CLASSES
Primera Part
THE NUANCES IN BLUES CONNECTION
Blues dance, at its best, is rooted on subtle physical communication between your partner, yourself, and the music. For this session, we will understand the difference between “tone” and “tension," apply the idea of “stretch” and “lag," while examining our connection points and the resulting actions of our movements. We’ll practice exercises in close embrace, closed, and open connections to different tempos and styles of Blues music to get the most out of your connection.
Taller Dissabte Matí (De 11:30 a 14:00h )
Nivell: Intermig (Mínim un any de classes de Blues Dance en parella).
Lloc: El Desbande Tango. Mare de Déu dels Desamparats, 5, 2ª Planta, 08012 Barcelona.
Segona Part
THE BLUES LEADER AND FOLLOWER
Learning to Blues dance enables the dancer to more fully understand dance concepts such as simplicity, clarity, creativity, intensity, and musical and emotional interpretation that are critical to advanced social dancing of any kind.
For this session, we will examine and improve the lead-follow dynamic to allow conversation, creativity, and provide inspiration to each other. As a follow, you'll learn how to add to the conversation, apply the idea of "active" and "reactive" movements, and feel empowered to move with greater confidence and expression no matter what position you're in. As a lead, you'll learn to develop and grow your dance using a basic consistent groove and learn techniques that allow you to open up space up for your followers to improvise. You'll then be creating an improvisational dance that grows and changes with the music as well as a conversation in your dance.
Primera Part
DANCING ON THE JOOKIN' AND BALLROOMIN' FLOOR
Jookin' is danced in a jook joint and Ballroomin' is danced in a ballroom. Sounds simple, right? This class will deepen our understanding of the dance and will address how we can make a stylistic choice. First, we'll differentiate these two styles of Blues dancing by by analyzing their aesthetic, then by understanding the elements in the music they are danced to. We'll cover posture, connection, musicality, and emphasis of the pulse in these two styles. Finally, we'll learn some floor craft techniques to polish off our jookin' and ballroomin' dancing so we can dance anywhere!
Taller Dissabte Tarde (De 16:00 a 18:30h )
Nivell: Intermig (Mínim un any de classes de Blues Dance en parella).
Lloc: El Desbande Tango. Mare de Déu dels Desamparats, 5, 2ª Planta, 08012 Barcelona.
Segona Part
STRUTTIN'
Originating in Memphis, Tennessee in the 1940s, Struttin' is one of the more rare traveling jook joint style dances and is great for being able to dance at both medium to very fast tempos. We'll cover the fundamentals and get into some fun footwork patterns and improvisations. Learn the dance that all the cool kids are dancing to these days!
"TEACHER TRAINING"
Learn how to teach Blues dancing! International Blues dance instructor Dexter Santos will share his teaching approach and technique accumulated from his 10-years experience teaching this wonderful and soulful dance. This training session will cover defining Blues dancing, understanding the aesthetic of Blues dance, and examining Blues movement and it's relation to Blues music. It will also include vocabulary, history, and theory as well as practical classroom application and strategies. If you are a current teacher looking to supplement or improve your teaching or are interested in learning how to teach Blues, this teacher training is for you.
Taller Diumenge Matí (De 11:00 a 14:00h )
Nivell: Avançat/Professional. Workshop per a professors de Blues Dance.
Lloc: El Desbande Tango. Mare de Déu dels Desamparats, 5, 2ª Planta, 08012 Barcelona.
(Totes les classes seran en Anglès i Català o Castellà segons els assistents)