About

A chance for queer folks of all identities and experiences to connect through dance. Queer Dance Workshops are a chance for queer folks of all identities and experiences to connect through dance. Featuring a rotating roster of teachers and dance styles, these workshops are a time to simply dance around joyfully with other queer people. These special workshops will be held outside near Egleston Square in Jamaica Plain. Our September workshop will feature flow art with Circe Rowan and movement with Julie Rozen. Circe Rowan is a Boston-based artist working in such diverse disciplines as film, theater, dance, and circus arts. Working both as a solo creator in shows like Tiny & Short/10 Tiny Dances, and OnStage 360°, and in collaboration with organizations like Breaking Light Productions, ANIKAYA, Yosi Karahasi Flamenco, and Monkeyhouse Dance, she is a veteran of several years of NACHMO shows and the 2022 aMaSsiT cohort, and a recipient of a Mass Cultural Council artist grant in 2023. She specializes in bringing the glitter and spectacle of circus to the art of flow, performing improvisationally at festivals and events sponsored by organizations like the Dance Complex (in Cambridge, MA) and the Somerville Arts Council. Currently she is hard at work developing a one-woman autobiographical stage show, incorporating props, projection, and patter into a running monologue about dance, development, and disability… and how to keep fancy rats in proper style. When not on stage, she is kept occupied building props and creating costumes for herself and others, and working as an A/V technician to help other artists realize their creative vision. Julie helps her student to find joy in dancing and connect more authentically to themselves, their partner and the culture of social dancing. Her teaching pedagogy focuses on creating a more inclusive, sensitive and safer learning environment. She aims to support the dancers' experience into faster growth, greater creativity, and confidence. Thus creating spaces to deepen the partners' trust and self-expression. Her goal is to give guidance through somatic and technical knowledge for people to express, have fun and connect with one another through a common passion that is movement and the body. Her background in teaching solo dances such as hip-hop, dancehall, Popping & contemporary has greatly influenced her growth in Lambada and Zouk and her holistic approach in her teaching curriculum. Exact location details will be sent to registrants. Some parking is available. It is about a 10 minute walk from Stony Brook on the Orange Line and near bus stops for busses 42, 22, 44, and 29. Queer Dance Workshops offers $10 stipends for participants to travel to and from the in-person outdoor workshops. This is intended to alleviate some financial pressure for those who might not otherwise be able to enjoy the workshops. If a stipend would make your workshop experience more doable or enjoyable, click the “travel stipend” option in the RSVP form. Learn more about how travel stipends work here. There is a question about access needs in registration. In particular, if you need ASL interpretation please note it in your rsvp or email me at jotrolldance@gmail.com as it is often easier to get interpretation with a confirmed need. Unfortunately, I will need at least a week's notice to ensure interpretation. Workshops are free, but please consider donating (no more than $20) to help pay our wonderful teachers. Workshops are funded in part by the Massachusetts Culture Council's Creative Experiences grant. Thank you!

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