Spring 2024 | Workshops w/ Andrew Harwood

March 25th to 30th, 2024

Andrew de Lotbinière Harwood is renowned as a leading light in the field of dance improvisation. He is an internationally recognized pioneer of contact improvisation (CI) and a master teacher/performer in both real-time composition and CI. For over forty-seven years he has dedicated himself to the research, development, education, collaboration and dissemination of these rigorous artistic practices as sophisticated performing art forms.

More about Andrew Harwood (Montreal, CA)

Andrew de Lotbinière Harwood is renowned as a leading light in the field of dance improvisation. He is an internationally recognized pioneer of contact improvisation (CI) and a master teacher/performer in both real-time composition and CI. For over forty-seven years he has dedicated himself to the research, development, education, collaboration and dissemination of these rigorous artistic practices as sophisticated performing art forms.

He first studied and then performed with Steve Paxton, Nancy Stark Smith, Nita Little and Kurt Siddal, the instigators of Contact Improvisation. His journey has continued to evolve through the development of consciousness, various investigations of perceptual awareness as well as an abundance of collaborative performances around the globe with the likes of Peter Bingham, Chris Aiken, Ray Chung, Daniel Lepkoff, Kirstie Simpson, Alito Alessi, Karen Nelson, K.J. Holmes, Lisa Nelson, Julyen Hamilton, Benno Voorham and Benoit Lachambre, to name a few.  

Formerly founder and artistic director of AH HA Productions (2000–2014) he also danced for the companies of Marie Chouinard, Jean-Pierre Perreault, Jo Lechay, Joint Forces and Fulcrum, as well as the improvisational dance collectives Discovery Bal, The Echo Case and The Improvisational Movement Fund. Still passionate about teaching, he transforms his training and performance experience into a personal language, which he has shared throughout the world since 1977. He was awarded the Canada Council of the Arts Jacqueline Lemieux Award in 2000.

Workshop Registration & Cancellation Policy

Cancellation Policy:

• Admin Fee: There is a non-refundable $10 admin fee for all workshop cancellations. This helps us cover the cost of managing cancellations.

• Cancellations made at least 4 working days (working days are Monday to Friday) in advance of the workshop start date are 100% refundable, minus the admin fee. Please email us.

• Cancellations made 48 hours in advance of the workshop start date are 50% refundable minus the admin fee. Please email us.

• Cancellations made less than 48 hours in advance of the workshop date are non-refundable.

• Registrations cannot be transferred to class cards or any other EDAM activities.

• If you know you will not be attending the workshop (for any reason) you may give your spot to a friend. Please email us.

Sick Policy:

• We understand and respect that sickness happens unexpectedly. Cancellations made due to illness are 50% refundable minus the admin fee. Please email us.

Cancellation and Changes on Behalf of EDAM:

• EDAM reserves the right to cancel the workshop for any reason. In this case, registered participants will be contacted and full refunds will be issued.

• EDAM reserves the right to exchange the teacher if the booked teacher can no longer attend. Registered participants will be contacted and may request a refund if they no longer want to attend the event with the new teacher.

• Workshop cost varies depending on the teacher, type of workshop and duration.

Membership:

• To participate in workshops at EDAM, you must be a member:
  > EDAM Performing Arts Society Lifetime Membership $5
  > You can register for a membership on-site or online. EDAM accepts cash, cheque or e-transfer.

Important Info:

• Please read the EDAM Waiver and EDAM Safety, Consent and Inclusion Policy before coming to the studio.

What to Bring

• Comfortable clothes that you can move and slide in, a bottle of water, minimal jewellery, knee-pads (if you have them - if not we have some for sale), a notebook (if you like).

• Recommendation for beginners: long sleeves are helpful for sliding on the floor

• EDAM is a scent-reduced space, please help us keep our studio odour-free.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is a difference between a class and a workshop? A class is a short focused session. A workshop is a longer session (with small breaks at the teacher’s discretion). Both are facilitated around the teacher’s interests and knowledge.

• What are Contact Jams? Contact Improvisation jams are leaderless practice environments in which dancers practice the dance form with whoever gathers — friends or strangers, old, young, experienced dancers, newcomers. Jams are loosely structured events for people to gather and practice together (play). The Open Jams do not have a instructor/teacher and do not have instructions.

• I have never done Contact Improvisation. Can I join any classes or workshop? If you have never done Contact Improvisation (CI) please sign up to an “all levels“ classes first (taught on Thursdays and Sundays), to acquire some skills and tools. Depending on your skill level you may request to join our advanced morning classes taught by Peter Bingham. The teachers can support you in this journey. We also facilitate Fundamentals Workshops at the beginning of every season (Sept, Jan).

• Where can I get knee-pads for my Contact Improvisation practice? We sell knee-pads for CI practice ($35) at the studio. Ask your teacher or email us at: info@edamdance.org.

Important Information

EDAM Performing Arts Society is committed to maintaining an environment where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect and are free from all forms of discriminatory treatment, behavior or practice. Please read and familiarize yourself with our inclusive protocols and policies. These will also be accessible to you onsite. All EDAM dancers (every person who attends an EDAM class, workshop or jam) must read and agree to:

• EDAM Waiver

• EDAM Safety, Consent and Inclusion Policy

• EDAM Anti-Racism, Access and Equity Policy and Human Rights Complaints Procedure

Accessibility Info

EDAM respectfully acknowledges that our activities and events take place on the ancestral and unceded Indigenous territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations.