Dancers at contactfestival freiburg in 2018. Photo by Patrick Beelaert.

Critical Mass: CI @ 50 has come and gone. This website will now host the traces of our dancing together as they become available. The schedule will continue to be posted and the YouTube channel for the contact-inspired films will remain available here . If you missed any zines, they are available here . Below is a final letter from Ann Cooper Albright and a small selection of photographs from CI@50 photographers Yusa Jacobo and Teresa Więcko.

Dear Critical Mass participants,

I have been lying on the floor of Warner Main Space, listening to the rain and birdsong outside the windows. The space that once held over 280 people is now empty. Most of the residents left this morning for a road trip across the country. I am alone in this space, holding the memories of so many bodies dancing together last Saturday night during the Underscore. As a multi-faceted event with exhibitions, workshops, panels, and performances, not to mention a film showing, Critical Mass: CI @ 50 has come and gone. Today, I am gathering the material remains – zines, water bottles, assorted clothing – left behind. And yet, the traces of our mutual dancing and discussing are still swirling through me. I want to thank you all for your participation in this imperfect yet extraordinary event. People met old friends, experienced new dances, and enjoyed the beautiful weather and green of Oberlin, Ohio. I do truly believe that over the course of four full days in July 2022, we have both honored (and parsed) the history of Contact Improvisation, met the present moment with renewed energy, and projected a path for a possible inclusive future of this amazing dance form. Thank you for your inspiring energies and for making this 50^th anniversary event a reality. It was complicated, challenging, and, ultimately, a fabulous ride. Thanks to Becca and all those purple shirted volunteers who helped contribute to its success as well. I look forward to seeing and dancing with you all in the future.

Sincerely, AnnCA

Critical Mass is a 5-day event (July 7-11, 2022)

This summer, come join the dancing and celebrate CI with us (meet our team).

Critical Mass invites practitioners from all communities to join together for

dancing, celebrating, inquiring, exchanging (accessibility information).

Critical Mass is hosted by Oberlin College, a historic site for Contact Improvisation, and at 32 years home to one of the longest-running academic programs for the study, practice, and

development of Contact Improvisation (calendar of events here).

Registration opens March 22nd, 2022

Sliding Scale/Three Tiered Payment Options: $140, $200, $300

You are welcome to stay in Oberlin College housing options from July 6th-July 11th.

Oberlin College Housing options:

Double Room w. A.C.

$31 per person per night, plus $40 cleaning fee per person

4 nights – $164

5 nights – $195

6 nights –$226

Single Room w. A.C.

$40 per night, plus $75 dollar cleaning fee

4 nights – $235

5 nights – $275

6 nights –$315

Group Apartment for 4 people w. A.C. (4 bedrooms, 4 full beds, kitchen)

$56 per night per person, plus $40 cleaning fee per person

4 nights – $264

5 nights – $320

6 nights –$376

Other Housing Options:

The Hotel at Oberlin with Oberlin College Discount

(must pay through CI50 registration in order to get this reduced price)

$189.74 per night

Choice of 2 queen beds or 1 king bed

AirB&B

Local B&Bs

Boarding Options:

Dinning at Oberlin College Cafeteria

Breakfast (all you can eat) $8 per meal (2 days $16, 3 days $24, 4 days $32, 5 days $40, 6 days $46)

Lunch (all you can eat) $11 per meal (2 days $22, 3 days $33, 4 days $44, 5 days $55, 6 days $66)

Dinner (all you can eat) $14 per meal (2 days $28, 3 days $42, 4 days $56, 5 days $ 70, 6 days $84)

Daily Pass (all you can eat) $33 total (2 days $66, 3 days $99, 4 days $132, 5 days $165, 6 days $198)

There is an IGA grocery store 1 mile from the studios and restaurants a block away in town.

Founded in 1833, Oberlin College was one of the first institutions of higher learning to admit women and African American students.

Find out more about the history of Oberlin College , the history of CI at Oberlin, and view our land acknowledgement.

MISSION STATEMENT:

Critical Mass: CI@50 strives to create a space where all dancers are seen and respected in their participation and contribution to the event. We are committed to examining the culture of Contact Improvisation and acknowledging its history of non consensual transgressions, inequity, ableism, sexism, and racism, and recognizing the ways these power imbalances continue to influence the spaces we co-create. We strive to engage in a continual process of educating ourselves and acting for transformation.

Critical Mass: CI@50 is working to rewrite and uphold our mission statement and acknowledges the

generous activism work provided by Colleen Bartley, Collin Edina, Kathleen Rea, Leslie Heydon, and Michele Beaulieux in this process.

To support those with financial access needs, we are currently working on fundraising for travel grants and registration scholarships for BIPOC and folks from the global south. If you are interested in supporting these fundraising efforts, please visit https://advance.oberlin.edu/campaigns/oberlin-college-endowment-for-dance. Thank you!