What's New?

Chooosing to be an artist is an ongoing act of faith and revolt. An assurance of the unseen is required in order to persist day after day, year after year - trusting that all we need and hope for will materialize in time. And only revolutionaries find the courage to press against the currents of complacency and mediocrity that offer to pay the bills and provide health insurance (though I need and appreciate both). No part of it is easy, and yet, I continue to believe there is inherent value in the creative process and the work that results.

Though the past year was filled with constant reminders of the struggle, we managed to experience and celebrate many successes. In the Spring, Scapegoat Garden celebrated its fifth birthday in the form of Present Company Included, our concert featuring witty, visually keen, eclectic, thought-provoking new works, new incarnations of existing works, and an interactive piece which expressed the company's essence in ways we hadn't realized when we conceived it. It was a fun and fulfilling experience to share our mission, aesthetic, and broad range of material with those who celebrated with us.

During the summer, I traveled to Cape Verde with CREC's CulturArte, a youth arts program in which I served as an artist instructor. Hanna spent time in her native Finland and Tony traveled back to Canada to teach and perform. Returning to a full performance schedule, the fall proved to be a busy time for Hanna, Sarah and me. We found new audiences and I enjoyed a collaboration with the gifted vocalist, Sarah Hersh. It proved to be a fruitful time.

Now, as we embark on a new year, Scapegoat Garden is preparing for new adventures. I am currently in the planning stages of a collaboration with Mano Preto, Artistic Director of Cape Verde's acclaimed Raiz di Polon. Mano's fusion of contemporary dance with native forms will provide a wonderful compliment to Scapegoat Garden's mission and process. I look forward to engaging in a creative process which explores the intersection of our visions, passions, and experiences - expanding both our artistic potential. In the meantime, we ask for your continued support and invite you to stay tuned for Scapegoat Garden events as the year progresses. And please continue to make contact, via email as I believe making connections within our community are always vital.

Until we next meet face to face . . .

~Deborah Goffe

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Visit our calendar page for a complete listing of performances.

Check out our site on MySpace www.myspace.com/scapegoatgarden

. . . our blog http://blog.myspace.com/scapegoatgarden

and our book featuring the photography of Jennifer Cormier. . .

Studies in Empathy

by Scapegoat Garden

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