Horror, queerness , disability and the between in it all.

Shows & Events

Hip Twist on Bourbon Street
Feb
15
6:00 PM18:00

Hip Twist on Bourbon Street

Dragonvein Studio’s Annual Hip Twist on Bourbon Street. This Mardi Gras themed production brings together acts from all over Pierce County. Das Biest Performance Project will be performing a swampy Fish Cabaret filled with whimsy and sexy sea life!

February 15th, 6pm. Nisqually Moose Lodge. Dragonvein Studios - Hiptwist on Bourbon Street | Dragonvein

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Movement to Explore Grief
Mar
29
2:00 PM14:00

Movement to Explore Grief

Join our dancer and death doula V in this movement intensive workshop. This workshop will mix movement, journaling and discussion to explore the topic of grief. Please note: Participants will be encouraged to discuss difficult topics. Sharing is not mandatory, but it is encouraged to bring comfort objects like snacks, blankets or the like.

March 29th, 2pm - 7pm. Crescent Moon Gifts.

Masks are highly encouraged. $10 suggested donation.

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Movement as Spell work
Oct
4
2:00 PM14:00

Movement as Spell work

This Spooky Season special will explore how movement can be used as a means for magic. Hosted by Ruth Idunn. This workshop is open to movers of all ages and experience levels.

October 4th, 2pm - 3pm. Crescent Moon Gifts.

Masks are highly encouraged. $10 suggested donation.

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2024 Yuletide Fundraiser
Nov
9
6:00 PM18:00

2024 Yuletide Fundraiser

Join us at Red Elm Cafe to celebrate our second season and help us to raise funds for our 2025 season. This event will include first looks at new dance films, a sneak peek at our upcoming season and several hands on activities. Espresso drinks will be available to purchase and food will be free.

Doors open at 6pm and the silent auction begins at 6:30. All silent auction items will be delivered to the winners before our 8pm event closing time.

To purchase pre-sale tickets please send $10 with your name, and the event title to our paypal. QR code below. Tickets will be $15 at the door.

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Spector Spectacular
Oct
24
to Oct 25

Spector Spectacular

  • Crescent Moon Gifts (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Join us for our third Annual Halloween event in collaboration with Crescent Moon Gifts. Spector Spectacular is a dance piece exploring Ghosts and all their manifestations in popular culture!

We ask that audience members wear masks. This event is free but a $10 suggested donation is welcomed!

October 24th & 25th at 6pm!

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Movement to Explore Grief #2
Sep
28
5:00 PM17:00

Movement to Explore Grief #2

This workshop will be a tender and caring environment to explore physical expressions of grief. Death, dying, and various kinds of loss will be explored. There will be space for reflection, discussion, and movement. No materials required. Some things to consider bringing are a bottle of water, small snacks for nourishment, a journal, pen(cil), and wear comfy clothes to move in. Feel free to bring anything else that would make this workshop more comfortable for you (yoga mat, pillow, cushion, etc.). All experience levels and abilities welcome.

As this is a tender subject to be moving through, space will be provided to journal or speak on the complicated feelings of grief. Though this is not an expectation of participants who do not feel comfortable sharing.

Sept. 28th, 5pm - 6pm at Crescent Moon Gifts. $10 suggested donations.

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Jumping Jacks 2.0
Sep
15
2:00 PM14:00

Jumping Jacks 2.0

  • Seattle Center, Upper Northwest Courtyard (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

In collaboration with the Seattle Center and the Seattle Division of Arts and Culture, we are so happy to be restaging and adapting our work Jumping Jacks. This work premiered last year at Velocity Dance’s Next Fest NW.

This work explores the more mundane yet absurd elements of living with disability. With an original score by Otto-Zoey Schatz, 2.0 will be an extended version adapted to be performed outdoors.

September 15th, 2pm. Upper Northwest Courtyard

 This event is free to the public. To see more about the Artists at the Center Initiative and the other amazing artists involved click the link below.

Artists at the Center (seattlecenter.com)

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Blood in the Grove - in-person/outdoor screening
Aug
17
7:00 PM19:00

Blood in the Grove - in-person/outdoor screening

The first premier of our newest dance film Blood in the Grove. This work is inspired by the 1518 dancing plague. This work includes minor depictions of blood.

This premier will include a screening of the film and a short Q&A session after. This event will be outdoors but masks are highly recommended.

August 17th, 7pm at Jane Clark Park.

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Movement to Explore Grief #1
Aug
16
5:00 PM17:00

Movement to Explore Grief #1

Join Sophie Marie Schatz in exploring the physicality of grief. This can be grief over a loss, grief due to violence, or any other grief you may feel. This class will improvisation based and is open to movers of all ages, experience and ability.

As this is a tender subject to be moving through, space will be provided to journal or speak on the complicated feelings of grief. Though this is not an expectation of participants who do not feel comfortable sharing.

August 16th, 5pm - 6pm at Crescent Moon Gifts. $10 suggested donation.

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Neurodivergent Movement Practice
Jun
2
2:00 PM14:00

Neurodivergent Movement Practice

Join our wonderful dance Ruth Idunn in exploring neurodivergence in movement creation and practice. This workshop is open to participants of all ages and movement experiences. While ADHD will be one of the focuses of the workshop, participants of all neurodiversity are welcome!

June 2nd, 2pm, Crescent Moon Gifts.

This event is free, with an optional donation of $10.

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Accessibility in Performance Art
May
29
6:00 PM18:00

Accessibility in Performance Art

Join Das Biest Performance Project and TPL for a for a night of sharing thoughts and new ideas!

Let's discuss how all performance venues/organizations or individual artists can increase accessibility for their collaborators and audiences. Our goal with this kind of programing would simply be to show and grow accessibility to the arts in Tacoma.

Event times: 6:00-7:00pm 

Tuesday, May 14th - Fern Hill
Wednesday, May 22 - South Tacoma

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Accessibility in Performance Art
May
22
6:00 PM18:00

Accessibility in Performance Art

Join Das Biest Performance Project and TPL for a for a night of sharing thoughts and new ideas!

Let's discuss how all performance venues/organizations or individual artists can increase accessibility for their collaborators and audiences. Our goal with this kind of programing would simply be to show and grow accessibility to the arts in Tacoma.

Event times: 6:00-7:00pm 

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Next Fest NW: Rupture/Reverence
Dec
7
to Dec 16

Next Fest NW: Rupture/Reverence

Next Fest NW is Velocity’s experimental new works festival, celebrating contemporary dance and movement-based artists innovating in our region. This year’s festival features four pieces by regional artists maximiliano (PDX), Kara Beadle (SEA), Danielle Ross, and Sophie Marie Schatz (TAC). This year, the cohort of artists chose the theme RUPTURE/REVERENCE to act as the framework for their show. This theme represents a common thread in the artists’ research – art as societal disruption while maintaining an honoring of where the form has been and where it is going.

NEXT FEST NW

Dec 7-16, 2023

Next Fest NW is Velocity's experimental new works festival, celebrating contemporary dance and movement-based artists innovating in our region.

*access performances are ASL interpreted and are mask required

12th Ave Arts | 1620 12th Ave

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Vampyre : A Strange Fiction Dance Piece
Sep
23
to Sep 24

Vampyre : A Strange Fiction Dance Piece

  • crescent moon gifts (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Come join us at Crescent Moon Gifts while we explore the iconography and style of vampires through the ages. From the roaming dead to blood raves, this dance work will explore the horror, seduction and campy fun that vampire lore has to offer.
Funded by the City of Tacoma’s Tacoma Artist’s Initiative, this piece will premier in September of 2023.

Sept. 23rd at 4pm

Sept. 24th at 6pm

Tickets are on a sliding scale. There is a $5 suggested donation. This can either be done at the door or through our paypal. Our paypal QR code is below.

This event was made possible by funding and support from the Tacoma Artist's Initiative, and Tacoma Creates.

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Monsters under the Bed - Olympia, WA premier
Sep
9
5:00 PM17:00

Monsters under the Bed - Olympia, WA premier

Join us at Stonewall Youth in Olympia, WA for the premier of our newest video work Monsters under the Bed. This dance work explores queer identity and how it is shaped or warped by external and internal factors. This piece is inspired by queer horror stories, the art of drag and James Turrell.

After the screening, there will be a short Q&A with the cast.

Pay what you can at the door.

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Monsters under the Bed - Tacoma, WA Premier
Aug
24
6:00 PM18:00

Monsters under the Bed - Tacoma, WA Premier

Join us at King’s Books in Downtown Tacoma, WA for the premier of our newest video work Monsters under the Bed. This dance work explores queer identity and how it is shaped or warped by external and internal factors. This piece is inspired by queer horror stories, the art of drag and James Turrell.

After the screening, there will be a short Q&A with the cast.

Pay what you can at the door.

This event is made possible by the support of Tacoma Creates.

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May
13
to Jun 30

Blood, Bone and Brushes

  • Crescent Moon Gifts - Tacoma WA (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

In this four part lecture series, presented by Arte Temple Studio in collaboration with the Das Biest Performance Project, we will be exploring the ways our bodies affect our art, how bodies inspire us, and what role the experience of healthcare marginalization has on our work. We will be interviewing artists from all over the Pacific Northwest and beyond. We are centering the voices of disabled artists, chronically ill artists, fat artists, transgender, and nonbinary artists, as we begin to unpack the complex relationship between society, art, and the body.

Each event will begin with a 45min lecture, followed by a 15 minute Q/A, and 30 minutes to mingle, and discuss. The event will be hybrid, with some attendees logging in to watch on zoom. Light refreshments will be served. The current hope is to host this event free and open to the public, with an optional fee of $15 to help compensate our speakers.

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2023 Season Auditions
Feb
1
5:00 PM17:00

2023 Season Auditions

Das Biest Performance Project is welcoming dancers to audition for our inaugural season. Auditions will be held virtually via zoom on February 1st. Auditions will begin at 5pm and last until 8pm.

We are a company focused on Disabled and Queer dancers. We ask only for dancers in these two demographics to apply. We are a Modern Dance company but welcome dancers of all style backgrounds. Our work focuses on folklore, experiential dance and at times darker themes. Please keep that in mind when auditioning.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

To receive the zoom link and audition materials (short phrase to learn) please submit the below materials to dasbiestperformanceproject@gmail.com by January 30th at noon.

  • Resume

  • Headshot

  • Potential health needs or accommodations

Once the above materials are received each dancer will receive a link to the auditions, their group time slot and a video of a short phrase to learn. Each time slot will be allowed into the zoom room at their time slot. Please arrive warm. For the audition, we ask for one 3 8 solo, and as much of the phrase sent by Das Biest to be prepared to show upon arrival. All dancers will hear back from us within 3 days of the audition.

CONTRACT

Dancers will be hired for 5 - 15 hours a week (time is flexible depending on dancer’s schedule) for $13 per hour. Rehearsals will last 3 months at a time for 2 - 3 performances. Contract will last 1 year.

Dancers will full employees and be covered by Das Biest’s Workers Comp insurance. Dancers will be sent a W2 for taxes in April of 2024.

POTENTIAL SHOW DATES

As this is Das Biest’s first season, below is the potential show schedule. Notice for any changes will be given to Dancers 2 months before show. Casts for each production will vary depending on dancer’s schedules.

  • March 17th - Fundraiser for the Fred Oldfield Western Heritage and Art Center

Rehearsals begin Feb. 8th (wednesdays) - the event.

  • June 2023 - TBD at Crescent Moon Gifts

Rehearsals begin late March

  • TBD May

Rehearsals begin early March

  • TBD November

Rehearsals begin in August

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The Goddess & the Spider
Nov
12
7:00 PM19:00

The Goddess & the Spider

The Goddess & the Spider - Live Dance Performance
This modern dance piece is created by an entirely queer and pagan cast.
This work explores the Greek myth of Arachne and Athena. It will include original music, costumes and movement.

Cost $10

"Sophie Marie is a queer dance maker based in Tacoma, WA. Marie's work focuses on site specific and dance videos. She has had work produced with the Barefoot Collective and the Seattle Center. Their work explores horror, queerness and mythology."

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When the Woods Speak - Zoom Premier
Oct
2
6:00 PM18:00

When the Woods Speak - Zoom Premier

The zoom premier of Das Biest Performance Project's newest dance film. This work is a queer romance based on the folklore of the wild hunt. Zoom information will be posted the month of the show.

Choreographed by Sophie Marie
Danced by Sade Aset, Madison Newman, Velocity Haigh, Katie Stricker Lappier and Melina Sergent - Mouth.

Zoom information
Meeting ID - 821 1173 8668
Passcode - 155770 See less

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Intensive Composition
Oct
16
2:00 PM14:00

Intensive Composition

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Dutch Masters
Aug
19
2:00 PM14:00

Dutch Masters

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Table Arrangements
Aug
14
2:00 PM14:00

Table Arrangements

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