Here’s the Constant Contact version of reflections from me, announcing our Autumn retreat at Madrona MindBody Institute plus updated Zoom policy plus some great links to music:
https://conta.cc/41u4G4h
Wassa’s Savory Dances for Autumn
October 13-15, 2023
Madrona MindBody Institute
at Fort Worden
Port Townsend, WA
Only one spot left! Contact me asap if you’d like to join us.
Join us for a weekend immersion in movement and music dedicated to the richness of our individual and collective experiences. Each of the three daily sessions offer the invitation to come as you are and go deeper into what calls to you through embodied listening, with guided contemplative and lively movement that is sourced daily with some of the best music the world has to offer.
All levels of fitness and experience are welcome.
$230 for the weekend
Spaces are limited and first come first served
Single sessions available by request
Email Lara at lara@wassadance.com for registration, payment options, cancellation policy, any questions or requests.
Our preliminary schedule is:
Friday 10/13: 4-6 pm
Saturday 10/14: 1-4 pm
Sunday 10/15: Noon – 3 pm
One of the sirens’ calls that first got me into teaching dance was the notion that I could make my own mixes with all this new to my ears music that was coming my way. From the continent of Africa especially. This excitement along with needing to structure a mix along an aerobic hear rate curve was very compelling.
I spent a lot of time counting the beats per minute of pieces and hours and hours getting a set just so in the cassette form.
Then came the CD format. Faster but still needing to have all the physical materials on hand to make something happen. Once it was burned, it was done.
Now I can make and rearrange mixes as fast as I can think of or explore a new song.
I’ve had many different goals with the musical choices I’ve made over the years but exposing folks to some of the vast richness of cultures and expressions from the African diaspora has always been one of the essential keys.
When we were first slowly coming out of Covid lock downs, working with so many restrictions, including dancing in separate taped off squares, masked and 98% virtually, many of the 100+ compilations didn’t feel right. Some sounded too big, some had too many layers of memories for me of big groups and unencumbered spaces, some I thought wouldn’t sound good on whatever home set up people were using to dance on Zoom. I didn’t try to present as if it was the same class as ever with some inconveniences thrown in. And I felt we needed music that was encouraging, nurturing and inspiring to move with in small spaces.
I now have a whole series of those that start with the letter Z (for Zoom).
This winter one of our long time dancers, Nan, who now has dementia, started joining us on Tuesdays. When I know she’s coming, I’ve gone for my most gentle mixes thinking too much stimulation might be harder. Having her there is teaching me many things. One is the kinds of music she most seems to respond to (it varies but definitely pieces with a touch of Latin flavor). And for however small it appears, how deep from within her those movements are. It feels very pure. One of the things I appreciate about her responses too, is how when she gets overstimulated she simply stops and slowly folds herself into a ball on the floor. Or makes her way to the door where her amazing husband helps her sit out for a while until she’s ready for more.
Lately as more people are able to return in person and we can use the whole room again, my curiousity, creativity and musical palette are opening up too.
Last week Ismaila Toure of the great Senegalese band Toure Kunda died. Hearing this reminded me of how their song “Salaly Muhamed” was one of THOSE songs that got me excited to start teaching with my own musical choices. I set out to re-explore some if their work and other songs from that era. That resulted in a mix I made with Nan in mind that also includes Samite, Remmy Ongala, Dorothy Masuka, Thomas Mapfumo, Angelique Kidjo…
The next one brought in more from Toure Kunda, some older some newer, a nod to De La Soul’s catalogue being remastered and released with most of their original samples (and RIP Trougoy/Dave), a posthumous piece from Ali Farka Toure, new Baaba Maal and a Janelle Monae/Seun Kuti collaboration, Kokoko!,Angelique Kidjo and a few more. I wasn’t sure this one was going to fly but it held together in a fresh way. I can’t wait to dance with it more.
Happy Anniversary Balance Studio!
Click to read.
We have begun! Here’s the link to check out our first tastes of what goes on in our daily classes. Enjoy! And, I’d love to hear from you: lara@wassadance.com
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.
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.
Wassa Dance – March Rhythms
Madrona MindBody Institute
Port Townsend, WA
March 1-3, 2019
Come as you are and let the rhythms take you deeper.
You are invited for a special weekend of dance and movement meditation as we tune into the transition from late Winter into early Spring with some of the best music the world has to offer.
$250 for the weekend.
Day and single session rates available by request.**
To sign up or for more information:
Lara McIntosh – lara@wassadance.com
Wassa Dance – www.wassadance.com
This workshop is designed for people who love to move in a nourishing, structured environment.
We will meet
Friday 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m.-Noon & 3:00-6:00 p.m.
Sunday: 10:00-11:30 a.m. & 1:00-3:00 p.m.*
* Sunday schedule subject to change
**Drop-ins are especially welcome at our Saturday afternoon 3-6 pm session. $25+written feedback on your experience or $35 and done. Cash & checks only.
Participants arrange their own transportation, lodging and meals.
Several participants are looking into sharing a group lodging arrangement at Fort Worden, I am happy to put you in touch with them.
Contact Lara for registration and information.
This annual residency at MMI is a favorite of mine. This year, I am especially excited to include Marie Chong’s offering in the mix. Her insight and expertise will be a beautiful component of this year’s creative exploration and inspiration.
Wassa’s Savory Autumn Intensive
Madrona MindBody Institute
Port Townsend, WA
October 5 – 7, 2018
You are invited to join us for a delicious weekend of Wasssa Dance with Lara McIntosh and a very special Sunday morning session of
GYROKINESIS® with Marie Chong.
This workshop is designed for people 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 – $275*
Friday 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. with Lara
Saturday: 9:00 a.m.-Noon & 3:00-6:00 p.m.
with Lara
Sunday: 10:00-11:30 a.m. with Marie
& 1:00-3:00 p.m. with Lara
*Can’t make the weekend? Come for a session or a day! Contact lara@wassadance.com for details.
Participants arrange their own transportation, lodging and meals.
Contact Lara for registration and information.
(GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® are registered trademarks of Gyrotonic Sales Corp and are used
with their permission)
Wassa Dance & Village Volunteers’ 14th Annual Thanks-Giving Dance by Donation is happening and you are invited!
Thursday November 23, 2017
9-10:15 a.m.
Crown Hill Community Building Gym
9250 14th Ave. NW
Seattle WA 98117
This gathering has become a beloved event for many who enjoy community, fun and good works as part of their holiday traditions. As always, the event features some of Seattle’s finest percussionists donating their time for the project.
This year we will dance to raise money for the Wassa Inua Mama (Uplift Women) Fund from Common Ground for Africa.
The money we raise will provide seed funding for training for 100 young Kenyan women with no business experience about how to work with money. They will learn about bookkeeping, marketing, and personal savings to prepare them for sustaining and managing their own small businesses which are micro-loaned funds through the group. Part of the project includes building a banda (hut) for meetings, sharing ideas, selling seeds and vegetables.
All donations are tax-deductible and eligible for company matching funds. If you can’t attend, you can donate online at https://villagevolunteers.org/donate/.
Or 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.