My heart lives in San Francisco: DAMSF

 

Thursday night, was as always a night to remember thanks to DAMSF.

 DAMSF is a night my good friend Paymaneh “Bibi” Khalili created to celebrate the various cutting edge arts around the entire San Francisco Bay Area.

DANCE. ART. MUSIC. STYLE. FASHION.

It happens about every 3 months. All of us artists head out to serve as audiences and entertainers. I’ve performed multiple times at this event and as of recently, been helping running the show. The fact that Bibi is an amazing renaissance woman who works so hard to bring LA nights to Bay makes me proud. Thank you so much for holding this event. It is the ONE night I feel that all of us artists are so encouraging and positive to one another.

A must see: Chapkis Dance Promo Video



HOT DAMN!!!!

My dance family, Chapkis Dance has had a year of change for the better. This video is living proof of it.

If you are not familiar with my background or these people, then please get acquainted.

This is where my heart lives, where I met people that I will call family for the rest of my life. Everyone is such a joy to be around and to add to it their supply of talent is through the fuckin' roof!

My brother and director Greg Chapkis outdid himself with this one and I am so proud of him and how far he and the company have come!

Watching this ignites the passion and love I have for dance. Its has always been there, it only dimmed for awhile because I let third parties affect it.

Welp, NEVER AGAIN!

Proud to be able to claim my team. Love these kids.

Enjoy. Re-watch.

XOXO,

Tia

Mia Michaels: Addiction



If you're a fan of "So You Think You Can Dance" then you are no stranger to this routine.

Mia Michaels choreographed this heart-breaking piece for Kayla and Kupono to bring to life.

The basis of the piece is a woman fighting a malevolent addiction.

Literally watching it brings me to tears each time.

The song is beautiful (Sarah Bareilles, "Gravity") and the movement that correlates with the aching desire to kick the habit of unhealthy dependency is executed to perfection. This is a total sensory overload. The sound and lyrics of Sarah's ballad, the physical movement, the facial expressions of the dancers bring you into a place you'd rather not go.

Never have I battled substance abuse, but I have battled being addicted to a relationship. One that ended up not being healthy for me at that moment due to its circumstances. No matter what method I tried I came back, just to feel good for a short while. The temporary thin layer of happiness was worth more than my ultimate long term well being. In the end it absolutely wasn't, I suffered more in the long run. But the feeling of not being able to shake what has a hold of you can't be described as anything else but heart-breaking.

Watch this a million times. You won't be sorry.

Beautiful. Masterpiece.

XOXO,

Tia 

Mariel Martin: "Puttin' on the ritz"



And this cemented why Mariel is one of my absolute favorite choreographers.

Paying homage to the greats of Old Hollywood.

Anyone who hasn't seen a Gene Kelly film needs to add that to their "to-do" list.

His presence is undeniable and his talent is astounding.

Whenever I feel myself fall out of love with dance, I watch Mariel's videos and it reminds me of why I loved it in the first place.

Watch and enjoy!

xoxo,

Tia

My WEEKEND: Dance, Dance, Dance

This weekend I performed with my beloved team VIP for our studio's 8th annual Collaboration showcase.

It was the longest day I've had in awhile..10-12hours *cough cough*. But I'm so happy that I can say I dance with these people. Throughout any topsy turvy time in my life I can always count on going to the studio to blow off steam and exchange laughs. I'd guess that 70% of the laughter in my day occurs with them.

I LOVE 'EM!!!

My Kardashian sistas: Kayci, Jemma and I

 HOPE YOU ALL HAD A GREAT SUNNY WEEKEND!

xoxo,

Tia

SNAPSHOTS: Gene Kelly

"If Fred Astaire is the Cary Grant of dance, I’m the Marlon Brando."- Gene Kelly

Gene Kelly & Rita Hayworth in Cover Girl

One of my favorite Gene Kelly dances from Cover Girl

 technique* precision* passion *ruggedness