All photos are by BeccaVision unless mentioned.
WHAT'S NEXT?
“This program is made possible with public funds from the Queens Arts Fund, a re-grant program supported by New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and administered by New York Foundation for the Arts.”
Queens Contemporary Training Series
📅 Date: July 6~10th
📍 Location: Cucala Dance Studio (47-10 32nd Place, 2nd Floor, Long Island City, NY 11101)
A week of contemporary dance training in Queens by sarAika movement collective.
These classes explore movement research, partnering, repertoire, and contemporary dance technique.
Intended for dancers and movers with prior movement experience, the level and focus of each class will vary throughout the week.
Schedule: 12:00 PM–1:30 PM
-Monday, July 6 – Movement Research: Geometry, Self-Image, Drawing & Improvisation
-Tuesday, July 7 – Partnering：Tools & Repertoire)
-Wednesday, July 8 – Repertoire: Continuum
-Thursday, July 9 – Contemporary Technique “Isolation & Flow” with Aika Takeshima
-Friday, July 10 – Contemporary Technique with Sara Pizzi: Physicality, Precision & Storytelling
Culmination Showcase of Queens Choreographic LAB
Date: July 11th
Time: Doors open: 7PM, Performances: 7:30PM
Cucala Dance Studio (47-10 32nd Place, 2nd Floor, Long Island City, NY 11101)
- sarAika movement collective “Unsaid, Still Understood” by Sara Pizzi & Aika Takeshima
- Cucala Quinto
- Culmination performance of sarAika Queens Choreographic Lab
- Audience Participatory Live Creation & Improvisation, where audience members help choreograph a dance in real time
- A post-show social gathering with music, drinks, performers, and fellow audience members
Beer and wine are included with your ticket
Early bird discount using the code
EBSARAIKA
($15 ticket) until July 7th.
“This program is made possible with public funds from the Queens Arts Fund, a re-grant program supported by New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and administered by New York Foundation for the Arts.”
We are supported by
What we offer
Perform our works at your event
We’ve performed for over 70 events throughout NYC and broadly since 2021.
Create your work
Commision.
We do commit to maximize your company’s artistry and dancers abilities.
Model for your arts
For students to professional artists.
From basic line to complexed shape.
Your artistry × our artistry
Share our methodology
Full range of motion by:
Joints fluidity, Dynamic weight shifting, Reflective floor-work. And how creating space inside our body reflects outside space.
Our mission
sarAika movement collective creates contemporary dance as a site of intercultural exchange, embodied inquiry, and social connection.
Founded by immigrant and queer women choreographers Sara Pizzi and Aika Takeshima, the collective uses cultural difference not as representation, but as a creative method—shaping choreography, collaboration, and leadership through shared authorship, rigorous physical practice, and lived experience across borders.
About us
Aika Takeshima
DEI practitioner
Aika Takeshima (she/her) is a contemporary dance artist, choreographer, and movement instructor from Japan with over a decade of international experience across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. She is the co-founder and co–artistic director of sarAika movement collective in New York City and the founder of the Osaka International Contemporary Dance Festival (OICDF) in Japan.
Contribution for us means
As immigrants, women, POC, and queer, we strive to create art that represents and empowers the communities to which we belong. Our collective comprises artists from our communities who perform and produce artworks that reflect topical aspects and personal insights delivered for our communities to spark empowerment, reflection, and inspiration.
If you believe in the power of art to empower communities, we would appreciate your support and donation. Every small or large donation is appreciated and fundamental in realizing our dreams and empowering our communities.
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