Philadelphia Outdoor Underscore- June 19, 2021

This June 19, 2021 Underscore, weather permitting, will take place outside in West Philadelphia 11am-1pm. Exact location is announced after you register via Eventbrite and confirmed via email the morning of the event. This date is also the Global Underscore with that date chosen by those organizers. Our Underscore will be a "Non-Synchronous Full Practice" as we will be doing the Underscore, but not for the full 4-hour duration of the Global Underscore as I think 4- hours outside is challenging. We will not be part of the global facings, but we can participate in the small dance as we like. Register here by 10am on Sat 6/19/21: https://phlgus061921.eventbrite.com We have new policies related to covid that allow touch for vaccinated people, so if you are interested in attending, please see those details below. More details are below. 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 NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR OUTDOOR UNDERSCORE IN A WANING PANDEMIC: 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. I hope that those who come to the Assembly at 11:00am will stay through the conclusion at 1:00pm as it is customary to commit to the full session for an Underscore Practice. However, in these stressful times of Covid-19 pandemic and the odd circumstances of outdoor dancing, I ask us all to be understanding with ourselves and others, if we or another participant is unable to commit to the full event. However, it is very important to come on time to participate in the opening Assembly when you can voice your boundaries and interests and listen to those of others. We have been practicing the Underscore without touch and distancing for the past year. Now, with so many people vaccinated in our region, we are opening up more options. Masks are required upon arrival and in the Assembly while we communicate our needs and boundaries. Then, when we are in the dancing and it works for those who are present, vaccinated dancers may remove their masks for the practice. Unvaccinated dancers should wear their masks unless they are 12 feet away from others. Touch with consent now be allowed between people that are vaccinated. Unvaccinated dancers are asked to not engage in touch unless someone in their previously established pod is present and then they may dance with consensual touch with those pod mates. Do NOT attend if you have any common symptoms indicative of covid-19 or have been exposed to someone who has or you yourself has tested positive for covid-19 in the past 14 days. You may like to bring a towel, yoga mat, or other fabric to place on the ground for movement close to the ground like Bonding with the Earth and Low Kinesphere. All participants need to have participated in an Underscore Talk Through prior to the Underscore Practice. YOU MUST REGISTER via this eventbrite to participate in the UNDERSCORE and receive information about the location. There is a 25 person capacity for this event. First come first serve. https://phlgus061921.eventbrite.com COST: Sliding scale $0-15 with no one turned away due to lack of funds. Payments may be made via Paypal to [email protected] or via Venmo @Loren-Groenendaal. QUESTIONS: [email protected]