This week, we are lucky to have Bay Area dancer Julie Crothers writing for the blog, sharing about her experience at New Dialect's Winter Intensive in Nashville, TN. (Julie is joined by two other Bay Area artists, Nina Wu and Courtney Armani.)

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The location: Centennial Performing Arts Studios, located in Centennial Park (which houses the Nashville icon, The Parthenon).

Schedule: 9:30-3:30
The day started with a brief introduction, followed by a 2.5 hour floorwork class led by Shannon Gillen Lipinski. Then we had a lunch break and resumed for the afternoon session which included experiential explorations, play with use of voice and shifting personas, and working intimately with a partner.
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I was surprised by the number of people! When I first got there this morning the room was packed with dancers. I was surprised to see many faces I recognized, some from my youth – growing up dancing in Nashville, and many others from all over the US. I was surprised by the number of times that Shannon referred to the "Western body" and different American contemporary dance tendencies compared to what she was asking of us. She wanted us to worry less about nailing specific positions and focus on finding the drive of the movement. She emphasized the importance of keeping the feet available and really using our hands in the floor. I can tell this work is going to open up heightened ways of moving – emphasizing cross-lateral connections to access movement more freely, sensibly, and with power.

I felt at home in the structure of the morning class. It began with a highly physical improvisation-based warm up, moving through the space and building heat, followed by floor exercises in center, across the floor passes, and phrase work.

Tomorrow I look forward to diving in 100%. Today I was recovering from sickness and had to observe from the side. I enjoyed taking everything in from an outside perspective and the leisure of being able to take copious notes. Prior to today I was not that familiar with the work of Shannon and Vim Vigor and didn't know what to expect. It is hard stuff! There is so much floor work, flopping in and out of the floor, galumphing across the room with drive and athleticism, clarity and release. I'm looking forward to a challenging and exciting week!

SF Bay Area dancers participating in the workshop (Courtney Armani, left, and Nina Wu, right)

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