FAQs
What makes this a Celebration of Queerness?
♥ We're holding this retreat as an intentionally safer space for queer folk and queer expression
♥ All of the retreat presenters and staff are queer
...otherwise, the music and movement sessions will be typical of other Ecstatic Dance events.
Who is this retreat for?
This retreat is for all Queer and Questioning adults (18+) who want to celebrate queerness with us in the context of an Ecstatic Dance retreat. Queer: any identity or orientation that doesn’t fit neatly into the binary boxes of gender, orientation, expression, or identity. Questioning: if you’re questioning your own categories, labels, identities, orientations, boxes, etc—or even just questioning the validity of the binaries and labels forced upon us by the cisheteropatriarchy--you may fit in this category and you’re welcome here.
Is this some sort of sex or tantra retreat?
No! As a community we are sex positive and body positive—and many of the retreat sessions offer the possibility of touch or affection— but there will be no genital contact or sex play in any of the retreat sessions or public spaces—that type of activity is only welcome in the privacy of lodging spaces. Additionally, everyone must have their bottom well covered at all of the retreat sessions. (Tops are optional for all genders, except as required by Breitenbush in the dining hall.)
Can I come for part of the retreat at a discount? Is it okay if I arrive late to the retreat?
Retreat registration is all-or-none. There are no part-time options.
Everyone is required to arrive in time for the opening orientation at 7:45pm on Friday--no exceptions. That is an important session to establish the container for the retreat.
What is the covid policy?
We will be together in a crowded indoor space for three days, and all acknowledge the risks of respiratory viruses (covid, RSV, and flu). Masking is very welcome at the retreat, but not required. We are also not requiring covid testing, but encourage everybody to take a rapid test at home before arriving. Most importantly, nobody may be at the retreat with any outward symptoms of respiratory infection: coughing, sneezing, or runny nose. Even if you believe your symptoms are benign (from allergies or a lingering cough), many folks will feel unsafe around sneezing or coughing in the dance hall, the dining hall, and the soaking pools. Unfortunately, masking or social distancing will not be acceptable ways to manage outward signs of illness. If you do suffer from seasonal allergies, be sure to bring whatever medications and tools you need to keep your symptoms at bay—antihistamine, decongestant, neti pot, herbs, etc.
Since there are no refunds for last-minute cancellations (due to illness or any other reason), we strongly encourage participants to minimize their exposure to all respiratory viruses for at least a week leading up to our event. Avoiding large and/or crowded gatherings is best. If you come down with an illness close to the retreat, we suggest you cancel ASAP to maximize the possibility that your spot can be filled from the waiting list.
What kind of music can I expect at the Ecstatic Dance sessions? Is it electronic?
In the most simple terms, there are two main subcultures of Ecstatic Dance. One subculture, represented in the lineage at ecstaticdance.org, is steeped in Global Bass Music (see below for more details), with DJs who mix tracks and make choices/adjustments on-the-fly. The other subculture (coming out of 5 Rhythms, Soul Motion, Body Choir, and so on) draws from all genres of music, and where the DJs/facilitators usually put together a fixed playlist so they may spend time on the dance floor throughout the journey.
What is Global Bass Music? There are dozens of genres and sub-genres coming out of the "Bass Music" scene. Bass Music is produced digitally, with distinctive rhythmic and sub-bass elements to be felt deeply in the body during dance. Some Bass Music has a definitively electronic feel (such as house, techno, trap, dubstep, or glitch hop), while other genres can feel a lot more like studio-recorded music with added digital production spice (such as tribal, electro-swing, future-cumbia, ghetto-funk, psybient, or future-soul). And Bass Music from any genre may often include recorded vocals or samples of live instruments. The advances in audio technology over the past decade have certainly blurred the lines in music production, to the point where the term "electronic" is not particularly useful for describing the way music sounds.
Why are the dance sessions barefoot? What if I need to wear shoes?
Ecstatic Dance and Contact Improv are done barefoot because we love the feel of connecting to the earth with our feet directly on the wood floor. Street shoes are not permitted for reasons of safety (so bare feet don't get stepped on) and hygiene (we don't want to dance barefoot on whatever gets tracked in from the street). Some people need arch support, and are permitted to use special soft-soled dance shoes that are worn only indoors. Some folks like to wear dance paws (do a Google Search) or grippy socks.
Are children permitted to attend this retreat?
The minimum age for this retreat is 18 years old.
Is Ecstatic Dance religious or affiliated with a church?
Many people find Ecstatic Dance to be a deeply spiritual experience, but it is not in any way associated with a religion or church.
♥ We're holding this retreat as an intentionally safer space for queer folk and queer expression
♥ All of the retreat presenters and staff are queer
...otherwise, the music and movement sessions will be typical of other Ecstatic Dance events.
Who is this retreat for?
This retreat is for all Queer and Questioning adults (18+) who want to celebrate queerness with us in the context of an Ecstatic Dance retreat. Queer: any identity or orientation that doesn’t fit neatly into the binary boxes of gender, orientation, expression, or identity. Questioning: if you’re questioning your own categories, labels, identities, orientations, boxes, etc—or even just questioning the validity of the binaries and labels forced upon us by the cisheteropatriarchy--you may fit in this category and you’re welcome here.
Is this some sort of sex or tantra retreat?
No! As a community we are sex positive and body positive—and many of the retreat sessions offer the possibility of touch or affection— but there will be no genital contact or sex play in any of the retreat sessions or public spaces—that type of activity is only welcome in the privacy of lodging spaces. Additionally, everyone must have their bottom well covered at all of the retreat sessions. (Tops are optional for all genders, except as required by Breitenbush in the dining hall.)
Can I come for part of the retreat at a discount? Is it okay if I arrive late to the retreat?
Retreat registration is all-or-none. There are no part-time options.
Everyone is required to arrive in time for the opening orientation at 7:45pm on Friday--no exceptions. That is an important session to establish the container for the retreat.
What is the covid policy?
We will be together in a crowded indoor space for three days, and all acknowledge the risks of respiratory viruses (covid, RSV, and flu). Masking is very welcome at the retreat, but not required. We are also not requiring covid testing, but encourage everybody to take a rapid test at home before arriving. Most importantly, nobody may be at the retreat with any outward symptoms of respiratory infection: coughing, sneezing, or runny nose. Even if you believe your symptoms are benign (from allergies or a lingering cough), many folks will feel unsafe around sneezing or coughing in the dance hall, the dining hall, and the soaking pools. Unfortunately, masking or social distancing will not be acceptable ways to manage outward signs of illness. If you do suffer from seasonal allergies, be sure to bring whatever medications and tools you need to keep your symptoms at bay—antihistamine, decongestant, neti pot, herbs, etc.
Since there are no refunds for last-minute cancellations (due to illness or any other reason), we strongly encourage participants to minimize their exposure to all respiratory viruses for at least a week leading up to our event. Avoiding large and/or crowded gatherings is best. If you come down with an illness close to the retreat, we suggest you cancel ASAP to maximize the possibility that your spot can be filled from the waiting list.
What kind of music can I expect at the Ecstatic Dance sessions? Is it electronic?
In the most simple terms, there are two main subcultures of Ecstatic Dance. One subculture, represented in the lineage at ecstaticdance.org, is steeped in Global Bass Music (see below for more details), with DJs who mix tracks and make choices/adjustments on-the-fly. The other subculture (coming out of 5 Rhythms, Soul Motion, Body Choir, and so on) draws from all genres of music, and where the DJs/facilitators usually put together a fixed playlist so they may spend time on the dance floor throughout the journey.
What is Global Bass Music? There are dozens of genres and sub-genres coming out of the "Bass Music" scene. Bass Music is produced digitally, with distinctive rhythmic and sub-bass elements to be felt deeply in the body during dance. Some Bass Music has a definitively electronic feel (such as house, techno, trap, dubstep, or glitch hop), while other genres can feel a lot more like studio-recorded music with added digital production spice (such as tribal, electro-swing, future-cumbia, ghetto-funk, psybient, or future-soul). And Bass Music from any genre may often include recorded vocals or samples of live instruments. The advances in audio technology over the past decade have certainly blurred the lines in music production, to the point where the term "electronic" is not particularly useful for describing the way music sounds.
Why are the dance sessions barefoot? What if I need to wear shoes?
Ecstatic Dance and Contact Improv are done barefoot because we love the feel of connecting to the earth with our feet directly on the wood floor. Street shoes are not permitted for reasons of safety (so bare feet don't get stepped on) and hygiene (we don't want to dance barefoot on whatever gets tracked in from the street). Some people need arch support, and are permitted to use special soft-soled dance shoes that are worn only indoors. Some folks like to wear dance paws (do a Google Search) or grippy socks.
Are children permitted to attend this retreat?
The minimum age for this retreat is 18 years old.
Is Ecstatic Dance religious or affiliated with a church?
Many people find Ecstatic Dance to be a deeply spiritual experience, but it is not in any way associated with a religion or church.
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