Announcing a weekend workshop with Brandon Gonzalez & Susan Coates, January 16–17, 2010…
Weaving the Dance: Contact Improvisation from the Personal to the Ensemble
Our perception of dance is threaded together from many sources including our emotional states, the stories we create, our physical condition, our motivations, and our physical environment. In this workshop we explore the impact of these sources on our own state of being and the group dynamic.
We’ll build from the foundations of Contact Improvisation with body mechanics that coordinate with the physics of gravity and the geometry of bones, the reading of subtle changes in weight and support, micro/macro spirals as a way of creating continuity and flow, and access pathways into the “third mind” where we find a sense of empathy, ease and effortlessness in the dance.
Where: A Living Arts Centre, 2231 South Platte River Drive, Denver, Colorado 80223 (map)
When: January 16–17: Sat. 1:30–5:45 pm; Sun. 10 am–3:30 pm (with breaks)
Registration: Contact Susan Coates to reserve your spot at livinglaundry (at) gmail .com or 303-455-0852.
Cost: $96 postmarked by December 31st, $114 after 12/31, $130 at the door. Mail checks payable to Susan Coates at 3349 Elizabeth Street, Denver, CO 80205.
Pre-requisites: Although we will be working with some fundamental mechanics, this is an intermediate level workshop, and therefore some CI experience is preferred. If you need a starter lesson, please contact Susan Coates for class options and one-on-one lessons.
Brandon Gonzalez is an influential teacher and interdisciplinary artist who has explored the overlap of embodied movement, performance, and visual art. Coming from a background in art, yoga, wrestling, and gymnastics, CI’s non-competitive athletic qualities were a perfect fit. He currently co-teaches CI at Texas State University, organizes/teaches CI workshops and founded DanceLab, an ongoing series of embodied movement events in Austin, Texas.
Susan Coates has been teaching and performing contemporary dance and dance theater for over 10 years, working full-time as a performing and teaching company member of Speaking of Dance from 1999–2004. In 2002, she co-founded Dirty Laundry Dance Company, performing original dance theater in the Denver area. In 2006, she co-founded Ecstatic Cling, a Boulder-based contemporary dance/contact improvisation ensemble that engaged in guerrilla performances in the Boulder/Denver area until 2008. In 2007, she founded Living Laundry , a creative and innovative practice that transforms individuals, organizations, and communities through living arts. Susan also founded and leads Contact Improvisation labs, jams, workshops, and classes in the Boulder/Denver area.
