About Lara
A deep love of music and a lifelong curiosity about movement and culture are among the muses in Lara McIntosh’s life.
Integration of rhythm, spirit, craft, and community are unfolding themes of her work. As a choreographer,
performer, teacher, and student, Lara has
danced all her life and has been active in Seattle
drum and dance communities for many years. Lara’s Afro-infused dance classes have been independently developing since 1997.
She also offers residencies in local schools and intensive retreat-style workshops internationally. Lara’s community projects include directing ensembles for the Fremont Summer Solstice Parades and Pageants, leading group dances at special events, micro-lending fundraising projects in Africa, and travels for cultural study to Brazil
and Mali, West Africa.
Lara's movement studies range from tap and ballet and acrobatics to modern/comtemporary modes to the improvisatory work of Deborah Hay and Eiko & Koma along with many seasons and styles in between. A casual drop in class at Ewajo Centre became a turning point where dance became the center of her life.
Many of Lara's favorite performance & production experiences have been with her long time collaborators in THREAD DANCE. These works are site specific, self produced, largely improvised and always designed as a gift for the viewers.
POSITIVE SWEAT was the first incarnation of her unique teaching style which developed out of her association with Physical Culture's Paula Moreschi (owner) and Kristi Rudolph.
Babatunde Olatunji was a significant inspiration to the beginnings of Lara's involvement with African dance and music. His credo of the power and healing of the drum and his appeal to act beyond borders as cultural ambassadors has lain at the heart of her work ever since.
BABATUNDE OLATUNJI
Lara's cultural studies include travels to Brazil and Mali, West Africa. Those experiences continue to inform and inspire her daily practices.
About Wassa Dance:
Wassa is the Bambara name given to Lara in Mali, and translates loosely as “one who acts for joy and fulfillment.”
Wassa Dance is designed around basic root movements and simple choreography. People move together while enjoying their own individual experience. Classes are crafted for a deep, rich involvement with the music and the moves. Ages range from teens to septuagenarians. New students are always welcome!
About Tuesday Tonic:
Crafted for OmCulture, this lively and accessible dance class is infused with rhythms and moves from Africa and the Americas. Guided movement and simple choreography are designed to create a savory dance experience and a sense of inspired well-being.
ROKIA SIDIBE - who named me after her favorite auntie, Wassa Sangare
Wassa Dance is designed around basic root movements and simple choreography. The intent is for a group of people to move together as well as enjoying their own experience of the evocative movement and music. On the spectrum between traditional African dance classes and ecstatic world beat offerings, Wassa Dance falls in a unique place where the dancers bring their individuality to basic and structured choreography. There's also an element of movement craft/technique involved as students find depth and richness in elemental movement and rhythms.
"I love Wassa Dance and all it does for me...the exercise, the joy of movement, the comaraderie and the sheer entertainment of it.
I encourage everyone to give it a try" - Juli F.
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