May 18, 25 & June 1
Saturdays
12:15 - 2 PM
Drop-ins welcome. ODC class passes accepted, or pay an $18 drop-in fee per class.
With an eye to clarity and sensitivity in our dancing, and with curiosity to where the principles of Contact Improvisation can take us moment by moment, we will study:
* Falling; finding the edge of our comfort zones, and making use of kinetic energy for ease of movement.
* Weigh articulation; discovering all the micro-grades on the scale for giving and receiving weight - respecting our own and our partners’ limitations without letting “politeness” dull the dance.
* Center awareness; cultivating direct and safe responses to gravity, with and without partner (-s).
* These concepts will be explored in solo, duo and as group improvisations in the spirit of collaboration, diversity of expression, and “beginner’s mind”.
Katarina Eriksson has been involved with improvisational dance since 1989, collaborating with artist, such as, Julyen Hamilton, Ray Chung, and Karen Nelson. She teaches Contact Improvisation and other improvisational forms in Europe and the US, and since 2000 she curates the performance series Moment’s Notice in Berkeley. Katarina has worked at The Gothenburg State Theater and Opera, as well as with numerous choreographers and dance companies in Sweden. Recent performance endeavours include; Artist in Residency with Cathie Caraker at CounterPULSE and a clown piece with Christina Lewis, San Francisco, directing inter-disciplinary performances in New York and Massachusetts, touring in Europe with improv troupe Hoppalappa, and co-creating a site-specific dance piece in Beirut.
“....Katarina’s teaching improves and informs a strong physical presence and capacity of each participant. Her style is technical as well as playful. Her work is challenging, extremly beneficial and highly inspiering to both body and mind.” Helle Siljeholm, dancer/choreographer, Oslo
“....It was a wonderful, inspiring experience. She created a great energy within the group and gave me a lot of new input for my work (and my life!!).” Dominique, dance teacher, Berlin