Victoria Contact Improvisation Festival 2025 (VCIF2025)

Explore, Practice, Dance

Dates:

July 3–6, 2025 (4-Day Festival)

Location:

Dance Victoria
2750 Quadra St., Victoria, BC

Festival Highlights

• Renowned Instructors:
  Chris Aiken,
  Angie Hauser,
  Olivia Shaffer,
  Manuel Rochette,
  Farley Johansson,
  and Shannon Moreno.
• Workshops and Intensives: Dive deep into Contact Improvisation with structured workshops and free-flowing jams.
• Performances: Witness seasoned professionals perform. Free admission for festival participants.
• Inclusive Environment: Rooted in respect, tolerance, and non-discrimination for all participants.

Registration

• Pricing:
• $400/person for the full 4-day workshop series.
• Contact or e-transfer:
  shmo.rmt@gmail.com

What to Expect

Space

A large 74 × 47 ft studio with wheelchair accessibility.
Close to restaurants, grocery stores, and coffee shops.

Classes and Jams

• Morning Intensives: Led by Chris Aiken and Angie Hauser.
• Afternoon Workshops: Learn from Olivia Shaffer, Farley Johansson, and Manuel Rochette.
• Evening Jams: Practice, connect, and deepen your knowledge in a focused and supportive atmosphere.

Schedule

Featured Workshops

Resiliency, Resistance, and Flow

Instructors: Chris Aiken & Angie Hauser

In this workshop, we explore how our practice of contact improvisation can grow when we connect our physical intelligence and poetic sensibilities. Our perceptual skills connect us to ourselves, others, and the environment as we meet the physical, emotional, and creative demands of the moment. In this workshop, we engage our compositional minds considering timing, proximity, effort, stillness, and the syntax of our movements. We keep the physical principles of contact improvisation at the center of our work – how we move and find support and possibilities through improvisation. We explore ways the event of touch and the ebb and flow of weight exchange can invigorate our dance practice. We seek to create containers for focused dancing that bring energy, care, strength, and resilience.

Chris and Angie are sought-after teachers of contact improvisation and other contemporary dance practices. For more than thirty years they have offered workshops and training intensives internationally including featured artists at the Freiburg International Festival, Impulstanz (AUS), Movement Research (NYC), Salt Spring CI Festival (CAN), Earthdance (USA), iDance (Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Japan), American Dance Festival (USA), and many others. They are known for their collaborative spirit, technical skill, and generous teaching.

Instructor Spotlight: Farley Johansson

• For dancers with some Contact Improvisation experience looking to enhance their skills.
• Focus on:
• Partner connection (rolling/sliding point of contact).
• Techniques for lifts, support, and safety.
• Consent and trust in partnered movements.
• Includes warm-ups, exercises, and creative improvisation.

Performances

A curated teachers performance by professional Contact Improvisation artists.
Free admission for participants.

Accommodation

Accommodation is not included, but assistance is available for finding:

• Hotels
• Homestays
• Backyard camping options

Inquiries: shmo.rmt@gmail.com

Join Us in Victoria This Summer!

Experience a dynamic and inclusive festival designed to inspire, connect, and celebrate the art of Contact Improvisation.

Venue Partner – Dance Victoria.