Photo: Hiroshi Takami
The E.N.D. (Energy Never Dies)
The Energy Never Dies (E.N.D.) is an hour long interdisciplinary collaboration of dance and music, exploring the concept of dance Cypher: an open circle formation that emerges within a communal flow state, characterized by the exchange of creativity and movement between individuals both inside and outside the circle.
The E.N.D. will be developed by myself and six other POC and Black dancers and musicians Jason Owing, Riko, MoMo, Miguel Maravilla, Marty, Jen. We will research 4D spatial sound technology during two-week a Residency at Lobe Studio and also do independent creative research for four weeks before and after the residency.
Having previously developed a series of solo dance works and collaborations with musicians, I am now seeking to expand my creative horizons by assuming the role of a creative director. By drawing on my experiences with street dance, I will deliver a compelling collaborative presentation that extends beyond my dance practice. This project embraces QTBIPOC Streetdance and House Culture, which is an amalgamation of different cultural styles of rhythms, dance, and music. In House Culture, there's a certain level of collaborative attuning; dancers and musicians would learn an intimate understanding of each other's processes.
Joshua Ongcol
Photo: Yasuhiro akada
Co-created and Performed by: Joshua Ongcol
Key Artistic Collaborators:
Dancers: Momo Shimada, Riko Hirota, Jason Owin Flores and Joshua Ongcol
Musician accompaniments: Jen Yakamovich (drums), Miguel Maravilla (guitar), Marty Ndlovu (beat machine)
Outside Eye: Emmalena Fredrickson
Performance type: This work is built for a theatre. Full-Length Work.
How do you define this work: Dance/ Theatre, Multi-Discipline, Digital.
Length of performance: 55 minutes
Audience type: General Audience
General Technical Requirements: sprung flooring, video projection (optional), general stage lighting, plugs for musicians beat machines, a table for thier instruments
Does the work require tech residency: 3 hours. but can work with what we have
Number of Performers on tour (including choreographer): 7 people; (4 dancers and 3 musicians)
Number of Support Staff on Tour: 1 ; production manager
Availabilities: 2024 Spring Season (Mar-Jun), 2024/25 season, & 2025/26 season
I am a Dubai born, Queer, Filipinx artist that is currently a settler on the unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples otherwise know by its colonial name Vancouver, BC . I started dancing through club dance and competition spaces in Highschool during the dawn of YouTube and America's best dance crew. After seeing Asian representation on screen whilst processing/transmuting teenage angst, Josh exploded into dance.
After graduating highschool I immersed myself in the street dance community, participating in socials, cyphers, gatherings, workshops, and battles both in Vancouver and internationally in styles of Hip Hop, Vogue, Whacking, House, Popping. Additionally, I underwent Contemporary Dance training at Modus Operandi in 2012-2013
Some notable teachers include founders/ leaders Ejoe Wilson, Seku Heru, La tasha Barnes, Hip hop, Vogue, Whacking from Jerry Chien, Koffi Noumedor, Ralph Escamillan, Sekou Heru, Natasha Gorie, Rina Palerina, Anna Martynova, and Kim Sato, and Contemporary dance from Tiffany Tegarthen, David Raymond, 605 collective, Sufeh lee, Kevin Fraser, Peter Bingham, Justine Chambers, Delia Brett and
Charles Koroneho.
As an artist, I am interested in the ways tenderness manifests in my body, and its receptivity to deep connection, wisdom, and transformation.I'm curious how this manifests in rhythms, patterns and cycles. With this, I hope to unravel through poetry dance and music on themes of being diaspora, queerness, resilience, autonomy, community, home and spirituality.
Currently, Josh is creating a piece called “The E.N.D. inspired by house dance club culture and ritual gatherings in dance.
Performance History & Upcoming Performances
**Past Performances:**
- Self-Presented on April 7, 2023
- Premiere Date: April 7, 2023
- Venue: KW Studios Production Space
**Upcoming Performance:**
- Presenter: Live Biennale
- Premiere Date: October 16, 2023
- Venue: To Be Announced
Project Details
Community Engagement
We intend to engage with the age group of 14 and above, particularly the street dance and DIY music community, with a focus on the house dance community. Our outreach activities will include:
1. **Movement Workshops and Dance Battles:** We'll organize movement workshops that lead participants into mini dance battles. These sessions will help participants understand the essence of the work and its context. A general fee of $10 will be charged, with a commitment to not turn anyone away due to financial constraints.
2. **Open Workshop with Concept Sharing:** We'll host an open workshop where we share the concepts behind the work. This session will provide insight into the artistic elements and motivations. Similarly, a $10 general fee will apply, ensuring accessibility for all interested participants.
3. **Work Remount and Final Jam:** Before the final presentation, we'll need a week to remount the work. The culminating event will be a final jam that mirrors the spontaneous energy of cyphers in club and social dance settings. This jam will serve as both the format and container for presenting the work, possibly integrated into or leading from the work itself. Another idea is to have the choreography dispersed and divided throughout the night of the dance jam.
We are excited to interact with the house dance community through these inclusive and engaging activities.
**Community Engagement:**
Our community engagement approach goes beyond traditional outreach activities, aiming for meaningful collaboration and interaction with local community members. Given the diverse nature of streetdance and club dance culture, our focus is on engaging with:
**Local Street Dancers and Musicians:** We plan to invite local street dancers and musicians from the specific geographic location of our presentation. They will share their experiences and insights about their unique dance and music scene, including its history and evolution.
**Interactive Demonstrations:** In addition to discussions, we propose interactive demonstrations where local dancers and musicians can engage in call-and-response aspects. This experiential sharing will provide a deeper understanding of the dynamics of streetdance and music within the local context.
**Influencing the Work:** Collaborating with local musicians and dancers will significantly impact our work. Their input and expertise will enrich the performance and create a dynamic fusion of our piece with local influences.
We are excited to create a collaborative space that respects and embraces the regional nuances of streetdance and music, fostering a deeper connection with the local community.
Contact information
Joshua Ongcol,
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshee_alchemee/