DCDC presents BodyTalk, the dance company’s first virtual workshop series and performance

Credit: Contributed

Credit: Contributed

The Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC) is presenting BodyTalk, the dance company’s first virtual workshop series and performance, running from Aug. 10-15.

BodyTalk is a six-day Community Connections Series that features 10 online workshops centered around community engagement, two short screenings and discussions around DCDC’s repertory, and a performance of the work “BodyTalk”, followed by a Q&A talkback with the DCDC artistic leadership.

The 10 dance workshops will be led by DCDC teaching artists, and conducted via Zoom. All of the workshops are appropriate for age 6 through senior citizens. Although no previous dance training is required, participant discretion is encouraged.

One of the workshops provides instruction on line dancing, for instance, as well as the opportunity to choreograph collaboratively on a community line dance together. Another class teaches interval training fitness and is geared for those who are regulars in the gym as well as those new to working out.

Some of the classes feature excerpts from DCDC’s fan-favorite pieces, including the namesake of the Community Connection Series: BodyTalk. Others explore how movement can be focused around community, shared human experiences, and the importance of taking care of ourselves in times of both joy and distress.

The shared screen viewings offer quick snippets of a piece from DCDC’s repertory, accompanied by a quick chat about the making of the piece, and its relevance to DCDC’s mission and vision.

Then participants are treated to a full virtual performance of BodyTalk, one of the company’s staple pieces, which was co-choreographed by DCDC Chief Artistic & Producing Director Debbie Blunden- Diggs, and Associate Artistic Director Crystal Michelle.

Created as a re-imagining of the stories told by African-American playwrights, BodyTalk takes the audience on a literary and emotional journey through time, space and circumstance, and depicts various aspects of the African-American experience in this country.

The performance will be followed by a discussion with the creators and performers of the work.

Whether you want to attend one or all of the workshops, or just the performance itself, the entire series is offered for a $50 flat fee. For registration, visit www.dcdc.org/shop and select: BodyTalk DCDC Community Connections Series. You can also submit an email for additional information to questions@dcdc.org. See the full schedule below.

Credit: Contributed

Credit: Contributed

Event Details:

Monday, Aug. 10 - Friday, Aug. 14

  • Workshops: 10-11 a.m. and 4-5 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 11 and Thursday, Aug. 13

  • Shared Screen Viewings 2-2:45 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 15 Virtual Performance/ Discussion

  • BodyTalk excerpt 2:00 - 3:30 pm

Community Connection Series Schedule:

Monday, Aug. 10

9:50 a.m. ― Virtual Studio Open

10-11 a.m. ― Our Sacred Dance: Liturgical Workshop

11- 11:15 a.m. ― Open Q&A

3:50 p.m. ― Virtual Studio Open

4 - 5 p.m. ― Embodied Conversation: TDebrief

5 - 5:15 p.m. ― Open Q&A

Tuesday, Aug. 11

9:50 a.m. ― Virtual Studio Open

10-11 a.m. ― DCDC Community Fitness

11-11:15 a.m. ― Open Q&A

1:50 p.m. ― Virtual Studio Open

2-2:45 p.m. ― Intermission: Shared Screen Viewing (For Colored Girls)

3:50 p.m. ― Virtual Studio Open

4-5 p.m. ― Community Line Dance Experience

5- 5:15 p.m. ― Open Q&A

Wednesday, Aug. 12

9:50 a.m. ― Virtual Studio Open

10-11 a.m. ― DCDC Rep Workshop

11-11:15 a.m. ― Open Q&A

3:50 p.m. ― Virtual Studio Open

4-5 p.m. ― Our Sacred Dance: Liturgical Workshop

5-5:15 p.m. ― Open Q&A

Thursday, Aug. 13

9:50 a.m. ― Virtual Studio Open

10-11 a.m. ― Community Line Dance Experience

11-11:15 a.m. ― Open Q&A

1:50 p.m. ― Virtual Studio Open

2-2:45 p.m. ― Intermission: Shared Screen Viewing (Tea Cake & Janie)

3:50 p.m. ― Virtual Studio Open

4-5 p.m. ― DCDC Community Fitness

5 - 5:15 p.m. ― Open Q&A

Friday, Aug. 14

9:50 a.m. ― Virtual Studio Open

10-11 a.m. ― Embodied Conversation: The Debrief

11-11:15 a.m. ― Open Q&A

3:50 p.m. ― Virtual Studio Open

4-5 p.m. ― DCDC Rep Workshop

5-5:15 p.m. ― Open Q&A

Saturday, Aug. 15

1:50 p.m. ― Virtual Studio Open

2- 3:30 p.m. ― Virtual Performance/ Discussion: BodyTalk

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