(DOWNSTAIRS!) Class w Sam Balka + Jam : Weds 2 18

***DOWNSTAIRS THIS WEEK*** CLASS 7:15-8:15pm JAM 8:15-9:30pm -- START TIME -- Class starts promptly at 7:15pm, please arrive by 7pm to allow time for check-in. -- CLASS DESCRIPTION -- Noticing the Story, Dancing with Expression - In this class we will experiment with and investigate where and how story, emotion, and the imagination might deepen our capacity for creatively expressing alongside other bodies during contact. Through listening and attunement to our own bodies, others' bodies, and what's created between, we will notice the stories that our bodies naturally begin to tell. We will explore what happens when we get to play with the arising impulses that want to tell a story, and feel into how this might give us the capacity for deeper expression and connection with our dance partner(s), as well as ourselves. -- CLASS FACILITATOR -- Sam Balka is a joyfully queer life-long dancer and somatic practitioner local to West Sonoma County. His structured upbringing as a trained ballet, contemporary, and theatrical dancer found its expressive freedom through forms of open dance styles such as contact improv and conscious dance/authentic movement in adulthood. He now merges the embodied movement world with deep knowledge of the nervous system, trauma, and energy release through training as a somatic trauma healing practitioner. Their work and life is deeply connected to the natural world. In equal parts they are an avid outdoors adventurer, a wilderness rites of passage guide, as well as a sit-among-the-trees-for-hours-and-crier. In life they are fascinated and motivated by our bodies, the stories they yearn to tell, and the healing that comes through expression and embodiment. He owes being alive to dance, and now dances to celebrate his aliveness. www.rootedrites.com --MUSICIAN-- Special surprise guest musician! -- LOCATION -- Soft Medicine: 186 N Main St. Sebastopol, CA 95472 (downstairs -through cafe to studio) -- ENTRANCE FEE -- $20 for the whole night, whether you go to the class and/or jam. -- FINANCIAL ACCESSIBILITY -- A discount of 50% is available for marginalized peoples, such as BIPOC and LGTBQIA+ folx and those who are experiencing financial hardship..... or pay what you can; NOTAFLOF. -- CLOTHING REQUEST -- * Bring 1 or 2 changes of clothes, if you are prone to sweating while dancing. * Wear clothing that will keep your butt, genitals and nipples covered while moving in non-linear and unpredictable ways. Actually, more skin coverage is better for C.I movements. * Don't wear strong fragrances. * Please remove jewelry (and no belt buckles). -- SPACE ACCESSIBILITY -- The movement space is on the 2nd floor, accessible by the stairs or via an elevator in the back of the building. Anyone under age 18 is asked to attend with a guardian, and/or email us first to discuss. -- STAY IN TOUCH -- Email list: bit.ly/SebastopolContactImprov Facebook: Sebastopol Contact Improv (page, with event updates) And, help us spread the word - invite your friends! -- CONTACT US -- Email: [email protected] See you on the dance floor, Eric, João, Kandace, and Rose