THE VENUE
VENUE & PRACTICALITIES
Earthdance welcomes guests from around the world to engage in events that center movement and embodied practice, Contact Improvisation, and collaborative art making.
Earthdance is an arts, dance, & movement organization and retreat center in Western Massachusetts, on unceded, ancestral Nipmuck, Pocumtuc and Wabanaki Confederacy Land.
THE VENUE
The gathering will take place at Earthdance Creative Living retreat center in Plainfield in the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts.
We are grateful to continue hosting this event at Earthdance – an arts organization, rental and retreat center that hosts workshops, artist retreats, and community programming. It is situated on unceded Nipmuc territory in the hills of Western Massachusetts. At its foundation are dance, somatics, movement research and interdisciplinary arts training with an awareness towards social justice and community building.
NOURISHMENT
Three fresh, organic vegetarian and vegan meals will be provided each day. Meat will be an available option for a couple of meals. A snack and tea station is available at any time. We will gather information around food sensitivities and allergies at registration and incorporate that into our meal planning. There is a guest fridge available to store any personal supplemental foods you may need or wish to bring. Please note that the kitchen is unavailable to guests and thus there is no way to cook or prepare foods.
ACCOMMODATION
Earthdance provides 2 lodging options: campsites and shared dorm rooms. The Apple Orchard and 125 acres of forest provide ample space for personal tent camping. Campers have access to the shared bathrooms in the main Farmhouse which include indoor and outdoor showers. The Gratitude Lodge (a.k.a. the Earthdance dorm) is connected to the Farmhouse by a short wooded trail. The Gratitude Lodge offers an assortment of large and small rooms featuring dormitory-style bunks and beds (twin & queen size). The dorm also has a shared common area and bathrooms.
COMMON SPACES
Two large beautiful dance studios, communal dining area, cozy living room, library/’soothe space’, dungeon, and lots of open, outdoor spaces await.
OUTDOORS
Earthdance is embraced by acres of private woods.
SAUNA & HOT TUB
A wood-fired sauna sits just feet from a cold plunge into the quarry.
A hot tub is available on the deck of Nine Mountain. For those not staying there, a fee of $3 per soak or $12 for the whole week is expected to be paid.
FACILITIES
Little Earthdance shop and free shop.
Local food coop 10 minutes by car. (Please note that participants are asked not to leave Earthdance from registration through closing in order to support our container.)
Commuter Tickets
Nine Mountain is a retreat center next to Earthdance which provides a third lodging option. Commuter Tickets are for those staying at Nine Mountain only. Due to covid and the desire to have a very closed container for this event, we request that everyone stay at either Earthdance or Nine Mountain.
If you would like to stay at Nine Mountain, there is an additional fee paid direct to them of $275. Please contact robyn@ninemountain.com directly to reserve a bed. We recommend you confirm space is available and reserve your spot before purchasing a ticket with us. We require a processing fee if you need to change your ticket.
PRACTICALITIES
HEALTHY POLICY
ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION
Sliding scale. More info on the registration page.
GETTING THERE
Earthdance is located at 252 Prospect Street, Plainfield, MA 01070
Once you register you will receive a link to a RideShare board to self-organize around carpooling.
ARRIVING
PARTICIPANTS: On-site registration for all participants: July 21st – 4:00pm – 6:00 pm
SOOTHE&CARE: July 21st Arrive at 2:30pm to attend mandatory meeting at 3:00pm for all Soothe&Care Team volunteers.
WORK EXCHANGE: July 21st Arrive in time for mandatory meeting at 2:00 pm
TEACHERS: July 20th 3:00pm
This event is a closed container. No late arrivals and all participants are expected to stay through the entirety of the event. If an emergency arises and you need to leave early, we ask that you check in with an event organizer.
DEPARTURE
July 26th between 3:00 -5:00 pm
What to bring
Things you might consider bringing:
* slippers for indoors
*water bottle with a lid (please no glass bottles in studios)
* insect repellent (there are deer ticks)
* rain gear
* warm layers for possibly cool nights
* earplugs
* towels – we recommend 1 for bathing and 1 for sauna
* bed-sheets or sleeping bag if staying in dorm.
[We encourage you to bring your own bed-sheets and towels, and in case you need we offer a set of 2 sheets and 2 towels for a rental fee of $15. The rental fee is per person and per sheet and towel set used. Limited supplies.]
* camping gear if camping
* flashlight or headlamp
* toiletries
* closed-toed shoes for kitchen shifts
* business cards, handmade products or other things you sell
* instruments
* personal journal
* dancing clothes
* toys and costumes!
* any personal items to feel more comfortably at home
CONTACT
ma@touchandplay.org
Earthdance assumes no responsibilities for the activities of the Touch&Play Event as a renter of its facilities.