Contact Improvisation
Contact Improvisation is an improvisational art-sport with technique focused on touch, weight-sharing, momentum, and an ethic of experimentation with both physical forces and relational dynamics. It’s also a container to research perceptual flexibility, state-shifting, intimacy, mutuality, community, and embodied poetics. While duets are often the most known or visible aspect of CI practice, we practice partnering with physical forces, several people at once, the entire group, imagery, and the space around us. Professional dancers train in the form to improve their partnering skills and generate new material. Amateurs find community, strength, softness, agility, expression, and body-mind-spirit growth and integration. While anyone can touch and improvise without taking a class, the techniques presented in this class will open the doors to more connected and athletic dances, give you basic fluency in a language of interaction shared by practitioners all over the world, and build the groundwork for a community of deep practice here in the Triangle.
FIFTY YEARS OF CI!
2022 marks the 50 year anniversary of the inception of Contact Improvisation! This Fall at LAC we are on a MISSION to generate access to this practice which can be so transformative for individuals and so effective at building community. We are focused on creating the opportunity for beginners, rusty people, shy people, experienced people, YOU, to feel at home in our CI events.
On Monday nights we are hosting a FREE drop-in beginner LAB from 6:30-7pm and jams from 7-9pm. On Thursday nights, those who want an in-depth introduction to the technique can participate in a multi-week curriculum to orient to the practice.
*** Note that we will not be jamming on Oct 10, Oct 31, and Nov 28***
Living Arts Collective 2023 Winter/Spring Contact Improvisation Programming
Living Arts Collective is inspired to hold space for the practice of Contact Improvisation – a dance form based on play with weight-sharing, touch, imagination, and the physics of our bodies on earth. We’ve found the practice to be incredibly effective at generating healing and fun connection and building community resilience.
This Winter/Spring we have offerings for dancers at all levels of the CI journey– from total newbies to those ready to fly. An outline of our programming for Jan-June 2023 is below. Details are on the LAC Calendar when you click on each event and on the Facebook page for each event. Registration is at the bottom of this page. Feel free to send us a message if you aren’t sure which offering would be right for you.
There are discount codes for registering for classes at least two weeks in advance, and for signing up for parallel events (for example, doing both classes during the Seasonal Retreat Days or doing both the Monday Master Class Series and Wednesday Spirit and Technique of CI Series). Events tend to fill up ~ register early ~ invite your friends!
JANUARY: JAMS AND WINTER SEASONAL CI RETREAT
Monday Jams: Beginner CI lab from 6:30-7:00 and Jam from 7-9, Jan 16th-30th.
At Living Arts Collective (Downtown Durham)
Facebook event link. 6:30-9:00pm ~ Free “lab” from 6:30-7:00 is a beginner-friendly warm-up and orientation to the jam. Open play from 7-9.
Saturday Jan 21st: Winter CI Retreat Day:
LAC Satellite Event at Shared Visions Retreat Center (North Durham)
Beginner-friendly CI technique class 10am-12:30pm
Facebook event link. This 2.5-hour workshop provides an immersive dive into the fundamental skills, concepts, and techniques of Contact Improvisation practice, providing the groundwork to safely continue learning the form in the context of jamming and ongoing classes. You’ll get some basic physical and emotional safety and techniques under your belt, and get a taste of the joy of the practice!
Underscore (ensemble CI practice) 1:30-5:30
Facebook event link. The Underscore is a long-form dance improvisation structure developed by Nancy Stark Smith including elements of solo, contact, and ensemble improvisation. There will be a “talk-through” of the score from 1:30-2:30 followed by the Underscore form 2:30-5:30. It tends to be a very satisfying collective experience. Best for those with some CI experience, which the morning class can give you!
FEBRUARY-APRIL: DEEP-DIVE IMPROVISATION SERIES
Mondays: 11 Week Master Class Series with Guest Artists.
Series for intermediate dancers. Jams open to the public the last Monday of the month. Feb 6-April 24, no class March 13. 7-9pm.
At Living Arts Collective (Downtown Durham)
Facebook event link. Teachers include Amanda Miller, Aubrey Griffith-Zill, John Bainbridge, Len Foyle, Matthew Young, Pasquale Antonio, Ray Schwartz, and Toni Craige. Jams open to the public on Feb 27th, March 27th, and April 24th. This series is designed for dancers familiar with basic Contact Improvisation concepts and skills and looking to deepen their practice in a committed group. Our goal is to strengthen the community of dedicated CI practitioners at LAC and in the Triangle-area and to provide a wide variety of perspectives on contact, solo, and ensemble improvisation. The jams will be a space for practice open to the broader community.
Wednesdays: 11 Week Spirit and Technique of Contact Improvisation Series with Toni Craige.
Open to movers of all levels. Feb 8-April 26, no class March 1. 7-9pm.
LAC Satellite Event at Shared Visions Retreat Center (North Durham)
Facebook event link. This series provides an immersive dive into the fundamental skills, concepts, and techniques of Contact Improvisation, providing a solid foundation for a lifetime of play and practice. It is a great opportunity to get your CI practice started for the first time or to deepen your engagement with the form. An incredible group of humans will come together to dance, grow, and learn together over 3 months!
MAY/JUNE: MONDAY JAMS, THURSDAY SERIES WITH TONI, SPRING SEASONAL RETREAT
Monday Jams: Beginner CI lab from 6:30-7:00 and a jam from 7-9
At Living Arts Collective (Downtown Durham).
Thursdays: 6 Week Spirit and Technique of Contact Improvisation class with Toni Craige.
Level TBD. May 18-June 22. 7-9pm
LAC Satellite Event at Shared Visions Retreat Center (North Durham)
Facebook event link. This series provides an immersive dive into the fundamental skills, concepts, and techniques of Contact Improvisation, providing a solid foundation for a lifetime of play and practice. It is a great opportunity to get your CI practice started for the first time or to deepen your engagement with the form. An incredible group of humans will come together to dance, grow, and learn together over 6 weeks!
Saturday May 13th: Spring CI Retreat Day
LAC Satellite Event at Shared Visions Retreat Center (North Durham)
Beginner-friendly CI technique class 10am-12:30pm
Facebook event link. This 2.5-hour workshop provides an immersive dive into the fundamental skills, concepts, and techniques of Contact Improvisation practice, providing the groundwork to safely continue learning the form in the context of jamming and ongoing classes. You’ll get some basic physical and emotional safety and techniques under your belt, and get a taste of the joy of the practice!
Underscore (ensemble CI practice) 1:30-5:30
Facebook event link. The Underscore is a long-form dance improvisation structure developed by Nancy Stark Smith including elements of solo, contact, and ensemble improvisation. There will be a “talk-through” of the score from 1:30-2:30 followed by the Underscore form 2:30-5:30. It tends to be a very satisfying collective experience. Best for those with some CI experience, which the morning class can give you!
SOUND
Sound will vary ~ some jams will be without music, some may have a bit of ambient recorded music, and occasionally, we may invite some musicians to jam with us. We will post our sound plans the day of the jam on Facebook~
COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS
Jams are mask-optional and open to dancers of all vaccination statuses. Please follow CDC guidelines to determine attendance if you have any symptoms, exposure, or are in recovery from the virus. CDC Covid-19 Guidelines
