D A N C E
Local dance company exercises new form
As her petite form
moves in precise and
harmonious contact
with his only slightly
larger frame, she
transfers her entire
weight onto him.
Their backs meet, touching at one
shoulder and rolling across to the
other. Very slowly, they seem to be
cementing themselves together.
This is Contact Improvisation, a
dance form that involves an interplay
of shared weight and balance between
dancers. It is relatively new. but is fast
catching on in Eugene.
The dancers are Karen Nelson, 28.
and Alito Alessi. 31. who make up the
core of Joint Forces, a dance company
that will, together with the Community
Center for the Performing Arts, host the
upcoming “New Dance,” a col
laborative performance featuring dance
.. • and rnovement artists from across the
United States.
The two New York-born dancers have
been dancing together since forming
Joint Forces in 1979, and have taught
Contact Improvisation classes at both
, the University and the Eugene Center .
. for the Healing Arts.
' “In order to do the (Contact Im- ,
provisation) dance, you have to give
over your whole weight. . . it's a good,
workout after'which you feel warm
from head'to toe," said Nelson; who
has been dancing for 10 years;
Both Nelson and Alessi say that Con
tact Improvisation has “gotten refined
over the years.'.' ..
Steve Paxton, the originator of Con
tact Improvisation, had been interested
in a kind of. therapy where he had
• “men falling a lot and jumping on each
other" Nelson said.
She said that getting in touch with
body movement, which is what hap
pens in Contact Improvisation, is a
healing tool in terms of awareness and
self-expression. •
• ; Now. according to Alessi. Contact
Improvisation is a growing dance form
and is being recognized and integrated
into other movements by modem dance
companies in the country.
. “It teaches you the anatomical basics
of your body in healthy ways," he said*.
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adding that Contact Improvisation is a
"fitness program with a holistic ap
proach,” where you learn your
psychological and physical limits.
As the dancers transfer their weights
from one to the other, there has to be a
great deal of trust, especially when at
times one's whole body is supported by
the other. Peace and relaxation seem to
flow through them as they move to the
music and glide across the room.
Later, as Nelson playfully ruffles
Alessi's wavy hair, one senses the rap
port they have developed over five
years of partnership — important for
dancers who practice Contact Im
provisation where reliance is essential.
Nelson grew up in Long Island, New
York, attended Naropa Institute, a Bud
dhist "contemplative college,” and has
worked as a "street performer, a clown,
a juggler,” in Boulder, Colo. She also
has some background in martial arts.
Alessi, who also grew up in New
York, was formerly a student at the
University, where he majored in
elementary education and community
service-public administration. From
1972 through 1975 he worked at the
EMU Childcare Center. He is now on
the board of the Eugene Center for.the
Healing Arts, a therapy and couseling
center, where both he and Nelson work '
one-on-one with individuals. .
. As far as dance itself, the two miss*
not doing more “New York City
•material.” In fact, that is what they . .
miss most being'away from New York,
although Nelson does miss her'family. •
and Alessi. his friends.
"There’s more activity there,”
Nelson said.
"But Eugene is where we live and .
this is what, we have,” Alessi added.
. And that is the reason the two are br
inging several big-city, big-name per- • .
formers to Eugene for the March jam..
' New Dance begins at 8 p.m. on
March 23, at the W.O.W. Hall. In this
Eugene appearance. Nancy Stark
•Smith, an internationally known dance/
artist and originator of Contact Im
provisation; will join Nelson and Alessi.'
of Joint Forces and others from Seattle,
Karen Nelson and Alito Alessi, members of Joint Forces, a local dance company,
demonstrate Contact Improvisation. . ' ' .
The evening s events will also in-,
elude'a rare showing of Steve Chris
tiansen's dance video tapes, ‘.‘Chute”
and ’Soft.Pallet.” Christiansen, a
. Eugene yideographer. created these two
historical edits of. Contact Improvisa
.tion which document the first perfor
New York.City. Los Angeles,
Washington, D.C., San Francisco and
•Eugene:.' •
mances held in 1972. The tapes feature
the originators of Contact Improvisa
tion, including Nancy Stark Smith and .
. Steve Paxton. .
Elaine Toh
Dr. William T. Hodson, Optometrist
Santa Clara Square
fcK* 689-1115
1 (Formerly located at Fred Meyer)
The Fridav Edition. Paee 3B