by Cathy Eilers, Joyce SoHo Program Manager

“Hey” from downtown! This is Cathy Eilers, Joyce SoHo’s Program Manager (finally!) joining in the blog fun and filling you in on all you need to know about Joyce SoHo today.

You may have noticed that Joyce SoHo looks a little different these days! We’re diggin’ it and we hope you do, too! Over the past year, we’ve been busy sprucing up the space and making it more comfortable and user-friendly in a number of ways. We’re still a super affordable and in-demand rehearsal and performance venue – now we’re just showing it off!

What You’ll Find Now
• New stereo equipment in the studios
• The performance space has a completely new look and features new (flexible!) risers and chairs (no more numb buns 15 minutes into a show!)*
• The second and third floor walls are white again!**
• Thirsty? One buck for one bottle of cool, refreshing water.
• New paint in the office and conference room areas – calm colors attempt to soothe our echoes!
• Our custodial/maintenance staff has doubled, keeping the building cleaner and running better than ever before.
• For a few more days, a cameo in PS 122’s Democracy in America!

Where You’ll See Soon
• We hope to provide each rehearsal studio with a comprehensive new playback system.
• By fall, we hope to have online rehearsal space booking – at the very least, you should be able to see what is available from the comfort of your home, internet café, car, sidewalk…or wherever else you’d like!
• We’re going GREEN! At least we’re trying and are praying to the funding gods and goddesses many times daily. We’re looking into grants to fund an energy-saving lighting system. We could consume 60% LESS energy by integrating new technologies into our current halogen-based lighting system. We’re gunning for LED (light emitting diodes) and are hopeful that the funding comes through for us to add these to our inventory.
• Wi-Fi anyone? Hopefully gone will be the days of finding that ever-changing perfect spot to steal off of someone else’s signal.
• Last, but not least, hip Joyce SoHo merchandise!

Keep us informed of your needs and desires – about the space that is. We’re here for you, the amazing NYC dance community. Can we do something better and badder? Tell us! If you have questions about our space, feel free to look here  or call us at (212) 431-9233.

Don’t forget! Our OffSpring Festival is going on NOW – check out this hot stars that have leapt out of major companies and are now trying out their own choreographic skillz. Tickets are going, going and in some cases gone! Gallim Dance kicked off the festival last week with sold out audiences, energy and gusto. We’ve got Davis Robertson/Helen Heineman and Dancers this weekend and then we sail into the sunset with John Selya, CorbinDances and GERALDCASELDANCE. Be here or be square. www.joyce.org

*The new seating system at Joyce SoHo was made possible with public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs with special thanks to the Manhattan Delegation of the New York City Council, Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, and Council Member Alan J. Gerson. Many thanks to these supporters for helping to give Joyce SoHo a much-needed facelift!

**Special thanks to the Goldman Sachs Community TeamWorks program and our great team of volunteers for their invaluable support.