Motion: A Denman Island Contemporary Dance Retreat

Come join us on the stunningly beautiful Denman Island for a 3 day immersive movement & dance experience honouring the body and its expression.

For movers interested in deepening their dance skill and experience. For those wanting to expand their understanding of the body and movement and be curious about exploring creatively through the body.

All levels welcome.
When: July 6-8, 2026

Where: Activity Centre, Denman Island, BC

Cost: $180 (Subsidies & barters available upon request)

To register: https://janetjohnson.ca/classes/

SCHEDULE

9:30-10:45 a.m. Pilates ( M & W)/ Gyrokinesis (T)

11-12:30 p.m. Contemporary Dance (*with live accompaniment)

1:15-2:30 p.m. Improvisation & Creation

FACILITATORS

Janet Johnson https://janetjohnson.ca/about-janet-johnson/

Darcy McMurray has been dancing since the age of 4. Trained in ballet and contemporary, she has been focusing on improvisation and collaboration, for the past decade. Darcy has toured throughout Canada as a dancer and has had a parallel career training Pilates instructor’s internationally and developing Pilates curriculum. Darcy owned and operated a movement arts studio in Vancouver from 2008-2021. She lives on Hornby Island with her family. 

David Macanulty began playing music for contemporary dance classes while in the interdisciplinary arts program at SFU in 1987. In Vancouver I worked at EDAM ,Main dance , Harbour dance and Arts umbrella dance . In Montreal I played for Ladmmi (now EDCM),Fondation Jean-Pierre Perreault, Regroupement québécois de la danse and many others.

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

Contemporary Dance class: This class will include floor work, dance technique and components of improvisation and large movements across the floor. Physicality, mobilization, strength, musicality and comfortability and challenge of movement will be experienced in this class. *Accompanied by percussionist: Shara Claire or David Macanulty

Gyrokinesis class: https://janetjohnson.ca/gyrokinesis/

Pilates class: Darcy’s passion for anatomy is woven throughout her teaching. Focusing on alignment and stability, this class will encourage a greater connection to centre, exploring ways to find safe range of motion. 

Improvisation class:This class will delve into a range of tools and techniques to derive movement, source intention and inspire new possibilities when approaching improvisation.