pic by brian slater

Not that they did this in their performances, but then again they didn’t need to as both pieces were riverting.   They move fantastically (gushing!), the performances were intense and the subject matter daring.  Baka, which I saw on the Friday night, is about slavery.  Quite something to watch the ugliness of domination and cruelty so graphically portrayed.

As a matter of interest I found a clip of the British Dance Edition, where Co Chameleon performed, on youtube.  If you’d like to be inspired take a look at this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEvO1EBafHQ

Company Chameleon will be performing as part of the Main Progamme.  You simply cannot miss them!   Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VL-MPT9ufp8 to watch a clip of Baka, one of the pieces they’ll perform at the Festival.  Company Chameleon were invited to SA by the British Council.

Watch out also for Thalia Laric and Steven van Wyk’s piece, “So long and thanks … but can you juggle?”  on Thursday night.  Here’s what she has to say about it:
“The work investigates improvisation structures for performance, while exploring themes of intimacy, suffocation and alienation.  It is Dance Theatre with elements of pedestrianism and humour.  My aim was to create a structured ’series of events’ in which the performers had space to make their own decisions within various options”.

On Saturday (24 July) I went to Barbara McCrea’s “Transitions” workshop which used Feldenkrais developmental movements to show one how to get down and up from the floor in an easy, fluid motion.    When we’re babies we experiment with rolling over, sitting up, getting up and so on.  The results of our experiments lay the foundation for our adult movement patterns and consequently our posture and how we use our bodies … all of which determines how our bodies become rigid, stuck and sometimes in pain during later life.

Barbara encouraged us to make the baby movements free of strain, as easy and stress free on the body as possible.  I was surprised at how quickly these movments can build into a progression which would be very useful in dance.  Apparently Feldenkrais was a judo master.  I’m curious to learn more about his Judo-like progressions – diagonal rolls, cartwheels (not sure if this is part of Feldenkrais) and more, which there must surely be.  

I see now that Feldenkrais training can give one effortless flowing movement. Wow!  I’ve found a superb series of 4 video clips on youtube, demonstrating some of the basic developmental movements with excellent voice over explanations. Click here         to watch the first part.

GREAT DANCE PARTY

You’ve probably seen it on Facebook but for those of you who haven’t, take a look at this:
Winter Heart Warming Party
Friday 30th July 2010
19h00 till late.
…R50 at the door
@ Albert Hall, 208 Albert Road Woodstock

Come on time for the 5 Rhythms Dance Class and start the party consciously!

Main Floor:
19h30 – 5 Rhythms Dance
20h40 – HeartSpace Groweth Film on AfrikaBurns.
21h00 – DJ’s till Late including The Limelight, Sponge Bob Zion Pants, Wendy-O, Lord Shiva, and others spinning off an eclectic mix of World, Funk, Reggae, Dub, Electronic, and Classics to open hearts, minds and souls.

Outdoor Open Mic Stage:
Share you hearts stuff around.

Cash bar, chai bar, gifting and surprises.
All most welcome.

This is a fund-raiser for the HeartSpace@AfrikaBurns. Sharing the love, making it better!

On 16 June I went to a free NIA class at their ‘Our Space’ studio in Obs.  What a lovely thing to offer the public!  About 6 different teachers rotated, each teaching a song at a time and each with her/his own style.   It was a great way to start the day and has given me all sorts of fond feelings toward NIA.

NIA is moving & shaking!   In August Kathy Wolstenholme, who introduced NIA to SA, is partnering with Dr Eve to offer a Playshop at Artscape.   Sounds intriguing, don’t you think?  Here’s the write-up:

“Combining the synergies of Nia’s Joy of Movement and Dr. Eve’s beliefs in the rights of women to sexual and relationship safety, responsibility and rewards, expect to be surprised by your own sensations, body awareness, focused climatic moments all blending into a profound feeling of, well… love!
Join Kathy and Dr. Eve for an hour of sheer bliss of movement and learning that will leave you sighing for, hmmm…more!

Much as I would like to code away in chunks and reams of perfect php to revitalise this pallid page, I have to face my almost total Wordpress ignorance.   I’ve just realised that by changing the permalinks on the various pages I have made it impossible for anyone to find them – and I can’t remember what they were before.  Oy vey!

Err … and Chuckles won’t solve the problem.

NON-DAIRY FRUIT SMOOTHIE

Whizz  together:
1 banana
1 Forelle pear
cold grapefruit juice
hemp oil  (very good for your skin)
1T raw oats

Enjoy!

There’s plenty happening on the dance front:   Feldenkrais revealed itself to me on Saturday in Barbara’s workshop.  Finally, I feel like I’m ‘getting it’.   Dynamic Feldenkrais – transitions, developmental movement – must be wonderful training for dance.  This is something I’d love to pursue.

I saw that Mariamne is offering another Mindful Spine workshop (also Feldenkrais).  More about that later.

Jori Snell is performing Inua this weekend, at the New Africa Theatre in Sybrand Park. 

 I’ve been curious about Feldenkrais for years.  Recently I started going to Barbara’s monthly Saturday  workshops.   These mornings with Barbara McCrea are really fun! She’s funny and very good at what she does.  

Each monthly workshop covers a different topic.   This time it’s on how to minimise computer-induced strain & pain

You’ll enjoy this workshop if you have a keen interest in how the body works – and of course if you, like me, are a computer athlete with a stiff neck and a sore shoulder and the fingers of a concert pianist.

Date:  29 May 2010
Time:  10h00 – 13h00
Cost:  R275
Bookings:  somatics@telkomsa.net

 
Bring beauty and balance into your life. Join us to transform chaos and stagnation into divine harmony using the power of sound and voice to access our four most ancient ancestors. Facilitated by Niall Campbell A light meal will be served afterwards.

Saturday 22 May 2010
6pm to 10 pm
Phakalane – centre for living ritual 12 Hunters Way, Hout Bay
R240 Includes a light meal
Towel and a change of clothes
Wear light, comfortable clothing

Anyone welcome Silke 082 519 5566 or info@phakalane.co.za

Butoh-inspired workshop with Jori Snell

Venue:  UCT Drama Dept, Hidding Campus
Dates:  22 and 23 May 2010
Time:  10am – 5pm on Sat;    10am – 2pm on Sun
Cost:  R750
Bookings:  dancejams@gmail.com
Queries:  Jori Snell on 076 020 5772

Thisworkshop will focus on accessing “inner landscapes” in our bodies.   The body with its anatomy, memory and inherent intelligence, holds tremendous information on a cellular level.  This information can be a rich source for creative work and expression.  We will play with the interconnectivity of mind and body through active imagination.  Inspired by various approaches deriving from Butoh, we will explore ways to unlock the imagination and how this imagination can lead to physical story-telling.

Shoooweee … there’s a lot happening this coming weekend 15/16 May:

On Friday night there is:

- a Contact Improvisation class at UCT School of Dance at 6pm
- a Dance Jam in the Kalk Bay Community Centre at 7.30pm
- an Open Night with Movement Medicine at Michael Oak at 6.30pm

On Saturday and night there is:

- the Movement Medicine Workshop at Michael Oak … contact Jayne Bullen for more info :  shellosh@yaho0.com
- the Zumba World Party   … contact Lucas at F.I.T. on 072 144 7119

You don’t have to watch TV if you don’t want to!

Feldekrais Method is a movement education, taught in two modalities: Awarenesss Through Movement and Functional Integration.
The ‘Mindful Spine-Heal Your Back’ Workshop will touch upon both, mostly Awareness Through Movement (gentle yet powerful verbally guided micro-movement sequences).

There are so many benefits. You can find plenty of information online and in books about the Feldenkrais Method.
By undoing trauma and armouring in the body, we have the oportunity to re-educate and re-integrate the nervous system and introduce your potential in many ways, including a healthy relationship to gravity, better mobility and flexibilty. Learn economical pathways in movement, increase receptivity, reduce pain and prevent injuries.

Mariamne Wulfsohn has a Dance background and has been working in the Healing Arts for almost 20 years.  She will teach the Mindful Spine Workshop on 21 March 2010 at GURURAMDAS Yoga Studio.

Last Saturday I went to the zumbathon – 90 mins of zumba,  Lucas and Bheki alternating the teaching.  I had no idea what to expect but hoped that the moves wouldn’t so intricate or fast that I couldn’t follow.

Well yeeehaaaaa … I’m hooked!  Lucas is a BRILLIANT teacher!!!   Upbeat, friendly,  funny and a great dancer.   I’d love to start each Saturday morning with zumba.

People who want a good workout might find the zumbathon a little too stop and start but those who are less fit would appreciate the many waterbreaks.