Dance, Movement, and CI Events in Ottawa/Gatineau and Online

Contact Improv Home Page for Ottawa/Gatineau

Updated December 01 2023 – Mis à jour le 01 décembre 2023

Let’s Dance !

The best way to read this message is using the Newsletter Web Version that is updated mid-week. – Ian! D. Allen
Click on your favourite events in the Table of Contents below or use the Newsletter Web Version.
(Outlook/Evolution email users – sorry, the email Table of Contents doesn’t work; use the Newsletter Web Version.)

Ian! D. Allen

Dance NewsIndexup to index

A few words before we beginIndexup to index

Hello, Ottawa/Gatineau area dancers and movers.

Lola Ryan Memorial   1946 – 2023Indexup to index

Ottawa dance artist and teacher Lola Ryan passed away on the morning of November 14 2023. The Celebration of Lola’s Life will take place on Sunday May 19 2024 from 2pm–4pm at Arts Court in Ottawa. – Monique, Théa, Antoine, Susan, and Roger

“So the darkness shall be the light, and the stillness the dancing.” – T.S. Eliot

Lola Ryan   1946 – 2023

Quotations and poetry about danceIndexup to index

Martha Graham, as quoted in The Life and Work of Martha Graham (1991) by Agnes de Mille, p. 264, ISBN 0-394-55643-7:

There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep yourself open and aware to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. … No artist is pleased. [There is] no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others.

Excerpt from Burnt Norton from Four Quartets by TS Elliott:

At the still point of the turning world.
Neither flesh or fleshless;
Neither from nor towards;
at the still point, there the dance is,
But neither arrest nor movement.
And do not call it fixity,
Where past and future are gathered.
Neither movement from nor towards,
Neither ascent nor decline.
Except for the point, the still point,
There would be no dance,
and there is only the dance.
I can only say, there we have been: but I cannot say where.
And I cannot say, how long, for that is to place it in time.

About touch:

Dancers who pursue graceful movement must practice being aware of their bodies and being aware of wordless communication. These skills are particularly important today, when we spend so much time sitting and in virtual realities. Our way of life has taken us further from our own physical experiences and the understanding of the wordless emotional messages of others. For example, contact improvisation makes the dancers listen attentively to the body of their partner. Touch is known to reduce pain, fear and anxiety. – Hanna Poikonen

CI Dancers at the Ottawa CI dance jam: Ken, Kia, Isabelle, Barbara, Anne-Marie, Ian, Marcia

Near Ottawa/Gatineau/Wakefield/Lanark/CarletonPlaceIndexup to index

Events in or originating from the local Ottawa/Gatineau/Wakefield/Lanark/CarletonPlace Region

Events that recur weekly or monthly show only the nearest upcoming event or two. Follow the link for future events.

Saturday December 2 at 11:15am – Free Contact Improvisation Basics Class & JamIndexup to index

Free CI Basics class and dance jam open to everyone on Saturday December 2 at 11:15am

The accessible, community-run Ottawa/Gatineau Contact Improvisation Dance classes and jams run a free all-welcome CI Basics class and dance jam at 11:15am on December 2. Follow this link for details on time, location, and what to wear: Contact Improv Dance Basics.

The ODD studio is fully accessible, with a large accessible washroom on the same floor as the dance space.

Sundays at 10:15am – Dance to Nature (outdoors) with AlanaIndexup to index

See the Facebook: Dance to Nature group on The Facebook or contact Alana O’Donnell for current information. Some Sundays have no facilitated dances.

The grassy dance area is not very friendly to wheelchairs, though there are paved paths adjacent. Accessible city washrooms are available in the main building at Mooney’s Bay.

Alternate Sundays at 10:15am – Dance Temple Ecstatic Dance with KatieIndexup to index

December dance dates: December 10 and ???

This dance happens approximately every two weeks. See the links to Katie’s Dance Temple Ottawa and Katie Bigras’ events under Links to Various Local Dance/Movement Pages below. Check their schedule for the actual dates – some Sundays do not have a dance.

This location is wheelchair accessible with an accessible washroom.

Sundays at 6:15pm – Contact Improvisation Class and Jam with KristenIndexup to index

See the links to Kristen’s Sunday Contact Improv, Kristen Lewis’ Google Group, and Kristen Lewis’ events under Local events with links available on The Facebook below. Kristen is also offering a three-day intensive class during the holidays.

The ODD studio is fully accessible, with a large accessible washroom on the same floor as the dance space.

Lundis à 19h00 – Biodanza avec Anne Marie RielIndexup to index

Alternate Thursday evenings – Ecstatic Dance at Rosemount HallIndexup to index

December dance dates: December 7 and ???

These evening Ecstatic Dances usually take place on the first and third Thursdays each month at the Rosemount Orange Hall at 41 Rosemount Avenue in Ottawa. Different people run these events, each with their own facebook sites, so you have to look in multiple places to find out the details, and the start times aren’t always the same; sometimes they start at 7pm and sometimes they start at 7:30pm. The events are only visible on The Facebook; there is no public web page. Try looking in all these places for the upcoming events:

This space is not accessible; there are many steps up to the dance floor and the washroom is too small for a wheelchair.

Jeudis à 19h00 – Biodanza avec Isabelle BurnierIndexup to index

First Fridays at 7pm – Dances of Universal PeaceIndexup to index

Facebook: Dances of Universal Peace Ottawa

We gather again to dance the Dances of Universal Peace. It is time now. We will dance at the First United Church in Westboro neighborhood of Ottawa. You are invited to dance for peace – bring a friend! The Dances of Universal Peace are a 40 year old tradition of dancing to simple chants from a variety of the world’s religions in a simple and peaceful moving meditation. Newcomers are happily welcomed. No previous experience or dance partner needed. All dances and movements are learned on the spot. A donation will be requested (Suggested $10.) No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Our leaders and musicians team includes Marlene Neufeld, Bob Neufeld, Pat Kerr and Yves St-Pierre.

This location is wheelchair accessible with an accessible washroom.

November 29 at 7:30pm – Rupert Ecstatic dance with Owen TufIndexup to index

This event has no online site on which to post updates, so you have to contact Owen Tuf to make sure that there are no last-minute changes.

From Owen Tuf:

This month we meet Wednesday evening November 29th, 7:30 – 9:30pm at the Rupert Hall.
If you share info about the event please share the guidelines below 😊
All levels of experience and ability welcome.
24 ch Shouldice, Alcove, Qc (Google maps gives Alcove in the address)
Cost is a suggested donation of $10.
Transcollines on-demand transportation will service this address.
The building is wheelchair accessible via ramp, with two designated wheelchair parking spots. The parking-lot is gravel. The entrance wheelchair ramp goes straight down onto gravel.
For more info contact Owen Tuf

Rather than dance as entertainment, we dance in celebration, play, exploration, expansive awareness, transformation, building community and expressive freedom. As a form of meditation-in-motion, the music starts slow, builds energy, then ends in a meditative space. We gather as part of the worldwide community of Ecstatic Dance.

The general guidelines are about creating a safe and sacred space to move however you wish, honouring your body and allowing respectful connection with others in your dancing. We move in barefeet (or socks of course), everybody is welcome (children accompanied by an adult), and know that it’s a drug/alchohol free and scent free zone (no perfume pls).

You can come to the whole event- starting with an opening circle and centering, or just drop in for a visit during the evening. We ask movers to refrain from talking on the dance floor to allow one another to deepen into the experience of expression through movement, but if you would like to chit-chat, there is comfortable space in the lobby for hanging out!

Danse Extatique Wakefield fait partie de la communauté mondiale de Danse Extatique.

Plutôt que de danser pour nous divertir, nous dansons pour célébrer, jouer, explorer, prendre conscience, transformer, construire une communauté et exprimer notre liberté. En tant que forme de méditation en mouvement, la musique commence doucement, monte en énergie puis se termine en créant un espace méditatif.

Les directives générales consistent à créer un espace sécuritaire et sacré pour bouger comme vous le souhaitez, en honorant votre corps et en permettant une connexion respectueuse avec les autres à travers la danse. Nous bougeons pieds nus (ou en chaussettes, bien sûr), tout le monde est le bienvenu (incluant les enfants accompagnés d’un adulte), et c’est une zone sans drogue/alcool et sans parfum.

Vous pouvez assister à l’ensemble de l’événement, en commençant par un cercle d’ouverture et un centrage, ou simplement passer nous voir pendant la soirée. Nous demandons aux participants de s’abstenir de parler sur la piste de danse afin de permettre aux autres d’approfondir leur expérience, mais si vous souhaitez bavarder, il y a un espace confortable dans l’entrée pour le faire.

December 1 at 6:30pm – End of the Year CI Jam with LaurindaIndexup to index

See the link below to Laurinda Cheng Events for Laurinda’s End of the Year CI Jam.

This location is wheelchair accessible with an accessible washroom.

December 16 at 4:15pm – Winter Solstice Dance with Anne PitmanIndexup to index

TIME CHANGE (twice) (Dovercourt double-booked the room.)

SPACE is LIMITED Registration is now required by email ahead of time to reserve a space.

On Saturday December 16 dance the Winter Solstice with Anne Pitman at the Dovercourt Recreation Centre 411 Dovercourt Ave., Ottawa.

Each season, mark your life.
Dance from darkness to light, in a welcoming community ritual.
Dance your rhythm and the rhythm of the season.
No dance experience necessary.
All adults welcome.
COVID-19 masks are optional.
For more information, click on the link above or contact Anne Pitman 613-807-1424 http://www.annepitman.ca/
(This location and washrooms are wheelchair accessible.)

Dance the Seasons of the Year – Take time out of your busy life to dance your aliveness, your life and honour the turning of the wheel. No dance experience is necessary. Dance your rhythm and the rhythm of the season. Play with movement and stillness, free-form dances and traditional circle dances, invigorated by world music and warm community spirit. All of nature: Honour earth, air, water, fire and space – everything that surrounds you, is also in you. Connect with these natural elements and find their qualities of groundedness, inspiration, flow and passion in you and in your life. Dance in the season with open arms.

Winter Solstice Dance

December ?? – Intermezzo: Winter Contact Dance Intensive with KristenIndexup to index

Kristen Lewis is offering a facebook: Winter Contact Dance Intensive between Christmas and New Years. The dates on the facebook event and the dates in the text don’t match, so you’ll have to contact Kristen to find out which is correct.

Outside Ottawa/Gatineau/Wakefield/Lanark/CarletonPlaceIndexup to index

Events outside the local Ottawa/Gatineau/Wakefield/Lanark/CarletonPlace Region

Contact Ian Allen about car pooling from Ottawa to some of the above dance events.

Earthdance MA: November 30 – Earthdance Winter Work and Dance WeekendIndexup to index

Winter Work and Dance Weekend

Winter can’t cant stop us from fixing and reinvigorating Earthdance this season. Come help us beautify the interiors and exteriors (if the weather permits) of Earthdance. Make your mark by lending a hand to strengthen this unique place we all call home and then dance together in the evenings!

Earthdance MA: December 9 – Earthdance Beginner/Intermediate CI WorkshopIndexup to index

Flow, Falling & Flight: A Contact Improv Workshop for Beginning and Intermediate Dance Experience at Earthdance, December 9th, 2023.

This beginner/intermediate Contact Improvisation workshop will explore spirals, falls, basing, and flight, while attuning to tone and states of awareness. Moving through different levels, we will start with rolling on the floor and work up to flying. We’ll leave newcomers with enough movement patterns to thrive in Contact Improv jams, and everyone with some more skills and avenues of exploration.

Montréal QC: December 16 at 9:15am – CI MarathonIndexup to index

A contact improvisation marathon to celebrate the holidays in Montréal.

A full day dedicated to the practice of Contact Improvisation through an extended jam, multiple video screenings, two facilitated sessions, a discussion, and an evening of performances. Facilitated and organized by Andrew de Lotbinière Harwood and Valerie Sabbah.

Une journée entière dédiée à la pratique du Contact Improvisation à travers un jam prolongé, plusieurs projections vidéo, deux sessions animées, une discussion et une soirée de performances. Facilité et organisé par Andrew de Lotbinière Harwood et Valerie Sabbah.

Earthdance MA: December 27 – January 2 2024 – Earthdance Winter CI JamIndexup to index

Earthdance Winter Contact Improv Jam

Registration for this event opened on November 20. This jam sells out quickly!

Contact Ian Allen about car pooling from Ottawa to this event.

This location is partially wheelchair accessible.

Earthdance

Bonsecours QC: January 5–7 2024 – Retreat CI : SpaceIndexup to index

Retreat CI : Space (6th Edition) in the Eastern Townships of Québec. facebook: Retraite/Dance retreat : Contact Improvisation

A countryside retreat allows you to minimize the hubbub of daily life and focus on the environment, communication (verbal or non-verbal) and creativity. The intention behind this weekend is to transcend or evolve the “contact improvisation” form and to tap into something broader, the relationship to space.

Une retraite en campagne permet de minimiser le brouhaha de la vie quotidienne et se concentrer sur l’environnement, la communication (verbale ou non verbal) et la créativité. L’intention derrière ce weekend est de transcender ou faire évoluer la forme « contact improvisation » et de puiser dans quelque chose de plus large, la relation à l’espace.

Burlington VT: January 8–12 2024 – Instinct Experimental Dance FestivalIndexup to index

Instinct Experimental Dance Festival in Burlington, Vermont.

Experimental dance celebrates the weird, the wild, with an ever-changing definition of style and form. Experimental dance creates space for all types of expression, ranging from conceptual and abstract, to mythical story telling and poetic spirituality. It is a vehicle for investigation, understanding, and reimagining the complexities of each moment. Through media, music, movement and mystery, experimental artists bring the human experience into an imaginative reality, to help us all remember to ask: “What else is possible?”

This festival will bring together experimental and interdisciplinary makers working between movement and other artistic fields for a week of workshops, showcases, and exchange. EVERY MOMENT IS AN EXPERIMENT. Let’s make the most of every moment!

Montréal: February 5–11 2024 – CI Workshop with Mark YoungIndexup to index

Facebook: CI Workshop with Mark Young

Join us for a transformative workshop in two available formats: a week-long series and a weekend immersion, both aiming to explore the captivating spiral dynamics in Contact Improvisation with Mark Young! Limited enrollment.

Rejoignez-nous pour un atelier disponible en deux formats : une série d’une semaine et une immersion de fin de semaine, visant toutes deux à explorer les captivantes dynamiques en spirale dans l’Improvisation Contact avec Mark Young ! Places limitées.

Earthdance MA: April 4–7 2024 – Earthdance Spring CI Dance JamIndexup to index

This event is in 2024. Save the date. For more information, if there is any, see the Earthdance web site.

Contact Ian Allen about car pooling from Ottawa to this event.

Earthdance MA: June 28–July 5 2024 – Earthdance Summer CI Dance JamIndexup to index

This event is in 2024. Save the date. For more information, if there is any, see the Earthdance web site.

Contact Ian Allen about car pooling from Ottawa to this event.

Earthdance MA: October 17–20 2024 – Earthdance Fall CI Dance JamIndexup to index

This event is in 2024. Save the date. For more information, if there is any, see the Earthdance web site.

Contact Ian Allen about car pooling from Ottawa to this event.

Earthdance MA: December 27 2024 – January 3 2025 – Earthdance Winter CI Dance JamIndexup to index

This event is in 2024/2025. Save the date. For more information, if there is any, see the Earthdance web site.

Contact Ian Allen about car pooling from Ottawa to this event.

Recurring Online Dance/Movement EventsIndexup to index

Online Rise & Shine ShakeIndexup to index

Shake! Mornings, afternoons, and evenings

Saturdays 12:45pm – Online CI-Inspired Weekly Score & Jam: Beyond SaudadeIndexup to index

Beyond Saudade

Mondays 9:30pm – Online DJ Sillydelic Dance FamilyIndexup to index

Facebook: DJ Sillydelic Monday Dance

Wednesdays 8:30pm – bioLUMINosity Online Trance DanceIndexup to index

Facebook: ~bioLUMINosity®~ Edge of Trance dance, meditation, playground.

~bioLUMINosity®~: I create a soundtrack to bring you out of your head and into your body, heart, spirit… You ride it wherever it takes you personally. This is about Your LIFE-LIGHT!

~bioLUMINosity®~ is:

Canadian BiodanzaIndexup to index

Not all Biodanza dances are listed here. Search in your local city.

Online Dance ClassesIndexup to index

Recurring Events Outside the Ottawa/Gatineau RegionIndexup to index

Recurring Events outside the local Ottawa/Gatineau/Wakefield/Lanark/CarletonPlace Region

Some of these events changed during the pandemic. If the listing below seems out-of-date, please contact the organizers.

Picton ON: Barefoot Groove Tonic Free Form DanceIndexup to index

Facebook: Groove Tonic PEC hosts a weekly barefoot, free-form movement and dance event in Picton (Prince Edward County).

For wheelchair and washroom accessibility information, contact the organizer.

Peterborough ON: Contact Improvisation and other DanceIndexup to index

Dear contact dancers (or those who want to do contact improvisation!),
Opal and Suzanne are hosting a contact dance jam space at Studio 505 at 505

Sherbrooke Street on the 4th Sunday of the month between 4-5pm (dates are below – note changes in Oct & Dec to avoid the Toronto fall jam) & Xmas. | We will start with just an hour and a silent jam and we can consider expansion, depending on interest. | $10/jam or $35 for 5 jams or $60 for all 9 jams – if paid in advance. Please bring cash. | Please share this with anyone who would be interested. | We look forward to dancing with you! | Best, | Suzanne and Opal | | Mark your calendars!: | > | Oct 29 2023 (5th weekend – Toronto fall jam over the 4th weekend – Thanksgiving -just 80 spots – register soon) > | Nov 26 2023 > | Dec 17 2023 (2nd weekend to avoid Xmas) > | Jan 28 2024 > | Feb 25 2024 > | Mar 24 2024 > | Apr 28 2024 > | May 26 2024

This location is wheelchair accessible with an accessible washroom.

For other Peterborough dance events, e.g. Ecstatic Dance, see Dance Your Bones

Cobourg ON: Monthly Ecstatic Dance with JustineIndexup to index

Ecstatic Dance Cobourg

Our mission: to invite pure, unabashed self-expression through movement, in a warm, permissive, nonjudgmental space. NOTE: the capacity of our space is limited to 65 people; therefore, please register ahead so that you can ensure you have a spot.

Montréal QC: Weekly 5Rhythms Classes with Erik IversenIndexup to index

Freeing the Creative Spirit Teaching people to experience the pulsating sensual energy inside them and awakening their connection to flowing breath, rooted feet and a centered alive pelvis – reach up, root down, live in the heart center. Visit https://www.erik.iversen.ca/ or https://www.5rhythms.com/teachers/Erik+Iversen or contact Erik Iversen for more information. (For wheelchair and washroom accessibility information, contact Erik.)

Montréal QC: 5Rhythms Classes with Lynne AdamsIndexup to index

Dance a weekly Thursday night 5Rhythms class with Lynne Adams in Montréal. (For wheelchair and washroom accessibility information, contact Lynne.)

Montréal QC: Ecstatic DancesIndexup to index

  1. Facebook: Communauté Soirée danse Extatique
  2. Plein Soleil Soirée danse Extatique   Instagram: Plein Soleil   Facebook: Plein Soleil

Bas-Saint-Laurent QC: Contact Improvisation Bas-Saint-LaurentIndexup to index

Facebook: Contact Improvisation Bas-Saint-Laurent

Groupe pour faciliter l’épanouissement de la communauté de contact impro dans la région. Cours, jams, covoiturage vers des activités ailleurs au Québec, etc.

Québec QC: Contact Improvisation, Communauté de QuébecIndexup to index

Facebook: Contact Improvisation de la ville de Québec

Bienvenue à tous. Les jams de Contact improvisation seront annoncés dans le groupe par le biais d’évènements. Consultez la publication épinglée pour plus d’information.

Sherbrooke QC: Biodanza with Yves LégerIndexup to index

Classes are facilitated in French (with possible English translation on request): Biodanza Sherbrooke: français and Sherbrook Biodanza: English (The English pages may not be updated; use the French pages!)

Biodanza

EMail Subscription ManagementIndexup to index

Contact Improv Dance Jam at Earthdance – Ian! and Eva, photo by John Barrett
Prepared by: 
| Ian! D. Allen, BA-Psych, MMath-CompSci  idallen@idallen.ca Ottawa CANADA
| Home: www.idallen.com  Contact Improvisation Dance: www.contactimprov.ca
| Former college professor of Free/Libre GNU+Linux @ teaching.idallen.com
| Improve democracy www.fairvote.ca and defend digital freedom www.eff.org

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