Dance Art Group / Movement Arts Research (DAG/MAR)
DAG presents a series of weekly classes at Velocity Dance Center. DAG/MAR features research into improvisation, performance, creative process and composition, contact improvisation, somatic education, New Dance techniques, and other dance realms with a different local teacher/topic each month.
Velocity Dance Center, Studio 3
915 E Pine St, 3rd floor
Thursdays, 6:30-8:30pm
More information:
$15/class; series discounts.
All classes are drop-in; no pre-registration necessary.
February 4-25: LILA HURWITZ / FELDENKRAIS & FRIENDS
The Feldenkrais Method is a subtle and powerful system of neuromuscular re-education that evokes changes in muscular tone, flexibility, coordination, attention, and the comfort and efficiency of movement. We'll explore some classic Feldenkrais lessons, do some anatomy review to remind ourselves of the brilliant ways our bodies are designed to move, and delve into issues common to
dancers. And we'll play with integrating those awarenesses while dabbling in an array of fabulous improvisational and perceptual practices including Authentic Movement, Contemplative Dance Practice, and the Tuning Score.
Lila is a Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner who has been teaching since 1987, including one of Seattle's longest-running weekly Feldenkrais classes since 1995. She learned Contemplative Dance Practice from creator Barbara Dilley while on an ACDFA scholarship at Naropa University in 1987. She likes to think she introduced Portland, OR, to Authentic Movement in the late 1980s, and learned from and has performed the Tuning Score with Karen Nelson and originator Lisa Nelson. She's also performed with Stephanie Skura, Bebe Miller, Ann Carlson, Lucia Neare, Crispin Spaeth, Nina Martin, Mary Oslund, Linda K. Johnson and many others.
March 4-April 1: VANESSA DEWOLF / INK & BONE
This workshop will explore both the sourcing of intuitive and playful movement in conjunction with writing activities. We will work with "scores" or "recipes" of improvisation that cultivate both writing and moving. We will be tapping into the poetic articulation of movements in the body. Come prepared for exploration with your body your imagination and your inner realms. Bring a notebook or paper and a pen or pencil. Bring some extra layers as we may go quickly from writing to moving and moving into writing and you'll want to stay warm.
Vanessa has been dedicated to the intersections of language and the body for nearly two decades, creating interdisciplinary and poetic improvisations and performances throughout Seattle. She is inspired by dialog and feedback processes with other artists, particularly discussion of practice, creative process and aesthetics. She has two Capitol Hill studios that give artists the opportunity to develop their works-in-progress in dialog. She is thrilled to be the co-curator of PROJECT: Space Available, a yearlong series of installation-performance-art residencies with nine artists from as far away as Sweden and as close as Capitol Hill. Visit www.projectspaceavailable.com to find out the evolution of this new project. Email Vanessa at plastiqarts @ gmail.com.
April 8-29: NALA WALLA / IMPROVISATION AS SOCIAL TECHNOLOGY
This class develops our improvisation skills as technologies for eco-social change. We begin at the somatic/sensorial level, progressively building awareness of the ensemble, and the world outside the studio. Using a multidisciplinary approach that is both playful and meditative (think Action Theater, Viewpoints, somatics), we will explore repatterning of our personal movement as well as our larger group and social "movements."
Nala Walla, MSc is a transdisciplinary artist, teacher and performer known for her integrative work in arts and ecology. From her off-grid, permaculture homestead, Nala facilitates the Bcollective, an umbrella organization which seeks to distribute bodybased art tools for commonsense use in creation of healthy, sustainable community. View events, videos, essays, photos and more at
www.bcollective.org.