WEEK A: Monday, July 29 – Friday, August 2, 2024
Fabric FUNdamental Techniques (Intermediate)
1:00-2:30 PM. Week A. FFP Studio 2.
Ages 14+. $190.
Prerequisites: Climb 20 feet and descend safely on both sides. Clean figure 8 and dancers foot locks on both sides. Clean catchers lock, hip key, and S-lock in the air on both sides.
This class is perfect for the intermediate aerial fabric student! Each day we will explore different entrances, deepen our understanding, and clean our technique on each of the following: intermediate climbs, cross backs, hip keys and S-locks, star drops and then finish the week with creating phrases with our new favorites of each and explore different movement qualities in the fabric.
Please bring a notebook and/or a recording device to help you remember all of the new techniques!
WEEK B: Monday, Aug. 5 – Friday, Aug. 9, 2024
Tethered Dancing: Rope and Harness (All Levels)
9am-12pm. Week B. Dairy Gordon Gamm.
Ages 14+. $380.
Pre-requisites: Comfort in a climbing harness over extended time and inverting in a harness. No previous aerial experience needed.
This exhilarating immersion will be structured around learning basic rope and harness dance techniques (not against a wall), as well as the rigging to take this dance form anywhere. We will be working both close to the ground and higher in the air, with ascenders and descenders. The vocabulary taught will be combined with guided solo and group improvisations as part of the exploration process. This is an amazing core workout and is not as intense on the arms for those taking other aerial classes at the Festival. No previous aerial experience is necessary, other than: be prepared to have fun and create!
Please wear multiple snug layers around your hips and waist for your comfort. If you have a harness and associated hardware, please bring it with you, otherwise, one will be provided.
Everything Peg Stilts (All Levels) with Danielle Hendricks and Valerie Morris
1:00-2:30 PM. Week. B. FFP Studio 2.
Ages 13+ or with instructor approval. $190.
Prerequisites: None.
We will be contacting you ahead of the festival to see what you are bringing. If we can arrange a fitting for shoe attachment to a pair of stilts ahead of class, we will do so in order to save time during class!
This class takes you through the basics of stilts. Danielle and Valerie each have over 20 years experience dancing, performing, and teaching stilts. We are co-teaching the class to ensure that everyone can learn, progress, refine, and uplevel their skill, no matter if they have years of experience, or are trying stilts for the very first time. We will try to get everyone who is borrowing our stilts (mostly wooden) fitted and up as quickly as possible. After being fitted, we will go over the options of how to get up and down, as well as proper falling techniques. We will learn some basic across the floor techniques on and off of stilts, as well as how to activate the appropriate muscles and maintain proper alignment. Valerie is a master of finding the perfect stilts placement and they are both sticklers for proper alignment.
We will also be going over basic ground acrobatics both for solo and partnering. Later in the week, we can divide into groups to work on outdoor stilting for those who want to, and indoor acrobatics that take a little more space. Students who want to work on turns, leaps, running, jumps, and hops, will be given tools and techniques to learn and improve those skills. We will learn proper spotting techniques to do backbends, handstands, slide falls, and get-ups for those that are interested. You can even take this class if you just want to learn to spot and partner, and prefer not to be on stilts. Val and Dani will meet you wherever you are at, and help you advance your skill level.
Please bring the following to class:
- Your own pair of lace up, velcro, or bungee tied, close-toed sneakers/shoes, in your size. Bring these to attach to stilts for use all week-UNLESS:
- If you have your own peg stilts, bring them. If shoes are already attached, great!
- A set of THICKLY cushioned knee pads. We have a few that you can borrow. A hard shell is great, but not necessary. A thick pad is NECESSARY! You can also layer knee pads.
Valerie Morris has been a dancer since 1980 and became an aerial dancer in 1996 with Frequent Flyers Aerial Dance. She has previously had the pleasure of performing with Movement Laboratories, Lancaster Ballet, CU Dance Department, Boulder Ballet, Wellington Circus Trust, Empress Stiltdance, Borrillo Entertainment, and AeroTerra Aerial Dance. Her secret life as a scientist keeps her busy during the day, using stable isotopes to unlock the secrets of global climate change.
