Classes
| Friday | Saturday-Track 1 | Saturday-Track 2 | Sunday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00 | Instructor's Choice Bill Borgida |
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| 10:30 | Tango Brush Up & Shared Dance Movements Mihai & Tina Donth |
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| 11:00 | Get Up to Speed for Fusion Weekend Andrew Sutton |
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| 11:30 | Lindy Blues Charlotte Simpson & "Chocolate" Jeff |
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| 12:00 | ||||
| 12:30 | Tangoed Up in Blues Mihai & Tina Donth |
Ladies' & Men's Improv Classes Sherry & Lucky |
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| 01:00 | ||||
| 01:30 | ||||
| 02:00 | Blues Basics Jerry & Kathy |
Back to Basics Jerry & Kathy |
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| 02:30 | ||||
| 03:00 | Hip Hop Blues Lucky & Lessa |
Classic Blues Bill Borgida |
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| 03:30 | ||||
| 04:00 | Fusion that Makes You Go Mmmmm... Andrew Sutton |
MicroBlues Ben Long |
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| 04:30 | ||||
| 05:00 | Fusion Ben Long |
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| 05:30 | ||||
| 06:00 | Whip Appeal Bryan Spivey |
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| 06:30 | ||||
| 07:00 | ||||
| 07:30 | ||||
| 08:00 | Tango Basics Lorenzo Andrade |
Drop In Lesson Andrew Sutton |
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| 08:30 | ||||
| 09:00 | ||||
Class Descriptions
Whip Appeal - Bryan Spivey
Whip is a Houston derivative of West Coast Swing. Both Swing and Whip have 6 and 8 beat patterns, but where the two dances differ is in the anchor. Swing tends to have a solid anchor where only extension is in play, where Whip has double resistance (both extension and compression) on the anchor step which allowed for a lot of hip movement. There is a popular song out there "Honky Tonk" by Johnny Williams that actully gives the history of "The Houston Whip."
Tango Basics - Lorenzo Andrade
The focus of this class is to get people acclimated to moving with traditional Argentine Tango music, their partner, while co-existing with everyone else in the room. (Time allowing, Tango Basics will be covered while with an eye toward opportunities for passing from Tango to other dances.)
Tango For Blues/Swing Dancers - Mihai Banulescu & Tina Donth
One conversation about creativity with tango instructor Alex Krebs has had more impact on me than anything else. He taught me that simply shifting weight, walking and turning, with changing rhythms and great attention paid to music, is in fact dancing tango. I did that almost exclusively for a year and have heard no complaints. Just in case students are less excited about these basics than I am (which often happens), I generally spice things up at the end of the class by teaching my favorite thing about tango, the volcada. I will address all tango technique tips from the perspective of a blues/swing dancer, establishing some direct comparisons.
Tangoed Up in Blues - Mihai Banulescu & Tina Donth
Even when dancing only one style, one of the most important questions is how you put together different ideas and make them fit. This is even more important when mixing different styles, and it has been the focus of my teaching fusion classes for a while now. In this class, we will build on the technical knowledge gained in the "tango for blues dancers" class. We will discuss transitions, pauses and flow in a creative, open-minded environment. The goal of this class is to create some fusion movement that is more than the sum of its parts.
Fusion - Ben Long
Partner dance to anything. Use every ounce of Swing, Tango, and Blues (and maybe a touch of Hip-hop) in your body to partner dance to that song you always wished you could, but never knew how. Combine all of your skill to create the dance of your dreams.
Hip Hop n' Blues - Lucky Skillen & Lessa Thieme
This is a new concept of blues, currently developing in Brooklyn, NY, that combines hip hop techniques and blues fundamentals to create an innovative new style.
Classic Blues - Bill Borgida & Kathy Warwick
Learn to feel the rhythm or "pulse" inherent in Blues music and to use your body to emphasize this rhythm. It will cover lead follow skills, and some syncopations, turns, and dips so you can dance to a wide variety of blues music. It's also an excellent way to work on partner connection, balance, posture and musicality.
Lindy Blues - Charlotte Simpson & "Chocolate" Jeff
Come discover the world of Blues music, deep sensuality, and a connection that can never be broken. We will discuss how to hold yourself both powerfully and gracefully. How do you create a connection that leaves your partner wanting more? Learn to taste every last drop of the music and feel the yearning trapped inside its history. Stop simulating steps you've learned, and feel the connection that creates an organic, sensual dance that will change the way you think about partner dancing.
Micro-Blues - Ben Long
From the basics of breathing to advanced techniques such as micro-napping, learn how to establish powerful connections with minimalist movements. For those who have trouble keeping their eyes closed, bring a blindfold.