Breitenbush Contact Improvisation Jam

hosted by us, see Wall and www.jointforcesdance.com for current news. Sample afternoons topic: 2012 was called "Forty-fi and RE-new". We looked at the original proposals of Contact Improvisation as introduced by Steve Paxton 40 years ago. Steve was on hand to share his insights (as he attends the Breitenbush Jam every year); videographer Steve Christiansen shared early Contact Improvisation documentaries, which reignite a contact dancer's spirit of experimentation with the physical forces; Karen Nelson guided sessions investigating our own invention and development of the form over 40 years. A Note from Alito Alessi, Artistic Director

This Jam is now in its 35th year. I want to share some things about the artistic vision and consciousness that have grown out of the Jam over the years. Contact improvisation is the main focus of this Jam. We are usually a group of about 50 people, in a medium-sized, or maybe small, studio space. We have learned to expand space with our attention, in order to create a safe dance space. Please respect the studio space by:

- respecting yourself and others physically, emotionally, and psychologically;
- being aware of the level of your voice. If others you are not talking to can hear your words, you are probably talking too loud and may be distracting to dancers or potential dancers. Whispering works fine;
- leaving the dancing area when finished with your dancing--in other words, move to the side of the room;
- doing massage or bodywork off to the side of the space, or in other rooms. (The two library rooms are nearby and massages can be done there);
- maintaining the studio space for dancing, not romancing;
- leaving your things (bags, extra clothes, towels, cups, etc.) outside the studio; and if you bring a cup in, take it out when you leave;
- if you’re thinking about playing live music, be in relation to what is happening in the space;
- canned music is usually not a good fit, according to years worth of consensus;
- if the space gets too unfocused, there is a bell on the fireplace that anyone can ring, anytime, to re-focus our attention. Buddy System
At the two Circles we will set up a buddy system to help people who haven’t been to this Jam before. (Opening Circle is Thursday 7:30p.m., and mid-way Circle and welcoming second half participants is Monday 5:00p.m.) On the wall before you enter the dance space, you can sign up to:
- lead Warm-Ups (9:30-10:00a.m.)
- perform (during the 7:30 – 8:10 p.m. slot) or be the emcee
- say that you need or are offering rides, or housing, after the Jam
-confirm your contact info is correct

Besides our dancing group, there are other Breitenbush guests, so please help keep the lobby clean by folding towels, clearing your cups when done, etc. This is Breitenbush Center’s food policy about respecting vegetarians: “Only non-meat items needing refrigeration may be kept in the dining room refrigerator…Since we are a vegetarian retreat center, we ask that you do not consume any meat or fish in the dining room nor store it in the public refrigerator. Many vegetarians count on knowing that none of the cookware and serving ware has been used with meat. There is a freezer in the lobby to re-freeze ice for your personal coolers. It is not for food storage.”

GENERAL JAM SCHEDULE (subject to change)
All events are optional; participants decide how much they want to participate.

7:00 – 8:30a.m. Contemplative Dance Practice
8:00 – 9:00a.m. Breakfast
9:30 – 10:00a.m. Guided Warm-up (Volunteer teachers sign up to lead)
10:00a.m. onwards Open dancing
1:00 – 2:00p.m. Lunch
3:00 – 5:30p.m. Labs/Workshops* (specific days and times will be announced at
the Jam, probably 4 or 5 sessions; and on days of no labs there’s open dancing)
6:00-7:00p.m. Dinner
7:30-8:10p.m. Performances (maximum 10 minute performances; maximum 4 per
night, for a total of 40 minutes)
8:10p.m. onwards Open dancing (in the studio); feedback or conversations about the
performances can happen in the lobby or library, etc. Thursday, arrival day: Arrive after 4p.m. and come to the Main Lodge and check in with Sara or Alito to find out your cabin number. Monday: for those “half-timers” who are leaving: bags must be out of cabin by 1:00; bag-lunches can be requested in the kitchen but must be requested by the evening before leaving. Circle at 5:00p.m. to welcome the second half arrivals. Monday evening has traditionally been an “all-nighter” with some kind of facilitated group beginning, often a “stand,” at 9p.m. The final night, Thursday night, will be a “stash party,” where we share treats in the lobby. No alcohol or drugs please, per Breitenbush policy.