Integrated Dance & Contact Improvisation Workshop

Integrated Dance & Contact Improvisation Workshop

5, 6 October 10:00 to 4:00 Te Whaea - 11 Hutchison St, Newtown
Costs are $60 waged and $40 unwaged.
Bookings/info contact Sumara Fraser @ widancenz@gmail.com or ph. 04 905 3143

WIDance (Wellington Integrated Dance) is holding a weekend workshop in Integrated Dance and Contact Improvisation led by master tutor Tommy Truss. The mission of WIDance is to provide a safe, inclusive environment for people of all ages with and without disability to develop skills in dance. Contact Improvisation is a partner dance form in which points of contact provide the starting point for exploration through movement improvisation. It is based on the principles of touch, momentum, and shared weight. Truss says, “It’s a rich dance form that ranges from the slow and subtle to athletic movement and when you add in people with different abilities the potential is endless. Wheel chairs become partners, crutches can lift and support people, what might be perceived a disability becomes a possibility. It’s inspiring!” So if you have an leotard that needs stretching or some sweat pants that need creative exercise it’s time to set your wheels in motion. Act now, the workshop is filling up.

If you have always wanted to dance but thought you were too old, out of shape or didn’t have the right body then this weekend workshop is for you. WIDance, a collective organization coordinated by Kapiti Coast resident Sumara Fraser, is offering a two day dance and Contact Improvisation workshop in Wellington at the New Zealand School of Dance. The mission of WIDance is to provide a safe, inclusive environment for people of all ages with and without disability to develop skills in dance, in particular Contemporary Dance technique, improvisation and composition. WIDance conducts dance classes and workshops for those with all kinds of abilities and mobilities, from people in wheel chairs and folks with limited sight, to Mums and X dancers. A graduate of Auckland Performing Arts School with a diploma in dance and composition, Fraser, the creative force behind WIDance, developed regular classes for special populations after a series of workshops with Touch Compass, Aotearoa’s leading professional integrated dance company. After noticing a strong need and desire from the Wellington community for this work to continue, she founded WIDance. In the past year participants of WIDance have had the opportunity to perform at Te Papa as part of international dance day, ‘Raw’ a Wellington Circus Trust event, and InterACT Auckland festival.

Fraser has invited master tutor Tommy Truss to lead this October workshop which is supported in part by a Wellington Creative Communities Scheme Grant. Truss has had a twenty year career as a dancer throughout the United States and Japan. He is a master teacher in Release Technique, Improvisation and Contact Improvisation. He currently teaches Contact Improvisation and the Alexander Technique at the New Zealand School of Dance. Contact Improvisation is based on the physical principles of touch, momentum, and shared weight. Truss says, “It’s a rich dance form that ranges from the slow and subtle to full on athletic movement and when you add in people with different abilities the potential is endless. Wheel chairs become partners, crutches and canes can lift and support people, what might be perceived a disability becomes a possibility. It’s truly inspiring!” So if you have an old leotard that needs stretching or some sweat pants that need a little creative exercise it’s time to set your wheels in motion, the workshop has limited places and is filling up.

To book or for further info contact Sumara Fraser @ widancenz@gmail.com or ph. 04 905 3143. The next term of WIDance community classes begins 12 Oct to 26th Nov and will be held Saturdays at Te Whaea 11 Hutchison St, Newtown from 11:00 - 1:00.

ENDS

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