Bali Contact Festival 2024

Welcome to the Festival of Contact Improvisation and Contemporary Dance on the enchanting island of Bali. The festival is located in Bukit Asah Camping, Virgin Beach, in a unique natural setting in north-east Bali.

We invited two well-known international teachers of Contact Improvisation and Axis Syllabus. In addition, our festival features local teachers sharing their expertise in Capoeira, water CI, and traditional Balinese dance.

This festival actively supports the local Balinese and Indonesian dance community through scholarships and artistic collaborations. By blending international perspectives with local traditions, we aim to create a rich, diverse learning environment for all participants.
  • 6 Days
    Of immersive dance experience
  • 6 Teachers
    With worldwide recognition and expertise
  • 2 Dancefloors
    In a scenic tropical setting with an easy access to the ocean

LOCATION

Bukit Asah, Virgin Beach
Bukit Asah is located in a picturesque spot, a cliff peninsula surrounded by the ocean.

The cliff offers a stunning view of the small Kuan Island, which resembles a whale and highlights the natural beauty of the area.

Nearby is one of the most beautiful white sand beaches in Bali - Bias Putih, famously known as Virgin Beach.

Nestled in this breathtaking landscape, our festival takes place at a fully equipped public campsite, which we've secured exclusively for our event. As part of our festival, we're creating two spacious dance floors where participants can explore movement and connection through contact improvisation, all while surrounded by stunning natural beauty.
Bukit Asah, Virgin Beach
Bukit Asah is located in a picturesque spot , a cliff peninsula surrounded by the ocean.

The cliff offers a stunning view of the small Kuan Island, which resembles a whale and highlights the natural beauty of the area.

Nearby is one of the most beautiful white sand beaches in Bali - Virgin Beach.

Nestled in this breathtaking landscape, our festival takes place at a fully equipped public campsite, which we've secured exclusively for our event. As part of our festival, we're creating two spacious dance floors where participants can explore movement and connection through contact improvisation, all while surrounded by stunning natural beauty.

TEACHERS

Contact Improvisation
Axis Syllabus
Contact Improvisation
CI in water
Capoeira
Balinese Dance

CLASS DESCRIPTION

Fluidity & Structure
In CI we are wondering how to share weight while keeping the dance flowing through levels and
the space. We need to understand our supportive structure to give and take weight easefully.
That is easiest to grasp in rather static situations and clear pathways. Unfortunately our smart
nervous system wants to recreate those learned positions and pathways in the dancing, which
often leads to predictability and a lack of openness and freedom.
After almost 30 years of teaching CI I am still wondering how to keep the fluidity and availability
in our body organisation and in the communication through touch alive when working on our
technical skill building. „Swimming in gravity“ - a phrase from Steve Paxton - I find very inspiring
for this endeavour.
Developmental movement patterns, the elasticity of the fascia and explorations around bones
and joints will prepare our bodies to have fluidity & structure present for our researching and
dancing.

TICKETS

Included:
All classes & jams
Three times a day vegetarian food
Accommodation in your own tent
Until 15th July (max 20 tickets)
Super Early Bird - SOLD OUT
$350
Until 31st August (max 20 tickets)
Early Bird - SOLD OUT
$400
Regular Price
$450
Local KITAS holder - 50 US$ discount

If You are a Balinese, living and working in Bali, you can join for 50% of the regular price. If your income doesn't allow you to pay 50% then you can get in touch and make a donation based on your financial possibilities.

EXTRA ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

Rental Tent
$150
We provide you with a single tent 1-2 ppl (already set-up). Thick foam mattress, sheets and a cushion.
Double Cabin Rental Tent
$240
We provide for you and your friends a double cabin tent for 2-3 ppl (already set-up). Thick foam mattress, sheets and a cushion. Table & electricity.

PROGRAM

INFORMATION

GALLERY

How to get to the Festival
Getting to Bukit Asah from Denpasar Airport is done best by taxi (about 50$ US, appr. 120 min).

We recommend to download Grab App and book a driver in advance. Alternatively you can find a Grab office just in front of the airport when you leave the building, from which you can order a taxi in person. Government regulated taxi’s are available at the airport as well.

Due to the relatively high taxi cost, we strongly recommend using our festival group chat to arrange and share a taxi ride with other attendees. This can significantly lower the cost per person and is a great way to meet fellow festival-goers right from the start of your journey.

PRE FESTIVAL WORKSHOP

WITH JOERG HASSMANN
Joerg Hassmann
Precision & Freedom

"I want to share my love for details. There is a technical nerdiness to it accompanied by PRECISION in our physical communication. But I am mainly intrigued by details that make the difference, where new things happen in the assumed known, where the colour of my experience changes.

And this FREEDOM thing. Of course there is the flow, our beautiful and healthy addiction. I am interested in a sense of freedom that goes beyond the flow. Sometimes I am a fan of randomness, of not understanding why I am doing what I am doing, tapping into my animal body or artists soul, that has resources beyond my understanding. Feeling rooted in the trust that I am connected, where spaciousness, ease, surprise, risks and subtleties bubble up. …. And I enjoy wondering where being lost and taking responsibility sit in all that?

We’ll work on specific CI situations and principles. And we’ll dance a lot, journeying through open frames - individually embedded in the intelligence of us as a group."
Joerg Hassmann

17-19 October
3 Day Workshop in Nalanda - Ubud, Bali

Schedule:
17 October
10am - 1pm
5 - 7pm

18 & 19 October
10am - 1pm
3 - 5pm

PARTNERS

Contact Dojo
Contact DoJo is a self-led practice or JAM space for self cultivation through movement.

This dance project has existed since December 2022 and takes place three times a week in Bali.

At the beginning of Contact DoJo Jams we offer tea in the silence. It bring us together, helping us arrive and provides a meditative presence throughout the journey.
The Mothership :: CI // MVMT Research Community
The Mothership is a community-driven research initiative focused on organizing consistent and accessible jams, workshops, and gatherings centered around contact improvisation. We aim to support and nurture Bali-based movers, dancers, facilitators, and teachers by fostering a collaborative environment that embraces experimentation and multidisciplinary exploration.

At the heart of The Mothership is a vibrant community of individuals passionate about contact improvisation, dance, and movement as way to connect, relate, and experience this world.

Founded by Nathania & Bethany and fueled by the collective spirit of the community, this welcoming space has truly become a home for many, each adding their unique essence to its atmosphere.

FAQ

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