Saturday, September 17, 2011

SEATTLE FESTIVAL OF DANCE IMPROVISATION CHANGES HANDS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 16, 2011
Contact: Lila Hurwitz, 206/686-7323
After 18 successful years, Dance Art Group is handing over its world-renowned Seattle Festival of Dance Improvisation to Velocity Dance Center.
Seattle, WA — Dance Art Group (DAG) announces that Velocity Dance Center will take over production of the annual Seattle Festival of Dance Improvisation (SFDI).
Over the past 18 years, SFDI has played a great part in gaining and maintaining Seattle’s reputation as a hotbed for the study and appreciation of dance. The week-long internationally-recognized event offers master classes, performances, panel discussions and other activities with local and international dance artists.
A team of dedicated dance lovers have produced SFDI since 1994. In 2002, they formed Dance Art Group, a 501(c)3 organization, to produce SFDI and other related events throughout the year. SFDI has evolved from a three-day event organized in six weeks, into a world-renowned week-long festival with participants traveling from as far away as Ireland, Israel, Japan and Sweden.
While in the past few years many Seattle arts organizations have cut back programs or folded completely, DAG is proud to make this conscientious decision to hand its successful and vital event to a sister organization that shares its dedication to furthering the art form in the region and beyond.
As SFDI turns 18, we are thrilled that the festival will spread its wings under the trusted support of Velocity, our friends and partners since the beginning of both organizations.
[Lila Hurwitz, Administrative/Co-Artistic Director, Dance Art Group]
SFDI is without question one of the world's leading festivals of dance improvisation. We are thrilled to be entrusted with this beloved festival with a stellar international reputation. SFDI brings to Seattle many of the world's leading dance innovators and provides local ground-breakers with opportunities to teach, perform and collaborate with international artists.  Now Velocity's summer programs will bring together our Strictly Seattle event and SFDI for four weeks of unparalleled movement intensives, creative laboratories, performances and forums that attract dancers from across our region and beyond, and shape the artistic vitality of our city.
[Tonya Lockyer, Executive Director, Velocity Dance Center]
Velocity will also take over the production of weekly improvisation-based classes that DAG had produced at Velocity since 2007. The newly-named “Investigative Movement Practices” series started September 8.
Dance Art Group’s programs have included SFDI and other events supporting innovative dance research, education and performance. It is funded in part by 4Culture, the Mayor’s Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, and individual donors. www.danceartgroup.org
Velocity Dance Center promotes excellence in the field of contemporary dance, inspiring dance artists to reach their maximum potential. Velocity provides opportunities and space for education, dance creation, performance, and national/international exchange. www.velocitydancecenter.org

Friday, September 16, 2011

Seattle Fall Contact Improvisation Class Series

CONTACT IMPROVISATION
Six-Week Fall Series 
The Wisdom of the Spine
Facilitated by Cyrus Khambatta
Every Thursday - Oct. 13-Nov. 17.
6:30-8:30pm
Grassroots Studio - Phone: 206.935.0459

The spine has an infinite wisdom. It can curve in and out, spiral and stack with amazing integrity making Contact Improvisation a joyous experience. Using the intuitive and pleasurable “fitting” technique and spine work for which he has become known internationally, Cyrus will lead a six week series where all levels are invited to experience the pleasurable benefit of this approach to CI. Participants also receive 10% off the Centrum jam Dec. 15-18, 2011

Cost: $100-$240 sliding scale
$25 deposit due by Oct. 8. Remainder due at first class. 


More Info/Register: http://www.phffft.org/Fall2011ci.html
Contact: CYRUS (at) PHFFFT.org or call 206-607-7537
Make check out to The Phffft! Company and
mail to 5609 34th Ave SW, Seattle, WA
98126 or call/email for credit card payment
options.

Cyrus has over 20 years of teaching experience on three contimnents and over 20 countries. He has taught and performed at most major Ci festival around the world.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Authentic Movement with Susan Baum

Authentic Movement is a simple yet profound practice of self-awareness and discovery. Listening to the body, and finding movement from within, we explore the dance of presence, witnessing ourselves and others as awake and open as possible.


Fall/Winter Authentic Movement Groups
Authentic Movement Workshops
Saturdays, 2:30-5:30pm
October 22 and December 4
$45 per workshop or $80 for both

In these open level workshops, we will enter together into self-exploration through the practice of Authentic Movement.  Finding our way as movers, we will foster the pathways that enable us to listen internally and allow movement to emerge through our bodies. In time a stronger witnessing presence develops as we come to see ourselves in more open and compassionate ways. 

Authentic Movement Group for Experienced Movers

Sundays, 11:30am-3pm
Oct 16, Nov 13, Dec 11, Jan 22, Feb 26, March 18, April 15 , May 20, and June 10
$450 for year-long commitment (Payment plan available)

This group is for those with experience in the practice of Authentic Movement, who are interested in deepening their connection to self and others. We will move together, witness one another, and keep refining our language that is both expressive and spacious. Over and over we will enter, open, discover and articulate what arises individually and collectively. And by giving over to what is not yet known, we are moved into authenticity, surprise and deep enjoyment.

Pre-registration required for all groups. To register, or for information about Body-Oriented Psychotherapy, contact Susan Baum at (206) 778-9183 or e-mail her at authenticmovement (at) hotmail.com or visit www.susanbaumtherapy.blogspot.com.

Susan Baum MA LMHC is a psychotherapist in private practice working with individuals, couples and groups.  Her approach to Authentic Movement is informed by her training in psychology, and her experience as a mover guides her holistic and body-based approach to psychotherapy. Susan brings her warmth and lively spirit to what she does, and provides an attentive and  experienced presence that supports meaningful personal work.

Sunday, July 31, 2011

SFDI Dance Performances - Aug 4-5


18th annual
Off the Cuff: 
Dance Innovators in Concert
Thursday & Friday | August 4-5, 2011 | 8pm
Broadway Performance Hall | 1625 Broadway | Seattle




Over 16 innovative and world-renowned dance artists from near and far perform under one roof!



Two different shows: $15/night; $25/both nights
Information: www.danceartgroup.org | info@danceartgroup.org | 206.686.7323



The 2011 Seattle Festival of Dance Improvisation (SFDI) presents Off the Cuff, two evenings of innovative performance with leading dance artists from around the world. Off the Cuff is the only chance each year to see these world-renowned artists gather under one roof in the Northwest. 


Slated to perform are some of the shiniest stars of the improvisational dance world, plus special guests:

THURSDAY, AUGUST 4
Sheri Brown (WA)
John Dixon (NC) & former Trisha Brown Co. member 
Lionel Popkin (CA)
Human Future Dance Corps director DD Dorvillier (NY) & Heather Kravas (NY)
Salt Horse (Corrie Befort, Beth Graczyk, musician Angelina Baldoz) (WA)
Carolyn Stuart & Patrick Gracewood (OR)
Benno Voorham (Sweden)

“Ms. Dorvillier has one of the most audacious imaginations around.” –The New York Times



FRIDAY, AUGUST 5
Scott Davis (WA)
Stephanie Skura (WA) & musician Adam Kozie (WA)
The Cherdonna and Lou Show (Jody Kuehner & Ricki Mason) (WA)
Nala Walla (WA) & Tikka Sears (WA) 







“It's the fierce originality and brave poetry bubbling up beneath the steps that make her an artist for all time… Skura is a great American experimentalist” 










Dance Ink


Also featuring former Merce Cunningham Co. & Grand Union member Barbara Dilley (CO) | Carolyn Stuart (OR) | Tamin Totzke (MN) | & others to be announced



Schedule subject to change.


::

Part of the 18th annual Seattle Festival of Dance Improvisation (SFDI), July 31-August 7, a world-renowned dance festival offering master classes with internationally recognized faculty, public performances, jams and more. Twenty-two dance artists and hundreds of students from around the world converge upon Seattle to teach and perform a wide variety of improvisational and related dance techniques. See www.sfadi.org for the full week's schedule, including:


     Classes, August 1-6: Velocity Dance Center & Century Ballroom
     Panel Discussion, August 3: Velocity Dance Center
     Faculty Performances, August 4 & 5: Broadway Performance Hall
     Student Showing, August 6: Velocity Dance Center

SFDI is produced by DAG (Dance Art Group), which is supported in part by 4Culture, the Mayor's Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs and generous individual donors. More info at www.danceartgroup.org.