Blues Dance Workshop
with Charlie & Dave Stellar
Many dancers realize that there is some connection between Blues & Lindy Hop, but very few realize how deeply intertwined the two dances are. The Doghouse is happy to welcome back Dave & Charlie Stellar to teach an in-depth Blues foundational workshop geared towards Lindy Hop dancers!
You will take what you've already learned as Lindy Hoppers to speed up the learning process, then loop back to figure out how Blues dance can be applied directly towards your Lindy Hop. Most importantly, you'll learn Blues movement; key to not only starting off a journey into the world of blues dance, but a skill which will almost certainly make you a better Lindy Hopper!
Dave & Charlie are the perfect people to learn this material from - they have taught both Blues & Lindy Hop all over the world. Come out & learn or increase your Blues dance vocabulary at the Doghouse - it's the perfect platform to learn jazz-based musicality!
Following class, our DJs will play a mix of both Lindy Hop & Blues
music so you can get your swing/blues groove on!
Thursdays in Sept in the Doghouse Ballroom
4 sessions: $100 for workshop & dance (Sept 5/12/19/26)
Blues Workshop from 7 - 8pm
Social Dance from 8 - 11 pm
Note: this will be a progressive class, so NO DROP-IN students will be allowed after the first session, unless you have prior blues experience and are approved by the instructors. For more info please see our drop-in policy.
What even is Blues Dance?
Although there are many definitions of blues dance & blues music, the manner of blues dance in this workshop will center on very strong partner connection with the basis being pulsing weight changes.
The current Blues dance scene actually evolved out of the Swing/Jazz partner dancing, although original Blues Dancing is often considered one of the parents to Swing and Jazz.
The sense of a dance based on "walking" with deep connection also shares some similarities to Tango, though all three are distinct dances. Unlike Tango, Blues is driven by a deep pulse found in the music, and this pulse drives the movement as well as the feel or spirit of the dance, which is much "earthier" than the "airy" and light feel of Tango.
We have often described Blues Dancing as similar to a slow swing dance where "hyperconnectedness" is the focus rather than "moves" or footwork. This is, of course, an oversimplification.
As mentioned above, learning Blues dance & movements can only help your Lindy Hop as Blues dancing is the perfect platform to learn & increase one's jazz-based musicality!
For more information, please see the source material here.
