Philly Underscore April 25 2020 Remote Virtual version

I (Loren Groenendaal) am offering the next Underscore Practice in a new format due to the need to physically distance in these times of Covid-19. This new format is quite new, unique, and experimental and thus requires some explanation. Following the narrative invitation/explanation, there is the schedule, more usual conceptual information about the Underscore with a few special notes, and basic details of the event. INVITATION / EXPLANATION: This month's Underscore Practice will not include a Talk Through as this new format is a new experiment and potentially too much of a leap for those who have not experienced a "normal" Underscore before. Therefore, I would like to invite those who have already had a Talk Through, participated in an Underscore before, and feel they are or were a member of the Philadelphia CI/Underscore community to participate in this new remote version of the Underscore this Saturday. If this experiment goes well, I will consider opening similar future events to those of you who are new to the underscore as well. I see the Underscore as an amazing container. The contents are usually somatic mindfulness, contact improvisation, and compositional dancing in a studio simultaneously. This remote version extends the container to hold our lives as well as some physically distanced dancing and community connecting. This new remote Underscore will be longer in duration to allow us to have ample time to check-in and move together online, and then log off to integrate the Underscore into our lives offline in various ways, then come back together to integrate and conclude. This remote version is something I have been thinking about for years. Only now with the necessity to be remote do I feel motivated enough to actually do it. I believe the Underscore and Contact Improvisation teach us much about ourselves, humanity, and the earth that there is much wisdom that we have gained from these forms that we could apply to our "regular" lives. Further, there is much pleasure in the Underscore that we could find ways to insert into our not so normal lives during this pandemic. SCHEDULE ON SATURDAY, APRIL 25 11AM-5PM EDT 10:45am -11:00 am = ZOOM ROOM OPENS 11:00am-12:30pm ish = ZOOM SESSION #1 FOR CHECK-IN AND BEGINNING A PHYSICAL PRACTICE OF THE UNDERSCORE We will arrive and do Assembly to introduce ourselves, the day, plant seeds/intentions for the Practice, ask questions about adapted Underscore. Then, Loren will verbally and physically facilitate the solo warm-up part of the Underscore. Loren will offer further physical instruction and conceptual tips on how to transition into the more collaborative and compositional aspects of the Underscore. Then, we will log off of Zoom to continue in our own way. 12:30pm ish- 4:00pm = REMOTE CONTINUED PHYSICAL OR CONCEPTUAL PRACTICE OF THE UNDERSCORE OR REST. This is a time to engage in the Underscore in your own way for any duration. One could dance, or just live life while thinking about the Underscore, probably have lunch too. You can practice inside or outside, alone or with people with whom you are quarantining. 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm ish = ZOOM SESSION #2 FOR SHARING AND THANKSGIVING The participants will reconvene on Zoom to share our experience and to give thanks for our experience. I will also invite feedback on this experiment. Participants are strongly encouraged to bring snacks or dinner to this meeting. REGISTRATION: https://muhlenberg.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIkd-yrqzksG9G8Ds7DmZwb-92yZxYln9Ru ADMISSION: $0-$20 sliding scale via paypal to [email protected] or Venmo @Loren-Groenendaal MORE INFORMATION: 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."(http://nancystarksmith.com/underscore) NOTES (adapted for remote Underscore): In these very stressful times of Covid-19 pandemic, I hope that those who come to the Assembly at 11am will stay through the opening's conclusion and return to for the Sharing and Thanksgiving at 4pm to conclude. I also hope that everyone participates as fully as they like in the remote section of 12:30pm-4pm. However, there will be no bitterness if someone is unable or disinterested in returning. Further, there will be no disappointment or shaming from facilitators or other participants for varied degrees of participation or duration in the Underscore Practice. We can't share snacks over the internet, but feel free to eat and drink whenever throughout the day as it best serves you. It is recommended to bring a JOURNAL and PEN for reflection and observation during the score. BASICS: WHAT: PHILLY UNDERSCORE PRACTICE- REMOTE for Covid-19 WHERE: your own remote location (sometimes on Zoom), could be inside or outside WHEN: Saturday, April 25, 2020 11:00am-5:00pm INVITE YOUR FRIENDS: https://www.facebook.com/events/193779538509825/ REGISTRATION: https://muhlenberg.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIkd-yrqzksG9G8Ds7DmZwb-92yZxYln9Ru WHO: Any mover who has had an Underscore talk through may participate. If you've had a talk through, you can come at noon for the practice. ADMISSION: $0-$20 suggested donation No advance tickets. Pay with paypal [email protected] or Venmo @Loren-Groenendaal QUESTIONS: [email protected] or [email protected]