Learning to dance seems simple: attend classes; practice; dance! But learning to dance is – for me – a highly reflective and investigative practice, and integrated into making dance – just like making any artwork. In 2018, I learnt that dance is not theatre; and that decorators are dancers.
Author: ijrkj
At the End We Begin by Richard Chappell Dance
‘At the End We Begin’ by Richard Chappell Dance was performed at the Pegasus Theatre on 26 October 2018. After the performance, Richard Chappell tells the audience that the performance is one which evolved from a solo dance to a duet and then a quartet.
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Garden Dance
An ornamental garden in Oxford, the light and shade of a beautiful autumn day, and much creative work lead to a great performance of ‘The Garden Dance’ by four dancers from Oxford Contact Dance on Saturday 29 September 2018. It was very special – almost enchanted.
Garden Dance : Composition Workshop – 23 September
There were four of us: Stacey, Tamsyn, Sonia and me at the Composition Workshop for the Garden Dance on Sunday 23 September 2018, hosted by Oxford Contact Dance.
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Garden dance : here!
I visited the Turrill Sculpture Garden to measure the space for the Garden Dance performance on Saturday 29 September.
Prop making for the Garden Dance
Meet Ellis Mace in the workshop on Temple Street/Cowley Rd, Oxford holding the finished props for the Garden Dance on 29 September 2018.
CALL OUT FOR DANCERS! 29 September: Garden Dance, Turrill Sculpture Garden, Oxford
Join us and create a composition for the Garden Dance on the afternoon of Saturday 29 September. We invite all dancers – ideally with some experience of contact improvisation – to participate and create a moving flowing sculpture. We’d love to work with you all on this, and offer two workshops including one for dancers with no experience of contact improvisation technique.
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Play-Fight Intensive Day 5
This is the fifth and final day of a five day intensive for play-fighting with teacher Bruno Caverna on Friday 10 August 2018. [First day]
We stand, and then shake vigorously – all parts of our body; loosening up. Yesterday evening was a jam which ended late so we’re all a little tired – and it’s the last day!
Play-Fight Intensive Day 4
This is the fourth day of a five day intensive for play-fighting with teacher Bruno Caverna on Thursday 9 August 2018. [Next day]
We start with gentle dancing and play-fighting, and swapping roles between the leading and following roles.
Play-Fight Intensive Day 3
This is the third day of a five day intensive for play-fighting with teacher Bruno Caverna on Wednesday 8 August 2018. [Next day]
- We walk in the space of Hybrid Studio, cris-crossing the floor and avoiding each other.
- We repeat the walking but now we must walk and fall onto our outward step. This reminds me of contact improvisation where it is said that walking is falling and catching the fall.