Upcoming Events
Self Help at Thessaloniki Fringe Festival
"Self Help" explores mental health through the lens of a relationship between therapist and patient, using Movenglish® – a movement language in progress that directly corresponds to English. In this language, the nuances of English (e.g. sound, meaning, connotation, tense, difficulty, part of speech, etc.) are embodied in as objective a fashion as possible through both the accumulation of collective human intuitions and in-depth analyses of words and concepts. The direct translation of spoken conversations is complemented by fragmented and deconstructed phrases that represent what happens between the lines and inside the mind, embodying a ceaseless yet hopeful striving toward balance between thought and feeling, mind and body, self and other.
Co-Production Series: Expanding Community
Workshop: 3PM
Performance: 7PM
Expanding Community is a collaborative show, at mignolo arts center in Metuchen, NJ, of artists spanning the east coast. This show is the third installment in the series, there previously has been one in NJ (July 2023) and one in Boston (February 2024). Geared at creating partnerships between different choreographers to expand their artistic community, Expanding Community seeks to grow how many artistic partnerships and connections we each have. The show is under the direction of Tess Saoirse Liddy, a Boston-based dancer and choreographer who discovered her choreographic voice in New Jersey at Drew University and therefore seeks to bring the two communities closer together. Expanding Community 3 will feature an assortment of both returning and first time EC artists!
mignolo International Screendance Festival
Screendance is a growing art form that explores dance through various mediums. Technology has driven the evolution of how and where dance is captured and shared with others. There is a natural synergy between dance and film, which allows for cinematic possibilities and the capture of art that can only exist on the screen. The mignolo international screendance festival encourages dancers to think creatively and reimagine the endless possibilities of dance.
Mission: To bring artists from diverse backgrounds and disciplines together to provide a unique artistic experience while supporting dancers and companies with more performance/screening opportunities. From literature to music, visual art to theater, and everything in between, forging interdisciplinary connections is the founding principle that informs every facet of our organization.
Who: Open to screendance makers worldwide. Dance filmmakers are encouraged to collaborate with artists working in different disciplines to develop their films.
What: Films with a focus on movement. Interdisciplinary works are especially encouraged.
When: Submissions are due by Sunday, July 31, 2024 at 11:59PM EST. The festival will take place on September 28, 2024.
Where: Finalists will be featured in a FREE in-person screening @ mignolo arts center @ 272 Lake Ave, Metuchen, NJ, USA. All selected artists will be invited to a social mixer before the showing to “catch up with the creators.” Officially selected films will be featured in a virtual screening.
*Before submitting, please remember that this is specifically a festival of dance films with a special focus on interdisciplinary arts. Films must meet these criteria to be considered.
**mignolo arts center is a nonprofit organization. All proceeds support a space that invites people of all backgrounds across every art genre to collaborate, bringing varying identities into a conversation without hindering the voice of any artist.
Awards & Prizes
* “Best of the Fest”—$500 cash prize, screened at the festival, featured in Pinky Thinker Press magazine
* “Honorable Mention”—$100 cash prize screened at the festival, featured in Pinky Thinker Press magazine
* "My First Screendance Fest"—$100 cash prize screened at the festival
* “Top Local Favorite” - four hours of free studio time @ mignolo arts center
* “Finalists” - screened @ FREE in-person festival
Rules & Terms
* Must be an original work created for film/video. (We do not show filmed performances or installations)
* Must be the FIRST film created to be considered for the "My First Screendance Fest" Prize
* Student applicants should apply with a .edu email address
* Recent works preferred
* Applicants permit misdf to use their photographs and films for promotional materials associated with the festival and on the website
* The final format must be .MOV or .MP4.
co-production series: TO BE DANCED 2
TO BE DANCED is an evening celebrating the artistic pluripotency of Dance Theatre, particularly new works that represent the diverse landscape of emerging artists in New Jersey and the Tri State Area.
The goal of this event is threefold:
Create more opportunities for NJ-based early and mid-career artists to present choreography in their home state.
Connect Artists and Audiences to build community.
Serve as a performance process that prioritizes equity at all points from application to production to the best of our ability.
Compensation: All selected artists/groups receive a $75 stipend, photos, and video of their performance.
Applications are OPEN until 5/31 at 11:59pm.
A VERY mignolo CHANUKAH
Stay tuned for additional information about our annual fundraiser!
SOPAC x NJSCA Choreographer Fellowship Showcase
Join us to celebrate the 2023 Arts Council Choreography Fellows!
Over three evenings of performances, the 2024 NJ State Council on the Arts Choreographers’ Showcase Moving Into the Future celebrates the dynamic and diverse artistic visions of 14 of the 2023 Arts Council Choreography Fellows. These talented artists bring the beauty and athleticism of dance to the SOPAC stage!
This program is conducted by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, in partnership with the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation. To learn more about the Individual Artist Fellowship program, visit the Mid Atlantic Arts website.
Moving Into the Future: New Jersey Choreographers’ Festival is a co-sponsored project of SOPAC and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.
8 IN SHOW
Come see Eruption / Regenesis at Dixon Place’s 8 IN SHOW!
Promo code "8inshow24" will give you a $3 discount on advance tickets.
A VERY mignolo CHANUKAH
Help mignolo keep the oil burning in 2024!
mignolo is a nonprofit arts organization based in Metuchen, NJ that strives to bring together artists of diverse backgrounds and disciplines through a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary arts community. Through our multipurpose arts space, collaborative programming and residencies, arts education, and performance opportunities, we seek to transcend traditional boundaries of not only artistic disciplines, but of social constructs like age, socioeconomic status, gender, race, ethnicity, and sexuality. By offering ample opportunities for artists continue their work within the state of New Jersey, we are building a local network of artists whose contributions we deeply cherish.
mignolo was founded by sisters, Charly & Eriel Santagado, in 2017 when they first performed under the name mignolo dance. Over the past six years, their work has explored a range of artistic mediums through the lens of movement. mignolo gained 501-c3 nonprofit status in 2019 in order access resources to support additional dancers, choreographers, and artists of all disciplines with its eclectic programming.
2023 Greatest Hits:
January: We launched our Co-Production Series at mignolo arts center (6 shows have been produced thus far).
February: We received a grant from Middlesex County to support Pinky Thinker Press, and shot our latest screendance, Conjoined, at the Rivoli Theater in Rutherford.
March: We were hired by Rutgers University to perform Self Help for a Dance Appreciation course.
April: We hosted our first Pinky Thinker Press virtual release event as well as our first PTP artist roundtable.
May: We launched Shallow Pocket, an affordable art show at mignolo arts center, and hosted an Interdisciplinary Open Mic in collaboration with Cold Weather Company.
June: We performed Self Help at our first international festival, Altofest, in Naples, Italy, and co-hosted Spring for Spring Dance Festival at the Metuchen Plaza.
July: We turned mignolo arts center into a black box theater thanks to funding from a Middlesex County technical grant.
August: We hosted the fourth annual mignolo dance summer intensive.
September: We hosted the second annual mignolo international screendance festival.
October: We presented a full length show of short dance pieces at Arts On Site.
November: We hosted our second Interdisciplinary Open Mic in collaboration with Cold Weather Company.
December: We have several upcoming dance performances in NYC. And don't forget our upcoming Chanukah/holiday party!
In 2024, we hope to continue creating and supporting new artistic works with the help of your generous donations. Proceeds from the holiday fundraiser will go toward general operations––including pay for our staff and freelance artists––technical and functional upgrades to mignolo arts center, residencies, performances, productions, and workshops. Your contributions, no matter how big or small, are greatly appreciated and will help us continue to uplift local, emerging artists of every medium and background. With your help, our community will continue to blossom into the multidisciplinary, collaborative group of artists and audiences that we envision.
Paradox in Translation @ WADEintoACTIVISM
Come see Paradox in Translation at WADEintoACTIVISM this winter!
Eruption / Regenesis at IHRAF 23
Eruption / Regenesis at the International Human Rights Arts Festival - Performance Block: CLIMATE CHANGE
Interdisciplinary Open Mic 2.0
Featured Artists:
Marc Del Giudice & Melinda Matticoli
Hannah Burke & Jeanann Dorobis
Cold Weather Company & Sarah Liebau
Co-Production Series: Geatali - Garland of Songs
Geatali presents her first solo, self-titled showcase of movement. Her name, which means garland of songs, perfectly describes the journey the audience will experience. Weaving through different forms of dance, music, language, and expression, Geatali wraps the audience in a layered garland of song and mesmerizing storytelling.
Pinky Thinker Press LIVE!
Join us to celebrate our three year anniversary as a publication! There will be performances, book sales and signings, a film screening, and a publishing talk with former Rutgers University Press production manager, Alissa Zarro. Stay tuned for more information!
Co-Production Series: To Be Danced
TO BE DANCED is an evening celebrating the artistic pluripotency of Dance Theatre. The collage of pieces presented include: a sporty world premiere by Marissa Aucoin; the unbridled physicality of Newbrese Dance Project; the NJ premiere of Carne Viva Dance Theatre’s intimate vitality; and two NJ premieres featuring ReFrame Dance Theatre Collaborations ranging from sensitive to ludicrous.
BONUS: there’s cake.
Get Tickets (Friday is SOLD OUT!)
mignolo at Arts On Site
Join us for a full show of short mignolo works including Visits to St. Elizabeths, Arcadia, Eruption / Regenesis, and more with special guest IMGE Dance!
mignolo international screendance festival
Join us to celebrate 28 wonderful dance films. Wine and refreshments included!
Quinzena de Danca de Almada
Variaciones sobre color at Quinzena de Dança de Almada – International Dance Festival
Dance On The Lawn
Join us for the 10 year anniversary and final iteration of Dance on the Lawn in Montclair, NJ!
Co-Production Series: Moving Forward
SOLD OUT!
Moving Forward's first in-person Emerging Artist Festival includes TWELVE works by our inaugural Choreographic Fellows:
Kendra Borden, Rosa Wolff, Nhyira Asante, Luke Biddinger, Kaite Hopsicker, Flora Ferguson, Matthew Saggiomo, Elizabeth Shupe, Miguel Miranda, Sadie Grace Shelburne and Lindsay Lykins, Asmani Sanders, and Camryn Stafford.
Learn more about Moving Forward: movingforwarddance.com
Follow Moving Forward on Instagram: @movingforwarddance
mignolo dance summer intensive
This intensive is geared toward professional and pre-professional dancers. The 2023 intensive will culminate in a final showing where dancers will be invited to perform phrases they learned in class as well as a brand new mignolo creation. Faculty members will also be invited to perform in the showing. Drop-in classes are also available!
Pinky Thinker Press Virtual Roundtable
Join us on Zoom for a roundtable discussion with past contributors Lisa Barcy, Ben Gibbons, and Ishita Mili.
Pinky Thinker Press: Issue No. 9
Join us to celebrate the release of Pinky Thinker Press: Issue No. 9! Register Now
Co-Production Series: Expanding Community
Expanding Community is a collaborative show of 12 artists spanning the east coast from as south as Virginia and as north as New Hampshire. Geared at creating partnerships between different choreographers to expand their artistic community, Expanding Community seeks to grow how many artistic partnerships and connections we each have. The show is under the direction of Tess Saoirse Liddy, a Boston-based dancer and choreographer who discovered her choreographic voice in New Jersey at Drew University and therefore seeks to bring the two communities closer together. The featured artists are: Emily Rosales, Jeanann Dorobis, Gauri Bhatkhande, Gwen McGovern, Kaylee Mahan, Mikala Nims, Molly Huey, Natalie Frances Long, Sarah Wasserman and Katie Henry, Savi Stevenoski, Seychelle Kulik, and Tess Saoirse Liddy.
Co-Production Series: Friends Who Dance
Co-Production Series: Friends Who Dance
Friends Who Dance is a NJ based collection of movement artists who situate their dance making in discussion, impulse, and friendship. FWD was founded in 2022 by Marianna Allen, Michayla Pannullo, Anne Tantuico, and Elena Yasin. These dancers came together with a desire to create works reflecting their truest selves in an honest and lighthearted way. Stemming from their dance backgrounds as comp kids, dance team members, and primas, Friends Who Dance develops works that are ironic, theatrical, and hint at the dramatic. Their movement stories are inspired by memory, writing and reading text, and improvisation. As they emerge into the professional world, they hope to create original pieces that feel personal to themselves and invite the audience to wonder.
Lauren Curtis Art Opening
Join us for Lauren Curtis’ art opening, which will feature vending tables, snacks and beverages, and our player piano! Free admission - no registration required.
Pinky Thinker Press Virtual Roundtable
Join us on Zoom for a roundtable discussion with Lisa Barcy, Anna Gichan, Heather Rolland, and Wren Verga!
Altofest
Self Help (live and immersive) at Altofest
June 15 at 7PM - June 17 at 9PM - June 18 at 5:30PM
*All performances are free with reservation.
Spring for Spring Dance Festival
Lineup: rogue wave, Monica Steffey, Shelby Bakota, Rosa Allegra Wolff, Aryanna Allen, Julia Ramirez, Alyssa Myers, Navatman Dance, kamrDANCE, Laura Ardner, Emmy Wildermuth, Stephen Hill, Glance, Angelita Itzanami Andrade / SOMOS, the dance company, Sasha, Marlan-Librett, Victoria Renteria, AJ Urban, Emory Campbell, mignolo dance
Morven Moves
Artistic Director Charly will be performing a brand new work created in collaboration with harpist Gian Torrano Jacobs and dancer Louisa Miller!
Interdisciplinary Open Mic Co-Hosted by Cold Weather Company
Dance and music go hand in hand, but too rarely do we get to experience them in real-time conversation. In an effort to bridge gaps and explore artistic overlaps, mignolo dance and Cold Weather Company are teaming up to present an open mic pairing live music with live dance.