Led by Shura Baryshnikov and Sarah Konner
January 24-26, 2020

This is an advanced Contact Improvisation laboratory for dancers who identify as women as well as gender non-binary and non-conforming.* Within the culture of the jam, binary duets often dominate the physical and energetic landscape. What is behind this norm? What psychosomatic, emotional, and cultural expectations and patterns are at play when men and women dance together? In this lab space, we have been intentionally examining our dances with other women and considering what is different? Throughout the weekend, we will lead a few structured warm-ups and offerings, but the primary focus will be playing , dancing, and investigation together on topics of shared interest. We will aim to unlock the possibilities of our freest dancing and find fullness in the form with other women – opening to athleticism, attraction, intimacy, and risk level with our partners. Bring your questions and desires?
This will be our fifth year hosting the event, and after our previous experiences, we could not be more thrilled to organize and participate with you again! We’re looking forward to time set aside to nourish our creativity, share meals, dances, ideas, and conversation.
* We acknowledge that it can be problematic to create gender-delineated spaces within a cultural climate where gender identity is so rapidly expanding and continually evolving. We began offering women-only spaces for practicing Contact Improvisation five years ago, and even as the container is healthily questioned, we find it still to be valuable and needed in our community. In the language for this lab, we have continued to use the term women, but we aim to use it expansively and want to be in dialogue with those who believe they would benefit from participation.