The Newtown Contact classes will recommence this week!

The Wednesday class and jam will recommence on the 9th of January.
 
The Thursday CI class (for experienced practitioners only) will start again on Thursday 10th of January.

This first class will be lead by Kimberley Mcintyre.
 
Wednesday class (Open to all levels of experience, including people without dance experience): 6 to 7:15pm. Cost $10. Wednesday Open Jams (at least one class of experience is necessary) : 7:15 to 9 pm. cost $5
 
Thursday class (for experienced dancers. If unsure, please call Alejandro): 6pm to 9 pm. Cost $25
 
Address: 5 Eliza St, Newtown. (go upstairs, on the side)
 
More info: e-mail or call 0401 340 093. Booking for this classes is not necessary.

BACKSPACE – THE FINAL FRONTIER

A Contact Improvisation weekend workshop with Pen Dale and Jörg Hassmann

Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th February, 10am to 5 pm

Backspace - the space behind our body that we cannot see with our eyes, or control with our arms. To enter into this space when we dance brings with it a myriad of challenges and new movement possibilities. An intrinsic part of learning to work in the backspace is learning to deal with our fears. Dealing with our fears can open the door to new levels of excitement. How do we explore the ‘developmental edge’ of moving backwards, while staying safe?  How to we allow ourselves the pleasure of being disoriented while still feeling a semblance of control within chaos? When we discover what this realm has to offer us, we can develop a truly three dimensional dance…

In this workshop we will explore solo pathways, principles of falling and safety, and the way in which lengthening the spine makes the backspace available and safe. We will work with technical exercises, while also including playful and precise scores to challenge you to your own personal limits, and of course, there will be lots of dancing!

Come ready to play, explore, laugh, talk and sweat!
 

About the teachers:

Pen Dale is an Australian dancer and improviser who now lives in Berlin.  She originally trained in mainstream classical and contemporary dance before deciding that improvisation was far more interesting. 

Jorg Hassman has danced CI since 1991 and has performed in various companies around the world.  He is now also based in Berlin. 

Between the two of them they have studied with most of the leading teachers of Contact Improvisation, and have taught at most major contact gatherings around Europe. Together they form a team which combines curiosity and playfulness with a precise technical approach that encourages people to expand their technical prowess without destroying the sense of play so integral to Contact practice.

Venue: IO MYERS studio, gate 2 UNSW Kensington, Sydney. (Venue TBC)

Cost: $170 (early bird $150, for bookings received by 16th January)

Date: Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th February 2008

Time: 10:00am – 5:00pm; there will be a 1hr break for lunch.

Enquires/Bookings: Alejandro Rolandi, 0401 340 093 or rolandi@tpg.com.au

Booking in advance is essential for this workshop. Verbal or written bookings will not be confirmed until payment is received. Early bird rates will finish on Wednesday 16th of January 2008 without exceptions.

CONTACT IMPROVISATION IN THE EASTERN SUBURBS

A 6 week course with Alejandro Rolandi

Expand your knowledge of CI or just learn to dance from the beginning. This course is suitable for all levels.

Everybody can do it: Contact Improvisation is a celebration of everyday movements and a rediscovering of the natural ability for dancing that we all have. It is also an invitation to connect with others and with your own body,  just as it is. Through Contact Improvisation, if you can walk, you can dance! In fact,  even if you can't walk,  you can still dance Contact Impro! The venue is wheelchair accessible.

As a special introductory offer: if you change your mind after the first class, you get a full refund!

Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.

Commencing on the 12th of February (last class on the 18th of March)

Price of the course: $150.  Conc. $130*

To book, or for more information, please contact Alejandro. Phone: 0401 340 093

e-mail: rolandi@tpg.com.au - EFT or Money Orders accepted.

Booking in advance is essential, as this class fills up quickly. Discounts available for bookings of 2 or more people.

Cooper Park Hall: is located at the intersection of Streatfield and Cooper Park Roads, in Bellevue Hill

Alejandro Rolandi is a visual and performing artist from Buenos Aries Argentina. He has danced contact improvisation for the last 12 years and has been teaching in Sydney since 2002. Alejandro has hosted, attended and organised several workshops around the world, collaborating and working with many international artist, teachers and institutions, including Stalker Theatre Co, Sue Healey Company and the dance department of the University of NSW. He has also training in physical theatre, pantomime, acro-balance and circus, and is the director of Strings Attached Physical Theatre Company.