Dear CONTRA-TIEMPO familia,
What an incredible year 2022 has been! I write this as we are buckling up for an even more amazing year ahead. As an organization we've used the last several years as an opportunity to ground deeper into our values and feel and embody moving in alignment with the world we know is possible: a world that centers human beings, relationships, care and connection. When I founded CONTRA-TIEMPO over 17 years ago the idea of 'transforming the world through dance' sounded like a future that I knew was possible but wasn't sure I would be around to witness. I share with a full heart and grateful mind - that this is exactly the work we are doing! We are transforming our world and our future through the movement and vibrational technologies of our ancestors and continuing to evolve these technologies in ways that I never imagined were possible. The future we are building involves designing new structures and imagining an organization that supports artists to grow, thrive and make a difference in the world. I am thrilled to share that CONTRA-TIEMPO is moving and building our leadership structure horizontally, growing the next generation of movement leaders and becoming a real world example of how centering care can not only be sustainable, but can build a more abundant, supportive and loving future for us all. Leadership is feeling way less lonely these days as we are building CONTRA-TIEMPO's future with a multi director model. I am proudly marching and moving alongside, Jannet Galdamez, our long time rehearsal director, teaching artivist, colleague, co-conspirator, muse and powerful movement artist whose ancestral embodiment regularly takes my breath away and Ruby Morales, one of the brightest and bravest arts leaders I know, who was introduced to me by some of my favorite artivistas at the Bi-national Artists Residency in AZ and who's been uprocking, touring, social media-ing and grant writing with us for the last several years. Also joining our team is Holly Johnston, founder of Responsive Body, a radical biodynamic somatic social movement/practice who is working with us to center care and wholeness in both our production and performance work in real time. We are excited to welcome back Jasmine Stanley, a long time company member, teaching artivist, scientist and movement powerhouse as our social media coordinator and co-director of Futuro. And last but certainly not least, we hired Co-eL Rodriguez, a breaker, arts administrator and all around amazing human being, who is our new office administrator. Our team continues to grow and the work continues to deepen, proving that we are stronger together. This new structure is allowing me to more fully embody my role as artistic director, choreographer, educator and movement artivist. I have also just joined the faculty of UC San Diego's Theater and Dance Department and I am thrilled as we imagine new reciprocal ways CONTRA-TIEMPO and UCSD can be in relationship as we build and support future arts leaders and makers!
May we continue to build a more loving and just world in 2023 and beyond. As always, we have more to come so stay connected, involved, and in relationship.
With love,
Ana María Alvarez
Photo courtesy of Pieter Performance Space by Bobby Gordon