About Contact Improvisation

Contact improvisation (CI) is a dance form that originated in the United States during the 1970s. It is a social and physical dance form that emphasizes the exploration of movement and connection between two or more people. The early practitioners of CI were influenced by modern dance, Aikido, Tai Chi, and other movement based somatic practices. They were interested in exploring new ways of moving and relating to others through dance.

CI is characterized by its improvisational nature, where dancers use physical touch, weight sharing, and movement to create a unique and constantly evolving dance. The dance is often performed without music, and the movement is driven by the physical cues and responses of the dancers. The focus is on the quality of movement, rather than choreographed steps or sequences, and the dancers are encouraged to listen to their bodies and respond intuitively to their partners.

Over the years, CI has evolved into a global movement, with communities and festivals in many countries around the world. The practice has also expanded to include more diverse styles, such as contemporary dance, but the emphasis on improvisation and connection remains a core element of the dance.

Today, CI is practiced by people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. It is often used as a tool for personal growth, community building, and artistic expression. The dance is also used in therapeutic settings, such as in dance therapy and rehabilitation, where it is used to help people connect with their bodies and others in a safe and supportive environment. Overall, contact improvisation continues to evolve as a dynamic and inclusive dance form, with its emphasis on physical touch and connection providing a unique and powerful experience for dancers around the world.

About Our Jams

A Contact Improvisation jam is an open and non-directed dance session where dancers come together to explore movement and physical contact through improvisation. The jam typically takes place in a large open space where dancers can move freely and safely. The participants are encouraged to follow their impulses and connect with themselves and others through touch and movement. The jam often has a set amount of time, ranging from a few hours to an entire weekend, and may include live music or other forms of artistic expression. The atmosphere is often one of mutual respect, experimentation, and exploration.

Here in remote Humboldt county our jams tend to be smaller than what you can find in more populated areas and usually have less than 15 dancers. Our community consists of several dedicated practitioners and many dancers who have some level of experience and interest in the practice. We regularly have folks join us with little to no experience and thus we do our best to be welcoming and to provide teaching and guidance as appropriate. Newcomers are encouraged to attend with a sense of curiosity and ask questions.

Our weekly jams are notaflof (no one turned away for lack of funds) but we do appreciate any contributions to assist with our rental and administrative costs. Offering $5-15 to attend a jam is very appropriate and is encouraged.

About This Site

I, Jeffrey Balinsky, built and maintain this website as a way to help promote our local jams and workshops. I find it helpful to have one central place I can direct people to keep updated with Humboldt CI developments. I personally have hosted over 100 jams in Arcata and have taught numerous classes and workshops. It brings me great joy to share Contact Improvisation with our local community and to host traveling dancers. You can find out more about my other local offerings and sign up for my newsletter at www.yogijeffrey.info.

I recoded and expanded this site in April 2023 in part because I wanted to test the new generative AI coding tools that are now available. It sits on a robust modern code stack that uses an Ubuntu Server, Nginx, Gunicorn, Django(Python), and Foundation SCSS. I code and deploy it using a Linux desktop environment using VSCode and git. This may be total overkill for this simple site but I hope to expand and develop this site over time.