BANNER IMAGE DESCRIPTION:
A large studio with floor-to-ceiling windows lets in diffused sunlight. Dancers in various states of weight are dancing contract improvisation, including a dancer using a wheelchair. There is a drawing of an autumn tree overlaid onto the image
WHAT IS THE "FALLING INTO AUTUMN JAM"?
As we head into the season of harvest and coziness, we want to dance with you at the “Falling into Autumn” annual weekend-long jam! Oct 9-11, 2026 at the National Ballet School in Toronto, 400 Jarvis Street.
We’re creating a weekend of dancing, connection, and care—centered on trust, open communication, and being in space together. This jam is access-focused and intentionally welcoming, with efforts to remove barriers so more folks can join us.
Contact improvisation is magical because it's not codified—everyone brings their own style. We celebrate dancers of all experience levels, identities, and body types. Your presence, your body, and your lived experience are what will make this jam amazing.
Whatever your style, we offer options to support you: technique classes with local and traveling teachers, guided jams with themes like the Blindfold jam, and open jams for unstructured exploration.
Inspired by the season, we’re making the space cozy with cushions and mats in the studios for when you want to rest while staying in the room. Saturday night we’ll share a catered dinner and enjoy film screenings of contact dance from around the world, including local submissions. With just 1–2 events at a time, there’s space to breathe, dance, and truly get to know each other.
We hope you’ll finish this weekend feeling a sense of collaboration and togetherness with your fellow dancers, and a sense of excitement and inspiration for your own dancing.
ORGANISERS:
Adrian Chuquipiondo
Sarah Jones
Gibum Dante Lim
Kathleen Rea
Apples Sebastian
Jayeden Walker
TEACHERS:
TBA
MUSICIAN IN RESIDENCE: TBA
TRAILERS
Check back soon
MEALS
Saturday lunch participants will provide their meals
On Saturday night, and Sudany lunch we will have a catered Vegan/Vegetarian/Gluten-free meals. Please note there will be a meat option for those who need meat.
* Please note all passes bought after Monday October 1, 2025 it will NOT include the caterered meals as we will have already givne our number to the caterer.
DATES AND TIMES:
Friday, October 9, 2026, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm
Saturday, October 11, 2026, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
LOCATION:
Celia Franca Centre, 400 Jarvis St, Toronto, ON M4Y 2G6, Canada (wheelchair accessible and barrier-free)
RATES
$125 I am earlyier then ever one else Full Festivla Pass (Pay by June 1)
* includes the two catered meals
$150 Very Early Early Bird Festival Pass (Paying by Jully 1)
* includes the two catered meals
$175 Early Early Bird Festival Pass (Paying after August 1)
* includes the two catered meals
$200 Early Bird Festival Pass (Paying by Sept 1)
* includes the two catered meals
$225 Festivla Pass (Paying by October 1)
* includes the two catered meals
$225 Late-bird Full Festivla Pass (Paying after October 3)
* does NOT include catered meals
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$30 Just Friday Night
$120 Just Saturday
* Please note if you buy this pass after October 3, 2026 it will NOT include the Saturday night harvest diner as we will have already have sent our number to the caterer.
$100 Just Sunday
* Please note if you buy this pass after October 3, 2026 it will NOT include the Sunday lunch as we will have already have sent our number to the caterer.
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SCHOLARSHIPS:
No one gets turned away due to a lack of funds.
Contact kathleenrea@reasondetre.com if you need more support than the above scale affords and we will give you a discount code to purchase a pass.
SCHEDULE:
BILLETING
Adrian Chuquipiondo is organizing the billeting. Contact him through our billet forms
Billet request: https://forms.gle/KdN5bQMUfWppFLJd8
Host volunteer: https://forms.gle/UNyYqyWAyA7iw2MYA
ACCESS: Celia Franca Center is a barrier-free, wheelchair-accessible space. Wellesley is the closest subway station with an elevator. If you have accessibility questions or want to discuss accommodation that you may need, please get in touch with kathleen.rea@reasondetre.com
JAM GUIDELINES:
All participants must read at the point of purchase.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VvM85pJ_2gE58dANWztFLy5N4KoAZ49U/view?usp=drive_link
All beginners to contact improvisation must read:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fkmC2yTfJUUDSEIVls5UtqC0Ke1F_A3C/view?usp=sharing
QUESTIONS:
Please send questions to kathleen.rea@reasondetre.com
ILLNESS PREVENTION POLICY:
- Masking is by choice (about 5% to 10% of participants tend to wear masks)
- Please do not attend if you are sick
- Please cover any skin sores with a medical-grade band aid.
REFUND POLICY:
Refunds with two-week notice will be minus a $25 admin fee.
Refunds with less than two-week notice will be minus a $40 admin fee (we will have already paid for your catered meal)
REASON D'ETRE DANCE IS SUPPORTED BY:
The Toronto Arts Council
Ontario Arts Council (through the Ontario Government)
Canadian Heritage Foundation
Some of the equipment was funded through an Ontario Trillium Foundation grant.
PRODUCED BY:
REAson d’etre dance (RDD) www.reasondetre.com
