PUBLIC RECORDINGS 8 DAYS III: CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS | DEADLINE JANUARY 15, 2014 A GATHERING OF CHOREOGRAPHERS AT ARTSCAPE GIBRALTAR POINT, TORONTO ISLAND JUNE 16-24, 2014

8 DAYS is an intensive encounter open to all Canadian choreographers. The gathering values curiosity, creative risk- taking and reflection with a fluidity around theory and practice in order to deepen choreographic work.

Selected by open call, six Canadian choreographers working in Canada or abroad will be invited to join past participants of the two previous 8 DAYS encounters. The selection committee is comprised of three past participants and a guest. Up to 20 artists will embark on a co-authored adventure influenced by its surroundings, created by those present, and guided by their overlapping and divergent experience. Participants are asked to arrive with an openness about what this encounter might be, a willingness to expose and share, and a rigour around intellectual and artistic exchange.

The ongoing 8 DAYS project addresses a need for peer-to-peer choreographic development in Canada, insisting that this mode is crucial to the continued relevance of the art form. Instigated in 2012 by Ame Henderson and Tedd Robinson, the subsequent encounters stem from the 8 DAYS and 8 DAYS II participants’ desire to continue this artistic exchange. How dance artists work is intimately related to what they create. Theory and practice, talking and making, doing and reflecting, and the systems we do and don’t rely on are understood as interwoven threads of creative development. 8 DAYS is an opportunity to collide practices to provoke, invigorate and inspire each other. 8 DAYS escapes the pressures of production-driven work to create space to reflect on one’s current practice and to envision – through dialogue and experimentation – new artistic possibilities.

Each participant is responsible for facilitating or planning a portion of the shared time. Days are primarily structured around group meals and also include sharing and exploring work and methods, reading, open discussion, as well as time for leisure and personal reflection.

It is imperative that 8 DAYS engages with the community at large. To this end, each participant will be asked to respond to the concept of documentation in order to share the experience. Participants propose and create responses specific to 8 DAYS during or immediately following the gathering. This co-authored documentation is then disseminated via a framework determined by the contributors in order to share the process and its outcomes. Logistical Details 8 DAYS will be held at Artscape Gibraltar Point on Toronto Island. Housed in a former school, Artscape Gibraltar Point, offers 35,000 square feet of multi-use space. Artists will enjoy private accommodations, bright and spacious studios, a shared kitchen and lounge, free wi-fi, and bike rentals. This idyllic beachfront property has the feeling of a remote cottage getaway but is a short fifteen-minute ferry ride from downtown Toronto. The participating artists will arrive on Monday, June 16th, and depart Tuesday, June 24th, 2014. Public Recordings has applied for funding to cover travel costs and meals. Funding results should be known by the end of March 2014. Participants are encouraged to seek further funding to support their participation.

DEADLINE: Jan 15, 2014 Please submit a letter of interest and recent biography in addition to any work samples that are relevant to contextualize your application. Previous applicants are encouraged to reapply. Detail your current choreographic concerns, address how this encounter might enrich your practice and position yourself in regard to the documentation process. Please keep your responses brief and select any support material carefully with the aim of addressing this specific opportunity.

Applications can be submitted in English or French. Please note: the working language will be primarily English. All materials must be submitted electronically. Support materials must be included as an attachment or available online. Make sure to include all necessary links and access information. Please note, applications sent by mail cannot be processed. For more information and to apply: eightdays (at) publicrecordings (dot) org

Project History 8 DAYS was held at la B.A.R.N. on Lac Leslie in the Pontiac Region of Quebec, from June 16 – 24, 2012. It was hosted and supported by 10 Gates Dancing Inc. and Public Recordings.

Selection committee: Sara Coffin, Ame Henderson, Tedd Robinson, Stephen Thompson Participants: Justine A. Chambers, Claudia Fancello, Marie Claire Forté, Ame Henderson, Benjamin Kamino, Davida Monk, Tedd Robinson, Stephen Thompson, Michael Trent

8 DAYS II was held at ten fifteen maple and The Dance Centre from August 10-18, 2013. It was hosted by Justine A. Chambers and Public Recordings, and received support from the Canada Council for the Arts, Public Recordings, The Dance Centre and ten fifteen maple.

Selection committee: Martin Bélanger, Justine A. Chambers, Benjamin Kamino, Davida Monk Participants: Naomi Brand, Justine A. Chambers, Karine Denault, Claudia Fancello, Marie Claire Forté, Caroline Gravel, Ame Henderson, Christopher House, Davida Monk, Andrew Tay, Stephen Thompson, Michael Trent, Laurie Young