Spank Dance Company

Ellen Bartel was born on Long Island NY. She Attended college at the State University of New York at Potsdam (SUNY Potsdam), where she graduated with a Liberal Arts degree in Modern Dance and Philosophy. After moving to Austin in 1994, Ellen began her career in choreography and dance.

Spank Dance Company is the heart of Ms. Bartel. It encompasses the true vision of a movement artist who wishes to speak to individuals in a voice that touches the brain and the body in ways that no other form of communication can. The work of Spank Dance Company is more than dance. It is a visual art. A choreographed sculpture of multiple dimensions moving through time and space.

Spank Dance Company will not look like dance sometimes and is a refreshing extension of an often miss-understood art form. Ellen is aware of the lack of connection that dance, especially modern dance, can have with its audience. Because of this, she is actively striving to bridge the gap between the audience and the art form.

Bartel brings a truly unique perspective to the process of creating dance. She believes that the process is largely about understanding scales in time and space to develop multiple levels of interest to her dances.

home

---

What some critics have to say about Spank Dance

"Joyous and original"- B.B About the Dance Carousel

"Not only a much-needed leader and collaborator for the indie dance scene, Bartel continues to deliver with sharp new creations of her own." Jeanne Claire van Ryzin

"dancers interact with each other in ways that are interesting to the eye and which spur the audience's sense of narrative"-WAB about Greyhounds and Other...

"Its beautiful, Its startling, It's a wholly finished masterwork"- WAB Austin Chronicle about Brenda Meets Barbara

"A pioneer in modern dance"-RF Austin Chronicle

"there was never a moment when I was not entirely stimulated and intrigued, more then a few moments when I was was completely surprised, numerous moments when I laughed out loud, and some moments when I was moved to tears" - About Dance Carousel

"I enjoyed not only the execution of the piece but the rippling effects of linkages I have discovered upon further reflection"-DD Austin Chronicle about Ascension/Descend.

"Bartel handled multiple strands of action expertly amusingly" -MB Austin American Statesman about Midnight Playground

"If filmmaker David Lynch were a choreographer and he brought to that field all the skills and talents he displays in creating movies...he might create something like Black Things...A night of kinetic and phonic brilliance"-WAB Austin Chronicle about Black Things

Spank's on XL's Fortunate 500 list 2007

Spank's on XL's Fortunate 500006

2008 Top 10" Dance Phenomenon" for producing Big Range Austin

2008 Austin Chronicle "Best Of" award for "Dance Mobilizer"

2007 Best Dance Concert and Best Choreography nomination for Cool. Dance.

2006 Dance Carousel #7 on the Top Ten list of most memorable Locally Produced Performances

2001 Midnight Playground nominated for Critics Table Award

1999 Ascension/Descend #10 Top Ten Dance Events

Link to "Earth Moves" Article in Austin Chronicle 2005

You-Tube Video from 8/12 performance at Austin Figurative Gallery Interview here

---

Community Projects

Hot September Flurries 2005-2007

Dance Carousel 2004-

Big Range 2008-

AIC "The List", and email list serve 2003-2008. Moved to google groups see link below.

 

blog-site "Out and About" by Michael Barnes 1/19/06:

"Under the golden sun, lunched with Ellen Bartel, the unacknowledged leader of the Austin dance community. We talked about the 60+ members of her independent choreographers collective and the state of the local dance scene. She sees the whole picture and gets things done. She also calmed me after my stressful parking adventure at Whole Foods Market. Perhaps because I was so stressed, I received a little attitude from the Trattoria to Go attendant, but enjoyed my Caprese salad and lemon-lime spritzer."

Hot September Flurries:

Link to "Dance Fever" Article about Hot September Flurries 2005

review 2007 here

review 2007 here

.

.

September , 2005-2007 @ Blue Theater, a month long dance event at the Blue Theater

HSF strives to present quality contemporary dance that explores diverse concepts within the movement arts. We encourage experimentation from choreographers to stretch their own ideas of dance, collaboration, and performance excellence. We seek to engage the audience through fresh new ideas that are challenging and fun, with a strong emphasis on community building through each individual voice.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

2005

Raisha Abdulrahim 9/20-9/22
Chika Aluka 9/20-9/22, 9/20-10/1
Ellen Bartel: Spank Dance Company (coordinator of Hot September Flurries) 9/9-9/11, 9/15-9/16
Megan Beronio 9/20-9/22 dancer
Toni Bravo: guest 9/20-9/22, choreographer/dancer
Shari Brown: 9/20-9/22, 9/29-10/1,
Amanda Butterfield: 9/15-9/16, dancer
Karli Calhoun 9/20-9/22
Chris Cogburn : 9/17-9/18 drummer
Amy Cone: 9/15-9/16,choreographer/dancer
David DeBlieck: Wicked Sister guest (Minneapolis) 9/30-10/1,
Lisa DelRosario:9/15-9/16, dancer
Andrea Dennison 9/15-9/16, dancer
Luke Dunlop: 9/9-9/11,photographer
Rachel Donelson: 9/20-9/22 dancer
Elaine Dove: 9/20-9/22, 9/29-10/1, dancer
Sydney Espinoza 9/20-9/22 dancer
Amanda Evans: guest 9/9-9/11, 9/29-10/1 choreographer/dancer.
Chell Garcia-Trias: 9/15-9/16, dancer
Lola Getz :9/15-9/16, dancer
Andy Hadaway: 9/20-9/22, composer
Kathy Dunn Hamrick: guest 9/29-10/1, choreographer/dancer
David Harris: guest (Minneapolis) 9/30-10/1, choreographer
Alison Hart: 9/29-10/1, dancer
Ashley C. Hogan: 9/15-9/16, dancer
Daniel Horner:9/15-9/16, dancer
Natalie Houchins: 9/20-9/22 dancer
Angela Johnson 9/20-9/22 dancer
Genevieve Kinney: 9/15-9/16, dancer
Erin Lane: 9/20-9/22 dancer
Sharon Marroquín: 9/9-9/11, 9/20-9/22, 9/29-10/1, choreographer/dancer
Debora McAdoo: 9/29-10/1, dancer
Jennifer Micallef: 9/17-9/18 dancer
Karen Morris:9/15-9/16, 9/20-9/22, 9/29-10/1, dancer
Amanda Moulder: 9/15-9/16, dancer
Julie Nathanielsz: 9/17-9/18, 9/20-9/22, dancer
David Nayer 9/20-9/22 dancer
Rachel Nayer 9/20-9/22 dancer
Kurt Newman: 9/17-9/18 guitarist and improvisor
Lisa Nicks: 9/29-10/1, dancer
Chelsea O’Hara 9/20-9/22 dancer
Allison Orr: Forklift Danceworks, 9/20-9/22, choreographer/dancer
Melody Patterson Zoch: 9/20-9/22, 9/29-10/1dancer
Cindy Pitts: 9/15-9/16, dancer
Stephen Pruitt: lighting designer
Patton Quinn:9/15-9/16, dancer
Matthew Reading: 9/9-9/11, photographer
Lucia Rodríguez 9/20-9/22, 9/20-10/1dancer
Tracy Sadler Machalek: 9/29-10/1, dancer
Phyllis Schwartz: 9/29-10/1, dancer
Ray Eliot Schwartz: Elsewhere Dance Theater 9/9-9/11, 9/29-10/1, choreographer/dancer
Michel Scott: 9/29-10/1, dancer
Cherami Steadman: guest 9/20-9/22, 9/29-10/1, choreographer/dancer
Nancy Stern Bain: 9/15-9/16, dancer
Sam Stolte: 9/20-9/22, composer
Adam Sultan: 9/17-9/18 musician
Caroline Sutton Clark: Wicked Cricket Dance Theater 9/29-10/1 choreographer/dancer
Lindsey Taylor: guest 9/20-9/22 9/29-10/01 choreographer/dancer
Lauren Tietz: Improvisation Movement Project, 9/17-9/18 co-director/dancer
Kayo Tsujimoto: 9/9-9/11, 9/20-9/22, 9/29-10/1 choreographer/dancer
Randi Turkin: 9/15-9/16, dancer
Kate Van Dyke 9/20-9/22 dancer
Roberta Villalón: 9/15-9/16, dancer
Kate Warren: guest, 9/29-10/1 choreographer
Nicole Whiteside: 9/20-9/22, 9/29-10/1, dancer
Christine Wong: 9/29-10/1, dancer
Frank Yezer: 9/9-9/11, dancer
Matt Young: 9/29-10/1, dancer

2006
Chika Aluka
Andrea Ariel: 9/8-9/10, 9/14, 9/16 choreographer/dancer/video
Ellen Bartel: 9/14, 9/16, 9/21-9/24 choreographer/dancer
Toni Bravo: 9/15, 9/17, choreographer/dancer
Amanda Butterfield: 9/15, 9/17 choreographer/performer
Enrique Cabrera: 9/21-9/24 dancer/poet
Jeremiah Clifton: 9/21-9/24 dancer
Andrea Comola:9/21-9/24 choreographer/dancer
Amy Cone: 9/8-9/10 choreographer/dancer
Lisa DelRosario: 9/8-9/10, 9/15, 9/ 17 choreographer/dancer
Leona Dixon: 9/21-9/24 dancer
Julia Duffy: 9/21-9/24 dancer
Jeannie Elliot:9/21-9/24 dancer
Elsewhere Dance Theater: 9/15,9/17 video
Chanda Gaither:9/21-9/24 dancer
Liz Ganz: 9/8-9/10 choreographer/dancer
Kathryn Gonzales:9/21-9/24 dancer
Kirstin Grbic 9/21-9/24 dancer
Andy Hadawy: 9/21-9/24 composer
Kelly Hasandras: 9/21-9/24 “Ta’s” assistant
Nicole Jensen:9/21-9/24 dancer
Angie Johnson: 9/15, 9/1, 9/21-9/24 dancer
Jayne King: 9/14, 9/16, 9/21-9/24 dancer/video (guest)
Megan Knotz 9/8-9/24 video, (Thermogenesis)
Dawnerin Larrimore: 9/21-9/24, dancer
Sharon Marroquín: 9/8-9/10, 9/21-9/24 choreographer/dancer
The Modern Dancers' Co-Laboratory: 9/21-9/24 guest company
Georgina Morgan: 9/21-9/24 dancer (guest)
Amanda Moss:9/21-9/24 dancer
Shay Nichols: 9/21-9/24 voice (guest)
Laura Phelan: 9/14-9/17 musician (pre-show guest)
Mandie Pitre: 9/14, 9/16 choreographer/dancer
Kenya S. Masala: 9/8-910 composer
Elizabeth Palmer:9/21-9/24 dancer/choreographer
Janine Ploetz: 9/21-9/24 dancer
Melissa Rentrop: 9/15, 9/17 performer
Kate Robinson: 9/8-9/10 improvisationalist
Spoken Word Artist La-Love Robinson: 9/21-9/24 dancer
Michael Scott: 9/14,9/16 video
Pamela Shahan: 9/21-9/24 dancer
Matt Shields: 9/21-9/24 dancer
Dot Smith: 9/15, 9/17 puppeteer
Anna Talley: 9/21-9/24 dancer
Lindsey Taylor: 9/8-9/10, 9/15,9/17, 9/1-9/24 choreographer/dancer
Zenobia Taylor: 9/15, 9/17 choreographer/dancer
Lauren Tietz: 9/21-9/24 choreographer
Carrie Vicana: 9/21-9/24 dancer (guest)
Roberta Villalón: 9/21-9/24 dancer
Melissa Villarreal:9/21-9/24 dancer/choreograper.
Laura Vriend:9/21-9/24 dancer (guest)
Emily Wagoner:9/14,9/16 video
Kate Warren: 9/14,9/16 choreographer
Vidya Ramirez-Wheeler: 9/15, 9/17 performer
Lighting Designer: Natalie George
House Manger: Mari Akita

2007

Chika Aluka:. solo , 14-16 performer, group , 21-23 choreographer
Katarina Arneric: group weekend, 21-23 performer
Ellen Bartel: Spank Dance weekend, 28-30 choreographer
Mandy Beittel: group weekend, 21-23 performer
Guilia Biow: group weekend, 21-23 performer
Meg Brooker:: solo weekend, 14-16 performer
Amanda Butterfield: solo weekend, 14-16 performer
John Box: group weekend, 21-23 performer
Mary A. Chase: group weekend, 21-23 choreographer
Caroline Sutton Clark: solo weekend, 14-16 performer, group weekend, 21-23 performer
Stephanie Campbell: group weekend, 21-23 performer
Andrea Comola: group weekend, 21-23 choreographer
Miss Darlene: Spank Dance weekend, 28-30 musician
Yebel Gallegos: group weekend, 21-23 performer
Paola Georjudis: group weekend, 21-23 performer
Christy Sadler Gorman: group weekend, 21-23 performer.
Andy Hadawy: Spank Dance weekend, 28-30 composer/musician
Paula Higa: group weekend, 21-23 choreographer
David Justin: group weekend, 21-23 choreographer
Rhianon Renae Kjar: group weekend, 21-23 performer
Dawnerin Larrimore: Spank Dance weekend, 28-30 performer
Erin Lee: group weekend, 21-23 performer
Colin Lowry: Spank Dance weekend, 28-30 video design
Elissa Marshall: group weekend, 21-23 performer
Sharon Marroquín: solo , 14-16 performer, group , 21-23 choreographer
Lisa Nicks: group weekend, 21-23 choreographer
Steve Ochoa: group weekend, 21-23 performer
Mandie Pitre: solo , 14-16 performer, group , 21-23 performer
Janine Ploetz:
Erica Santiago: group weekend, 21-23 performer
Leslie Scates: group weekend, 21-23 performer (Ranchdancer)
Zenobia Taylor: solo weekend, 14-16 performer
Kate Warren: group weekend, 21-23 choreographer
Maggie Wilhite: Spank Dance weekend, 28-30 performer
Matt Williams: group weekend, 21-23 co-choreographer
Catherine Zahrn: group weekend, 21-23 performer

.

.

Dance Carousel:

January, 2004-current @ BlueTheater Frontera Festival: 40 dances in 40 minutes

Through an innovative challenge we ask choreographers to break away from the standard idea of what a dance can be through a simple shared concept.SDC believes that the artists must experience new creative challenge in order to be encourage to grow.We seek to engage the audience through fresh new ideas that are challenging and fun, with a strong emphasis on community building through each individual voice.

Choreographers 04: Nancy Bain, Genie Barringer, Ellen Bartel, Jim Chappeleaux, Kayo Tsujimoto, Cristina Jesurun, Nancy Moran, Ellen Stader, Caroline Sutton Clark, Lauren Tietz.

Choreographers 05: Ellen Bartel, Amy Cone, Karin Carlson, Mendy Holliday, Cristina Jesurun, Peggy Lamb, Sharon Marroquin, Nancy Moran, Ray Elliot Schwartz, Caroline Sutton Clark.

Choreographers 06: Andrea Ariel, Ellen Bartel, Megan Knotz, Dawnerin Larrimore, Chrissy Leach, Tracy Sadler Machalek, Ashley Parker Overton, Mandie Pitre, Jennifer Tietz, Randi Turkin

Choreographers 07:Elsewhere Dance Theater, Forklift Danceworks, Chell Garcia, Mendy Holiday, Sumi Komo, Sharon Marroquin, Lisa Nicks,Molly Roy, Michelle Owens Pierce , Spank Dance

Choreographers: 08: Ellen Bartel, Nancy Bain, Rhianon Renae kjar, Myia Little, Annie Hudson, Amanda Oakely, Laura Noose, Leah Tubbs, Randi Turkin, Caroline Sutton Clark

Articles and reviews:

2004

2005

2006

2007

2007

2008

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Big Range

previews and reviews

By Jeanne Claire van Ryzin | Wednesday, June 11, 2008, 11:20 AM

In case any of you arts aficionados have been under a rock … this June has emerged unofficially as THE dance month of calendar.

Some of the convergence of dance has been artfully planned. Last weekend, the first Big Range Austin Dance Festival kicked up its heels. Spearheaded by indie dance mover-and-shaker Ellen Bartel, Big Range (which has been going strong in Houston for several years), brings a lineup of national and local indie modern dance makers to Austin for two weeks of showcases.

It’s a brilliant move on Bartel’s part to coordinate such a happening. Austin’s been long overdue for this kind of coordination of the indie dance scene. Check out the Big Range Austin web site for details on the shows, which run through Sunday, including this weekend’s showcase featuring new work by two-time Austin Critics’ Table Award-winner Sharon Marroquin and the ever impressive David Justin of American Repertory Ensemble.

Austin American Statesman

Austin American Statesman

Austin Chronicle

_______________________________

The Austin Independent Choreographers list serv is moving to Google Groups

 

You can accept this invitation by clicking the following URL:
 
http://groups.google.com/group/austin-choreographers/sub?s=k5F8BQgAAABi6bjUaJ-p59gJsSZSz6u1&hl=en
 
Access to the group on the web requires a Google Account. If you don't have a 
Google Account set up yet, you'll first need to create an account before you 
can access the group. You can create an account at:
 
https://www.google.com/accounts/NewAccount?service=groups2&reqemail=spankdance%40hotmail.com&continue=http%3A%2F%2Fgroups.google.com%2Fgroup%2Faustin-choreographers%3Fhl%3Den