A diverse and varied dance crew, Collabor8 is always trying to reinvent itself. They will be taking the stage for RAW's 1st Birthday Party in Los Angeles on Friday, March 12th! Be sure to RSVP to see a great performance! 

How did you first come together as a crew?
We first started as a high school alumni dance team for Alhambra High school.

Tell us about your dance crew presently.
We are currently in our tenth season.  Our sets consists of various forms of dance such as jazz, hip hop, lyrical, modern and jazz funk.  We are not a mainstream dance company, which is why we stand out from many groups out there.

From where do you draw inspiration for your work?
Our inspirations is mainly drawn from the creative "outside-of-the-box thinking" mind of our director and founder.

What do you love most about what you do?
We love that we are not only dancers but also entertainers.

What are your thoughts on the rising popularity and emergence of dance crews everywhere?
It is not too difficult to create a dance group, but what is difficult is to keep it going. And not only that, but also staying emerged as many groups tend to wither away and are soon forgotten.  We are a non-mainstream group which sets us apart from many groups out there that blend in together due to the fact that many use the same style, music and garments. However, we support all dance groups and the dance community.

Are there any specific reoccurring themes or subjects that you explore and deal with most in your choreography?
We try to stay away from recurrence as much as possible.  This is what keeps our supporters and spectators waiting to see what we come up with next.

Any previous shows that you are most proud of?
We recently performed at "Carnival" Choreographer's Ball at the Key Club in Hollywood during the month of October, which was one of the bests shows, it being in the month of Halloween which only added to our themed set.

Why showcase at RAW?
We have heard from other artists that RAW is a good event to work with.

Janet Huey—a dancer, performing artist, and artistic director for RAW's very own MISS VINYL—has accomplished a lot so far and doesn't plan on stopping any time soon. See her perform live at the next RAW showcase in Santa Monica on Thursday, March 4th! 

When did you first start dancing? 
I started dancing at the young age of three. I started with tap and ballet. I can't even remember a time when I stopped performing. I was always creating dances with friends, singing to the latest and making my own music videos with an imaginary camera. I got into jazz, lyrical, hip hop a few years later. I was apart of a company that went to competitions and we traveled to Cancun, Meixco one year. It was a great group of girls, all of whom I would call my sisters. We spent day in and day out with each other. I started to get into pointe work and by the age of 17 I moved out of my home in Sacramento to Los Angeles and started school for Musical Theater training. I was in Los Angeles for school and was taking more dance classes on top of it. Once I graduated I created a world of opportunity for myself and haven't even thought about stopping yet.

From where do you draw inspiration for your work? 
The world inspires me to create. The people surrounding me make me think, and once my head starts going my vision begins. The hardest part is getting it all out on paper or vocally. I'm a kid at heart so everything amuses me, which makes for good, inspired ideas. There are reasons for everything that happens, and things consistently change because they need a more specific way of being presented.

What do you love most about what you do?
Oh man, the process. I can't get enough of the process of how things come together. It's really remarkable. I love the people that I meet along my journey. I love the people I work with. They always inspire be to be great. I love the crazy lifestyle and throwing everything up in the air to make a project happen or work. It's a joy-filled career choice and lifestyle and I wouldn't want it any other way.

Do you engage in, or draw inspiration from, any other forms of art?
Of course. All styles of art; music, photography, films, music videos, graphic design, fashion. All art inspires me to make other art. It's hard for me to even get in the car and turn on music without getting inspired. I would say inspiration is what drives my soul, and my passion is the through line of the journey.

How do you go about choreographing your sets?
I start with an idea and work through all of the possible options of music. I work out costumes, make up, hair ideas to flow with the set. The set is a story and it all ties together. Whether it's a metaphor within the piece or a straight forward theme, it's all one piece. I tend to choreograph for the bodies that are in front of me. I like working with different artists and I like making them look exquisite. What works for my body doesn't always work for theirs. 

I love working with the artists to create my set. It's not all one-sided; it takes opinions and different outlooks to create what is necessary, so everyone can be proud of the work put forth. There's nothing I hate worse then putting all of this energy in and then, not being able to be proud of it.

Are there any dancers/choreographers who strongly inform and influence your work?
I would love to say that I could take credit for all of my work. But, credit needs to be given to the "Greats" that trained me, influenced me to become who I have become as an artist. I would have to give a lot of credit to Byron Seddens. Day in and day out, I can't think of a day that I didn't think about him and how he taught me, or what he created for me growing up. It's remarkable to have been trained by him. Fosse is a huge inspiration to my life and has made me a huge impression on what I think or how I think. I can't actually say I've met him but I admire all of his work and what he created as an artist. There are so many talented dancers and choreographers that have influenced my work, the artists that I work with everyday add to my visions, and influence and inspire me everyday; it's almost impossible to just pick two. I could write a novel on my inspiration and influences in life.

Any previous shows that you are most proud of?
I would say I am proud of most all of my work. I have made mistakes in shows. I have made poor business decisions, but at the end of the day I wake up and hold my head high. I have been to so many auditions to get that dream show. I have had so many of my dreams come true already and the opportunities continue to grow with the experience and networking that I gain. I'm proud of my work. I am proud of every show I've done because I believe. I believe in the art that I am apart of. I would say that I am most proud of the dancers that perform my choreography and "live" the choreography. It's such an amazing rewarding feeling that you just can't produce by your self.

Favorite thing(s) to do outside of dancing?
Singing, acting, improv, writing, bikram yoga. I could never pick one. I would say that the balance of my life is what helps my artistry grow. My friends, my dancers, my family, the music I listen to. I don't have a favorite style of dance, there's no way I could think of a favorite thing to do outside dancing. All of these things keep me motivated and reminds me why I dance.

 Why showcase at RAW?
It's an amazing organization that puts these phenomenal events together. It's beautiful that it exists. It's almost like artists helping artists, my favorite thing in the world. People helping people. This business is so cut-throat and frustrating, that it's amazing to have some hope. Although I'm really not one to talk because I have so many projects going on, but it is nice to be able to focus on something that I can put some amazing energy into and hope for a beautiful night and some supportive people to be apart of the night.  

When this RAW performing artist  takes the stage, he really brings it. Both a comedian and magician, Justin Rivera talks to us about his eclectic career and what inspires his work. See him live at the next RAW Fullerton showcase on Thursday, February 18th! 

 

How did you first get your start?
I got a magic kit from the toy store for my birthday when I was six years old.

What are you inspired by?
I draw from music, movies, life, magic, and the bizzare.

What do you love most about what you do?
I love hearing laughs and applause from complete strangers.

Magic and comedy? How do the two intersect for you? 
I mock a lot of magic tricks and magicians. I'm very sarcastic and also perform silly, funny, and dirty magic tricks and visual gags. My comedy is also very situational and based on genuine audience reactions.

How do you prepare for your stage performances?
I come up with material by taking a funny idea, concept, joke, premise, or presentation and somehow express it through the form of a magic trick.

Any magicians out their who influence your work? 
The Amazing Johnathan is a comedian magician who strongly influenced me.

Any previous shows you are most proud of?
I'm proud to be featured on Comedy Central's The Gong Show with Dave Attell and also proud to get a standing ovation at the University of Florida.

Why showcase at RAW?
I want to showcase at RAW because it brings together the best, unknown, up and coming, rising talent from various art forms.

When not performing, how do you like to spend your time?
I love to eat; I'm a big foodie. If I am not eating, I love playing the piano. I've been playing since I was a kid too.

Any rising stars in the genre you suggest we look out for?
Definitely look out for comedians Ron Josol, Joey Guila, and Edwin San Juan.

 

Follow him on Myspace at: http://www.myspace.com/justin_rivera

Congratulations to Linden Wolbert! 
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Linden Wolbert won the 2009 RAW: Performing Artist of the Year at the 1st annual RAWards ceremony held at Cinespace in Hollywood, CA on December 12, 2009. 

The 2009 RAW: Performing Artist of the Year prize package includes:

1. FREE STAGE/VENUE  for your own show @ The Art Theatre in Long Beach       
   
   
2. $100 GRANT
   Compliments of RAW:natural born artists
   
   
3. HAND PAINTED STATUETTE
   Compliments of Color Me Mine and the Boys & Girls Club of Burbank
   
   
4. PRESS COVERAGE
   Compliments of Flavor Pill Online Magazine, Look Book LA, KCRW & RAW Press Team
   
   
5. CASA NOBLE TEQUILA SET
   
   
6. CAMEO PERFORMANCE in “It’s So LA” Upcoming Web Series