Focus Jam formats

Hours of Focus Jam: 20:10 – 22:00 

(space open at 20:00 for personal warm-up)

Formats…
This is a jam space, NOT a contact improvisation class.  That means it is a space primarily for self-directed CI practice and investigation, centered on a container of classic contact improvisation. 
We use different scores, foci and structures to launch and/or canalize personal investigation.  Here are the main formats.  Others may be proposed, but all should have primarily open dancing, active facilitation.

• Focus Jam
  A theme is introduced through a mixture of conversation and facilitated exercises or short guiding of practice.  This then goes directly without stopping into open practice, which may start from a specific duet exercise or from a group mixer score..  Facilitation in total should be 20 to 40 minutes maximum, meaning open dancing without further facilitation by 20:50.  Closing circle and shared reflection by 21:50 or 22:00.
• Score Jam
  A structure or set of rules is provided at the beginning of the session within which people practice.  The lightly restrictive rules or shared agreements launch CI practice into new territories.  Examples include Round Robin, Underscore, Blindfold jam, or Authentic Movement Circle. 
• Encuentro
  A very open structure from Argentina.  Intentionally without facilitation, so that people find their own way.  Participants begin with a short circle and/or small group conversations where intentions and curiosities are shared.  10 to 15 minutes is a good length of time. Then there is open jam until the agreed on ending time, at which point, dancers take a moment for personal reflection and then come together for a closing circle of shared reflection.  Host is simply time keeper, not actively guiding.  There is no reset theme.  Dancers simply dance after speaking and hearing curiosities
• Bodywork warm-up into open jam
  The host leads a bodywork practice and then opens the space to open jamming.  A “mixer” score maybe added before open jamming, or perhaps people just take space for themselves after bodywork and find their own way in.  Closing with reflection circle.  No preset theme other than that provided non-verbally through the bodywork