Dear Friends and Students,
Wassa Dance classes are on our regular schedule for now. We are trusting in folks following best practices for both self-care and community well being. Dancing in community is a beautiful thing and we are grateful for every day this happens, especially now. If you are feeling sick or vulnerable, please stay home and take good care.
If we need to deviate from our regular schedule, I will post here, on Wassa’s FaceBook page, and send out an email via Constant Contact.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Please know that Balance Studio is very pro-active in keeping our dance space clean and sanitized. Here is an excerpt from them:
As the spread of COVID-19 continues throughout our area, we are closely monitoring advisories from King County and Washington State Public Health. At Balance Studio we are taking measures to frequently disinfect doorknobs, light switches, water dispenser, bathroom, studio equipment and all other areas frequently touched by both instructors and students. We recommend washing hands or using a 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer before entering the studio and before leaving. Bring a change of clothes to change into after class if you do floor exercise. Remember to not only prevent contact with the virus but boost your own immune system by eating a well balanced meal (with lots of colorful fruits and vegetables for their immune-enhancing capacities), get plenty of rest and avoid stress as much as possible. Below are a few reminders and links for more resources. As always, please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
- Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces.
- Stay at home and away from others if you are feeling ill.
King County Department of Health:https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/communicable-diseases/disease-control/novel-coronavirus.aspxWA State Department of HealthEPA-Approved Disinfectants:
My holiday break comes late this year. I'm very pleased to have these wonderful women stepping in to keep you dancing while I am away:
Monday 1/6 - Becci Parsons
Becci brings her beautiful wit, wisdom and love of movement coupled with her many years of Feldenkrais practice.
Wednesday and Friday 1/8 & 1/10 - Janelle Campoverde
Janelle shares her love of Brazilian movement and music along with her great insights in Feldenkrais technique.
Saturday 1/11 - Kine Camara
Kine carries the legacy of her father Ibrahima Camara's mastery of traditional Senegalese dance and percussion to the next generation along with her studies in Afro-Beats style.
Monday 1/13 - Becci Parsons
Wishing you a brilliant new year
full of fulfillment, joy and lots of dancing!
We had a glorious time! Here are just a few shots from this beloved and successful fundraiser. Many thanks to our beautiful musicians, Caxambu, Denny Stern, Thierno Diop, Shemayim Elohim, Jay Braverman and Lance Lu. And to all who participated and contributed to this event.
We've raised close to $3,000 so far which translates into business loans for 45 women and their families in rural Kenya.
It's not too late to donate.
This year's event was a wonderful success! 51 dancers, 7 wonderful musicians and close to $3,000 in that hour and more is coming in!
It's not too late to donate:
We are thrilled to be offering this beloved community event again this year. Come celebrate with us!
Thursday, November 28, 2019
9:00 -10:15 a.m.
9250 14th Ave. NW Seattle WA 98117 (Ballard)
You are invited to our 16th Annual Thanks-Giving Dance by Donation. This gathering has become a beloved event for many local people who enjoy providing an opportunity for economic freedom for women as part of their holiday traditions.
On Thanksgiving morning, join us as we are led in Afro-Fusion movement with Lara McIntosh of Wassa Dance and accompanied by some of the best percussionists in Seattle to raise funds for Mucharange Village Women to provide start up funding to form micro-lending groups in Kiminini-Trans Nzoia County.
All donations are tax deductible and eligible for company matching funds. If you can't attend donate online at https://villagevolunteers.org/donate/.
You can also still send a check to Village Volunteers with Wassa Dance on the memo line to
Village Volunteers
5100 South Dawson St. Suite 202
Seattle, WA 98118
Contact Lara for event questions: lara@wassadance.com
Wassa Dance: www.wassadance.com
Contact Shana at Village Volunteers: shana@villagesolunteers.org
www.villagevolunteers.org
http://www.villagevolunteers.org
We have a wonderful line up of percussion musicians coming to inspire this month's special Sunday session. Join us!
One way and another we've been doing these live cross-cultural percussion and movement events for 25 years. So happy the next series is back for the 2019 September- December season!
Come move in the heart of September rhythms with our live music session Sunday 9/8/19.
This beautiful Gita came back from Mali with me from the first trip there. It's a beautiful instrument. For me, its all about the parts as well. Calabash, pyromancy, cowries, being hand made, acoustic... These alchemical things are among my current autumn muses.
Madrona MindBody Institute
Port Townsend, WA
October 11-13, 2019
Come move in the heart of autumn rhythms for a delicious weekend of Wassa Dance
with Lara McIntosh.
This workshop is designed for folks who love to move in a nourishing, structured environment with some of the best music the world has to offer.
Fee for the full weekend – $260
Friday 4:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m.- Noon & 3:00-6:00 p.m.*
Sunday: 10:00-Noon*
& 1:00-3:00 p.m. *
* schedule subject to change.
Can’t make the weekend? Come for a session or a day!
Single drop-in sessions $35.
Contact lara@wassadance.com for details.
Participants arrange their own transportation, lodging and meals.
Contact Lara for registration and information.