I chose to write about the Jams given that it was a time for me to explore total freedom to do whatever came to mind. It was not based on what technique I wanted to improve or even set by set instruction on what I was given to accomplish. It allowed me to pour out my strengths, my weaknesses and my emotions. I did not have to worry about being judged. The contact jams was based upon what I was inspired to show and give to either myself or to the person or persons I chose to dance with. As I wrote in my journal, I realized the differences and similarities from the jams that took place at the dance theater and at the studio (in class). What did I enjoy? How was it different? What was similar? Did the music help or complicate the dance? As I asked myself these questions, it prompted me to write about the two.
I must say in comparison, I truly enjoyed both jams. In similarity I was able to be free at both jams, which is what I ultimately enjoyed. The freedom to move across the space, the freedom to be myself, and perform in my own way made me want to dance even more. The freedom allowed me to be more involved and investigate what I was developing. It pushed me to give my all and it was an amazing experience. At both jams I noticed that I was not apprehensive to touch my partners. As my partner and I analyzed the progression of touch, our movements became more fascinating. We were not afraid to try new movements. We felt comfortable with thinking outside the box. For instance, through Josh and I connection, we discovered that dancing on the floor was great! We tried difficult movements and succeed. The floor became our friend, whereas before the floor was always known as the place to get stuck, which meant the dance was done or incompleted. This discovery was the same at the second jam when I danced with Jordan. We experienced weight, lifts and connections that moved us to the next movements in space rather it was on the floor or standing.
In contrast I observed that I was more comfortable dancing at the second jam than the first jam. This is in reasoning that the first jam we were in the dance theater and the second jam was in class. I believe anyone would have a more calmness about themselves and what they are going to perform around people who have been in the same situation as the other. The first jam was unfamiliar territory. The other dancers that were not apart of our class was not likely to perform contact improv dancing. This made me shy away from others and I internalized my dance movements alone at a period of time.
I investigated the music that was played at both jams and I found that the music was totally different. Although the musicians set out to accomplish the same job, it brought a different affect. The first jam was very musicality. The musician played the entire time, but with pauses in between. When he stopped playing the dancers stopped dancing. In this jam the musicians controlled the dance, therefore making them the power of the dance piece. However in the second jam, it was not quite the same. The musician was not the focus. As a matter of fact, we danced while the musician was in the process of setting up his equipment. We did not depend on the music to lead us. The dance was formulated around what we created. Therefore the music stood out as a prop that we used at certain times of the dance, but it was not our focus.
In summary, comparing and contrasting the jams was a great tool to use and observe how I have grown in my contact improvisational class. I discovered my comfort points, as well as what made me uncomfortable. I discovered when I had to move on if the other person is not willing to dance. I sought out how to stabilize my mind and give my all in the dance. I even cultivated how to use the music to my advantage. I explored a great deal of information from attending the two jams and I look forward to depositing what I have learned into others by hosting my own jam in the near future.
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