Island Moves: A Workshop with sarah koekkoek

“This work is intended as an offering to the natural world, using movement as a language of gratitude, care, relation, and compassion” – sarah koekkoek

As part of our 2020 Winter Island Artist-In-Residence Series Artscape Gibraltar Point and sarah koekkoek invite you to show us your “island moves” in two, FREE open participation movement workshops, Feb 22 [SOLD OUT] and 29, 2020 from 1PM – 3:30PM.

These workshops are open to people 16 years of age and up, of ALL ABILITIES and ALL EXPERIENCE LEVELS including those with NO EXPERIENCE whatsoever!

These workshops will build on and inform sarah’s ongoing research into the nurturing of reciprocal human/human and human/non-human relationships through a process of movement-based offerings.

Participants will be asked to think about their current relationship with the land and ask themselves “How can we nurture these relationships and hold them in high priority within ourselves and communities?” and to express their answers through movement.

Movements created during the two workshops will inform the creation of a movement score that will be displayed as part of the Winter Island 2020 Exhibition at Artscape Youngplace in July.

Please note that participantion is limited to 20 persons max per workshop. Registration is Mandatory! Please use the eventbrite link below to reserve your space!

Transportation will be provided to and from Ward’s Island Ferry dock courtesy of Artscape Gibraltar Point. Ferry departs the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal Queens Quay W, Toronto, ON M5J 2H3 at 12:30PM (Half Noon)

Snacks and Refreshment Provided

RESERVE YOUR WORKSHOP SPACE: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/island-moves-a-movement-workshop-by-sarah-koekkoek-tickets-93367010241

ABOUT THE ARTIST

sarah koekkoek is an independent dance artist, choreographer and trauma informed educator based in Toronto/Tkarón:to. Her research and choreography examines movement as a language that can help nourish greater understanding and compassion with our relationship to self, others and the earth. Currently her work is exploring our punctured relationship and existence within the abused and exploited natural world, developing an environment of (physical) emotions surrounding climate change and the anthropocene.

After receiving classical ballet training from The Royal Winnipeg Ballet School sarah went on to perform with some of Canada’s largest ballet companies (Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, Ballet Jorgen and The Royal Winnipeg Ballet). sarah continues to study movement and choreography through experimental movement exploration and participating in residencies at Banning Bouldins Nashville company New Dialect, and The Banff Centre of the Arts where she worked with Gabrielle Lamb, Eric Beauchesne (Kidd Pivot), Toer Von Schayk, Merrill Ashley, and dancers from Sharon Eyals L.E.V.. In Toronto working as a dancer for Jasmyn Fyffe in the New Blue Festival, Valance Movement (Jamee Valin), IO Movement (Lauren Runions), The Chimera Project, collaborating with Nyda Kwasowsy for Anda_2 Residency as well as visual artists Maryanne Casasanta and Camille Rojas.

“At the core of my practice is the recognition that I am an uninvited guest on the territory lands of the Wendat, The Haudenosaunee and The Mississaugas of The Credit First Nations. This informs how I move through the creation process as well as daily life. It is imperative that we do all we can to be respectful to indigenous communities, uphold treaties and remain open to learning and evolving together.” – sarah koekkoek