Grooving with Alvin Collantes is part of the series “IRL Stories”, a personal project by Berlin-based photographer Rita Couto, focused on how performing artists are adapting to these times of radical change. Started in the 2020’s pandemic, it is an intimate look into the life and work of artists who are using alternative means to (re)build a connection to their audience and community. Each story is photographed on medium format film and written first-hand by Rita with a participatory approach to storytelling.
The Dance Movement "Dose of Pleasure" Talked Through Its Dancers
In line with my collaboration with Filipino-Canadian dance artist Alvin Collantes, I interviewed regular participants aka ‘dosers’ about their groove and how ‘Dose of Pleasure’ has changed them. A feature has been made of this piece on iheartberlin and the full editorial piece will be out on KALTBLUT and Umbigo magazines on Monday, June 21. Stay tuned. Photographs taken by me on medium-format film.
While dance floors were forced to close facing the sudden reality of a pandemic, an unexpected movement was born. Alvin Collantes revolutionised dance culture from transforming each bedroom into a dance floor, to throwing sessions in Berlin parks attracting hundreds of people. An experience that connected people globally through the signature of ‘Dose of Pleasure’.
Rita Couto: Describe the experience of dosing in one sentence.
Cristina: Sensuality and spirituality through the heart.
Nicoló: Massaging myself with the groove.
Greta: Reconnecting to myself, my power, and my inner freedom.
Rita Couto: How has Dose of Pleasure changed you?
Cristina: The meeting with Alvin and Dose of Pleasure literally changed my life in many ways. I discovered my groove, I connected to my inner power, I learned to let go, I learned how to let my animal out. Then, of course, the connection to my body, which is now becoming a main tool of expression for me as an artist and the connection to my spirituality. Through DOP I became connected to my Spirit and from there I started a beautiful healing journey. These are just some highlights on a personal level, but also on a social level, I feel that I am belonging to a big family, to a tribe of pleasure, to a community of people that are willing to awaken, that believe in soul connections. That feeling when we all groove as one, when we feel the heart-to-heart connection, when we feel like screaming of joy while the sweat is running down the body – that is the moment!
Greta: I always loved to dance, but with Dose of Pleasure I felt so much more invited than ever to truly be myself, not to be suitable. Two years ago, I started to explore sexological body-work processes until I discovered gaga through Alvin’s classes. Quickly, I was already able to appreciate his work, having the impression I was having sex with the room, with the air or something… In the 2020’s Spring lockdown, I realised that the most awful thing was that I could no longer dance, but that changed when Alvin started Dose of Pleasure and later was able to run his sessions IRL, in Berlin parks. To me, these sessions became a medicine, for they are more than just dancing; Alvin’s guidance and use of words directly connects me with the sexual flow in the body, life stream, my laugh… It’s awakening all the unspoken layers in ourselves, our thoughts, and our emotions.
Nicoló: By practicing Dose of Pleasure I’m imprinting in my body the concept of going for what feels good. Because of low self-esteem, I too often ended up going for big compromises that left me unrealised. In the process of unapologetically embracing my intuition, Dose of pleasure is helping me embody this change of perspective. By going 100% for MY groove I’m telling myself I’m allowed to choose what feels good and that I know how to do it. Moreover, I found in Dose of pleasure a community that shares the same open-minded approach and where my energy is not just accepted but also celebrated.
Rita Couto: Tell me a story of taking ownership of your groove.
Cristina: For me, the “groove” is the rhythm of one’s life, the frequency one’s on, so I could say that “who grooves together, sticks together”. Taking ownership of my groove was a long process that included various experiences, life decisions, encounters… One important moment was when I finished highschool and I decided that I want to be a “full-time artist”, going to Acting University and starting living in this beautiful bubble of fantasy, imagination and sensitivity, that I can never get sick of. Then, of course, a life-changing point was the decision to move to Berlin: alone, without really knowing anybody, with few savings in my pocket, simply following my intuition that was yelling at me that this is what I have to do. I went for it with no regrets.. Last, but not least, meeting the healing powers of Plant Medicine definitely played an important part in the process of taking ownership of my groove. It allowed me to let go of old grief stored in my system and I could finally feel my heart open. I discovered the softness of my feminine energy, which I am now harnessing and it brings so much fulfilment and harmony to my life. At this moment, I am riding the groove of my life with love and passion and I feel present, aligned, safe and full of energy, which I am willing to share.
Greta: I moved to Berlin from a small German town in my early twenties during the 90s so I could dance and party whenever I wanted and as long as I wanted. With my lifestyle back then, I developed an issue with drugs and an eating disorder, which led me to undertake a lot of therapy in the following years. As time passed, I realised that what truly brought me to ecstasy was the music, the dancing experience and not the drugs, so I flipped it around and started to explore my groove through dancing, as a drug on its own. I started to implement dance as a natural energy uplift during daytime and instead of having a coffee or taking a nap I would schedule regular dance sessions throughout the week. It’s been my best self-care treatment so far.
Nicoló: Where I come from in Italy, I have the impression that people go clubbing mainly to show off, get high, or to cruise for potential partners. I always loved to dance. When I attended parties, I would often be the sweatiest person on the dance floor, people were sometimes disturbed by my movements and would laugh at me. I had the most fun, but often I didn’t feel cherished nor understood. Since I live in Berlin, I’ve been exploring the power of movement on a wide spectrum, and embodiment practices such as dancing and singing have become an integral part of my life. Here I no longer fear judgment, I learned to trust my flow and to go for it. I like myself grooving full power and I constantly witness how my energy can influence other people around me.
