Orches

by Madeline Smith Moore

Vicki Gunter and Peter Brown, founded Orches, a nonprofit group, in 1991 on the premise of "making movement a lifelong pleasure." The word "orches" derives from the Greek, meaning "dance." With backgrounds in choreography, motion therapy/healing, as well as dancing, Vicki and Peter teach and coach dancers and athletes as well as lay people. For 32 years, their work has benefited people of both physical and sedentary lifestyles, as well as those suffering injuries and disabilities.

Their brown-shingled Julia Morgan lookalike is on an uncultivated woodsy path, with lush unrestrained greenery interspersed with unusual sculptures suggesting the blending of body and earth. The couple greeting me is as warm and natural as the wood that forms the building blocks of this wonderful house.

Vicki and Peter run several programs in the Oakland Public schools, among them a program called "Levers, Pulleys, and Dance," which teaches the relationship of the laws of physics to the laws of the human body push, pull, friction and balance. This course is given during regular school hours to include the entire class, serving to enhance physical abilities and self-esteem issues in all children.

While the bulk of funds needed to run Orches is derived from corporate, community, and individual donations, occasionally Vicki and Peter host fundraisers. One upcoming fundraiser will be a pendulum exhibit held at Chabot Space and Science Center. Peter is working on new designs for this project (he is also a sculptor). Look for more details on this event in the Metro as the time approaches.

As part of their Orches activities, Vicki and Peter are currently presenting an event series called Dance Jammies, a multigenerational Saturday night affair for the neighborhood. This is a once-a-month evening of dance class warm-up, dance jam, food and popcorn concessions. A cartoon will be shown, as well as a dance clip and a movie. Participants are encouraged to bring along their own CDs or tapes. Dance Jammies is held every third Saturday of the month, the next ones taking place on April 17, May 17, June 19, and July 17. It starts at 6 p.m. and goes until about 9:30. For more details and reservations (encouraged but not required), contact 832-3835 or Orches\@earthlink.net. It's $9 per person, babes-in-arms free. This phone number and e-mail address can also be used to arrange a personal consultation or private bodywork.