Whenever I invite someone to a dance event, a few replies tend to come back:
I have two left feet.
Is it tango?
Do I need a partner?
Is there touch?
These come up when I talk about Landing, a slow evening of dance I'm hosting on Saturday 17 October at The Forge, Totnes.
I've designed it as the opening of a monthly series, a journey from arriving in a place to dancing in an embrace. Landing is only our first move.
If you'd like to come, book your place.
Here are a few thoughts on each question:
I have two left feet.
No dance experience is needed. Somewhere along the way, many of us learn that there's a right way to move, and that we're not doing it. There's nothing to perform here, and nothing needs to look good. The slow beginning is intentional: time to arrive, settle, and notice where you are. Come as you are. Feeling unready? Let's land unready.
Is it tango?
No, Landing is not a tango class. Tango is where a lot of my own dancing comes from, but you don't need to know it, and there are no steps to learn. We often wait to feel qualified before joining a dance. But you already have rhythm: it's in your breath and your pulse.
Do I need a partner?
Come alone if you like. Meet others when it feels right, or stay with your own movement as long as you wish. The evening begins with time for yourself, and later opens to the possibility of moving together.
Is there touch?
Landing involves no touch. The series explores contact and closeness later, always by choice. For now, the invitation is to arrive in your body and in the room.
Many of us carry similar questions into any new space:
Do I belong here?
Will I fit in?
Am I doing this right?
Sometimes it helps to hear that we don't have to know the answers before we arrive. It's okay to start there.
Practicals
Landing is on Saturday 17 October at The Forge, Totnes.
Doors open at 7:15 pm. Please arrive by 7:30 pm, as we can't take latecomers once the opening circle begins.
Sliding scale: £15 if you can give a little more, £10 if that feels comfortable, £6 if you need an accessible price.
Booking is essential, and places are limited. Please note that bookings can't be refunded.
Details like what to wear, what happens during the evening and how booking works are in the full FAQ.
Stay attuned
Jesús Acosta
