5pm.

“Extracts & Measures" is a performance art piece incorporating various cultural dance/movement forms, original poetry/spoken word, elements of ritual theatre, live music, visual projection, handmade costuming & improvisational techniques that intermingle with a riveting effect. This investigation into “womb-man’s her-story” is expressed through the eyes of woman’s a journey toward consciousness, while in search of balance between male/female counterparts. This work weaves together two original written poems, performed with choreographed movement set to the sounds and meanings of the spoken words, supported with live instrumentation. The culminating theme of “her-story” seeks to transcend attachments to negativity by using elements of ritual theater/character portrayal to present the trance dance finale, as well as celebrating ancient mystical traditional practices that have the power to connect global communities. In Collaboration with musicians Djo Fortunado & Elliott Levin with music production by Rodney Whittenberg & Codon 64. Also featuring performer Lara Vracarich with Visual Projections by Jeff King. Running time is 30 minutes.

ArcheDream focuses on and draws movement and choreography from various schools of dance, ritual and theatre. African dance, Modern, Jazz, Ballet, Pantomime, Kabuki, Commedia Dell Arte, Martial Arts such as Capoeira and Tai Chi Chuan and improvisational techniques intermingle with a riveting effect. The original score composed by Glenn Weikert provides the backbone auditory experience which only further bolsters the plot.

Highlights from Gabrielle B. C.’s tour history include featured performances at; the Global Roots Festival in Toronto, Ontario in 1999, the Philly Fringe Festival’s “Hip-Hop to da Head” at the Painted Bride in 2000 & “Extracted Measures” in 2001, the Mesa Pegasus ritual theater troupe at the Ultraworld festival in 2002 & in collaboration with ArcheDream on “the Shamyn’s Breath” in 2004 at the Philly Fringe Fest, the annual AIDS Benefit event for Keystone Hospice at the FUMCOG with J’ai Alvin Chestnut in 2005, WXPN’s World Café at the Women’s Fest in 2006, for the Multi-cultural Youth exchange in 2007 & for “Poet-tree In Motion” at the Rotunda in 2008. A more detailed list of tour history is available at www.myspace.com/plumdragoness.
From 2001 to 2006 Gabrielle was a founding member and core performer of the mask theater troupe ArcheDream. As a core member of the company, she performed, choreographed, created costumes & acted as assistant artistic director of ArcheDream, which led to her choreography & performance being featured at prestigious local venues such as the Kimmel Center, the Whittaker Center, the Annenberg Center for the Performing arts & the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.

Gabrielle B. C., a native of West Philadelphia, is the writer, creator, director, choreographer, costumer of “Extracts & Measures.” She is a multi--talented actress, dancer poetess and writer who has been involved with theater since childhood. Throughout the early years, she studied various visual & performing art mediums to cultivate her expressive theatrical personality. Earning her BA in Theater from Temple University helped lay the foundation from which she learned to extract & create theatrical works that express her passion & strength for writing, directing, choreographing & performing her work. She is well-known for her poetry as performance pieces throughout the Philadelphia area & abroad