spring 2006 Events:

Nancy Stark Smith & Mike Vargas

Introduction to Contact Improvisation

February 24, 2006

A cross between wrestling, jitterbug, surfing, modern dance, lovemaking, and martial arts, Contact Improvisation is an improvised postmodern dance form that originated in 1972 in the U.S. and has spread around the world. Dancer Nancy Stark Smith participated in the
first performances of contact improvisation (CI) in 1972 and has since been central in its development as dancer, performer, teacher, writer/publisher, and organizer. Through video, talk, and demonstration, she will give an overview of the birth, history, and key
characteristics of this fascinating "art sport."
Nancy will show a clip from a video of the early days of this dance form, and will talk briefly about CI's development over the last 30 years, its integration into other forms of choreography and improvisation, and about the international community of contact
improvisers. There will be a brief demonstration of contact improvisation, first without music (as it was originally presented) and then with music played by Mike Vargas, a composer/improviser with almost thirty years' experience making music for dance. There will also be time for Q&A.

past events:

2007-2008 Events

2006-2007 Events

2005-2006 Events

2004-2005 Events

2003-2004 Events