What Is This?

Blindfolded Contact Dance is a slow and gentle experience—for both beginners and experienced dancers alike. The constraint of the blindfold invites dancers to explore other senses to find connection, expression, pleasure, and safety. These workshops take participants on a journey of somatic self-discovery and non-verbal consent via solo and group exercises—both with and without blindfolds.

Blindfolded Contact Dance can be adapted to corporate team settings and private events.

About Us

gabrielcandice
Photo by Mary Serphos

CANDICE HOLDORF

Candice is a writer and coach with a focus on reclaiming erotic embodiment through exploring shame and shadow. She brings her passion for movement, play, and creative self-expression to her work as a group facilitator. She has trained in various healing modalities such as yoga and orgasmic meditation as well as studied Alexander Technique and theatrical movement while getting her BFA at NYU. theorgasmiclife.com

GABRIEL DIAMOND

Gabriel is a long-time dancer who has practiced many modalities of conscious movement. He has developed a passion for exploring how blindfolds can be be used as a medicine and tool for transcending biases, cravings, and aversions. His work as an artist explores the intersection of activism, street theatre, shadow work, and embodiment. He is the co-founder of Vulnerable Rally. He is a filmmaker by trade with a background in theatre. outsidefilms.com

Upcoming

Blindfolded Contact in Berkeley

Date: December 28, 2024
Time: 6:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Location: Studio 12

Celebrate Solstice week by surrendering to the darkness.

Code of Conduct

All participants agree to this code before the start of every class.

  1. It’s OK to take your own blindfold off anytime.
  2. Refrain from unnecessary talking before or during workshop. The jam is a non-verbal space unless needed for safety.
  3. Take care of yourself and others. This includes no lifts.
  4. If blindfolded, avoid taking large steps. Keep feet low to ground if walking – or crawl or roll.
  5. Always strive for attunement with your partner(s)—which usually means slowing down. If you are offering a kind of touch that is not being reciprocated, slow down and practice attuning to your partner.
  6. If you touch a private area inadvertently, don’t linger.
  7. If you need someone to move off you, tap twice fast and firm where you need them to move.
  8. If you don’t know, ask.
  9. Part of our conscious dance practice is to pay attention to and respect verbal and nonverbal cues of consent. This is a non-sexual space.
  10. This dance floor is free from photography and video. No intoxicants or scents – including the smell of tobacco smoke. Turn off mobile devices.

Testimonials

“Most profound experience of my life. This is what the world needs now.”

“A beautiful exploration of touch, movement, and breath. A complete surrender into bliss.”

“This is a very powerful practice of feeling vulnerable whilst knowing that one is in a safe container. It is very healing.”

“I came into this as a shy person that never danced. The blindfold and the instructions made me comfortable to be myself.”

“Blindfolded contact may sound scary but it’s SO accessible and liberating. TRY!”

“This workshop was enlightening. I felt a level of freedom and connection I don’t get in my regular life. I am going to recommend this to as many people as I can.”

“Thanks for bringing my soul back to life.”

“I’m beginning to realize that your class is much more than a dance/movement class. It’s a deeply personal journey in a community settling.”

“Profound experience. I found myself thinking “wow” this person I’m dancing with is so beautiful over and over, despite not knowing who these people were. Eye opening and heart opening.”

“I discovered how everyone’s being can feel like my beloved in my arms. What matters is the nurturing and heart exchange. I have that to give to everyone. The blindfold taught me that.”

“Expectation challenging. Physically affirming. A celebration of human joy.”

“It wasn’t what I expected. It was better!”

“I came burnt out and left feeling energized. This class gave energy that my body and mind needed and left me with greater presence.”

“Connection in dance has been historically been hard for me, i.e. will this person want to dance with me and will they enjoy themselves if they do? The blindfolded contact experience helped me get out of my head and feel what contact improv could be like.”

Resources

Although we use the word “contact” in our name, our modality is not to be confused with traditional contact improv. The skills learned in our workshops can certainly be applied to contact improv, as well as to a variety of other dance forms.

What happens when blindfolded contact dance comes to the streets? Watch this short film to see BFC create connections between strangers.

 

 

For those seeking instruction in traditional contact improv as well as other creative dance events in and around the SF Bay Area, check out these links.

Contact Improv Thursday Jam Finnish Hall (Berkeley)

INTERKINECTED Tuesday Jam and Class (Berkeley)

Dance Calendar (Bay Area)

Ecstaturday Conscious Dance Events Calendar by Stephen Melter

Contact Improv Calendar (Northern California)

Ecstatic Dance (Bay Area and Worldwide)

Ecstatic Dance Oakland Wednesday night/Sunday Morning 

Underbelly (Mondays Berkeley/San Rafael)

West Coast Contact Improv JAM Festival (Bay Area)

SoulPlay Festivals (Northern California)

Northern California Dance Collective (Northern California)

Keep in Touch

Candice and Gabriel have taught variations of Blindfolded Contact Dance lasting between 20 minutes and 3 hours. Workshops can be adapted for corporate team building settings, conferences, festivals, and private gatherings. Interested in bringing BFC to your next event or simply want to join our email list? Fill out our contact form below.