a workshop in

freeing our Selves

Explore & creatively share the essence of expressive being

Delve into a world of co-created vocal & movement-scapes

We naturally communicate in sounds & movement (and more), from the first waking yawn & stretch, to a gasp of pleasure or a sigh of sadness. Being fully alive to the moment involves a multitude of expression. Here’s an opportunity to reclaim, relish and creatively celebrate your own human, animal sounds and movement.

The Workshop Day
We’ll focus on listening, becoming tuned in to being where we are, and with those around us.

Guided by two experienced improvisers: musician, mover and touch facilitator Bela Emerson alongside mover, vocaliser and (contact) dance facilitator Asher Levin, we'll warm-up our beings and explore natural and powerful ways of breathing, moving, voicing. An invitation for facilitated touch* will add another dimension to tuning in on a physical and sound-resonant, vibrational & energetic level. 

We'll expand into exploring and combining movement, sounds, and breath. With these elements, we'll find our personal and group musicality. As the day progresses, we'll create magic, weaving co-created living 'mandalas of life'.

You're invited to engage with all the activities in your own way, that feels right for you. 

*Touch with others is optional - you may choose to practice in touch relation with yourself.

Connecting, listening, responding, expressing
The day’s not about making beautiful songs or sounds (nor about making horrible sounds). It’s about connecting to our own voices, our own body’s desire to make sound, to listen, to respond. It’s not about making beautiful ‘dance’ (though it may at times feel like dancing), it’s about responding to our own bodies' desires to sound & move expressively in the moment.

Nourish, discover, share, relate
The day is about nourishing and fulfilling our human need to deeply relate, and to create – to express ourselves in safe, playful, allowing spaces, set aside from our functional daily lives. Join us to discover, enjoy and share depths of yourself & Our Selves; Enjoy the miraculous, yet so normal ways you may bring your expressive selves out to blossom in this world.

When? Sunday 17th November 2024, 10.30am to 4.30pm
Where? Dartington Hall Estate - Studio 6, Lower Close Studios (Space Studios)
How much? Starting at £45 *plus 15% reduction for 12 Early Bird places!*

Biogs

Asher Levin

Asher studied Dance, Drama & Theatre Arts at the University of Birmingham, & Physical Theatre at Ecole
International du Theatre, Jacques Lecoq, Paris.

Asher has studied & practised Contact Improvisation for 30 years, his central movement practice, which
he’s been teaching internationally since 2008, at UK & European festivals and events, as well as regularly
leading weekends and longer courses throughout the UK.

Asher practices improvised dance, as well as creating and performing physical theatre pieces, which include voice - song, spoken word and characterful vocalisation. In dance, he loves to play with the physical dynamic spectrum from subtle and still, to acrobatic. Asher welcomes dancing in duets & trios to whole group scores as much as a single-partner dance. He’s interested in the relationship between intimate, aesthetic, and environmental spaces, and is increasingly inspired by cross-media collaborations with impro musicians, as well as spontaneous artists. He lives in Dartington and loves being and interacting with the land and elements.
www.MovingAdventures.co.uk

Bela Emerson

Bela is a highly experienced, skilled, and versatile improvising cellist. She uses her beautiful instrument’s full
sonic and emotional range to hold and build creative and connective space, for people to explore and be
immersed in connected playfulness in the moment.

She works collaboratively and solo, making responsive cello soundscapes for relational movement, including
Contact Improvisation (Touch&Play UK, SOMA at Buddhafield, Goldsmiths) and 5Rhythms (with Paul Smith
in Brighton & London). She works as a community musician / in healthcare, promoting connection, healing,
and transformation, as well as having performed extensively (eg: BBC, Sydney Opera House, Glastonbury),
working with other musicians and other types of artists, eg: co-created shows with acrobats, dancers, live
artists, filmmakers.

She also facilitates consensual platonic touch sessions in Brighton.

Holding space for people’s sense of freedom and belonging is central to her work.

www.belaemerson.com
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgSGgZEL8sY
www.facebook.com/brightoncuddlespace