Urban Spiral Weekend
with Shira Yaziv & Sebastian Grubb
Friday-Sunday, December 8-10, 2023
@ The Finnish Hall, Berkeley, California
Urban Spiral Weekend is a workshop intensive led by Sebastian Grubb and Shira Yaziv. We blend multiple physical modalities and training techniques to help participants improve their movement quality, learn new skills, and connect with others.
Guidelines for Sickness
Currently there is no requirement for masking or having a particular vaccine status. Please do not attend if you feel sick or are actively sick!
SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY
6-6:30pm Arrival / Check-In
6:30-8:30pm: Evening Session
Opening Circle
Movement Games
8:30-9:30pm: Open Jam
SATURDAY
10am-1pm: Morning Session
Axis Syllabus (Sebastian)
Acrobatic Flow (Shira)
1-2:30pm: Lunch
2:30pm-5:30pm: Afternoon Session
Contact Improvisation (Shira & Sebastian)
5:30pm-7pm: Dinner
7-8pm: Evening Session - Open to CI friends $20
Attunement (Shira & Sebastian)
8-9:30pm: Dance & Movement Jam (Live Music w/ Erica Stevenson)
SUNDAY
10am-1pm: Morning Session
Axis Syllabus (Sebastian)
Acrobatic Flow (Shira)
1-2:30pm: Lunch
2:30pm-5:30pm: Afternoon Session
Contact Improv & Movement Games (Shira & Sebastian)
Closing Circle
6-7:30pm: Group Dinner
-Optional meal together at a local restaurant, TBA
Class Descriptions
Axis Syllabus: Spiral Dynamics & Sequential Support
In this class we'll apply information from biomechanics and anatomy to fluid movement phrases. You might even call it "dance". We'll study support architecture in a variety of postures and sequences, emphasizing skeletal alignment, balancing tension forces, and breathing mechanics.
Acrobatic Flow: Movement Exploration
This class combines acrobatic maneuvers, floor-based flow dancing, and handstands. Strategies for loading hands/wrists, accessing your 'backspace', and generating power for quick twitch action will be discussed and practiced.
Contact Improvisation: Technique & Experimentation
This session focuses on foundational CI techniques and partnering strategies. We'll then move toward more complex improvisation frameworks as a group.
Attunement: Senses + Gravity
We'll prepare for the jam by first connecting to the planet, feeling weight, activating sensory perception, and building spatial awareness. This provides a sovereign foundation for meeting others to dance and explore as social animals.
Dance & Movement Jam
Be Free! This is an open opportunity for expressive movement (and stillness) as you like. With live music by Erica Stevenson.
**The Saturday evening session is also open to friends of participants: 7-9:30pm, $20 at the door.
Registration and Payment
Registration Fee: $50 (non-refundable)
-this secures your spot
-via Eventbrite
Additional Class Fee due at the event:
$245 if you register by Oct 7
$345 if you register by Nov 7
$445 if you register by Dec 7
$495 on Dec 8
Financial Help & Work Trade: contact us
What is Included in the Price?
Full weekend of movement classes and two dance jams!
Is food included?
We will provide some snacks and hot tea. There are plenty of restaurants/grocers nearby.
Is lodging provided?
No. We will have a group email to help with room rentals and shared options.
What if I'm working with an injury or limitation?
Reach out to us and we should be able to work with you to make the classes accessible.
More Details
Exact Location
The Finnish Hall1970 Chestnut StBerkeley, CaliforniaThe Finnish Hall has a small parking lot next to it. The nearest BART stations are Downtown Berkeley Station and North Berkeley Station, both just over 1 mile away.
There are nearby restaurants and cafes.
Arrival & Departure
Plan to arrive by 6:20pm on Friday to complete your sign-in and get settled!Saturday and Sunday morning sessions start at 10am, but we will open the Hall by 9:45am.
The last class ends on Sunday at 5:30pm.
Things to Know
- Bring plenty of clothes / layers.- Bring food/snacks and beverages.- Bring a mug for tea and a water bottle.- The Finnish Hall has all-gender bathrooms and sink faucets for water. The Hall is currently not ADA accessible, and has about 10 steps up to the front door.- Please do not attend if you are sick or starting to feel sick!