Philadelphia Global Underscore 2020

The Philadelphia chapter of the Global Underscore 2020 will take place online via Zoom on Saturday, June 20 10am-2pm EDT, facilitated by Loren Groenendaal. ADVANCE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED at: https://muhlenberg.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUpduutqDMsHdQbXleyFwTMO9DYQe6T92oL Admission is sliding scale $0-20, paypal to [email protected] or Venmo @Loren-Groenendaal ABOUT THE TALK THROUGH: A prior Underscore Talk Through is required to participate in the Global Underscore Practice. Email facilitator Loren Groenendaal at [email protected] by 4pm on Thursday, June 18 to request a Talk Through. 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 WHAT IS THE GLOBAL UNDERSCORE? For the past 20 years, a Global Underscore has been occurring annual near the summer solstice. Multiple sites around the globe practice the Underscore simultaneously. The Underscore structure was developed by Nancy Stark Smith. The Global Underscore event was conceived and organized by French dancer Claire Filmon. The 2020 Global Underscore is being coordinated by Nancy Hughes, Sarah Young, and Patrick Crowley with Brandin Steffensen as advisor. More info: https://globalunderscore.com/ NOTES ABOUT VIRTUAL GLOBAL UNDERSCORE: The Underscore is a carefully held container and an intentional space. I hope that those who come to the Assembly at 10am will stay through the conclusion at 2pm as it is customary to commit to the full session for an Underscore Practice. However, in these stressful times of Covid-19 pandemic, I ask us all to be understanding with ourselves and others, if we or another participant is unable to commit to the full event. Dancers do not have to engage with or through their screens for the full duration. If you are new to the Underscore, but have significant experience with contact or compositional improvisation, please email [email protected] by 4pm on Thursday, June 18 TO SET UP A TIME FOR A TALK THROUGH to get oriented to the Underscore in general. REMINDER: ADVANCE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED https://muhlenberg.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUpduutqDMsHdQbXleyFwTMO9DYQe6T92oL QUESTIONS: [email protected]