Spring 2023 | Workshops w/ Andrew Harwood

April 3rd to 8th @ EDAM

Andrew de Lotbinière Harwood is renowned as a leading light in the field of dance improvisation. He is an internationally recognized pioneer of contact improvisation (CI) and a master teacher/performer in both real-time composition and CI. For over forty-seven years he has dedicated himself to the research, development, education, collaboration and dissemination of these rigorous artistic practices as sophisticated performing art forms.

More about Andrew Harwood (Montreal, CA)

Andrew de Lotbinière Harwood is renowned as a leading light in the field of dance improvisation. He is an internationally recognized pioneer of contact improvisation (CI) and a master teacher/performer in both real-time composition and CI. For over forty-seven years he has dedicated himself to the research, development, education, collaboration and dissemination of these rigorous artistic practices as sophisticated performing art forms.

He first studied and then performed with Steve Paxton, Nancy Stark Smith, Nita Little and Kurt Siddal, the instigators of Contact Improvisation. His journey has continued to evolve through the development of consciousness, various investigations of perceptual awareness as well as an abundance of collaborative performances around the globe with the likes of Peter Bingham, Chris Aiken, Ray Chung, Daniel Lepkoff, Kirstie Simpson, Alito Alessi, Karen Nelson, K.J. Holmes, Lisa Nelson, Julyen Hamilton, Benno Voorham and Benoit Lachambre, to name a few.  

Formerly founder and artistic director of AH HA Productions (2000–2014) he also danced for the companies of Marie Chouinard, Jean-Pierre Perreault, Jo Lechay, Joint Forces and Fulcrum, as well as the improvisational dance collectives Discovery Bal, The Echo Case and The Improvisational Movement Fund. Still passionate about teaching, he transforms his training and performance experience into a personal language, which he has shared throughout the world since 1977. He was awarded the Canada Council of the Arts Jacqueline Lemieux Award in 2000.

Workshop Cost and Policy

• EDAM reserves the right to cancel the workshop for any reason. In this case, Refunds will be issued and the registered participants will be contacted it

• EDAM reserves the right to exchange the teacher if the booked teacher can no longer attend. Registered participants will be contacted and can request a refund if no longer want to attend the event with new teacher

• Workshop cost varies depending on teacher, type and duration

• EDAM Performing Arts Society Lifetime Membership $5. To participate in workshops at EDAM, you must be a member

  > You can register on-site or through our website (if not Sold Out). EDAM accepts cash, cheque or e-transfer

• Workshops are 50% refundable, when given 48 hrs notice to the initial intended workshop day

• Workshops are refundable 100%, when given minimum 4 working days notice to the initial intended workshop day

• Exceptions may be made depending on the level of urgency that caused the participant to cancel attendance - please email info@edamdance.org ASAP

• Workshops can be transferable to another participant - please email info@edamdance.org ASAP

• Please read the EDAM Waiver and EDAM Safety, Consent and Inclusion Policy before entering the studio

What to bring

• Comfortable clothes that you can move in and slide, bottle of water, minimal jewelry, kneepads if you have them ( if not, we have some for sale).

• Recommendation for beginner’s class: long sleeves are helpful for sliding on the floor.

• Odor free/ scent reduced environment.

Frequently asked questions

• “What is a difference between a class and a workshop?” A class is a short focused session; and a workshop is a long session (with small breaks at the teacher’s discretion) both are facilitated around the teacher’s interests and knowledge.

• “What are Contact Jams?” Contact Improvisation jams are leaderless practice environments in which dancers practice the dance form with whoever gathers—friends or strangers, old, young, experienced, novice. CI jams are loosely structured events for people to gather and practice together (play). The Open Jams do not have a instructor/teacher and do not have instructions; however, EDAM also offer some Jams that might have some instructions.

• “I have never done Contact Improvisation (CI). Can I join any classes?” If you have never done CI please sign up to “All levels“ classes first (taught by Olivia Shaffer on Wednesdays and Anne Cooper on Sundays), to acquire some skills and tools. Depending on your skill level you may request to join our most advanced morning classes taught by Peter Bingham. The teachers can support you in this journey. We also facilitate Fundamentals workshops every season - sign up to those!

• “Where can I get kneepads for my Contact Improvisation practice? We sell Kneepads for CI practice ($30/ at the door). Ask the teacher/GM for some.“

EDAM respectfully acknowledges that our activities and events take place on the ancestral and unceded Indigenous territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations.

Important Information

EDAM Performing Arts Society is committed to maintaining an environment where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect and are free from all forms of discriminatory treatment, behavior or practice. Please read and familiarize yourself with our inclusive protocols and policies. These will also be accessible to you onsite. All EDAM dancers (every person who attends an EDAM class, workshop or JAM) must read and agree to:

EDAM Waiver
EDAM Safety, Consent and Inclusion Policy
EDAM Anti-Racism, Access and Equity Policy and Human Rights Complaints Procedure

COVID-19 Updates (updated April 8, 2022): EDAM follows BC’s PHO. Wearing a mask is a personal choice.