CURRENT MISSION

Not sure.

ABOUT ME
I moved to Detroit 8 years ago hitchhiking. I intended only on visiting because I'd heard of urban farming and a lot of community organizing centering in the city - Social Forum is in June- but I stayed because people I met were very friendly and there are many artists there. I I enjoy having community to dance with (we're in a breaking/house dance crew) and hear amazing Djs, but at the same time having the country feel that comes with so much green space and still not a ton of people living in Detroit. It's very spread out but there are lots of empty lots and abandoned structures still. I admire the resilience of the locals who help each other survive because the winters are harsh and the city services are pretty poor.
I used to live in Tucson, AZ before Detroit and one of the most profound experiences I've had were working with No Mas Muertes in the Sonoran desert, meeting people who were attempting to cross the border to reunite with family or to find safety from cartels. Our country's policy towards immigrants is racist and evil.

I do physical theater as well, mostly solo work, but I am always interested in collaboration, especially with partner acrobatics! =)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I will be traveling in Europe this summer for three weeks and I don't have the budget to stay in hostels the whole time. Plus I would like to meet residents of the places I'm going so that I can have a better idea of ways to spend my time than solely meeting other tourists.
And it goes without saying but I'll say it- my couch is open to you! Once I'm settled in Chicago in the fall. And of course especially to those folks I meet.

Interests

breaking (dance, not things, usually). capoeira, acrobatics, partner acrobatics. I like writing and sharing poetry but it's not as common; I play piano and banjo and I would like to jam more on music with others.

• traveling
• music
• rock climbing
• dance
• busking
• clowning
• parades

Music, Movies, and Books

It's actually really hard to answer this because my favorite thing I've read is usually the last book I've read, and music spans a lot of genres that fit different environments and context. ha time for me to go look at my ipod.
At dance practice we listen to a lot of playlists of breaks and funk, so I listen to that a lot and enjoy it. When I'm on my own I listen to more melancholy music probably: folk, some classical, and some house. I don't even remember most of the names of the artists on my iPod. Boney M, Djs Moodymann, Theo Parrish, Neko Case, Supersci, Rocky Rivera, Elizabeth Cotten, Gin Wigmore, Blackeyed Peas, Timber Timbre, Matthew Dear, Philip Glass, Polo & Pan. There, I cheated, none of them were off the top of my head but they're definitely among my most listened to.

Books...
The Giver. The Stranger. Judith Malinas has a short poetry book I love. ... there are too many, I like most books but am drawing a blank.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

When I hitchhiked for the first time years ago, and later when I rode freight trains solo across a few states that felt very amazing. It was amazing to experience.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can share with you some dance steps I know, partner acro exercises, basic chords on guitar, banjo or keyboard.
I would love to learn drums, and get better at other languages. I would also love to get better at carpentry.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I am happy to help out with any yard work, cleaning, labor jobs you have to do. Or art projects too! Other than that, my humor and my love of washing dishes.

Countries I’ve Visited

Ecuador, Serbia, Spain

Countries I’ve Lived In

South Africa, United States