 Dance the Tune | Michigan-born dancer Nic Gareiss has been described by the Irish Times as “the human epitome of the unbearable lightness of being,” and "the most inventive and expressive step dancer on the scene” by the Boston Herald. His work re-imagines movement as a musical practice, recasting dance as medium that appeals to both eyes and ears. Gareiss draws from many percussive dance traditions, weaving together a dance technique facilitating his love of improvisation, traditional dance footwork vocabulary, and musical collaboration. He has concertized internationally for over ten years with many of the luminaries of traditional music, including Frankie Gavin, Dervish, Bill Frisell, Darol Anger, Bruce Molsky, Phil Wiggins, Buille, Solas, Liz Carroll, Martin Hayes, The Gloaming and The Chieftains. Nic holds a degree in Anthropology from Central Michigan University and an MA in Ethnochoreology from the University of Limerick. Gareiss' essay, "An Buachaillín Bán : Reflections on One Queer's Performance within Traditional Irish Music & Dance" appears in the book Meanings and Makings of Queer Dance edited by Clare Croft on Oxford University Press. www.nicgareiss.com Dance the Tune Utilizing improvisation, organic movement, and drawing from a myriad of traditional percussive dance styles including Irish step dance, Appalachian flat-footing, and Quebecois gigue, this class explores the sheer musical potential of your feet. Using imitation, idiomatic ornaments as well as extended techniques for shoe sounds and textures, we will learn to construct lines of rhythm imitating melody as well as create rhythmic counterpoint by setting up shoe-grooves employing contemporary musical sensibility. Video excerpt of Dance the Tune workshop |