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Spring CI Residency

25 April – 11 May 2025     Algarve, Portugal

Somatics, Technique & Improv/Performance

Three themes, three visions. With Vega Luukkonen, Hugh Stanier & Rick Nodine

Escape to the stunning Algarve, Portugal, for a transformative two week CI Residency blending workshops, jamming and research in a stunning natural setting.

Join us for an immersive Contact Improvisation Experience for two weeks of workshops, jamming and research in the art of Contact Improvisation in Quinta Braz. 

Book now

Grow as a dancer

Two weeks to grow as a dancer, dance professional and artist, with the support of three of Europe’s most prominent teachers: This  longer event is designed for those eager to deepen their understanding and hone their practice with fellow enthusiasts.It is an invitation to people wishing to establish a deeper understanding of the form and dance with other movers to find more rigor and focus in their approach to Contact Improvisation. It is a curated frame for those wishing to invest time and space to delve into their dance-practice, in beautiful nature surroundings supporting their process.

This two week study is structured as a series of workshops and a three day jam interlude.

The workshops will be articulated around three areas of study: Somatics, Technique and Improv/Performance. They will be led by three experienced teachers who will share their unique vision on how we weave together the subtle knowledge of somatic awareness, the athletic responsiveness of CI and the spacious generosity of the performer.

Through focused study, discussion, feedback and loads of dancing we will look to develop our pleasure in movement and bravery in exploring the possibilities of dance:

– Somatics: discover and harness the power of guided meditation and somatics to soften the tone or the body and awareness of the mind for dancing.

Somatic movement practices are a holistic approach to understanding and experiencing the body from within. Rather than focusing on external appearance or form, these practices emphasize internal awareness and the body’s sensations. By tuning into the subtle messages of muscles, joints, and breath, somatic movement promotes a deeper connection between the mind and body, helping to release habitual tension, improve coordination, and enhance overall well-being. It encourages mindful movement that fosters self-awareness, healing, and greater ease in everyday actions.

– Technique: technical exploration will be framed around carefully crafted workshops that will aim to help you Improve your CI technique, expand your CI vocabulary with new set patterns, acquire new tools and skills to develop your physical awareness and coordination and get personal feedback. C.I. Technique can be viewed from many directions. Often delivered through exploring ‘Principles’, such as connecting to the Earth through your partner.

Rolling point of contact, or becoming 1 body. Another approach is to offer a ‘moment’ of set material that encompasses a few different principles and gives the body space to learn something ‘tried and tested’. These approaches offer different ways to access and integrate new pathways to move through and with. Throughout the residences we will offer a variety of approaches to technique to open space for as much learning as possible.

Jamming & labs

– Improv & Performance: Improvisation performance, in these workshops, is about how we witness each other with generosity and support. It is about how we connect our way of seeing others to how we feel about being seen. It is about creating a relationship between audience and performer which is connected, interested and safe enough to try new things.

– 3 day Jam: a weekend of Jamming, labs, bodywork, movement research and celebration of Contact Improvisation. Curated and facilitated by Rick Nodine, Vega Luukkonen & Hugh Stanier, this extended framework will give you plenty of time to integrate new material, take risks in fine tuning your artistic expression or just have fun and will hold space for movement labs and bodywork exchange. The jam weekend will have a more open frame to find how a group can tune to each other and interweave creative space.

Time off will allow space to contemplate, follow your needs, breath, rest and enjoy nature and trips to the beach. Quinta Braz is wonderful farmland in the South of Portugal, with fig- and orange trees, a geodesic dome, a swimming pool, open kitchen, fire-pit, camping possibility and a comfortable house with all utilities.

Workshops’ themes will include:

  • Somatic exploration to let go of tension and feel safe in the body
  • C.I technique to learn new skills
  • Exploration space to find and discover your own way of movement and dancing.
  • Spiraling, falling, catching,
  • Listening to feel timing and breath with others.

The residency includes:

* Inspiring workshops and classes

* Daily jams

* Beautiful outdoor dance space in nature

* Space for personal movement investigations

* Opportunities to dance on the beach and in the ocean

* Delicious, local food

* Live Music

* Swimming Pool

In this space, you will find a community that supports a journey of discovery and expression. Don’t miss this chance to immerse yourself in the vibrant world of Contact Improvisation!

Team

Hugh Stanier

Rick Nodine

Vega Luukkonen

Book now

VENUE

Quinta Braz

Program


Hugh & Vega

Fri 25th

Sat 26th

Sun 27th

Mon 28th

Tue 29th

Wed 30th

8.30- 9.30

Breakfast

Breakfast

Breakfast

Breakfast

Breakfast

10.00 – 13.00

Intensive

Intensive

Intensive

Intensive

13.30-14.30

Arrival

Lunch

Lunch

Lunch

Lunch

15-16.00

Build up tent and settle in

Chill Out (pool & shades)

Beach / Ocean

Chill Out (pool & shades)

Chill Out (pool & shades)

16.00 -18.30

Intensive

Intensive

FREE

Intensive

Intensive

DAY OFF

19-20.00

Dinner

Dinner

Dinner

Dinner

Dinner

20.30-23.00

Intensive

Intensive

Intensive

Intensive

Jam

Thu 1st

Fri 2nd

Sat 3rd

Sun 4th

Mon 5th

8.30- 9.30

Breakfast

Breakfast

Breakfast

10.00 – 13.00

Intensive

Intensive

Intensive

13.30-14.30

Arrival

Lunch

Lunch

Lunch

15-16.00

Build up tent and settle in

Chill Out (pool & shades)

Beach / Ocean

16.00 -18.30

Jam

Jam

Jam

OFF

DAY OFF

19-20.00

Dinner

Dinner

Dinner

20.30-23.00

Jam

Jam

Jam

Rick

Tue 6th

Wed 7th

Thu 8th

Fri 9th

Sat 10th

Sun 11th

8.30- 9.30

Breakfast

Breakfast

Breakfast

Breakfast

Breakfast

10.00 – 13.00

Intensive

Intensive

Intensive

Intensive

Departures

13.30-14.30

Arrival

Lunch

Lunch

Lunch

Lunch

15-16.00

Build up tent and settle in

Chill Out (pool & shades)

Beach / Ocean

Chill Out (pool & shades)

Chill Out (pool & shades)

16.00 -18.30

Intensive

Intensive

FREE

Intensive

Intensive

19-20.00

Dinner

Dinner

Dinner

Dinner

Dinner

20.30-23.00

Intensive

Intensive

Intensive

Intensive

Arrival

Closest Airport is Faro by taxi it takes about 25 minutes and costs are 30-40€. There is also a train from Faro central station to Tavira (3-4€) and from there you would need to take a taxi, costing 8-10€. Exact location we will send you after registration.

There is a very good Flixbus connection from Germany to Lisbon/Portugal. Its worth it to have a look. Prices are comparable with flights. https://shop.global.flixbus.com/

Surrounding

We recommend to bring your car if you have one. We are about 15 min drive from the ocean. And only 5 min walk to little sweet village with ATM, Cafe, Shop, Postoffice.

WIFI

There is WIFI Internet, but its slow! Use this days to live the new luxury of being UNPLUGGED and RELAXE completely.

Food

Our wonderfully international team of chefs prepare Mediterranean vegetarian dishes with love and taste. We buy organic food from local farmers as much as possible.
Please contact us in advance if you have any food intolerances.

Ticket Infos

COSTS FULL PROGRAM TWO WEEKS/

1250€ in your own tent/camper van. Incl. program food & accommodation. Check in registration sheet the prices for different accommodations.
PORTUGUESE RESIDENTIAL DISCOUNT 200€ discount for portuguese community/ limited amount of tickets.
HELPER TICKETS 140€ discount in exchange of 1.5 h help in kitchen and cleaning everyday

COSTS ONE INTENSIVE PLUS JAM/

775€ in your own tent/camper van. Incl. program food & accommodation. Check in registration sheet the prices for different accommodations.
PORTUGUESE RESIDENTIAL DISCOUNT 150€ discount for portuguese community/ limited amount of tickets.
HELPER TICKETS 100€ discount in exchange of 1.5 h help in kitchen and cleaning everyday

COSTS ONE INTENSIVE/

550€ in your own tent/camper van. Incl. program food & accommodation. Check in registration sheet the prices for different accommodations.
PORTUGUESE RESIDENTIAL DISCOUNT 100€ discount for portuguese community/ limited amount of tickets.
HELPER TICKETS 70€ discount in exchange of 1.5 h help in kitchen and cleaning everyday

COSTS JAM ONLY/

250€ in your own tent/camper van. Incl. program food & accommodation. Check in registration sheet the prices for different accommodations.
PORTUGUESE RESIDENTIAL DISCOUNT 50€ discount for portuguese community/ limited amount of tickets.
HELPER TICKETS 40€ discount in exchange of 1.5 h help in kitchen and cleaning everyday

Registration

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