Movement Memories Adventures in Morocco

Last month, I performed a workshop at St. John's on the Lake in Milwaukee, WI. called Movement Memories Adventures in Morocco. It consisted of about 15 participants from that community, and we all contributed stories and dreams to a dance piece about traveling. We began with a comforting warm up that got our bodies and minds connected in the activity with music from Camille who is a singer from France that uses movements to change the sound she is creating. I find her music to be playful and edgy while with a sense of calm. It certainly brought our warm-up to a different place and time.
Then I asked them to share their experiences traveling or dreams to travel. We then created an adventurous dance that went from France to Soviet Russia, Morocco to Hawaii, and our own back yard. The stories were fascinating, and the movement that grew from them was hilarious and sometimes touching. I got so caught up in all of this that I lost track of time completely. I think I could have improved different timing because after we did the dance then I also did a brief presentation on Morocco and my adventures. I don't know. I have mixed feelings because I did enjoy hearing all of their stories and wishes. Also, It is a pleasure to share and relive my memories of Morocco. I had a blast, and even got to do a little belly dancing to the music of Samira Said whose music I was introduced to during my time in Morocco.

The biggest challenge was seeing everyone in the group because they all had different abilities. St. John's has a large community of people who can live freely on their own with little assistance and then people who need a little more care. In the future, I think it would be helpful if I switch where I'm sitting throughout the workshop so different areas have equal attention.

Photo Taken from St. John's website

It was a little nerve racking, but I had great assistance from St. John's staff especially Angela Crimmings who I worked with closely. She had great advice including having a little more volume. I tend to be soft spoken at times, and it doesn't work! Crimmings was very encouraging though, and said a comfortable volume will come with experience. It's kind of funny though because I generally like to talk a lot, but in important situations I become all quiet.

I hope to present again at St. John's. The community environment is friendly, respectful, and open. I enjoy their company with their abundance of knowledge and experience.

Observation at St. John's on the Lake

As I have an upcoming workshop at St. John's on the Lake, I made a visit to observe one of their regularly scheduled events. It was a movement/art class instructed by Kelly Anderson who is a dancer & choreographer in the Milwaukee area. You may remember I blogged about working with her in my Missed Connections post.

In the group, Anderson worked with some TimeSlips concepts where she presented them with a photo and they came up with some really creative responses. We went on a wild adventure with ideas such as a war over a mysterious empire waged by a 600 year old princess to a ragtime piano played by a couple of long-necked critters. TimeSlips is a great way for people to initiate sharing of experiences and creativity. The model is to take a photo and find a story -- any story. I had forgotten how wonderful it was to work with pictures to generate thoughts and ideas which could create movement.

Picture taken from Time Slips Website

Though the group was small in size with 8 participants including myself and Anderson, it gave a nice level of intimacy. I think the group contributed more possibly because of the sense of safety within the group along with the comforting confidence within Anderson. The challenge with less people in a group comes when the participants are more on the spot to perform. Anderson's overall approach to the individuals at St. John's was relaxed, informative, and open. There was a level of connection that she had with the clients that she had a laid back demeanor, but all the while still sharing information and open to new thoughts.

I am even more excited now for my own event coming up involving traditions and culture. It would be beneficial if I could use some of the storytelling philosophies from TimeSlips with my own special twist. I hope I can have a similar effect working with memories and movement. Confidently, I am always thrilled to work with the St. John's participants because they all offer so much!