Seeing Rainbows and Berkshire Pulse partner for Trans Dance Class
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 27, 2024
Media Contact: maayan nuri héd | nuri@seeingrainbows.org
Announcing
Seeing Rainbows and Berkshire Pulse partner for Trans Dance Class
[HOUSATONIC, MA] Seeing Rainbows, a now-three-month old Berkshire non-profit with a mission to produce and present liberating art and experiences by and for trans, nonbinary and gender-nonconforming people in our region is partnering with the beating heart of the Berkshires’ creative arts community, Berkshire Pulse, to offer a monthly Trans Dance Class to members of the community.
This movement class for trans and nonbinary folx takes a gentle somatic approach to breath, movement, and self-expression. The class will incorporate improvisation and basic dance technique to explore an all-levels approach to moving and grooving. Beginning with a guided improvisational warm-up, the class will build energy and heat through passes across the floor and opportunities to workshop movement in the center. Each class will end with a short phrase exploration or dance-making prompt. Alternatives will be provided to accommodate all levels of movers. Participants are encouraged to wear pants and long sleeves for ease of movement, and class will be taught in socks or barefoot.
"This opportunity is a chance for me to give back to the trans community and also celebrate the joy of moving as a queer/trans person," says teaching artist and Berkshire Pulse Youth Performing Arts Program Coordinator Gillian Ebersole, "Berkshire Pulse is excited to hold space for trans folx and trans bodies."
Co-founder, maayan nuri héd (name intentionally lowercase) says of this new partnership, “Having participated in movement class at Berkshire Pulse for the first time this spring, after years of one of my children attending, I have felt how powerful of an experience it is to grow more confident moving in my body as a trans woman — and through this partnership with Berkshire Pulse I hope we’ll have the opportunity to share such affirming experiences in a safe environment with a broader section of our local trans community than may have had access previously.”
“In my role at Pulse, I constantly consider accessibility” says Veronica Bone, School and Community Program Manager at Berkshire Pulse. “One of the biggest challenges I've observed is that people often don’t feel safe stepping into new spaces. While everyone desires a sense of belonging, not everyone feels secure enough to put themselves out there in unfamiliar situations. I’m thrilled about this partnership because Seeing Rainbows is addressing this issue, and I believe dance will enhance this sense of safety and inclusion.”
The Trans Dance Class will be offered the fourth Sunday of each month, with the exception of December due to the holidays, from 2:30-3:30pm in Berkshire Pulse’s Housatonic studios at 420 Park Street. Seeing Rainbows is arranging rideshares for interested folx. Please email info@seeingrainbows.org for information on rideshares.
Trans Dance Class is inclusive of anyone who identifies as not-the-gender-they-were-assigned-at-birth, so trans, nonbinary, and all gender-nonconforming folx are welcomed. The class is for ages 12-adult, and children under the age of 12 are welcome to accompany their trans/nonbinary parents. Questions may be directed to info@seeingrainbows.org or berkshire.pulse@gmail.com.
Trans Dance Class
420 Park Street, Housatonic, Mass.
Sundays at 2:30pm
September 29, 2024
October 27, 2024
November 24, 2024
December 15, 2024
FOR MEDIA INQUIRES:
maayan nuri héd | nuri@seeingrainbows.org
Max Chase, Marketing Coordinator | max@berkshirepulse.org
About Gillian Ebersole
Born in Portland, Oregon, and raised in Denver, Colorado, Gillian Ebersole (they/them) is a dancer and choreographer, as well as a poet, dance writer, and researcher. Gillian graduated Summa Cum Laude from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles with a dual degree in Dance and English. Performed on stages in Los Angeles, Denver, and Paris, as well as across Berkshire County, their choreographic work merges a love for language and for movement. Gillian trained with Denver contemporary dance company Wonderbound, Los Angeles Contemporary Dance Company, Whyteberg, Gibney, and Bill T. Jones. Most recently, Gillian has performed and presented work at multiple venues in Berkshire County, including Jacob’s Pillow, The Foundry, and Chesterwood. Drawn to the communal embodied experience. Gillian is a certified yoga instructor and has taught both dance and yoga in studios and community spaces. After moving to Western Massachusetts to work for Jacob’s Pillow, Gillian became a Teaching Artist Fellow as part of the Massachusetts Cultural Council Creative Youth Development program. Currently, Gillian works for Berkshire Pulse as the Youth Performing Arts Program Coordinator and is proud to be a member of their Modern Dance Faculty.
About Berkshire Pulse
Founded in 1995, Berkshire Pulse is a dynamic nonprofit center for creative arts whose mission is to build and strengthen community life through diverse and accessible programming including dance, movement, theater, music, and performance. By promoting participation in these educational and health-sustaining activities, Pulse enriches the lives of families and individuals of all ages throughout the region. In its 6,500 square foot, multiple studio and office facility in Housatonic MA, Berkshire Pulse offers community classes for teens and adults, summer programs, and dance intensives serving almost 800 youth and adults from ages 3 to 90. Pulse’s in-school and outreach programs serve another 1400 students annually throughout the region. Workshops and performances reach hundreds more. For more information, visit berkshirepulse.org.
About Seeing Rainbows
Seeing Rainbows is a 100% trans-led and -operated collaborative arts nonprofit working to build sustainable and supportive trans community by producing and presenting liberating art, performances, installations and other experiences by and for queer / trans / Jewish / BIPOC / disabled / fat / other marginalized persons, on unceded Mohican lands in the Berkshires and beyond, in community with cis allies and rooted in principles of community and presence.
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