Moved it!

Wanted to spread the word about Move It - a great high-energy, simple format dance class open to all, led by dancers and mums extraordinaire Lisa May Thomas and Libby Charlton: http://www.lisamaythomas.co.uk/teaching/

I've found it especially good for getting back into my body after a long break from class, and the follow-my-leader style means that you don't have to worry about committing longer sequences to (sleep-deprived, hazy) memory.

It's the last one of this block on Monday 6th August, 8-9pm at DanceSpace. Come down if you can, highly recommended. Hopefully these sessions will continue in the Autumn.

DO try this at home...

No time to get to class? Children fractious/ restless in between dinner and bedtime? Following the permacultural principle of 'making the problem the solution', and inspired by Tom 'The Idle Parent' Hodgkinson's formal designation of 'Wrestling Time' at his house, last week I instigated a Kitchen Micro-Jam: an hour-long session of (my immediate) family jamming. This first session incorporated fairy dancing, throwing and catching, nappy changing and funky music. Am thinking to make it a weekly event. Anyone else up for regular jamming in the comfort of their own home, maybe get in touch and we can compare notes....

So, where were we... ah, yes!

Well, after a year or two of rather more family than jam, Bristol Family Jam is gearing up for a return this Autumn, 2012... in part, inspired by this article and the resulting conversations with other parents: http://theatrebristol.net/showcase/parental-guidance

If you'd like to get involved, contribute to the programme, or have any general suggestions, do get in touch: kyra@thelightfantastic.co.uk

More information soon...

Update

Bristol Family Jam is an ongoing investigation into ways of developing artistic practice amid family life. At the moment our focus is on dance, because of the experience of core participants, but we are interested in developing sessions with musicians, singers, circus artists, performance artists and others - if this is for you, get in touch.

We currently offer a weekly dance and movement training session for parents with some experience of contemporary dance and/or complementary body-based practices. Each session is different, but usually we each bring an idea to work on together - this might take the form of a warm-up exercise, improvisation task, body work etc.. We also bring our pre-school children along and they mostly do their own thing, playing together or joining in in whatever way they choose.

To find out more, email: kyra@thelightfantastic.co.uk

NB: Dancers without kids of their own are welcome to come along too.

Family Jam in 2010

The Family Jam will continue a regular programme in 2010. New people, ideas and enthusiasm always welcome: if you would like to get involved, contact Kyra: kyra@thelightfantastic.co.uk

"The nature of improvisation is process, on-going investigation and the practice of giving." Katrina McPherson

Links

These links (on the right) represent a few of the people and groups that have inspired me to initiate the Family Jam - do check them out.

In particular, at the moment I'm thinking about Farmwork, where "farming is the working metaphor for an approach to art-making that is seasonal, local, sustainable and based in ideas about community and collaboration." This is the sort of approach I'd like to practice.