WASSA DANCE: A SAVORY AUTUMN INTENSIVE

with Lara McIntosh
Friday Oct. 14 to either Sun. Oct. 16 or Mon. Oct. 17, 2011

Join us for a delicious autumn weekend of extended dance sessions and inspiration at one of the Puget Sound's most beautiful resources for movement studies. The mission and work of the Madrona Mind Body Institute are a beautiful container for a unique concentrated experience of Wassa Dance's joyful afro-infused style.

Inspired by the elemental roots of music and styles from Africa and the Americas, this retreat is open to people who love to move in a nourishing, structured environment. Our sessions will include image rich movement meditations, floor work and stretching along with Wassa's spirited dance segments. The sound tracks will be designed to inspire and enhance our specific explorations.

Participants can expect to deepen their movement skills, cultivate ease, and tune awareness with inspiring music in the company of like-minded openhearted movers in the beautiful setting of the Madrona Mind Body Institute.

"Wassa Dance is an experience in connecting ancient rhythms to the soul body in motion. It all starts from the ground up. Lara has a way of teaching you how to move with insight, clarity and exuberance. I noticed ways of moving and details of the dance I had never thought of before. Lara has a strong ability to bring your attention to the subtleties of African dance without losing the passion and joy of expression. She has a warrior's heart, a dancer's grace and she can get you shaking your booty in no time flat!"

-       Kerry Jo Finney: teacher, counselor, dancer, dreamer

Wassa Dance founder Lara McIntosh ~ has danced all her life. She explores rhythm, spirit, craft, and community to unlock the movement potential in each person. An active member of Seattle dance, public art and drum communities for many years, her use of afro-infused dance styles are greatly inspired by travels to Brazil and Mali, West Africa.

 “Wassa” is the Bambara name Lara received during one of her visits to Mali.  It means “one who acts for joy and fulfillment.” Her curiosity about movement and cultures, combined with a deep love for music, are lifelong muses.

WASSA DANCE is a lively, accessible mix of traditional and contemporary poly-rhythmic styles, developed by Lara’s unique understanding of afro-fusion sounds. Basic steps and choreography are blended with the roots of traditional movement.  The simplicity of the format invites each dancer to cultivate their own joyful, personal experience inside roots oriented group movement.

REGISTRATION OPTIONS:

Dancers can register for either a 3 or a 2-day option.

All participants will meet for dancing beginning Friday late afternoon with two more intensive sessions Saturday, the invitation to attend MMBI's regular SoulFull Sunday morning session, and a Wassa segment Sunday afternoon.

For those registering for the 3-day option, our explorations will continue on Monday and will include morning and early afternoon Wassa sessions.  

Extra evening sessions may be included TBA.

Preliminary Workshop Schedule*

Friday:      5:00pm – 6:30pm (check in begins at 3:30pm)

Saturday:  9:00am – 9:00pm (incl. meals & breaks)

Sunday:   10:00am – 4:00pm (incl. lunch break)

                 7:30pm – 8:30pm (3 day participants)

Monday:     9:00am – 4:00pm (incl. lunch break)

*Subject to change.  Workshop hours may vary slightly.

TUITION:

THERE ARE TWO FULL ON-CAMPUS PACKAGE OPTIONS* FOR THE WEEKEND. 

Both include lodging, meals and all movement sessions.

 3 days - Friday afternoon-Monday afternoon:  $ 595.

 2 days - Friday afternoon- Sunday afternoon: $ 450.

*(All fees and taxes included)

Tuition only options are available on a limited basis.

Please ask retreat coordinator Sandy Robinson for more information. See her contact info below.

ACCOMODATIONS:

LODGING: Lodging at the Institute consists of comfy beds in single room dorm style accommodations with a common room shared for delicious meals and socializing.  All bedding and linens are provided. All bathrooms are shared. There are limited options for couples' lodging available.

MEALS: Prepared by Madrona's talented caterers, our healthy and delicious group meals will begin with dinner on Friday evening and end with lunch on the last day of your stay (Sunday or Monday).

REGISTRATION:

To register for this workshop or for additional information, contact:

SANDY ROBINSON, WASSA RETREAT CO-ORDINATOR: rosama@speakeasy.net

For more info on WASSA DANCE visit:  www.wassadance.com

Find Wassa Dance on Facebook



For more information on Port Townsend and transportation, please visit Transportation & Directions