Diversity Workshops 2009

 

West African Dance Workshop

With the Nanaimo Drum and Dance Collective
Dance, sweat, and connect in this exploration of traditional West African Dance. This fun, upbeat workshop with its live percussion will lift your spirits and leave you buzzing. Workshops offered both Saturday and Sunday. Suitable for all. Please wear loose clothing and bring water.

Bow and Arrow Circus Sideshow

Aprile Dunlop and Ben Garbe are here to bring fun for all ages. See them around the festival as stilt walkers and performing small sideshow acts throughout the weekend. Childrens workshop will include Circus Games, Costumes, Props, A Magic Show, Juggling, Stilting, Spinning and more! Come join in the fun!
Contact: bowandarrowsideshow@gmail.com

 

Vocal Improv with Beth Stupple

We will play with our voices, singing together and by ourselves. Harmonies, freestyled words, and vocal percussion. We will play with illustrating our emotions and movements with sound inside safe, encouraging and inclusive space.
Bethe Stupple, a musical creature since birth, has been performing as a vocal improvisor and songwriter for the past 5 years (most recently with the band Dirty Grace). Her teaching method is effective and non-traditional, concentrating not so much on the technical skill of singing, but rather on tapping into the soul’s creative force and allowing it to flow freely. Interested in the way song connects us with community, Beth considers singing to be fun and sacred – a powerful form of healing and release that anyone and everyone can access.
Around the end of the workshop we will combine playful vocal expression with hula hoop dancing. Exercises will help you draw on your own inner rhythm and cultivate a connection between vocalization and movement. While this class is designed to enhance flow and inspire both singers and dancers, no singing or hoop experience is necessary, only a willingness to explore self expression.

Bellyfit Live
With Alice Bracegirdle (Creator & Master Trainer) and Rowan Sentesy (Musical Director)

Bellyfit is a trail blazing fusion fitness system that blends the power and wisdom of ancient cultures with the research, technology and trends of the modern world. Connect to the deep, primal feminine within while finding strength to overcome modern day stress. Burn calories and get the sweat flowing with fun, easy to learn cardio moves inspired by the ancient and beautiful arts of Belly Dance, Bollywood, Bhangra and African Dance. Enjoy sculpting, toning and tightening with Pilates inspired core work and a deep Yoga inspired stretch.
Accompanied by a live set from DJ Rowan Sentesy, the music guides your movement with an inspiring array of pulsing tribal techno and house, flowing into luscious downtempo and ambient grooves.
Designed for women of all age, size, ability and lifestyle, Bellyfit is a mind/body/spirit system that helps you care for your entire being in a holistic, safe and highly effective manner, leaving you feeling strong, ready to thrive in the world and ready to make your world thrive.
Visit www.bellyfit.ca and check out our new Bellyfit Earth DVD>
Bring Decent shoes (cross trainers/running shoes), lots of water and a yoga mat if you can.

Mind over Brain:
Understanding our brains
in our pursuit of happiness.

with Erik Paulsson

“The last few decades have witnessed tremendous advances in the scientific understanding of the human brain and the human body as a whole. Today the question of science's interface with wider humanity is no longer a matter of academic interest alone; this question must assume a sense of urgency for all those who are concerned about the fate of human existence. I feel, therefore, that a dialogue between neuroscience and society could have profound benefits in that it may help deepen our basic understanding of what it means to be human and our responsibilities for the natural world we share with other sentient beings.”

-The Dalai Lama, excerpt from a lecture on the neuroscience of meditation for the annual conference of the Society for Neuroscience.

In his ongoing search for truth, love, compassion, and understanding, documentary filmmaker Erik Paulsson has spent the last few years of his life gathering research on the brain, especially in relation to our moods, relationships with others, and our relationship with ourselves. Some of the questions he asked and will answer in the workshop were: “What made people happy, depressed, angry, trusting, or loving? What happens in our brains when we take a pill, or a drink, or a plant to make us feel happy, creative, energized, insightful, or relaxed? What is toxic and what isn’t? How can we protect our brains from damage and aging? How can we eat nutritionally for a healthy brain? Why does it feel good to cry? Why do I want to eat chocolate when I’m depressed or stressed? Why do I have such a hard time concentrating? Being motivated? Being Creative? Why are women typically stronger multi-taskers, while men are typically stronger at hyper focusing on one thing? When hormone levels change ion both men and women, what happens inside our brains to cause such dramatic mood swings? What is the relationship between our left and right hemispheres of the brain, and how we can find balance? How can we keep our brains healthy, which leads to a happier, healthier life? How can we foster greater creativity with our minds?

In this two-hour workshop, Erik will share some of the research he has uncovered which will help you understand yourself. In essence we discover that our human struggle comes from our minds constant struggle with the brain. The brain thinks it is in control, but once we understand the brain, it is our minds that can finally take control.

Your brain will expand during this workshop,

…And hopefully it can help answer some mysteries in addition to unlocking the secret of eternal happiness, which is all in our reach.

 

Contact Improvisation Dance

This workshop will gently guide participants through exploring the possibilities of intuitive dance movements through Contact Dance. This is a free flow dance form in which the point of contact with another dancer provides the starting point for a movement exploration.
A guided warm up will bring presence into our bodies. Then, partner (group of 2-3) exercises and some technical approaches will be introduced. The workshop will end with a playful jam. Textural Ambient and IDM music provided.
Super-Connectivity (physical/spiritual) can be accessed by dance partners when, by active listening and mindfulness of sensations, their bodies meld into one.
Deep yet silly, acrobatic yet safe, simple yet bold, improvisational dance will add newness, sens-uality, awkwardness and a somewhat meditative state to your dancing selves.
Led by Matsya. Bring loose clothing, water, knee pads? And sassiness!

Exploring Poi

Learn the art of Poi spinning with Sarah. This workshop will lead beginners through the very basics and will guide intermediate spinners to new moves and ways to move with Poi dancing. Get there early as there will be Poi provided for only 10 people. All others with their own Poi are welcome to participate.

Hatha Yoga

This Hatha Yoga inspired practice starts with building energy by breathing deeply into the body and unwinding with flowing movements. By creating space for positive energy, we unite with ourselves, the great outdoors, and one another. Come and take time to connect with your inner rhythm and promote healing, wholeness, and balance.
Classes offered both Saturday and Sunday. Everyone welcome. Please bring a yoga mat or blanket, and water.
For more info please email Angela Lachmuth at: thaiyogamassage@hotmail.com

Cedar Weaving
An introduction to cedar weaving where we will learn about the traditional uses and protocols surrounding the use of cedar bark. Participants will learn a basic technique for producing bracelets and headbands. Because of the necessity for properly soaked bark, the workshop will take place at the stream south of the Beach Stage, but lets meet at the Beach Stage first so no one gets lost! The bark was harvested in the traditional territory of the Tla Amin peoples whose territory also includes parts of Texada Island. Cedar Bark is an extremely versatile and valuable material used for everything from hats to rope, blankets, clothing, baby diapers and canoe bailers to more ornamental things such as bracelets. Space is limited to the amount of this precious material available so be sure to get to the Beach Stage early!

 

Sonic Nomadism
Roundtable on Worldwide Electronic Dance Music Culture

This roundtable on electronic dance culture (EDMC) will introduce participants to a few of the nomadic travelers who traverse the globe researching the diverse manifestations of ‘EDMC’ today, along with local practitioners who have delved into the archives and mysteries of ritual music, the sacred in society and technology, and the alternative forms of social (dis) organization. Presentations will include projected images and sounds from around the planet. Participatory dialogue and Q&A will be emphasized, with time to interact and share stories and strategies of creating dance music culture.

Presenters include:

Graham St John
Blog – http://edgecentral.blogspot.com
Dancecult – http://dancecult.net/
Technomad – http://www.edgecentral.net/technomad.htm
Journeybook – http://www.thejournybook.com
FreeNRg – http://undergrowth.org/freenrg_notes_from_the_edge_of_the_dancefloor

Tobias c. van Veen
Blog – http://quadrantcrossing.org/blog/
UpgradeMTL – http://upgrademtl.org/
<ST> - http://shrumtribe.com
controlchaos (dj sets) – http://controlchaos.ca/

David Bodrug (aka Dub Gnostic)
http://www.rhizome.info
http://www.dubgnostic.com/

Aron Schoppert
Peleton Musique – http://peloton-musique.org
Decibel Festival – http://dbfestival.com
SEAC – http://seac-clubhouse.org

Sobey Wing
Sobey Wing - http://people.tribe.net/sobey/
Tribal Harmonix - http://www.tribalharmonix.org
Earthdance - http://earthdance.ca

 

Hatha Harmonics
motion :: sound :: flow

Rae will lead the workshop applying Shadow School yoga principles. The movement session will begin by integrating the basic teachings of yoga asana, martial arts and dance. To accompany, Akhentek will be providing an integrated audio environment designed to enhance each participant’s experience of the Vinyasa flow. The precision engineered motions and harmonic sounds are crafted to align and activate the chakras, unifying the psychophysiology of modern audio with the mystical ancient science of yoga.

raeleilei.com
akhentek.com
entheosgathering.com

 

Sacred Shape and Space

Sacred Geometry , Magic and the Energy Body
Are you fascinated by sacred geometry? Are you curious and want to learn more? Why does the art of sacred geometry captivate so many, and what is its practical purpose in our lives?
Wandering magician and storyteller, Ari Lazer, offers two workshops, for beginners and advanced students alike, inviting you to enter the world of sacred shapes.
The Saturday workshop will be an introduction and open discussion on the shapes of sacred geometry, in two and three dimensions. Participants will get a chance to see how sacred geometric patterns are created, and how they can be used in sacred practice, healing and more. We will explore the manifestation of these patterns in ancient times, and how these concepts have reappeared in modern science. The workshop will also explore how these shapes interact with the human energy field – exploring the basic patterns of the human energy field, and how they can be shaped by intent. Participants will also take part in some visualizations, to connect with these forces, individually and in a group.
Building on Saturdays introduction, the Sunday Workshop will be an exploration of more advanced concepts – how to use sacred shapes and intent to open portals, create vortexes, and speak with stones and trees.

Daily Hula Hoop Workshops

These workshops are designed to help beginner, intermediate and advanced hoopers soar to new levels of hooping. We have three instructors to give individual attention according to your own skill set, so you can focus on learning basic hooping, practicing crazy new tricks, or picking up some knock-their-socks of performance secrets.

Voxshop
Vocal Improv and Beatboxing
Whether you gotta sing, shout, scat, moan, scream, hum, growl, groan, curse, praise, riddle, rhyme, whistle, gurgle, giggle, chime, chatter, chortle, rap, buzz, beatbox, banter, or burble with love, the VoxShop is the place to let it all flow! In this circle of silly and soulful song, first timers & seasoned mouth-jammers of any age unite to create a living breathing, moving, grooving human musical organism. After some voice-invigorating warm-ups and simple beatboxing demonstrations, a semi-structured vocal jam will commence, lightly guided by simple gestures to evolve the tune. As the group pulse is found, each jammer will have a chance to express his or her individual voice in any way. Following the jam, a space will be opened up in the shade for those interested in learning the gnitty-gritty of beatbox technique.
Kyle Shepard has facilitated beatboxing workshops and group mouth-jams in a variety of settings including elementary schools, city parks, 2008’s Diversity Festival and the Vancouver International Children’s Festival. He encourages everyone to use their voices playfully and musically this Diversity!

The Didgeridoo

Ancient woodwind instrument discovered by the aboriginal people of Australia. Come and learn about this magical organic sound.

Vince has been studying the "didge" for over 12 years. During a year in Australia his aboriginal friends took him to the bush.
His passion for the instrument has grown immensely since and with 3 albums and hundreds of performances, he now shares with you
his knowledge and musical talent in an unforgettable workshop.

As a beginner or experienced player Vince will show you how to get from the basic drone to complex rhythmical songs using the circular breathing technique. He will discuss traditional vs Contemporary styles of playing.

Please bring along your "didge" and those who are just starting out will have 15 didges to practice with.

Come along and share in Vince's workshop as he takes you on a sonic journey into the amazing world of the Didgeridoo!