Philadelphia Modified Score on 2026 Global Underscore day

UPDATE: Saturday, June 20 is the Global Underscore day. Positive RSVPs were on the smaller side this year, so in Philadelphia, we will be doing a Modified Score this year instead of the Full Underscore Practice. We will meet from just 11am-1pm. I am still accepting RSVPs via email at [email protected] BASICS: Philadelphia 2025 Global Underscore Saturday, June 20, 2025 11am-1pm Mascher Space Rear Studio, 1170 S. Broad St. Philadelphia, PA 19147 A prior Talk Through and Registration are required. Email [email protected] by 5pm on Friday, June 20. Tickets are sliding scale: $10-30, pay via cash, check, paypal or venmo at event, NTAFLOF WHAT IS THE UNDERSCORE? The Underscore Practice is a simple and beautiful structure for a focused jam-like practice developed by Nancy Stark Smith. The structure is a precise, but open platform for investigation of contact improvisation and solo and group improvised composition. The score is an organic developmental nonverbal sequence that provides focus to the dancing community and opens up possibilities for movement, awareness, connection, and various physical/mental states. We (do our best to) commit to participating in the entire score (which includes resting, eating, digesting, observing, bonding with the earth). Nancy Stark Smith, who originated the practice, describes it this way: "The Underscore is a vehicle for incorporating Contact Improvisation into a broader arena of improvisational dance practice; for developing greater ease dancing in spherical space—alone and with others; and for integrating kinesthetic and compositional concerns while improvising. It allows for a full spectrum of energetic and physical expressions, embodying a range of forms and changing states. Its practice is familiar yet unpredictable." More info: http://nancystarksmith.com/underscore The Global Underscore (GUS) centers around a yearly event in which the Underscore is practiced simultaneously for a 4-hour period by people all over the world near the summer solstice (northern hemisphere). More info: https://globalunderscore.com/ UNDERSCORE PROTOCOL/ACCESSIBILITY NOTES: -The Underscore is a carefully held container and an intentional space. This is NOT a come and go jam. We aim to commit to the entire practice together. Those who Arrive at 11am and come to the Assembly shortly thereafter will stay through the conclusion by 1pm as it is customary to commit to the full session for an Underscore Practice. -YOU MUST REGISTER to participate in this PHILADELPHIA 2026 GLOBAL UNDERSCORE by emailing [email protected]. -A prior UNDERSCORE TALK THROUGH is required to participate in the Underscore. -The venue is up a short flight of stairs. The bathrooms are down a full flight of stairs. -Street shoes are NOT permitted in the dance studio. -Eating may happen in the studio, but only in the southern end and you must all food trash when you leave. HEALTH /COMMUNITY CARE PROTOCOL: -Capacity is limited to 15 people. -I strongly encourage you to wash your hands once you arrive to the building and after the Underscore before you leave. Masks are optional. -Touch with consent is permitted. -I am prepared to do contact tracing. If a participant discovers within 7 days after the Underscore that they are positive for covid, monkeypox or another infectious disease that could have transmission in the Underscore setting, please email [email protected] and we will let the rest of the group know about their possible exposure. -Since September 2022, Covid-19 Vaccination is encouraged, but not required. -Do NOT attend the Underscore if you have symptoms of COVID, have tested positive for COVID or have a known or possible COVID exposure in the last 10 days, UNLESS you have tested negative at least 5 days after exposure. -Do NOT attend the Underscore if you have symptoms of Monkeypox Virus (flu, fever, swollen lymph nodes, new skin rash), a current case of MPV, or a known exposure to MonkeyPox in the past 2 weeks. QUESTIONS: [email protected]