...Announcing Kaz DanceHUMAN's


SPECIAL SEPTEMBER DANCE SERIES, 2008 --
"Bridging Arts: Bodies and Spaces of Change"
--with Special Visiting Guest Artist Gerry Turvey from the UK (www.turveyworld.co.uk)

TWO WEEKENDS of Physically INTEGRATED DANCE WORKSHOPS, Sept. 5-7 and Sept. 12-14
For both "able-bodied" people and persons with physical limitations or disabilities.
Pre-register early (space is limited). Limited space also for visual artists to participate (see *below).

Special attention on the physical aspects of change such as perceived disabilities and limitations, meetings and partings, aging, and the energy of safe passage through transitions. The work will be site-specific and body-specific.

Weekend One: Bodies and Spaces of Transition

WHERE:
Site-specific and body-specific Dancing Outdoors (weather-permitting) at Pioneer Valley Performing Arts School, 15 Mulligan Drive, South Hadley, MA.

WHEN & WHAT:

* Friday, Sept. 5, 6:30-8 pm: The evening's introductory workshop will acquaint participants with our artists' tools: space, place, bodies, histories, etc., with Gerry Turvey's inimitable style, and with the dynamics of the environment and the integrated workshop community.

* Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 6 & 7, 2 - 4 pm: The movement focus will be site-specific and body-specific, examining the nature of transitions, the changing environment (inner and outer), and the dynamics of the dancers. Gerry's approach considers and connects unique identities and stories, how we relate to ourselves, each other, and our changing environment through movement.


Weekend Two: Art Inspires Dance: Bridges and Complements

WHERE:
Weekend Two's Workshops will take place at the NACUL Center Gallery, 592 Main Street, Amherst.
*Visual Artists who would like to sketch/draw are also invited to attend (limited number); please call to inquire.

WHEN & WHAT:

* Friday, Sept. 12, 6:30-8 pm: The points of departure for this workshop will be influenced and inspired by the chosen Art works, and participants will be guided to reflect on the works and their themes. Personal responses take the form of shape, image, form, dynamic and relationship to the space, the Art, and to each other within it.

* Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 13 & 14, 2-4 pm: The movement focus will be site-specific and body-specific. Gerry's approach considers and connects individual and group dynamics within different environments, using the created artworks and chosen spaces as inspiration for investigating and creating images in motion.

COST*: Friday Evening Classes:
For Series or Weekend Participants: $12, or $20 for both Friday classes (pre-paid)
Friday Evening Only: $15

All Six Classes in the Series: $85
Two-Weekends (Two Saturdays and Two Sundays: $65
One Weekend Only (Saturday and Sunday): $35
One Day Only (Saturday or Sunday): $20

*If you can give a little more to help cover costs, or if you would like to but can't afford to attend, please contact us.

TO REGISTER, Please MAIL YOUR CHECK made out to Kaz DanceHUMAN Theater by September 1
along with clear instructions on which dates you are registering for, to:
Ellen Kaz
86 Northampton Road, Amherst, MA 01002

For more information, please e-mail ellenkaz@hotmail.com or phone 413-253-7559.


ABOUT THE ARTISTS

On Gerry Turvey:

Trained as avisual Artist, Gerry Turvey now works as a choreographer and dance educator. Ms. Turvey makes dance work in unusual spaces; using image and form as a starting point, she develops the juxtaposition of bodies creating unusual images in space.

Ms. Turvey has instigated and participated in projects around the world including Kenya, Uganda, Namibia and South Africa. She has also worked in Romania, Switzerland, USA, France and other parts of Europe.

Ms. Turvey's unique approach to dance brings people together to share their different body histories through experiencing and appreciating movement together. Creative workshop sessions are based on safe and structured improvisations, using simple skill development and tasks. Individual, partner and small group work are interwoven, with an emphasis on play and breath within movement. Individual needs are respected, with no pressure to do anything; participants work on their own or with the group. Ms. Turvey aims to foster inspired movement activities, and encourages participants to open new doors for personal growth and creativity through physical engagement.

'The supportive atmosphere youcreated during the workshop enabled us to approach difficult andchallenging exercises with confidence'

"You left us with a renewed enthusiasm and enhanced our personal and professional development"

"It was great to see how naturally and comfortably the group becameinvolved. Dance is such an honest medium and a good starting point foranyone to work together"

(Quotes from previous participants)
www.turveyworld.co.uk

On Ellen Kaz and Kaz DanceHUMAN Theater:

Ellen Kaz created Kaz DanceHUMAN Theater, for Real People in Real Human Bodies, in 2006, shortly after she was diagnosed and had surgery for a degenerative back condition. As a dance professional, Ms. Kaz has taught, choreographed and performed for over 20 years internationally. Ms. Kaz's work has been seen from New York to Cape Town, South Africa, in Europe and throughout the U.S.
In its first two years, DanceHUMAN has received both critical and public acclaim including the prestigious NETC's Special Award for Outstanding Achievement in the American Theater and the Paul Winske ACCESS Award from Stavros Center for Independent Living.
DanceHUMAN offers integrated workshops and performances that challenge the aesthetic and exclusive nature of mainstream dance, changing the perception of the art form to include a more integrated and real range of HUMAN experience for both dancers and audiences alike.
Ms. Kaz continues to teach and choreograph independently internationally, and locally at the Pioneer Valley Performing Arts School in South Hadley, MA.

--Comments from DanceHUMAN Workshop Participants and Audiences:

"I haven't felt this free in my body since I was twelve."

"This feeds my soul."

"The work changed how I see the world."

"This is why I come to performances: to be moved!"


http://www.myspace.com/kazdancehumantheater

peace.
ellen.



WELCOME! Below, you'll find info on upcoming and recent workshops, special events, performances and awards.

Mission: Kaz DanceHUMAN Theater makes movement art that celebrates the HUMAN spirit embodied in all its forms through dance collaborations with physically disabled and non-disabled people.
Mission Extension Pilot: DanceHUMAN has EXPANDED with a New Branch Pilot Project of Dance for Developmentally Disabled Adults!

• DanceHUMAN Ongoing WORKSHOPS

* DANCE SERIES for Physically Disabled/Non-Disabled Adults
WHAT: DanceArts Physically Inclusive/ Exclusive! Workshops in Integrative Improvisation and Choreographies
WHEN:Select Saturday Afternoons, 2:00 – 3:30 pm (accessible venue)
COST: $15-20 sliding scale per class (pre-registration preferred).
WHERE: PVPA High School Studios, South Hadley, MA

* RECENT PERFORMANCES

"The Difference Between," World Premiere at Northampton Center for the Arts, with Catalyst Dance Co., Jan 10-13, 2008. Duet with Deb Waldron and Katie Neill, choreographed by Ellen Kaz.

Recent DANCEHUMAN EVENTS & WORKSHOPS

Spring '08 Choreographies for Berkshire Hills Music Academy, graduate performances, developmentally/cognitively disabled adults. Performances TBA: May, 08.

Fall '07 Movement Pilot with the Rainbow Players, Amherst, Ma
Part of DanceHUMAN's New Branch Pilot Project to bring dance to folks with developmental disabilities, in conjunction with ETTA International, Ezzell Florenina and Stavros Center for Independent Living, a special series with this international integrated theater project. BENEFIT PERFORMANCE with DanceHUMAN, for BEST BUDDIES, international. With Ellen Kaz and a Member of the Rainbow Players/Best Buddies

More of DanceHUMAN's effort to raise awareness and support for inclusive arts!
CityStage, Springfield, Ma
Thursday, November 1, 07 --

*AWARDS*

Ellen Kaz accepted Stavros Center for Independent Living's Paul Winske ACCESS Award this December, 2007, in addition to a SPECIAL AWARD for her work with DanceHUMAN at the NEW ENGLAND THEATER CONFERENCE in November, 2007! At the awards weekend in New Hampshire, DanceHUMAN gave a lecture/demonstration and a participatory workshop in integrated dance for conference attendees and guests

A bit more on workshops…COME ON and DANCE!

Workshops are safe, fun, sometimes quirky explorations into what is possible when we celebrate movement that respects our real, HUMAN physical parameters and relationships. Participants in workshops and performances have included folks who use wheelchairs, have partial paralysis, chronic pain or other physical difficulties, chemically sensitive individuals, folks of all ages, even self-proclaimed "dance-phobics," as well as non-disabled dancers, professional to beginner level.

PARTICIPANTS say:
o This feeds my soul.
o I haven't felt this good in my body since I was twelve.
o This is the dance class I've been waiting for my whole life.

Rumi says:
o Dance, when you're broken open.
o Dance, if you've torn the bandage off.
o Dance in the middle of the fighting.
o Dance in your blood.
o Dance, when you're perfectly free.
--Jelaluddin Rumi

And, a bit more on Kaz DanceHUMAN Theater…

In its first year, Kaz DanceHUMAN Theater has already been featured in many regional news media including The Women's Times, The Daily Hampshire Gazette's Weekend section, The Amherst Bulletin, and The Republican, as well as on local radio and television. Another feature article on DanceHUMAN came out in April, 2007 in The Republican.
The project has performed original works of integrated dance at Thornes Market A.P.E. Performance Space, the Northampton Community Music Center, at the Barn Studio in Amherst, at area senior centers, the Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter School in South Hadley, and at a Benefit for Kaz DanceHUMAN Theater at the Evolution Café in Florence.
The project has also hosted international guest artist Gerry Turvey (September 2006) funded by Arts Council England, and on April 21, 2007 hosted guest artist Christie Svane, who pioneered the International Dance Exchange Alliance in Amsterdam.
In one short year, the Valley's own DanceHUMAN project is already being hailed as a force for physically integrated dance in New England and for the growing wave of integrated arts internationally. In November, we will be accepting a Special Award from the New England Theater Conference for our work!

For further info, contact Ellen Kaz at 413-253-7559 ellenkaz@hotmail.com.