Tuesdays, through December 15, 2020
Be a Poet Dance Workshop
This workshop will take place outside at Hamlin Park when the weather permits, with social distancing. Otherwise, it will be held on Zoom (here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87827780667?pwd=QzV4eGw5ekpaVDYrRk9OZ0wzRXVDUT09 Meeting ID: 878 2778 0667 Passcode: 030187.)
Words and movements are different. Yet, the spirit connects them. How do we express and communicate through our tangible body and intangible mind? Is the movement abstract? When does it become concrete? How do we build the world through movements? How can our physical, momentary expressions travel through time in relation to the previous and the next movements? How can our intention influence space? How can we link our body-mind with the viewers’? How can an individual performer connect/link with other performers (dancers & musicians) or music/sound, sharing the same space/time to create a world?
Referencing the practice of Renku (Japanese Chained Poetry) and Haiku, participants will explore physical poetry as solo, duo, trio, and as a group (reading the air).
Before the creative section of the workshop, we will meditate (sitting, walking, and dancing) and also practice somatic exercises–particularly being aware of fascia connections in order to integrate our physical, mental, and energetic being.
Renku, haikaino renga/linked verse, is a Japanese Chained Poetry form that was established by poet Matsuo Bashō (1644–1694) who is mostly known for his haiku (the first verse of Renku). This group, collaborative, improvisational, and compositional traditional activity is still practiced in modern days. As dancemakers and practitioners, we will occasionally refer to Renku’s rules, aesthetics, and approaches to stimulate our poetic creative self.
Tuesdays, September 8 – December 15, 2020 (14 sessions, No class on November 24), 9:30 am: Zazen Meditation; 10 am – 12 pm: Warm-up & Creative session, Hamlin Park (outdoor as the weather permits, informed through the email list, Facebook & Instagram on the previous day). Single drop-in workshop General: $14, Professionals/Students/Seniors: $12. Early Bird Special: $140
For Session Payment: Zelle (Ayako Tsuchiya, furyuayajp@gmail.com), Venmo (furyuayajp@gmail.com) or PayPal: paypal.me/AyakoTsuchiya Thank you!
Photo by Benjamin Wardell