Workshops & Classes

"Irena's Dreaming a Place Workshop blew me away. As a person who
spends a lot of time outdoors, I was surprised at the newly profound
relationship I was able to create with the natural world and the
universe. I experienced a deep state of grace, awe, and beauty. It
is something I can draw strength from in my everyday life.

Irena's authentic and powerful connection with nature and movement,
along with her creative guidance, set the stage for me to easily open
up to a new level of celebrating life.

I can't wait to do this again."

-- Joseph Kraut, Michigan

September 21, 2008 - 3:30 PM
also October 12, 2008 - 3:30 PM

Nichols Arboretum: Meet near peony garden and Washington Heights entrance

In this workshop, participants will tune in to the elements that compose a
place, and allow them to speak through the human body, hands and voice. The
emphasis will be on dance and movement, but drawing, voice, music and visual
art made from elements of the place, and poetry will also be encouraged.

Magical and fun, creativity attuned to environment can be an entrancing
journey and a homecoming. Though drawing on inspiration from Australian and
Celtic traditions, we will primarily make our own spontaneous connections to
place elements: merge, extend and weave; be travelers, without having to go
far physically.

All living things, all elements directly sprung from earth, are dreamers.
Dream precedes and intertwines with action in the outer world. We will begin
with attunement to our own breath and rhythms, then merge and interlace our
dreams with what is around us, interpreting them through-- and extending-- our
own feelings, imaginations and vocabularies. We will dance for as well as with
the elements, with honor, love and respect. There will be occasional recorded
music, and we will wind up with some freeform dancing to lively, organic
music.

At the end of the workshop we may feel as though we had been on a restorative
vacation, from having become closer to what exists around us. We will have
plugged back into the greatest power grid of all.

Bring: Drinking water and anything you may need for protection from sun, rain,
allergens, poison ivy, occasional rough terrain, etc. There will be a few
ten-fifteen minute walks from one location to another; we'll take the more
gently-sloping paths. Please contact Irena about any concerns.

Optional: Sketchbook/pens/pencils -- Poetry -- Water shoes.

No dance experience necessary! All ages welcome, but children must be
accompanied by a responsible adult.

$5-20 Alternative trade considered.

Directions:
> From downtown Ann Arbor, intersection of Main and Huron: Go east on Huron,
left on Division. Take Division to Broadway, crossing the Broadway Bridge.
Right on Maiden Lane, continue to cross Fuller onto Medical Center Drive.
Follow it to its junction with Washington Heights; peony garden entrance is on
the left. Free parking is available on Sundays at a small lot on Washington
Heights, and on Nichols Drive (off Medical Center
Drive opposite hospital area.)

Contact: birena@umich.edu; 734 996-1772

Irena Nagler has been performing environmental dance since 2003, dancing and
directing with Nightfire for eleven years, and facilitating community dance
events since 1987. She has taught creative writing for children and
improvisational dance with adults.

The workshop is followed by a mask-optional dance party with food and world
music.

No experience necessary. All ages welcome (under 16 accompanied by
adult.)

$5-20 sliding scale. Alternative trade considered.

734 996-1772

Irena Nagler has been dancing in masks since age 5. Her more
recent experience includes ten years of directing and performance with
Nightfire Dance Theater, and twenty involved in coordinating community
dance events. She teaches workshops in dance improvisation and
environmental dance.

DREAMING A PLACE
Environmental dance, poetry and art
Workshop with Irena Nagler

Sept. 23, 2007 - 3:30-5:30 PM
County Farm Park, Ann Arbor

Meet at Medford Pavilion, visible from parking area off Medford Rd.

In this workshop, participants will tune in to the elements that compose a place, and allow them to speak through the human body, hands and voice. The emphasis will be on dance and movement, but drawing, voice, music and visual art made from elements of the place, and poetry will also be encouraged. Magical and fun, creativity attuned to environment can be an entrancing journey and a homecoming. Though drawing on inspiration from Australian and Celtic traditions, we will primarily make our own spontaneous connections to place elements: merge, extend and weave; be travelers, without having to go far physically. All living things, all elements directly sprung from earth, are dreamers. Dream precedes and intertwines with action in the outer world. We will begin with attunement to our own breath and rhythms, then merge and interlace our dreams with what is around us, interpreting them through-- and extending-- our own feelings, imaginations and vocabularies. We will dance for as well as with the elements, with honor, love and respect. The workshop will include one structured improvisation experience to give participants a sense of the performing-art aspect of environmental dance. There will be occasional recorded music, and we will wind up with some freeform dancing to lively, organic music. Rain or shine: shelters available. The area includes woodland, prairie, water and gardens.

Bring: Drinking water, picnic blanket and anything you may need for protection from sun, rain, allergens, poison ivy, occasional rough terrain, etc.
And: Optional: Sketchbook/pens/pencils -- Poetry -- Water shoes.

No dance experience necessary!

All ages welcome, but children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

$10-20 ($5-10 students/seniors) Alternative trade considered.

Directions:

From Plymouth Rd. and Broadway St. in Ann Arbor: Take Plymouth to Huron River Parkway; turn right. Right on Washtenaw. Left on Manchester. Take Manchester to Medford. Near their junction is a chiropractor's office on Medford. The entrance drive to the Medford parking area is opposite. A sign will be posted there. Medford Pavilion is noticeable, painted red.

From S. Main St., Ann Arbor: At junction with Saline/Ann Arbor rd., go east on Stadium. Turn right on Washtenaw, right again on Manchester.

Directions from outside of Ann Arbor:
From US-23, take Exit 37B, Washtenaw Avenue West. Merge onto Washtenaw Avenue and continue for 1.3 miles. You will pass Arborland Mall on your right, followed by Barnes & Noble (on your right, at Huron Parkway) and Washtenaw County Recreation Building (on your left, at Platt Road). The next traffic light after Platt is Manchester Road. From the left-turn lane, turn left onto Manchester Road. Take Manchester to Medford. Near their junction is a chiropractor's office on Medford. The entrance drive to the Medford parking area is opposite. A sign will be posted there. Medford Pavilion is noticeable, painted red.

Park website: Alternative entrance to the park mentioned here is at the far end of it from the workshop meeting point. Website has a trail map with paths leading to Medford Pavilion. http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/departments/parks_recreation/pavilions/cfp/pr_pkcfp.html

Contact: 734 996-1772
birena@umich.edu

Irena Nagler has been performing environmental dance since 2003, dancing and directing with Nightfire for ten years, and facilitating community dance events since 1987. She has taught creative writing for children and improvisational dance with adults.

DREAMING A PLACE - Environmental dance, story and art
Workshop with Irena

July 15, 2007 - 3:30-5:30 PM

Meet at Bandemer Park shelter, Ann Arbor (at end of drive)

April 14, 2007 3:30-5:30 PM

Sun Moon Yoga Studio, 404 W. Huron, Ann Arbor

http://sun-moon-yoga.com/

This work/playshop on dancing from the inside out is designed for people of all ages and abilities who would like to dance with more freedom, creative expression and attunement to music and rhythm. Participants will dance to eclectic music and occasional silence, drawing on kinesthetic sense and imagery based in natural elements, especially the building of a fire. No partner or experience necessary; the setting will be a studio with soft lighting and no mirrors.

The facilitator has been producing community dance events since 1987, including creative dance theater and freestyle improvisational dance sessions.

Have fun! Become the music! Ignite the spark!

$10, $5 students/seniors

Alternative exchange/barter also considered

Contact: 734 996-1772