**This is a 1 day intensive prior to our Jam Into the Fall**
EARLY BIRD PRICING UNTIL August 15th, 2026!
This workshop invites us to practice interdependence and collective attention, creating spaces where movement becomes a form of relational knowledge.
We are beings made of relationships — with ourselves, with others, and with the world around us.
The way we move, the way we think, the way we imagine is constantly shaped by these relations.
We approache the body as a place we have been living in since we were born — a place informed by reality, imagination, culture, forces, beliefs and dreams.
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Together we enter a field of research:
no end practice
no end study
no end transmission
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Contact Improvisation offers tools to navigate presence, unpredictability and connection.
Through touch, gravity and shared movement we practice listening, falling, supporting and being supported.
We study the weight of sensation, the movement of fascia, the reflexes of the nervous system, and the space between the bones.
~ How a small perturbation can reorganize the whole body ~
How attention moves and is moved.
Drawing from the principles of Material for the Spine (Steve Paxton), dancing with the skeleton and researching the relationships between parts of the body — always shifting, always adapting.
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We will explore spirals, puzzles, walking as foundation, and the center as initiator.
We will move through space as a spherical field where all directions are possible, researching how to orient and disorient ourselves while dancing.
Through solo and collective practices we will investigate questions such as:
Can empathy be practiced?
Is dancing together different from dancing alone?
Can precariousness become a way of being rooted?
Is solidarity only a word, or a shared physical practice?
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Touch becomes a way of communicating. A way of exchanging information, direction and possibility through fascia, weight and timing.
In a world that shifts faster than we can predict, this practice cultivates readiness — the capacity to adapt, redirect and transform.
We dance the dance of ANY now. . .
Are we aware of the present we are dancing in?
Can we be radically active AND fully present?
Can we breathe and move at the same time?
Can we rest inside this fullness?
Can we really meet — in movement, in impact, in support?
Can we imagine — and begin to practice — the future we want live in?
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Nica Portavia (Italy)
(she/they)
Dance has been always their way to encounter the world, the others, themselves.
With research as a daily practice, they practice every day knowing that, they don’t know, they just experience.
They are a dancer and activist. The interconnections between bodies-politics-humanity-anthropology and how to cultivate something together is what impacts their research and what they are bringing to the dance space.
Because they don’t practice just “to feel good”, they practice to feel “more” and that is an incredible journey.
When in Italy, Nica is giving weekly classes in Bologna about CI and MFS. Nica is also teaching internationally. In the past two years they have been co-teaching with Karen Nelson, and working on a performance called “Smaller”: a history of CI from Steve Paxton’s material. Most recently, they have started a co-teaching project with Charlie Morrissey about Material for the Spine (MFS) into CI.
Teachers that have forever inspired Nica’s work are: Steve Paxton, Scott Smith, Karen Nelson, K.J. Holmes and Daniel Lepkoff.
DATES
September 24th, 2026 (10am to 6pm)
Arrival Day: September 23rd (set up camp) after 4pm (NO DINNER SERVED) or you may arrive on site the morning of Sept 24th.
Departure: If you are not staying for the Jam Into the Fall, Departure is by 8pm on September 24th.
SCHEDULE (Subject to some fine tuning)
8:30-9:30AM BREAKFAST
8:00-9:00AM CDP WITH SELENA
10:00AM-1:00PM MORNING CLASS WITH NICA
1:00- 3:00PM LUNCH/REST & DIGEST
3:00-6:00PM AFTERNOON CLASS WITH NICA
TRAVEL TO SALT SPRING ISLAND
Travel by air to Vancouver International Airport YVR or Victoria YYJ Airport.
Salt Spring Island is a popular tourist destination. Travel during the summer months can be BUSY! Best to reserve your route as early as possible (reserve your flight or ferry travel).
We will organize a rideshare for those interested. Its also a great way to meet your fellow attendees before the gathering.
If you are coming by foot (i.e. no car) we can organize a pick up for you at the Harbour Air or Ferry terminals if you let us know in advance.
TRAVEL BY AIR from Vancouver YVR Airport (select Richmond YVR Airport) on Harbour Air into Ganges Harbour on Salt SpringIsland. The travel is 35 mins. This can be helpful if traveling to YVR airport already from elsewhere. You will need to transfer to the South Terminal via airport shuttle (free) or taxi (paid) (may take between 15 and 30 mins depending on traffic).
TRAVEL BY SEA on BC Ferries. There are 2 main options:
Travel direct from Tsawwassen ferry terminal to Long Harbour, Salt Spring Island (1 or 2 options daily). The crossing is 40 mins. See schedule here
Travel via Swartz Bay (Victoria)
Tsawwassen ferry terminal to Swartz Bay Terminal (Victoria) This option is available every hour daily. he crossing is 25 mins. See schedule here
THEN TRANSFER
Swartz Bay to Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring Island). This option available every approximately every 2 hrs daily. See schedule here
Travel questions? Please ask! info@rhizomesprings.com
TRAVEL TO RHIZOME SPRINGS ON SALT SPRING ISLAND
We are located in the south end of Salt Spring Island. The road is not paved, but maintained and graded semi frequently. Although it can be rough, most vehicles can drive it without issue. The key is to DRIVE SLOWLY. We will send complete directions upon registration. Questions? info@rhizomesprings.com
Location Details
Salt Spring Island is a small town community (pop ~10,000). The closest store is 20 min drive (Fulford Harbour). The main town, Ganges, is 35 min drive away with a grocery store, ATM, cafes, pharmacy, small hospital and some general supply stores. There are no big box stores and limited amenities on island. The famous Salt Spring Island Saturday Farmers Market has fresh local produce and lots of famous artisanal food and crafts. There are lots of local farm stands selling home made/grown produce, baking, kombucha, soaps, teas, etc.
Tent/Car camping included. Please bring your own gear (tent, sleeping mat/bag). We have some tents/gear for rent (please inquire prior to coming if interested).
Potable water on site. Bring your own water bottle and mug for coffee/tea.
Bring clothes to dress in layers, as the weather is unpredictable. Sometimes cooler nights/mornings and very hot afternoons/eves.
We have showers. Only biodegradable soaps/shampoos please.
The ocean or lake are within a 10 min drive. Sensitive eco systems - no oils/soaps etc.
The land is a sensitive ecosystem and we count on you to respect and honour this by cleaning up after yourself, preserving water, being fauna and flora aware and embodying the animal this land asks for.
Stinging nettle is on the property. Brushing with this is NOT as severe like poison oak. Symptoms are a tingly-burny sensation (like having rubbed against sandpaper) that may last for a few minutes to few hours (depending on your sensitivity).
Bring: headlamp, footwear to meet a rugged landscape, sun hats, sunscreen, layered clothing, water bottle, mug for coffee/tea, journal, pen, tent, sleeping mat, bag, pillow, towel, toiletries.
Food
For this 1 day event, we offer a meal plan for an additional cost if desired. This includes lunch and dinner for $30.
Lunch and dinner lovingly prepared by our dancing resident chefs!
Always available: tea/coffee
If you like to snack during the day, best to bring your own.
We source from local and organic foods as much as possible.
We try our best to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, so please complete the registration to let us know of any dietary needs you have. If your needs are too great we may not be able to accommodate you.
COST
Cost of this 1 day workshop includes classes only.
We offer a sliding scale to help make the cost of entry affordable to a variety of financial capacities. Please consider honestly what you can afford, as this will translate to offer our teachers, facilitators and cooks a reasonable compensation for their years of training and practice. You can pay anywhere along the scale suggested.
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: (until August 15th) CAD$100 - $125
REGULAR PRICE (August 16th onward) CAD $125 - $155
*Meal plan: if you would like lunch and dinner the additional costs is $30.
PAYMENT
To complete registration please send full payment to:
Canadians pay via e-transfer to: info@rhizomesprings.com
Password: RHIZOME
Non-Canadians pay via WISE.com
partial wORK tRADE
We have a limited number of partial work trade spots available. Please inquire to info@rhizomesprings.com
REFUNDS
*50% refund can be made until August 24th
** no refunds after August 24th
***In case of cancellation of the event all receipts will be refunded less $50 admin fee.
the Studio
Classes will take place in the 50-foot diameter dome, with walls open to fresh air and incredible views from Phoenix Domes