Big Moves Past Events

Date	Event/Class	Comments/Links
December 9th and 17th	The Big Chill, Spontaneous Celebrations, Jamaica Plain, MA	It's a brand-new holiday dance revue with some of the BIGGEST performers in Boston. Dove ads be damned: The Big Chill performers are real women with REALLY real curves who aren't afraid to put it all out there in pursuit of Fine Art and Fabulousness. Performers include: The Phat Fly Girls-East Coast, former Fly Girl Latonya Hicks, spoken word by Jaclyn Friedman, the Haiku King (Greg Sensing), Big Moves' new company Our new musical theater company, Filling the Stage and our Amazonian emcee Alicia Greene.
November 26th	Phat Fly Girls-West Coast performed at MENSA's Brilliance by the Bay
November 12th	Marina Wolf Ahmad, Big Moves founder, performed at Supergalore! A Big Fat Woo-Woo Fundraiser for Heather MacAllister Grand Space, Brooklyn, NY
November 12th	Introduction to Hip Hop, New Dance Group Arts Center, New York City, NY
November 11th	Introduction to Burlesque, New Dance Group Arts Center, New York City, NY
October 14th-15th	Bodies in Motion V: Five Year's Running, CounterPULSE, San Francisco, CA	The only dance concert series in the world to showcase plus-sized dancers returned for its triumphant fifth season, with new works by Chris Black and Ann Woodhead set on Mass Movement, Big Moves' modern dance company, and Alexandra Beller, formerly of Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane, appears in her West Coast solo debut, with the world premiere of a set of politically charged solos. Reviews of the show are here and here.
September 30th-October 1st	Autumn Harvest Choreographer's Showcase, Dance Mission Theater, San Francisco, CA	Mass Movement performed excerpts of Chris Black's "...the sum of its parts" at this choreographer's showcase.
August 25	Introduction to Hip Hop (Boston) Boston Dance Company studios Cambridge, MA
August 19-20	Phat Fly Girls-West Coast performed at Hot Summer Nights with Big Burlesque's Fat-Bottom Revue, Theater Rhinoceros, San Francisco, CA	The Phat Fly Girls-West Coast performed along other special guest artists including: Rev. Lea Brown on erotica in unexpected places (yes, she's a real minister), Raks-Al Tasneem's beautiful-bodied belly dance, The gift of song from Harlem Shake Burlesque's Alotta Boutte (harlemshakeburlesque.com), rRaucous erotica read by Rudan Raunchee
August 13	Phat Fly Girls-West Coast performed at NAAFA Convention Off-Site actvism event: Fat Fitness Fest, Foster City, CA
August 11	Phat Fly Girls-West Coast performed at National NAAFA Convention Fashion Show, San Mateo, CA
July 24	Phat Fly Girls-East Coast performed at: Big Burlesque's Fat-Bottom Revue, Milky Way Lounge and Lanes, Jamaica Plain, MA	With special guests: The Femmetastic Fatales, Black Cat Burlesque and La Gata Negra League of Masked Lady Wrestlers; Systyr Act; Phat Fly Girls--East Coast; Rainbow Frite; and MC Heywood Wakefield , plus! dancing after with DJ d'hana
July 22	Phat Fly Girls-East Coast performed at: Big Burlesque's Fat-Bottom Revue, The Elevens Northampton, MA	With special guests: The Femmetastic Fatales, Systyr Act; Phat Fly Girls--East Coast; Rainbow Frite; and MC Heywood Wakefield
July 17th	The Phat Fly Girls-East Coast appeared at: Big Burlesque's Fat-Bottom Revue, The Knitting Factory, New York, NY
July 17th	Big Moves and the Phat Fly Girls-West Coast appeared at: FAACTION, The Humanist Hall , Oakland,CA	Big Moves presented the workshop "LOOKING BEYOND THE LINE: APPRECIATING THE LARGER DANCER" and the Phat Fly Girls-West Coast performed at this performance showcase and community organizing event produced by The Truss Project and Sarah-Luella Baker. Other participants included: The Oxygen Collective, California Prison Focus The Elephant Factory, Parker Leventer, ODC Jellies Kids Company, Jim Maughn, Eat Cake Productions, AXIS Dance Company, Corey Weinstein, Sarah-Luella Baker, Rachel Gibbs, Temescal Arts Center/Dance Elixir, Arizmendi Cooperative Bakery, Christine Garcia, A Living Library, and counterPULSE.
July 15th	Phat Fly Girls-East Coast performed at: NoLose Conference, Newark, NJ	See NoLose for more information.
June 30th	Phat Fly Girls-West Coast performed at Rosin Coven Dance Revue Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA	The Phat Fly Girls perfomed original choreogrpahy to the music of Rosin Coven in this exciting dance revue, along with The Hot Pink Feathers, Liminal, and the Vau de Vire Society.
June 5th	Phat Fly Girls-East Coast perfomed at: Benefit for Boston Dyke March
May 15th	Aerial Dance Workshop, Motivity Studio, Berkeley, CA	Big Burlesque and Big Moves co-sponsored this workshop with aerial dance legend Terry Sendgraff.
April 30th-May 1st	"The Shop" Hip-Hop Showcase Presented by Culture Shock, Holy Names High School Theater, Oakland, CA	Phat Fly Girls Matilda St. John and Kirk P. Willet performed in this dance showcase.
April 29th-30th	raw & uncut, Jon Sims Center for the Arts, San Francisco, CA	Big Moves' Mass Movement performed Tara Brandel's "Be Longings" in this modern dance showcase.
April 22nd-23rd	Big Time, Julie Ince Thompson Theater at the Dance Complex, Cambridge, MA	spiritual modern dance by Kelley Donovan, jaw-dropping belly dance, world premiere of contemporary work by ReaLdance, spoken word to leave you speechless by Jaclyn Friedman, with the East Coast debuts of The Phat Fly Girls (“keeping the hips in hip hop”), Ms. Deeds ("I'm not an hourglass, honey, I'm a shot glass") and our own Amazonian emcee, Alicia Greene. PLUS an amazing full-figured fashion revue. We feel great in the "fashion don'ts": Tight. Tailored. Tucked-in. Bright. Brief. Brazen. Bikini? You won't know unless you show!s.
February 18th-19th	Bodies in Motion IV: Sight Unseen,Temescal Arts Center, Oakland, CA	Big Moves' Mass Movement premeired Tara Brandel's "Be Longings", a new site-specific piece. Dandelion Dancetheater and ...And Still Dancing also performed.
February 5th	Big Moves 4th annual chocolate tasting fundraiser: A Taste for Dance, First Unitarian Church, Oakland, CA	Performances by the Phat Fly Girls, Mass Movement, ...And Still Dancing, Reva Lucian of Big Burlesque, Jessica Judd, Marina Wolf, Michael Grace and a lingerie fashion show. This was Big Moves' most successful fundraiser yet, bringing in $1,500.

2004

Date	Event/Class	Comments/Links
November 11th	Introduction to Hip Hop,The Dance Complex , Cambridge, MA
August 19th	Introduction to Hip Hop,The Dance Complex , Cambridge, MA
June 30th-July 28th	Introductory Ballet Technique, Dancspace, Oakland, CA	Big Moves instructor Katrin Auch taught this month-long ballet series.
April 24th	Eat Something Already! Spaghetti Feed and Performance Showcase, CELLspace, San Francisco, CA
March 28th	Fat Lip Reader's Theater Reunion Show, CELLspace, San Francisco, CA	Fat Lip Reader's Theater reunited after a seven-year hiatus to perform at this successful Big Moves fundraiser. Big Moves' dance companies Mass Movement and The Phat Fly Girls also opened the show, along with solo performances by Big Moves dancers Matilda St. John and Katrin Auch.
March 14th	Walking and Standing with Style, Shotwell Studios, San Francisco, CA	Big Moves national director Marina Wolf taught this introductory broadway jazz class.
March 2nd-30th	Introductory Ballet Technique, East Bay Dance Center, Oakland, CA	Big Moves instructor Katrin Auch taught this month-long ballet series.
February 6th-27th	Beginning Hip Hop, Danspace, Oakland, CA
February 8th	Big Moves 3rd annual chocolate tasting fundraiser: A Taste for Dance, First Unitarian Church, Oakland, CA
February 1st	Mass Movement performs at Dance IS: Social Change, Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, Berkeley CA	Mass Movement, Big Moves' modern ensemble, performed excerpts from "Clutch" at the first annual Dance Is festival.

Date	Event/Class	Comments/Links
October 3rd and 4th	Bodies in Motion 2003: Freedom to Move, ODC Theater, San Francisco, CA	Bodies in Motion returned for a triumphant third season, with the Big Moves modern ensemble performing works by Bay Area choreographers Eric Kupers and Lisa Townsend. FatChanceBellyDance also performed and Lawrence Goldhuber (formerly of Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company) makes his Bay Area solo debut as headliner of this size-diverse dance concert. For press releases and press photos click here.
September 14th	Introduction to Hip Hop, New Dance Group Arts Center, New York City, NY
September 10th	Bodies in Motion: size-diverse dance in action Video Screening and Discussion, Center for New Words, Cambridge, MA	Video was shown of "They'll Eat the Fat Ones First," a piece from the 2002 Bodies in Motion San Francisco show, plus footage from size-diverse performance works of Gabrie'l J. Atchison Productions. Video screening was followed by discussion with dance lovers, fat activists, feminists, and others about creating a world in which performers are appreciated for the scope of their talent, not the size of their leotards.
September 6th	Re-Visioning the Body in Dance: A benefit for Dandelion Dancetheater's "Undressed" Project, Berkeley Moving Arts, Berkeley, CA	Big Moves participated in this fundraiser which featured performances by Dandelion Dancetheater, Della Davidson/SIDESHOW Physical Theater (performing excerpts of the upcoming work, "The Desire to Return to the Safety of Day"), and Big Moves Modern Ensemble (performing excerpts of a newly commissioned work by Eric Kupers) and more. A panel discussion followed the performances exploring issues around the body and body image in modern dance facilitated by dance artist Ali Woolwich; with Della Davidson, Kimiko Guthrie, Frank Shawl, Jessica Judd and others.
August 15th-16th	Fat Fest 2003, Theatre Rhino , San Francisco	The Phat Fly Girls performed at this evening of fat entertainment. For photos of their performance click here.
August 5th-28th	Introductory Ballet Technique, Danspace, Oakland, CA	Big Moves instructor Katrin Auch taught this month-long ballet series.
August 3rd	Leaps and Turns, Danspace, Oakland, CA	Big Moves jazz dance instructor, Jessica Judd, taught this turns and leaps clinic.
July 26th	Phat Fly Girl Audtions, Dance Mission, San Francisco
July 13th	Introduction to Hip Hop,The Dance Complex , Cambridge, MA
July 12-13th	The Ideal Figure: performance and discussion, Cantor Center for Visual Arts, Stanford Univeristy	As part of the ongoing "Ideal Figure" exhibit, the Big Moves modern ensemble peformed Joe Landini's "They'll Eat the Fat Ones First". A facilitated discussion with the dancers and audience members followed the performance.
July 6th	Introduction to Hip Hop, New Dance Group Arts Center, New York City, NY	This was Big Moves' first appearance on the East Coast. Read about it here
July 5th	Twisted Tea Dance, El Rio, San Francisco	Entertainment included performances by Queen Justine and Jezebel Juggs of the Original Fat-Bottom Revue, Big Moves own Phat Fly Girls, singer/performer Kristi Martel, DJ dancing with DJ Beat Boy, and emcee Carolyn King (from the last Fat-Bottom Revue). This was a fundraiser for Bodies in Motion 2003.
June 22	Big Moves volunteer appreciation picnic, Tilden Park, Berkeley
May 31	Big Moves teaches dance at the San Francico Bay Area Girl Scouts Golden Gate Bridging event, Fort Scott, San Francisco	Big Moves brought samba, hip hop, and step dance classes to Girl Scouts from all over the West Coast.
May 29-June 19	Dancing Off the Groud: A Four week Introduction to Aerial Dance with Jo Kreiter of Flyaway Productions, Zaccho Dance Theatre, San Francisco	This four week series introduced students to the basics of apparatus-based dance.
May 19	Introduction to Hip Hop, Bancroft Middle School, San Leandro	Phat Fly Girl artistic director, Marina Wolf, brought hip hop intruction to youth at this after-school event. The Phat Fly Girls performed for the students.
May 18	Big Moves' Fouth Annual Day of Dance, Berkeley Moving Arts, Berkeley	At this day-long dance event, students took classes in belly dance, modern, jazz and hip hop. View photos of this event here.
May 17	Re-Visioning the Body in Dance: A benefit for Dandelion Dancetheater's "Undressed" Project, Berkeley Moving Arts, Berkeley	Big Moves participated in this evening of provocative dance performance, video, live music, and a panel discussion led by dance journalist Sima Belmar, investigating body image in the dance world. Participants included Dandelion Dancetheater, Lori B, John Killacky, Della Davidson, Navarette X Kajiyama Dance Theater, Big Moves, and AXIS Dance Company.
May 17	Modern Dance Workshop with Jo Kreiter of Flyaway Productions, Berkeley Moving Arts, Berkeley
May 4	Project emBody Spring Showcase, Black Box,Oakland	The Phat Fly Girls performed at this showcase along with the Body Positive's Intern Cassandra Hazen, Being Beautiful Performers and Spring Youth Workshops participants, Oakland Slam Poets, Citi-Center Dancers of Alice Arts, and Body-Esteem educators.
April 29	Appreciating the Larger Dancer: Panel Discussion, Footloose Studio, San Francisco	Big Moves organized, hosted, and participated in this panel as part of our participation in Bay Area Celebrates National Dance Week. On the panel this year were dancer/choreographer Eric Kupers, photographer Laurie Toby Edison, and dancer/choreographer Katrin Auch
April 27	Modern Dance Workshop with Lisa Townsend, Berkeley Moving Arts, Berkeley
April 5	*The Original Fat Bottom Revue: Cabaret, somArts* , San Francisco	Big Moves and Big Burlesque brought the biggest Fat-Bottom Revue yet to San Francisco with this elaborate cabaret-style show. In addition to all new burlesque performances by Fat-Bottom Revue members Ms. DeMeanor, Ms. Bea Haven, Jezebel Juggs, Queen Justine, Mia More, and Mochachica Granda, guest artists Sukie Divine and Silkie Siciliana showed us their burlesque style. Performances by The Bod Squad, Big Moves' Phat Fly Girls, and fat rockers Creamy Goodness rounded out this evening of incredible fat-positive entertainment.
March 1	*The Original Fat Bottom Revue: Mardi Gras Party, Luna Sea*, San Francisco	Big Burlesque and Big Moves brought another all new Fat-Bottom Revue for Mardi Gras. Ms. DeMeanor, Ms. Bea Haven, Jezebel Juggs, Rudan Rauchee, and Queen Justine all returned to San Francisco for this show with all new performances. The Phat Fly Girls added their hip hop stylings to the evening. This show sold-out!
February 23	Modern Dance Workshop with Eric Kupers of Dandelion Dance Theater, Berkeley Moving Arts, Berkeley
February 16	Big Moves' Second Annual A Taste For Dance: chocolate tasting , Ashkenaz Music and Dance Community Center, Berkeley	In it's second year, this fundraiser for Bodies in Motion raised nearly $1,000 and attracted over 75 attendees. Fine chocolate was supplied by bay area chocolatiers Spun Sugar, Godiva, See's, Scharffen Berger, and Rocy Mountain Chocolate Factory and Peet's Coffee and Tea provided the coffee. Audience members were treated to performances by San Francisco's Fat Chance Belly Dance, Big Moves' own Phat Fly Girls, Big Moves jazz dance instructor, Jessica Judd, Big Burlesque's Heater MacAllister, and a fashion show by San Francisco's Go Figure.
January 26	Modern Dance Workshop with Katrin Auch, Berkeley Moving Arts, Berkeley
January 22	*Stage Make Up Workshop* with Robyn Thompson, ODC Theater, San Francisco	Robyn Thompson, makeup artist for *The Original Fat Bottom Revue*, showed participants tips, tricks, and basic techniques to play up their face for maximum stage impact. She covered everything from eyeshadow to cleavage shadow, base to body glitter.
January 6th to present	*Introduction to Hip Hop*, Tuesdays 6-7:30pm, Art Farm, Oakland

Date	Event/Class	Comments/Links
November 16	Aerial Dance Workshop with Jo Kreiter of Flyaway Productions, Zaccho Dance Theatre, San Francisco	This workshop introduced participants to aparatus-based dance and movement. Check out photos of the workshop here.
November 9	Phat Fly Girls perform at embody Bay Area Expressive Artist Showcase and Dance Party Summit, The Black Box, Oakland	This multi-media event showcased artists and groups who embody the message of size acceptance. The Phat Fly Girls performed along with many other performers from around the Bay Area. This event was sponsored by Project Embody and The Black Box.
October 17-18	*The Original Fat Bottom Revue*, Ashkenaz Music and Dance Community Center , Berkeley (17th) and Cafe Du Nord, San Francisco (18th)	Big Moves co-produced these shows with Big Burlesque, bringing burlesque to the East Bay and San Francisco. Ms. DeMeanor, Miss Bea Haven, Jezebel Juggs, and Queen Justine were among the burlesque performers, while the Phat Fly Girls added some hip hop stylings to the evening.
October 11	Phat Fly Girls perform at embody Body Esteem Community Summit, The Black Box, Oakland
October 6	Big Burlesque Workshop with Heather MacAllister (aka Ms. DeMeanor) , Dancer's Group Studios, San Francisco
September 27-29	*Marin 21st Century Dance and Music Collaboration 2002* , Marin Center Showcase Theater, San Rafael	Big Moves dancers performed Joe Landini's "They'll Eat The Fat Ones First" (originally commisioned for and performed at Bodies in Motion 2002) at this annual dance festival.
August 24	Phat Fly Girls perform at I'll Show you Mine, The Savoy, Santa Clara	Phat Fly Girls were the featured performers at this women's talent night.
July 28	Fundamentals of Hip Hop Workshop , Ladyfest Bay Area, San Francisco
July 12-present	*Introduction to Jazz Dance*, Fridays 7:30-9pm, Academy of American Ballet, Redwood City
July 2-31	Fundamentals of Hip Hop Class- North Bay , Tuesdays during July, Academy of Ballet California, Santa Rosa
July 11	Phat Fly Girls perform at In Full Swing Customer Appreciation Party , Oakland
June 15	Phat Fly Girls perform at Big Boogie Nights, Main St. Tavern, Martinez
June 8	*Ms. DeMeanor's Fat Bottom Revue*, 848 Community Space, San Francisco.	Big Moves co-produced this show with the larger-than-life Ms. DeMeanor. We had to turn people away at the door for this one! The Phat Fly Girls performed hip-hop at this show. The show was reviewed in the San Francisco Chronicle. Check out the review here!
June 8	Big Burlesque Workshop with Heather MacAllister (aka Ms. DeMeanor), 848 Community Space, San Francisco.
May 31-June 1	Trajectories, Dance Mission , San Francisco	Big Moves dancers performed Joe Landini's "They'll Eat The Fat Ones First" (originally commissioned for and performed at Bodies in Motion 2002) at this modern dance showcase.
May 25	Fundamentals of Hip Hop Workshop , NAAFA San Francisco/Bay Area conference, South San Francisco
May 19	Big Moves' Third Annual Day of Dance, Berkeley Moving Arts (Western Sky Studio), Berkeley	We offered classes in salsa, jazz, brazilian, and hip-hop at this day-long event.
May 7	Women's Work Series, Venue 9, San Francisco	Big Moves curated the first half of this show. The Phat Fly Girls performed hip-hop and the Big Moves' dancers performed Joe Landini's "They'll Eat The Fat Ones First". Raks Al Tasneem performed belly dance and Supa Thick performed salsa.
May 6	International No Diet Day, Justin Herman Plaza, San Francisco	The Phat Fly Girls performed hip-hop at this anti-diet celebration/demonstration. Some of us even made it on the front page of the San Francisco Chronicle and several local news channels.
April 30	Appreciating the Larger Dancer: A discussion/demo for dancers, choreographers, and viewers, Women's Building, San Francisco	Big Moves organized, hosted, and participated in this panel as part of our participation in Bay Area Celebrates National Dance Week .
April 20	Phat Fly Girls perform at Big Boogie Nights , Main St. Tavern, Martinez
April 12-13	Bodies in Motion 2002: Back and Bigger than Ever, ODC Theater, San Francisco	In its second year, Bodies in Motion was seen by over 250 people and sold out its second night. Canada's Big Dance headlined the show, while Fat Chance Belly Dance and dancers from Big Moves (dancing under the direction of Joe Landini) opened the show.
March 31	Latin Dance Party, Ashkenaz Music and Dance Community Center , Berkeley	Salsa dance lessons, DJ dance party, and performance by the Phat Fly Girls. Fundraiser for Bodies in Motion 2002.
February 24	Fundamentals of Hip Hop Workshop , San Deigo
February 23	Phat Fly Girls perform at Big Boogie Nights, Buster Daly's, San Diego
February 16	Phat Fly Girls perform at Big Boogie Nights, Main St. Tavern, Martinez
February 3	A Taste For Dance: chocolate and coffee tasting , Ashkenaz Music and Dance Community Center , Berkeley	Coffee and chocolate tasting from coffee roasters and chocolatiers around the bay area plus performances by the Phat Fly Girls and Raks Al Tasneem. Fundraiser for Bodies in Motion 2002.
January 6, 10, 18, and 20	Any Body Can Dance Video Parties, A'Roma Roasters in Santa Rosa (1/6); Mama Bears in Oakland (1/10); De Frank Community Center in San Jose (1/18); and Cafe Proust in San Francisco (1/20).	Video from Bodies in Motion 2001 was shown with group discussion and refreshments afterwards. Fundraiser for Bodies in Motion 2002.

Date	Event/Class	Comments/Links
November 17	Phat Fly Girls debut performance at Big Boogie Night s , Main St. Tavern, Martinez
November 15	Contact Improv class with AXIS Dance , AXIS Studios, Oakland
October 21	*Tap Dance Workshop* with Lisa Hubbard, San Francisco
August 23	Modern Dance Class with Lynda Raino of Canada's Big Dance,Berkeley Moving Arts (Western Sky Studio), Berkeley
August 11	Drum Jam and Dance Circle, Moonlight Farm, Kenwood
July 1	San Francisco L/G/B/T Dance Festival Body image panel participant , San Francisco L/G/B/T Dance Festival
June 23	Big Moves' Second Annual Day of Dance, Danspance, Oakland
June 26 - present	Fundamentals of Hip Hop, 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month, Dance Mission, San Francisco
May 26	Introduction to Funk workshop, NAAFA conference, South San Francisco
May 19	Modern Dance Class with Lynda Raino of Canada's Big Dance, Danspance, Oakland
May 18	Bodies in Motion 2001, Holy Names College, Oakland	In its debut year, Bodies in Motion was seen by 145 people. Canada's Big Dance headlined the show, while Fat Chance Belly Dance and the Kendra Kimbrough Dance Ensemble opened the show.

Big Moves Past Events

2002

2001

2000