Aziza and Issam , Mexico City
A big inspiration for Dreamcamp came from my experience at the Oregon Country Fair ( OCF ). With all the touring work , one thing I did to refill my well with knowledge was the annual OCF . I had been camping and performing at the Caravan Stage annually since I was 20 . No matter what my touring schedule , I had to keep this special week available . Oregon Country Fair started as a renaissance fair in the middle of the forest . It has grown to become a whole village of music , dance , and art that comes together once a year . There are tens of thousands of fairgoers . We camp and build the stage and decorate with collections of silk saris , brass candlesticks , and tapestries that have been collected over 40 years . There are live musicians . I camp with a group of dancers and together we create performances on a gorgeous stage in the middle of the woods . It ’ s complete immersion in being a dancer 24 / 7 . Knowing these women and seeing them year after year has created a profound connection and community . I cannot express in words what the live music , audience , and the beautiful stage means to me . It is something that truly fulfills me . I have had the most profound moments of performing on that stage . The synergy of being with dancers and musicians I love and allowing myself to be completely free to express myself is a well I return to annually to restore my soul .
Having that camaraderie and connection is vital to me . And , I wanted to bring that experience for other dancers , where you not only dance together and sweat together and perform for each other , and have an opportunity to make connections that go deeper and that become real true friendships . These connections among dancers go beyond Dreamcamp .
Sharing meals . Being able to take a complete break and immerse yourself in being a dancer , being able to play , learn , and be challenged . All these things together make Dreamcamp special . Especially play ; I find that being able to laugh is important to cultivate .
Caravan Stage , Oregon Country Fair
I also wanted the opportunity to invite dancers that I wanted to study with . That is the dream for me . To have a whole week with a dancer or musician that I want to get to know and to have meals and play with them - going beyond just taking a single class or workshop . To get the chance to go deeper into their process of how they choreograph and how they train . And have the opportunity to learn so much more about these dancers and musicians that inspire me .
We launched the first Dreamcamp in 2010 and it has been amazing . Eric and I have produced over 30 camps in