Virtual Dance
Posted by Debra Kramer 3-27-2010
All those dance teachers who want to keep up with the latest moves no longer have to run off to take class in New York City. Dance classes are offered online. You can order hip hop, jazz, lyrical and/or tap for $4.99 a class. The class comes to you via e-mail with unlimited access for 3 days. For years I would take the train up to New York City, stay in a hotel and push as many classes as my body would allow into one day. I had to write my notes down and remember what they meant. This task is not too easy after the fourth class of the day. I started bringing a video camera and would video whatever I remembered of the conversations. Teachers were possessive of the dance combinations, so I had to secretly video myself back at the hotel.
o Virtual dance is cost and time effective, but it cannot replace what dancers give to each other. Dancers teach each other to dance, not only through imitation, but through physical connection. A 90 degree classroom full of 50 sweating dancers in New York City has an energy that cannot be captured in the virtual world. More importantly, the friends I made in the dressing room while trying to recall the combinations are still my friends over 20 years later! After all is said, I am happy to add the very affordable virtual world to my repertoire. Dance teachers - check it out!
www.virtualdanceclass.com
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Virtual Choir
Many of you may remember the YouTube Symphony Orchestra. In 2009, YouTube brought together musicians from around the world to create the first online collaborative orchestra. Auditioning solely online, nearly 100 musicians were assembled at Carnegie Hall to debut their performance. Participants were chosen from over 3,000 submissions from 70 different countries.
Two days ago, famous choral composer Eric Whitacre released a video presenting his Virtual Choir. Similar to the YouTube Orchestra, applicants submitted video performances to become a part of the Virtual Choir. Although they never assembled in person, "Lux Aurumque" is performed through digital media by compiling 185 voices; each from individual recordings. Each performer appears to be on risers and Whitacre is conducting the piece; however each choir member is "performing" from their own individual settings.
It is an incredible YouTube clip to watch. It is amazing to consider how video footage has in some way become a part of the performing arts industry; how traditionally composed music has become a part of our digital and technological times!
Check it out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7o7BrlbaDs
Two days ago, famous choral composer Eric Whitacre released a video presenting his Virtual Choir. Similar to the YouTube Orchestra, applicants submitted video performances to become a part of the Virtual Choir. Although they never assembled in person, "Lux Aurumque" is performed through digital media by compiling 185 voices; each from individual recordings. Each performer appears to be on risers and Whitacre is conducting the piece; however each choir member is "performing" from their own individual settings.
It is an incredible YouTube clip to watch. It is amazing to consider how video footage has in some way become a part of the performing arts industry; how traditionally composed music has become a part of our digital and technological times!
Check it out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7o7BrlbaDs
Using Constant Contact and It's limitations
I've been using Constant Contact over the past few years, however I have to wonder what else is out there. It is a great software, but the limitations are great. I spent twenty minutes the other week trying to move a picture to exact location I wanted it in, yet because of these limitations I finally gave up and accepted defeat.
The question comes to mind of is it better to use software, such as Publisher (a simple to use word product), or Adobe products to create e-newsletters or e-blasts versus all-inclusive sites such as Constant Contact.
The question becomes two-fold and depends on what your main goal is.
1. Do you want to send this to a huge list of people with one click?
2. Do you want the images and content to be top notch?
3. Do you want to "pay" for the service?
4. Is tracking important?
The questions are endless, but what it comes down to is the simple fact that each arts group is unique and what each can do/can't do varies. I personally like being able to track each e-blast and the small inconvenience of limited design is worth the ease of sending/proofing etc.
On that note - there is an abundance of things to search. I did a simple google search and found the following:
E-Newsletter Pro: www.enewsletterpro.com/
My Newsletter Builder: http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/
I-Contact: http://www.icontact.com/
Vista Print: - Yes Even Vista Print has taken a bite out of "e-marketing"
http://www.vistaprint.com/email-marketing.aspx?mk=Email+Newsletter+Program&ad=broad&GP=3%2f23%2f2010+11%3a17%3a16+AM
This just goes to show there is a lot out there to choose from, as Arts Managers it up to us to find the right software for our organization!
Lesley Irminger
The question comes to mind of is it better to use software, such as Publisher (a simple to use word product), or Adobe products to create e-newsletters or e-blasts versus all-inclusive sites such as Constant Contact.
The question becomes two-fold and depends on what your main goal is.
1. Do you want to send this to a huge list of people with one click?
2. Do you want the images and content to be top notch?
3. Do you want to "pay" for the service?
4. Is tracking important?
The questions are endless, but what it comes down to is the simple fact that each arts group is unique and what each can do/can't do varies. I personally like being able to track each e-blast and the small inconvenience of limited design is worth the ease of sending/proofing etc.
On that note - there is an abundance of things to search. I did a simple google search and found the following:
E-Newsletter Pro: www.enewsletterpro.com/
My Newsletter Builder: http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/
I-Contact: http://www.icontact.com/
Vista Print: - Yes Even Vista Print has taken a bite out of "e-marketing"
http://www.vistaprint.com/email-marketing.aspx?mk=Email+Newsletter+Program&ad=broad&GP=3%2f23%2f2010+11%3a17%3a16+AM
This just goes to show there is a lot out there to choose from, as Arts Managers it up to us to find the right software for our organization!
Lesley Irminger
Making Websites Accessible
As Arts Managers we strive to get as many people to see our productions and visit our exhibitions as possible, but have you ever stopped to think about those audience members with disabilities? People with low vision or who are blind often use screen readers to assist them with web content but is your website accessible to these types of software? Below are ten tips to help people with disabilities have better access to your website and e-blasts. For more information look into Section 508, while the law does not apply to non-profit organizations it is a great standard of best practices.
1.) Caption all of your images. While not required on most webhosting programs it is best to caption your image as well as credit the photographer and people featured.
2.) Caption your links, yes you can make a little scroll over bar that will describe for a person with a screen reader where the link will take them, and always underline links on your page.
Example instead of www.bing.com which is what the alt tag will automatically set, change it to: Link to Bing search engine.
3.) Don't use flash to convey text. Screen readers are unable to read text in flash design, ideally it's best not to use any flash on your site.
4.) Use captioning on any video content you have created or provide a transcript.
5.) Provide PDF and Word Document downloads, not all pdfs can be read by a screen reader.
6.) Check the contrast of colors on your site between backgrounds and text black on white is best.
7.) Avoid flickering on screen or flash and video applications that cause the screen to flash.
8.) Provide a link to a text only copy of your website.
9.) Although it is possible to zoom in on small text use font that is size 12 or larger and san serrif.
10.) When possible avoid the use of tables, or ensure lables are titled with row and column information in the alt tags.
1.) Caption all of your images. While not required on most webhosting programs it is best to caption your image as well as credit the photographer and people featured.
2.) Caption your links, yes you can make a little scroll over bar that will describe for a person with a screen reader where the link will take them, and always underline links on your page.
Example instead of www.bing.com which is what the alt tag will automatically set, change it to: Link to Bing search engine.
3.) Don't use flash to convey text. Screen readers are unable to read text in flash design, ideally it's best not to use any flash on your site.
4.) Use captioning on any video content you have created or provide a transcript.
5.) Provide PDF and Word Document downloads, not all pdfs can be read by a screen reader.
6.) Check the contrast of colors on your site between backgrounds and text black on white is best.
7.) Avoid flickering on screen or flash and video applications that cause the screen to flash.
8.) Provide a link to a text only copy of your website.
9.) Although it is possible to zoom in on small text use font that is size 12 or larger and san serrif.
10.) When possible avoid the use of tables, or ensure lables are titled with row and column information in the alt tags.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Van Gogh Blogging
Located in Amsterdam, the Van Gogh Museum's mission is to present Van Gogh's artwork to a wide an audience for personal enrichment. While the museum currently displays many of his works and does extensive research on the artist, it has started a blog detailing the restoration of Van Gogh's painting "The Bedroom." The blog's authors include the head of conservation, a curator, and the museum's director. According to an article in The Independent, it is the first time that the public will be able to follow the process through online videos, pictures, and documentary. Additionally, the blog also gives some history on the painting and an explanation of the work leading up to restoration. This is a neat project to follow, and everyone should check out the blog.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Hidden Features in Smartphone Apps
I work at Tudor Place Historic House and Garden in DC and we are looking into developing an app for our self-guided garden tour. Currently, for $3, you get a site map with some descriptions of various sections of the garden, are told to "enjoy" and you are on your own. We think we can do better.
We have been talking to a Canadian company called Tristan about developing the app. One of the interesting parts of their proposal for me as the Communications Director was the marketing tools within the app. Tristan's app software allows us at Tudor Place to access a back-end through the Internet and update it ourselves with upcoming events, news etc. This would allow us to keep a direct connection to anyone who downloaded the app as long as it was on their phone. As anyone with an iPhone knows, when there is an update to an app there is a little notification on the apps icon. From a marketing point of view this kind of audience connection is gold! Pricing was pretty on target with the last article posted on this blog about apps for non-profits. The only thing we didn't consider was hosting fees, which are much more expensive than website hosting fees...that is a hurdle we'll have to jump later.
I wonder if I can buy an iPhone and call it a work expense....
Recent article in the NY Times about museums using apps.
We have been talking to a Canadian company called Tristan about developing the app. One of the interesting parts of their proposal for me as the Communications Director was the marketing tools within the app. Tristan's app software allows us at Tudor Place to access a back-end through the Internet and update it ourselves with upcoming events, news etc. This would allow us to keep a direct connection to anyone who downloaded the app as long as it was on their phone. As anyone with an iPhone knows, when there is an update to an app there is a little notification on the apps icon. From a marketing point of view this kind of audience connection is gold! Pricing was pretty on target with the last article posted on this blog about apps for non-profits. The only thing we didn't consider was hosting fees, which are much more expensive than website hosting fees...that is a hurdle we'll have to jump later.
I wonder if I can buy an iPhone and call it a work expense....
Recent article in the NY Times about museums using apps.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Updating Opera
This article talks about how the Florida Grand Opera used digital media to help meet their season's budget. The Opera cut its budget and number of productions in the 2009-2010 season, therefore needing innovative ways to keep production costs low while still producing high-quality performances. Their design team worked with Lava Studio to create a 22 x 40 foot screen to use in place of a built set. By using this technology, they were able to work within their cut budget and also achieve a more modern backdrop by projecting scenery in addition to various accent images on the screen. This has subsequently helped them attract younger audiences and give a tasteful update to an older art form.
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/article/778620--digital-comes-to-florida-grand-opera-s-rescue
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/article/778620--digital-comes-to-florida-grand-opera-s-rescue
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