• Photo by Jorge Luna
• Butoh performer

Captivating, engaging, transcendent. Butoh, the Japanese theater-dance form known for its striking visual imagery and slow, hyper-controlled movement, is disturbing and beautiful in the way that art should be. And Humboldt is fortunate to get a taste of it when the inaugural Humboldt Butoh Festival takes place Jan. 19-21 at Synapsis Nova in Old Town. Three days of workshops, performances and a free film screening and panel discussion dedicated to the art of Butoh offers a solid intro to the art form and a chance to try it out for yourself. The performances and workshops are led by local artists Leslie Castellano and Jordan Rosin with visiting guest artist Anastazia Louise of Bad Unkl Sista.

To learn more about the dance genre and participate yourself, there are two workshops available: The workshop with Anastazia Louise of Bad Unkl Sista on Saturday, Jan. 20 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Synapsis Nova ($30) and the workshop with Leslie Castellano and Jordan Rosin on Sunday, Jan. 21 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Synapsis Nova ($30).

If you can't make it to the workshops, take advantage of the free showing and panel discussion of Butoh co-founder Tatsumi Hijikata's film Summer Storm on Friday, Jan. 19 at 8 p.m. at Synapsis Nova, then come back for An Evening of Performances by Leslie Castellano, Jordan Rosin and Anastazia Louise on Sunday, Jan. 21 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. ($20, no one turned away for lack of funds). Seating is limited.

For more on the festival, visit www.jordanrosin.wordpress.com.