Omnidance with SALTA

In 2014, the members of the SALTA collective, margit, and Abby Crain et al joined together to create a dance collective as part of the large scale collective of collectives, Omni Commons. The group of 13 originating collectives organized to rent a massive space located in Temescal, Oakland, that had originally been an Italian American social club then later a metal club, with huge beautiful ballroom, and many spaces. The instigation emerged out of the Oakland Public School/Free School emergent from Occupy Oakland connections that developed into community-based free educational events in uptown Oakland, until this idea, a prefigurative anti-capitalist collective experiment from the ground up. Our office was the Disco Room, with mirrors all around, floor lights from the disco days. In it, we hosted performances, rehearsals, experimental gatherings, contemplative dance practices, and more, and we were a part of the social research and building of a commoning. Alas, our involvement in earnest ended through the kinds of challenges that such a project would bring forth. It deepened connections, developed politic, and offered creative connections and practices that continue until today, it was also the home of the earliest Cave Forms rehearsals, so.. much gratitude for this experience.