2024 edition
Port
Townsend
Jam
A Contact Improvisation Jam Event at Fort Worden State Park, December 18-22, 2024 (Wed. – Sun.) with daily labs, jams and classes for dancers from the Pacific Northwest and beyond
the discovery of dance
Contact Improvisation Dance Retreat
A CI Dance Retreat Surrounded by Nature
We dance in a historic building in the wooded, ocean-side surroundings of Fort Worden State Park. The jam venue is a short stroll to onsite housing (camping also available) located in the park. Past attendees have enjoyed the restorative experience of dancing in the verdant surroundings, with ocean-view beaches, fresh air, and local wildlife!
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 USO building (same as in 2023) 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 18th. 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
Back by popular demand! - Pre-jam workshop
On Wednesday December 18th from 1-4pm, prior to the opening jam, Cyrus Khambatta will teach a workshop, Basic Jam and CI Skills which will include how to enter a jam or a dance, basic giving and taking of weight exercises (including some lifts) with different body sizes/types, moving into and out of the floor 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 to refresh their skills and springboard into the jam. It can be taken as a stand-along workshop as well. 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 18th 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 22nd. 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. Camping is also available. Please see the registration page for details on cost and housing arrangements.
Testimonials
Recent Comments
...the dedication to the form of a lot of people and of the labs