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My Year: 2014 Edition
Dear <<First Name>>,
I've enjoyed reading all of the Facebook 'My Year' slideshows as of late and I was definitely tempted to make one of my own. But, putting together this year-end newsletter has become a small tradition I actually look forward to.
In this little space of time before the world starts its engine again, it feels good to consider what's transpired over the past 12 months, if only to set the stage for the year to come. For me, it has been a year of transition, rejuvenation, learning and reflection - at times disruptive and uncomfortable, and at times full of potential. I can't wait to see what 2015 will bring.
Wishing you and yours all the best for a prosperous and creative 2015!
Happy New Year!
Shannon Litzenberger |
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 Also in the New Year, I began a new adventure as a Sessional Lecturer at the University of Toronto. Fellow arts advocate Devon Ostrom and I co-designed and led a new Arts Advocacy course for upper year Arts Management students at the Scarborough Campus. I was grateful to have a stellar class of students! |
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U of T Arts Advocacy class with guests MP Paul Calandra, Toronto City Councillor Garry Crawford and political assistant to MPP Mitzie Hunter, Dayani Ravichandran.
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 In March I participated in Where Next BC, presenting my research in Vancouver for arts funders and members of the local arts community. Later in the month, I headed west again, this time to Banff for the 17th Canadian Arts Summit. I've enjoyed acting as the Project Manager for the Summit since last June, and this year, also had the opportunity to present a Pecha Kucha about working with RBC employees in creative dance process. |
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 In April I spent a week in residence at the Banff Centre conducting some early creative research for my new work World After Dark based on Christopher Dewdney's book Acquainted with the Night. I captured some beautiful night images in the mountains and also spent time exploring in the studio.
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The light and shadows of the big dance studios at the Banff Centre were the inspiration for this short movement study.
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 In May I was back in the studio again preparing to re-mount Everyday Marvels for the Guelph Dance Festival. The month kicked off with the Retro Dance Party at the Spoke Club - a fundraising event that helped to bring all 28 artists to Guelph for the revival of one of my most favourite works. Thanks to RBC's premiere dance group The Mobile Assets for their amazing commitment to this project.
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 I was thrilled to be able to bring back the epic production of Everyday Marvels, this time as a one act stage work at the River Run Centre for the Guelph Festival. The beautiful performances of the evening evoked a thrilling reception from a very full house of dance and literary enthusiasts! A big thanks to Catrina von Radecki, Janet Johnson and the team at the festival who welcomed us. And to Peter Grimaldi at the Eden Mills Writers Festival for bringing Lorna to Guelph.
www.everydaymarvels.ca
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Here's a little peek at Lorna Crozier and MC Jef Mallory rehearsing Gum.
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 July brought an opportunity for artistic research and renewed creative inspiration. I spent time near a dark sky preserve in south eastern Ontario experimenting with time-lapse photography of the night sky - a continuation of the work I did in Banff earlier in the year.
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 In August I took a much needed break to spend time outside and away from my computer as much as possible. By month's end I was ready to get into the studio again and was thrilled to begin technique classes with Christine Wright, a fresh NYC import! Her classes have truly been one of the highlights of my year.
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 In September, my office became my office / music room! While it's only a recreational pursuit, this lovely addition has brought me lots of joy since its arrival. My technique is still pretty rusty as I haven't played regularly since I was 17, but it's slowly coming back to me...
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 October is always a busy month for politics and advocacy. I was happy to participate in another successful Arts Day on Parliament Hill this year with advocates at the Canadian Arts Coalition where I met with several MP's to talk arts policy.
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I also volunteered with ArtsVote Toronto leading into our municipal election. ArtsVote hosted a Mayoral Arts Debate at the TIFF Lightbox in late September, and also produced the Reverse Arts Debate at the Summerworks Festival where I participated in a panel of artists who responded to Mayoral candidate questions on arts policy.
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 In November I participated in the RBC 40 Voices Summit, organized by Business for the Arts. The forum brought together 40 leaders under the age of 40 from across the country to discuss new ways of supporting the arts through stronger engagement from the private sector. It was a pleasure to collaborate with such a motivated and thoughtful group of individuals. So many great ideas emerged... #articipaction
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 The year ended on a high note creatively with the long-anticipated premiere of making everyday marvels - a documentary by Linnea Swan with videography by Laurence Siegel and Phyllis White. Cast, friends and family gathered at the Spoke Club for its premiere - a truly magical night that rekindled the community spirit of the show.
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 During the late days of December, I also began working with the multi-talented Ms. Swan in the studio, along with dancer/choreographer Dan Wild to continue developing my new work World After Dark. Thank you Ontario Arts Council!
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In May, I'll head east again to perform HOMEbody at the Fredericton Playhouse as part of a day-long symposium on rural rejuvenation through the arts, hosted by Atlantic Ballet Theatre. HOMEbody - The Symposium hopes to inspire a conversation among arts, community and business leaders about the future prosperity of rural communities in New Brunswick through the creation of a shared sense of home.
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In the early Summer, I plan to spend time in residence at Gibraltar Point on Toronto Island for another period of artistic creation for World After Dark.
As the year turns over, I'm hopeful that 2015 will bring many new and exciting adventures for all of us.
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The year began with The Dance Debates - a lively community discussion centered on the key themes of my recently published research paper,
