Contact Improv Dance Weekend June 26-28

Contact Improvisation Weekend 

Embodiment • Movement • Connection


Join us for a special weekend of Contact Improvisation, Embodiment and Movement in the beautiful mountain town of Leavenworth.

From Friday evening through Sunday, we’ll gather at a serene retreat venue near the mouth of Icicle Canyon—a peaceful setting surrounded by forest, fresh mountain air, the Icicle River, and stunning mountain views. The venue is located just 7 minutes from downtown Leavenworth.  

This weekend includes all-level classes, jams, and an Underscore guided by experienced teachers and supported by live music. A nourishing group dinner will be provided Saturday evening, along with light snacks throughout the weekend.

For those wishing to extend the experience and avoid Sunday traffic, we invite you to continue in community at our local outdoor dance space, Clear Heart Sanctuary, for an optional potluck and Ecstatic Dance Medicine Journey with DJ Klarity.

Whether you are new to Contact Improvisation or have years of practice, this weekend is an opportunity to deepen embodiment and listening skills, within ourselves and with one another, while cultivating curiosity, playfulness, and creative, trusting connection.

Our venue features a spacious wood dance floor, high ceilings, natural light, and a warm atmosphere that supports both focused practice and meaningful community connection.


SCHEDULE

FRIDAY EVENING

3:30–4:30 pm — Arrival & Registration / Open Space
4:30–6:00 pm — Workshop with Peggy & Serge
                               Warm up: The listening body as essence of contact improvisation
6:00–6:30 pm — Opening Circle
6:30–7:30 pm — Dinner Break on Site (We will provide a grain, fresh greens, and simple broth. Please bring your own protein and/or extra food as needed.)
7:30–10:00 pm — Open Jam with Live Music by Eric


SATURDAY

8:45–9:45 am — Contemplative Dance Practice*
10:00 am–12:30 pm — Morning Workshop with Mia + Integrative Jam
12:30–2:30 pm — Lunch Break & Open Space
2:30–5:00 pm — Afternoon Workshop with Carmen + Integrative Jam
5:00–7:00 pm — Group Dinner & Open Space A full meal will be provided on site
7:00–10:00 pm — Underscore* with Michal + Live Music by Serge


SUNDAY

8:45-9:45 am— Contemplative Dance Practice*
10:00-1:00pm — Workshop with Integrated Jam - Teacher(s)/ Topic TBD
                                Light Snacks Provided
1:00pm-2:00pm — Closing Circle & Departure (Please leave the space by 2pm)
SUNDAY AFTERNOON (OPTIONAL)
Nature / River Time
5:00-7:00pm — Potluck at CLEAR HEART SANCTUARY Bring Food to Share
7:00-9:00pm - Ecstatic Dance Medicine with DJ Klarity - Open to the Public, additional donation $10-$25

* Contemplative Dance Practice (CDP) is a meditative movement form combining sitting meditation, Authentic Movement, and improvised dance to cultivate embodied awareness. 

* The Underscore was developed by Nancy Stark Smith in the 90's. It is a spacious experience shared by the participants which can spark surprising kinesthetic and compositional improvisation within Contact Improvisation.

FACILITATORS

Mia Kelley
Carmen Serber
Peggy Protz
Michal Lahav

Live Music by
Serge Gubelman & Eric Mulhern

Optional Sunday Evening Ecstatic Dance with DJ Klarity Carlton 

Produced and hosted by
Klarity Carlton & Peggy Protz


What’s Included

• Full weekend of workshops, Jams and facilitated sessions
• Multiple Contact Improvisation jams with live music
• Underscore practice with live musicians
• Saturday group dinner 
• Optional Sunday Evening Potluck and Ecstatic Dance at Clear Heart Sanctuary         open to the public $10-25 donation, no one turned away for lack of funds

Price & Registration

Sliding Scale Tuition: $170 – $300

We’re offering a sliding scale to help keep this weekend accessible while still covering the real costs of putting it on.

$170 – $300 — Pay what you can
Our base cost is about $220 per person. If that feels doable, amazing. If you need to pay a bit less, we have a limited number of $170 spots available. If you’re in a position to pay more (up to $300), your contribution helps support this first-time offering and makes it possible for others to attend who otherwise couldn’t.

We’re aiming to create a meaningful weekend of movement, connection, good food, and time in a beautiful setting near Leavenworth. Thanks for helping make it possible in whatever way feels right for you.

>Register here

Contact clearheartsanctuary@gmail.com or dancingfortheplanet@gmail.com for any questions about registration 


LOCATION & ACCOMMODATIONS

Our venue is the artfully designed Canyon Wren recital hall located at the Icicle Creek Center for the Arts 

ADDRESS :  7409 Icicle Road, Leavenworth, WA 98826

The space is surrounded by nature with plenty of outdoor spaces to walk, picnic, or enjoy some moments of solitude.

We recommend booking accommodations early, as this area fills quickly during the summer months.

• Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort has a limited number of rooms available for the weekend.
www.sleepinglady.com

• Camping options are available approximately 8 miles up Icicle Canyon, including Eightmile Campground, which offers a limited number of first-come, first-served sites that often fill early. Arriving Thursday evening is recommended when possible, as availability cannot be guaranteed.

• Camping is also available at Clear Heart Sanctuary, our local outdoor dance venue located on private land. See details below.

• Renting and sharing an Airbnb can be a supportive and cost-effective option. There are many rentals available in the surrounding area.

• We recognize that accommodations can significantly impact the overall cost of attending. For those needing additional financial support, we are gathering a list of local community members who may be open to sharing a room or offering space on their land. We are also happy to help connect participants when possible.

After registering, you will receive access to a self-serve spreadsheet where you can coordinate carpooling and share accommodation opportunities.


CAMPING AT CLEAR HEART SANCTUARY

Simple camping will be available at Clear Heart Sanctuary (private residence) for a sliding scale donation of $15–30 per night.

The space is located about 1 mile from town and approximately 5 miles from the main venue.

Amenities include:

• basic outdoor kitchen
• outdoor shower
• composting toilet
• outdoor dance floor
• space for tents and limited camper vans

The property sits above Chumstick Highway, so some road noise and a train may be heard at night — earplugs recommended.

Possible shared meals and community-style connection may naturally arise here. Donations support the local dance community in Leavenworth.

To reserve camping space, please contact:
clearheartsanctuary@gmail.com or text "camping June 26-28" to 509-607-2225 and Klarity will be in touch 


RESTAURANTS & FOOD

Nearby dining options include:

Yodelin Broth Company
Bear Bear
The Lost Pig
Prusik Kitchen

Groceries & prepared foods:

Sage Mountain Natural Foods offers great healthy prepared foods, baked treats, and snacks.

Dining onsite at Sleeping Lady:

The Grotto Bar
Kingfisher Restaurant
Lupine Café