HCOA presents dance and aerial festival
The Homer Council on the Artists will hold its first Dance and Aerial Festival from Aug. 14-19. The festival features a full week of workshop options for all ages of dancers and nondancers. A performance at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 19 showcases the teachers and their choreography. Go to www.homerart.org for registration and information. Classes include:
• Aug. 14-19 daily immersion classes
Skinner Releasing with Nate Dryden, 9-10:30 a.m.
For ages 12 and up and for both experienced dancers and people without formal training who might find that these classes change their lives. Skinner Releasing Technique (SRT) is a pioneering approach to dance, movement and creative process that has evolved from the simple principle that when dancers are releasing physical tension, they can move with greater freedom, power and articulation.
Brain Compatible Dance with Kara Clemens, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
For ages 10 and up, this class uses the principles of Brain Compatible Dance Education, Kara Clemens introduces students of all ages to a joyful positive form of expressive creative dance while exploring movement concepts, developing dance skills, strengthening the body and brain, and interacting with others.
Dance Trapeze with Nate Dryden, 1-2:30 p.m.
Aerial Dance – These classes approach the practice of exploring movement and dance on the single point low-flying trapeze from the perspective of Skinner Releasing Technique. New Rep with Breezy Berryman, 3:30-5 p.m.
This is for Intermediate/Advanced students, ages 12 (with teacher approval) and up. Half of the class will be technique, and half will be movement improvisation and repertory, which will be presented at the final performance at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19 at the Mariner.
A la carte classes
Contact Improvisation with Nate Dryden, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
Contact Improvisation is an evolving system of movement initiated in 1972 by American choreographer Steve Paxton: “The improvised dance form is based on the communication between two moving bodies that are in physical contact and their combined relationship to the physical laws that govern their motion—gravity, momentum, inertia. The body, in order to open to these sensations, learns to release excess muscular tension and abandon a certain quality of willfulness to experience the natural flow of movement. Practice includes rolling, falling, being upside down, following a physical point of contact, supporting and giving weight to a partner.”
Tahitian Drumming, Monday 5:30-7 p.m.
Toere (wooden drum) will be provided.
In this workshop you will learn the technique used to make these beautiful toere (drums) sing the vibrant tones used to create the music for the ote’a, the choreographed ori Tahiti!
Ori Tahiti (Tahitian Dance), Monday, 7-8:30 p.m.
Te ‘arama Dance Group: available for ages 10 and up and open to men and women. For the ladies, please wear flexible form fitting clothing and a Pareu (sarong/wrap/scarf) for your hips if you have one. For the gentlemen, please wear soccer style shorts that fit for easy movement and reveal your knees. If they are too tight or too baggy, you will have a difficult time dancing this style.
Optional Evening Gathering
How to build your own Low-Flying Trapeze – Discussion. This will take place from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16 with Nate Dryden. This workshop offers participants the opportunity to witness the construction of a low-flying trapeze and provided instructions on how to make a trapeze of their own. Safety and personal responsibility will be discussed as well as other options for purchasing pre-made trapezes from various on-line sources.
