Love Sessions with Lorin Sookool

where ↓
Dovercourt House, Main Floor
805 Dovercourt Rd, Toronto, ON M6H 2X4

accessibility ↓
Dovercourt House studios are located on the 3rd floor (please note there are no elevators) with a gender neutral bathroom. There are about 20 steps leading up to the entrance of Dovercourt House and then an additional 3 flights of stairs (approximately 20 stairs each) to the studio. The 63 Ossington bus will drop you in close proximity to the door of the venue, or you can get off at Ossington subway station about a 5 minute walk away.

We acknowledge that the Dovercourt House is not accessible and it is not our preference to book inaccessible spaces. If there is anything we can do to help someone access this space, please email us at info@tolovein.com

about the sessions ↓ 
March 13 — Improvisation 
The sessions will be based on a series of improvisational tasks, frames and games that playfully explore possibilities for connection and commonality through dance. 

March 14 — Instika Dance Technique and Contemporary Dance 
The session will draw from Instika Dance Technique — a codified African Contemporary dance language coined by Maxwell Xolani Rani — and evolve into phrase building and choreography.

Both classes are for anyone with a movement practice, willing to work individually as well as in group contexts including duos and trios. Day one may be of interest to those who work and think through choreographic processes and improvisational dance. Day two may be of interest to those preferring a traditional dance class set-up and wanting to experience a different contemporary dance form as well as learn choreography.  

Wear comfortable loose fitting clothing, no socks during class. Arrive 10-15 mins early to prepare your body with light stretching or muscle warming up that you particularly need. On the first day we will warm up our voices together to use during the tasks and engage in improvisational frames that require a sense of presence and playfulness. On the second day we will engage in a form of dance that places a lot of attention on the legs. Our knees will often be bent, giving the movements a focus on weightedness and sinking into the ground for the lower half of the body and a sense of lightness and fluidity in the upper half of the body. 

about the artist ↓ 
Lorin Sookool (she/her/they/them) is a South Afrikan contemporary artist with a foundation in dance. She has worked with multiple choreographers and residency bodies, with international performances in Mozambique, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK. Lorin graduated with a Bachelor of Music (in Dance) from the University of Cape Town, majoring in Dance Pedagogy in 2013. Through previous employment at The Forgotten Angle Theatre Collaborative, and then later as an independent dance artist, she has experience teaching contemporary and African contemporary dance styles at all age and ability levels. Since 2022 her teaching practice focuses on an exchange and facilitation rather than choreographic instruction, searching for the human that is dancing and based on her experience with improvisation methods. 

Her artistic practice follows a process-based approach that is intuitive in nature and emergent in design, searching for the relationship between personal and collective themes; thereby becoming a reflective, reflexive, subject-centred practice. Sookool often explores complex South Afrikan socio-political themes, with a focus on situations of racial, gendered, systemic and institutionalized violence. She is a mother, devoted seeker and amateur astrologist who often gazes towards the planets in contemplation of their archetypal meaning, in relation to the state of things in this complex and multi-dimensional planet.

sessions cost ↓
We offer a pwyc sliding scale by using the discount codes listed below at checkout. We ask that community members with a consistent income or salary pay at the regular price so that we can support community members with less access to income, wealth, or assets to attend barrier free. Thank you for locating yourself where best represents your economic situation and paying accordingly. This supports making our programs available to more folks for years to come! 

pricing ↓
We strive to provide PWYC access, varied accessibility measures, and a welcoming environment. You can find details below to help you decide how much to pay.

discount codes & donation options
ABUNDANT — add donation, no discount code used at check out
SUPPORTER — add donation, no discount code used check out
REDUCED — 50% off
SOLIDARITY — 75% off
ACCESS — 100% off (contact info@tolovein.com for barrier free registration)

how do I know how much to pay? ↓
abundant
This rate reflects a medium increase on the rate for the session. If you have access to a salary, savings, investments, assets, or generational wealth, paying this rate will subsidize the attendance of someone for whom cost is a barrier to attending. If you are moved to donate $10 or more, there is an option to do so.

supporter
This rate reflects a moderately increased rate for the session and will allow us to partially subsidize the attendance of folks for whom cost is a barrier. Please add a donation of $5 if you have access to a salary, savings, investments or assets. 

regular
This rate reflects the regular cost for the session. Please select this rate if you have access to a regular income and are able to meet your basic needs around food, housing and transportation.

reduced
This rate reflects the reduced cost for the session. Please select this rate if you are able to meet your basic needs around food, housing and transportation, but have gaps in your income and no access to savings or familial financial support.

solidarity
This rate reflects the solidarity cost for the session. Please select this rate if you are able to meet your basic needs around food, housing and transportation, but don't have access to regular income.

access
The option to access this session at no cost ensures that members of our community for whom price is a barrier to participation are able to join us. Please email us at info@tolovein.com to receive this option. 

covid-19 & illness protocols ↓
Masks are not mandatory, but welcomed. Please use your discretion and prioritize your health as needed. Thanks for continuing to work with us to keep our most at risk community members safe. Reminder to stay home if sick/have symptoms, in preparation for the session consider masking in large public spaces and practice greater risk assessment so that we can dance/be together 

acknowledgements ↓
Love-In acknowledge the traditional Indigenous territory known as Tsi’Tkaronto, “Where the trees meet the water” “The Gathering Place.” This land belongs to the Wyandot, Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabeg and Mississaugas of New Credit. We recognize these nations and any other Nations (acknowledged and unacknowledged, recorded and unrecorded) as the past, present, and future caretakers of this land. We are grateful to the Elders, and story-keepers who make the first stories of this land known. We honour the history of this place. Agreeing to continually support our Indigenous community and members, and to center Indigenous practice where and when appropriate. With our action, heart, and word, we commit to providing spaces for inclusivity, respect, love, and working to uphold the treaties of these territories.