2023 edition

Port
Townsend
Jam

A Contact Improvisation Jam Event at Fort Worden State Park, December 13-17, 2023 (Wed. – Sun.) with daily labs, jams and classes for dancers from the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

Discover your dance

Contact Improvisation Dance Retreat

A CI Dance Retreat Surrounded by Nature

Dancing takes place in an historic building within the wooded, ocean-side surroundings of Fort Worden State Park within walking distance to onsite housing (camping also available) located on the park campus. Enjoy dancing amidst the abundant splendors of nature, ocean beaches and local wildlife!

Ft Worden Campus
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Labs

A curated selection of participant-proposed labs is offered and this year an intensive series focused on skills training will be included.  Lab examples include The Blindfold Dance, Acrobatic Principles in Weight-Sharing, The Yamas (Yoga) of CI, CI Basics, Flying High Landing Softly, Barriers to Entry in CI, Spontaneous Ensemble Composition, and others.

Jams

The JFK building at Fort Worden is available for the use of jam participants throughout the day into the evening. The opening jam is at 7pm Wednesday December 13th. Each evening, the studio is available exclusively for the jams beginning about 5pm and we try to make a portion of the space available during the day for silent jamming while labs are in progress as well.


All Levels of Experience
Welcome

New! - Pre-jam workshop

On Wednesday December 13th from 1-4pm, prior to the opening jam, Cyrus Khambatta will teach a workshop, Enjoying Better Jamming which will include focus on the skills needed to get more out of a jam: how to engage/invite a partner into a dance, how to enter a duet or group dance in progress (without feeling like one is busting in), giving and taking weight with different body sizes/types, feeling comfortable moving into the floor (from atop or off of different partners), and other skills. This is not included in the jam cost, it will be a small add-on fee for those who wish to make the most of the jam experience. It is good for dancers at all levels, but focused on beginning and intermediate dancers, or those looking for new skills. This will be taught like a class (not a lab) with a clear structure, progression and development of material. Sign up will be available on the jam registration page.

lodging & food

Retreat Accommodations

Jam participants stay at the Fort Worden State Park (FWSP) hosted lodging, find their own lodging (in the Port Townsend CI community) or camp. The Fort lodging is rustic but comfortable with full bed, bath and kitchen/kitchinette included. Hosted lodging participants arrive at Fort Worden after 5pm Wednesday December 13th and the opening jam starts dancing starts at 7pm. The jam ends Saturday night with a jam and Sunday morning we have a closing circle in the commons building or outdoors if nice. Housing must be vacated by 11am on Sunday, December 17th. Lodging for jam participants can be paid for on the “register” page. Housing is not included in the jam cost, it is a separate cost. We can assist with making other arrangements if you choose to find housing on your own. Please see the registration page for details on cost and housing arrangements.

Testimonials

Past Comments

5/5
I had such a wonderful time meeting people and deepening into relationships with people I already knew. I love that housing on-site provides such sweet spaciousness to connect.
- Anonymous
5/5
The labs were especially high quality...

...the dedication to the form of a lot of people and of the labs
- Experienced Dancers
5/5
This was my first time coming to this Jam, and I'm new to the CI community generally. I had a great time. I loved doing the Underscore with this group...I loved the site, Fort Worden...
- Beginner