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
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
https://conta.cc/3YJKyt3One 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
WASSA DANCES WITH ALOHA
February 11-18, 2018
Kalani Oceanside Retreat Center
Big Island, Hawaii
Join us for a very special week of inspiration, ease and joyful vitality.
Come as you are, let the rhythms dance you deeper.
This sweet 7 night island style intensive features daily sessions of movement meditations and personal tuning leading into spirited dance segments in Wassa’s unique ways. Most afternoons and evenings are purposefully left open for participants to enjoy their own experience of the many delights and resources of Kalani and the island
Delicious daily buffet style meals, accommodations and use of Kalaniʼs grounds, pool and spa are included.
* Spontaneous offerings for group or individual sessions TBA.
We will be
– cultivating fresh vibrancy in our physical wit and wisdom.
– immersing ourselves in afro-infused dance inspired by some of the best music the world has to offer.
– engaging our senses in the complex natural and cultural beauty that the Big Island offers. Ocean meets lava, mongoose, wild pigs, tree frogs, bird song, hula, solar power, compost, and not so far away strip malls all co-existing while Pele makes the newest earth in the world.
Only a few spots remain.
Lodging options and rates*
Hale 4
– private room/shared bath – $1,620
– double occupancy/shared bath – $1,368
Mauka Cottage
– single/private bath – $2,705
– double – $1,970
*all prices subject to change without notice for non-registered options
For reservations and information, contact Lara:
lara@wassadance.com
Wassa Cancellation Policy: Until November 10, 2017, deposits are refundable minus a $50 administrative fee. After November 10, 2017, there are no refunds on deposits unless I can replace your reservation, $50 administration fee applies.
Here’s our residency listing on Kalani’s site
Kalani Honua Retreat Center: Kalani means Harmony of Heaven and Earth and is located on 19 coastal acres of tropical beauty on the SE coast of Hawaii. Dramatic lava cliffs provide a haven for sunbathers, stargazers, whale watchers and those seeking a deep connection with the earth and sea. Other offerings at Kalani at additional cost include: Hawaiian and Thai massage, Yoga, Bodywork, Watsu (water-based bodywork) and Hawaiiana/Hula Classes.
For more info on Kalani: www.kalani.com
To book airport shuttles, please call Kalani’s Guest Services at 800-800-6886 at least a week prior to
I’m so pleased to invite you my favorite event of the Wassa year:
WASSA DANCE AND VILLAGE VOLUNTEERS’
13TH ANNUAL
THANKS-GIVING DANCE BY DONATION
Featuring some of Seattle’s finest percussionists.
COME DANCE WITH US,
EVERYONE IS WELCOME!
Thursday, November 24th, 2016
9:00 -10:15 a.m.
Crown Hill Gym
9250 14th Ave. NW
Seattle WA 98117 (Ballard)
This year we will raise funds for Farmers’ Own Flour Mill installed in Khalwenge Village in Kenya and operated by the 27 members of the Tasamana Women’s Group.
The flour mill will provide women with an income to be able to support their families and send their children to school. One third of the profits of the mill are saved in a fund to provide the members with no-interest loans.
Village Volunteers is a 501 C3 nonprofit. All donations are tax-deductible and eligible for company matching funds. If you can’t attend, you can still send a check to Village Volunteers* with Wassa Dance on the memo line. All proceeds raised at this event go directly to the micro-lending project.
Event questions: lara@wassadance.com
Wassa Dance: www.wassadance.com
Project Information, contact Shana at Village Volunteers: shana@villagesolunteers.org
www.villagevolunteers.org
*Village Volunteers
5100 South Dawson St.
Suite 202
Seattle, WA 98118
I’m so pleased to share a beautiful piece of art created by Phillip Page as the cover for the new invitation to Wassa Dance classes. Come by and get some to share with your friends and communities. Its time to dance!!!!
Join us for a delicious weekend of extended dance sessions and inspiration at one of the Puget Sound’s most beautiful resources for movement studios, the Madrona MindBody Institute.
Inspired by the elemental roots of Africa and beyond, we’ll immerse in Wassa’s unique style of spirited dancing combined with seasonally rich movement meditations and stretching to begin and end each session.
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.
Saturday sessions: 9:00 a.m.-Noon & 3:00-6:00 p.m.
Wassa Dances with Aloha
February 5-11, 2017
Kalani Oceanside Reatreat Center
Big Island, Hawaii
Join us this winter for a new season of inspiration, ease and joyful vitality.
Come as you are, let the rhythms dance you deeper.
This sweet 6 night island style intensive features daily sessions of movement meditations and personal tuning leading into spirited dance segments in Wassa’s unique ways. Most afternoons and evenings are purposefully left open for participants to enjoy their own experience of the many delights and resources of Kalani and the island
Delicious daily buffet style meals, accommodations and use of Kalaniʼs grounds, pool and spa are included.
* Spontaneous offerings for group or individual sessions TBA.
We will be
– cultivating fresh vibrancy in our physical wit and wisdom.
– immersing ourselves in afro-infused dance inspired by some of the best music the world has to offer.
– engaging our senses in the complex natural and cultural beauty that the Big Island offers. Ocean meets lava, mongoose, wild pigs, tree frogs, bird song, hula, solar power, compost, and not so far away strip malls all co-existing while Pele makes the newest earth in the world.
SPACE IS LIMITED! EARLY REGISTRATION IS SUGGESTED.
LODGING OPTIONS / RATES*
BUNGALOWS – sold out
TREE HOUSES- 2 rooms left + one share available
Single/private bath: $1,650, Shared double: $1,350, Triple: $1,260
MAUKA COTTAGES – sold out
MAUKA LOFT – sold out
*Prices subject to change without notice for unregistered participants.
Wassa Cancellation Policy: Until November 15, 2016, deposits are refundable minus a $50 administrative fee. After November 15, 2016, there are no refunds on deposits unless I can replace your reservation, $50 administration fee applies.
Kalani Honua Retreat Center: Kalani means Harmony of Heaven and Earth and is located on 19 coastal acres of tropical beauty on the SE coast of Hawaii. Dramatic lava cliffs provide a haven for sunbathers, stargazers, whale watchers and those seeking a deep connection with the earth and sea. Other offerings at Kalani at additional cost include: Hawaiian and Thai massage, Yoga, Bodywork, Watsu (water-based bodywork) and Hawaiiana/Hula Classes.
For more info on Kalani: www.kalani.com
To book airport shuttles, please call Kalani’s Guest Services at 800-800-6886 at least a week prior to travel.
6:15 – 7:15 p.m.
We had a beautiful event with more than 60 generous dancers and great music by Thierno Diop, Denny Stern, Larry Swanson, Shemayim Elohim and Lance Lu. AND we raised $3,500 that morning toward our goal to fully fund this project. It’s going to happen! It’s not too late for you to donate.
We are most grateful.
click for the pretty version WASSA Flyer – Thanksgiving 2015.
We are so excited for this beloved annual event!!!
WASSA DANCE AND VILLAGE VOLUNTEERS’ 12TH ANNUAL
THANKS-GIVING DANCE BY DONATION.
Thursday morning November 26
9:00 – 10:00 am
Crown Hill Community Building Gym
(same building we’ve been meeting the past nine years, but across the hall. Shoes are fine in this space. )
9250 14th Ave, NW Seattle WA 98117 (Ballard)
Featuring some of Seattle’s finest percussionists & Lara of WASSA DANCE who will lead us in joyful African inspired movement!
This year we will dance to set up a goat dairy project with the Lenana Girls School in Kiminini, Kenya to produce goat dairy products and train students and future farmers in achieving livelihoods in sustainable agriculture. Our goal is to fund 8 goats (6 female and 2 male) and a shelter. The first offspring goats will be given to women farmers who will in turn do the same as this project develops and continues. We invite you to also keep it local by contributing a portion of your donation to Village Volunteers, who keeps all of these programs going throughout the year. You can designate the amount to each on the memo line of your check or a note with cash donations.
All donations are tax deductible and eligible for company matching funds. Can’t attend the event but want to contribute? You can still show your support – send a check with ‘Wassa Dance’ in the memo line to Village Volunteers at 5100 South Dawson, Ste 200, Seattle WA 98118
Contact Lara for event questions, classes & workshops at lara@wassadance.com www.wassadance.com.
Reach Village Volunteers at shana@villagevolunteers.org
www.villagevolunteers.org Ph: 206.577.0515
WASSA DANCE’S
SAVORY AUTUMN INTENSIVE
with Lara McIntosh
Madrona MindBody Institute
Fort Warden in Port Townsend, WA.
Friday Oct. 9 – Sunday Oct. 11th, 2015
Join us for a delicious autumn weekend of inspiration and concentrated experiences of Wassa Dance’s joyful African-infused offerings at one of the Puget Sound’s most beautiful resources for movement studies.
Inspired by the elemental roots of music and moves from Africa and the Americas, this retreat is designed for people who love to move in a nourishing, structured environment. Our sessions will include image-rich movement meditations, floor work and stretching, along with spirited dancing in Wassa’s unique style.
Our lodging option is full.
There is still room for you on the dance floor on Saturday and/or Sunday. We’d love to have you join us.
Please contact lara@wassadance.com for more details.
More about Madrona MindBody Institute.
Here’s the first of the sweet bits from Wassa Dance and Village Volunteers‘ 11th Annual Dance by Donation Fundraiser. We had a most wonderful time with 70+ dancers raising $3,600 in an hour’s class for this year’s micro lending partner SISI FUND in Kenya.