Canoa Dance  is a unique blending of physical and cultural education in  majestic Canoa Quebrada, one of the best beach towns in Brazil, located on the famous Northeast Coast in the state of Ceará. 

Canoa Dance is based in the Axis Syllabus, a detailed study of biomechanics in the context of movement classes or laboratories. Every day will start with an Axis Syllabus class offering a particular focus which changes each week, followed by a class based in a Brazilian cultural tradition. This exchange is the foundation of Canoa Dance.  This year's roster includes Dances of the Orixás, Dances of Maranhão, capoeira, Brazilian tap dance, and Dança Popular Contemporãnea from Rio.  As we are so fortunate to be able to host this event in Brazil, we feel honored to engage in and nurture the rich heritage of dance and music to be found there.  This design opens up a beautiful opportunity to apply the Axis Syllabus research in a socially and politically relevant context, using it as a tool for bridge building between the North and the South.  Canoa Dance is a three week event  this year and  while we encourage participation in the whole event, you are also welcome to come for a week or two, or as much time as you can.

In addition to the Canoa Dance class offerings, space and time will be available in the afternoons and evenings for laboratories, rehearsals, classes, body work, discussions, film screenings, etc.  Each week, all participants are invited to collaborate on the schedule, offering complimentary classes or activities, or proposing projects that you would like to initiate.  Those who are interested are also invited to participate in performances or other activities for the community.  Each participant is actively involved in the creation of his or her experience, and gets the full benefit of the Canoa Dance community as well as the warm and colorful community of Canoa Quebrada.  This format also helps to keep costs low to off set travel and housing.

We look forward to seeing you in 2012!

 

 

WEEK 1

Take a Deep Breath (Axis Syllabus)	March 5 - 10	8:30 to 10:30am	Ana Flecha
Dances of Maranhao	March 5 - 8	11am to 1pm	Luana Reis
Dances of the Orixas	March 9 & 10	1pm to 4pm	Marcello Santos
Aerial Rope (Limited to 16 students)	March 6 & 8	6:30 to 8pm	Saki

 

WEEK 2

The Human Animal (Axis Syllabus)	March 12 - 17	8:30 to 10:30am	Ana Flecha
Popular Contemporary Brazilian Dance	March 12 - 16	11am to 1pm	Morena Paiva
Aerial Rope (Limited to 16 Students)	March 13 & 15	6:30 to 8pm	Saki

 

WEEK 3

Spring Loaded (Axis Syllabus)	March 19 - 24	8:30 to 10:30am	Ana Flecha
Capoeira for Dancers	March 19 - 22	11am to 1pm	Gildazio Pereira
Brazilian Tap Dance	March 23 & 24	11am to 1pm	Valeria Pinheiro
Aerial Dance (Limited to 16 Students)	March 20 & 22	6:30 to 8pm	Saki

CLASS DESCRIPTION

As yogis have known for centuries, breathing is our most fundamental activity, and links our physical body with our mental, emotional and spiritual being.  In this class we will use the breath as a tool to track our state of being as we move, building a foundation in the Axis Syllabus anchored in a constant awareness of our relationship to the information we are working with.

 This workshop aims to pass on the knowledge of traditional dances of Maranhao, including: Bumba-meu-boi, tambor de crioula; cacuriá; côco; and dança do lelê, exploring the playful body characteristic of Brazilian folk dances, its musicality and showmanship.

Dances and wisdom of the sacred drum . . . This class will combine study of movement, rhythms and songs of the Orixás based in the Afro-Brazilian tradition of Candomblé.  Classes will be divided into study of drumming technique, the various rhythms and their relationship with particular Orixás and ritual phenomena, corresponding dances and songs, which are typically sung in a mixture of Portugues and Yoruba languages.  The objective of the class is to instill knowledge and appreciation for this vast and colorful lineage and for students to have the opportunity to embody the teachings and messages that come through this powerful cultural and spiritual practice.

This class is suited to arieal artist at all levels. Absolutely no prior experience needed. We will swing, climb, spin and most importantly PLAY! A light acrobatics warm up will lead us into plenty of time on the ropes. The apparatus used will primary be circus Spanish web rope on swivel but if you have a climbing harness feel free to bring one up. Please call 831-325-1447 or email Saki for any further details on this class This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Slithering, crawling, rolling, swinging, flying – in this class we will examine all of the patterns of movement contained in our human bodies and how they relate to the basic art of walking.  We will examine how walking unfolds out of lower, more animal like movements, and how all movement pathways can be considered variations on walking.

In this workshop, we will work to stimulate confidence and self expression through the use of improvisational methods allowing the individual appropriation of brazilian folk dance traditions. We will start from the initial observation about the importance of an organic pulse common to all of us present in the everyday act of walking, and relate this work to small rhythmic movement motifs from some brazilian popular dances (such as Samba, Jongo, Côco de roda and Funk carioca). Finally, we will practice interactive games of group improvisation and composition, always culminating in a large and lively circle to practice individual and collective expression.

This class will focus on jumping, all of the stages involved, the optimal use of momentum, off balance, how to load your weight for optimal air time, and how to land safely and efficiently.

Let's walk through the technique of tap all the way from the U.S. leading  up to the Brazilian rhythms.   In this class we will explore the syncopations that characterize Brazilian rhythms. We will touch upon samba, bossa nova, coco and maracatu Pernambuco, surrendering our bodies to these playful rhythms.

This workshop aims to present capoeira movements and musicianship while creating possibilities for choreographic process and play. We will create relationships and possibilities between capoeira and the various dances and popular rhythms of Brazil in order to experience what these forms of expression have in common through experimentation and with awareness and freedom of the movements and gestures of each student.

 

 

The videos below were produced during the Nomadic College 2010 in Canoa Quebrada.

         

Below is the promo video made for the Nomadic College 2010