Enter the Blues presents: Enter the Blues 4, May 21-23, 2010
Class Schedule
What the colors mean:
Aqua: Beg-Int. Your schedule is simple- you can hang out at Firefly, and the teachers will come to you!
Yellow: Elective! Anytime there are yellow classes you can choose which class to take.
Fuchsia and Chartreuse: These classes are the same, just in a different order. You'll be split up for size, and so the classes can move at the best possible pace. When there's a pink or green class, you're in your home room.
Class descriptions are below!
Aqua: Beg-Int. Your schedule is simple- you can hang out at Firefly, and the teachers will come to you!
Yellow: Elective! Anytime there are yellow classes you can choose which class to take.
Fuchsia and Chartreuse: These classes are the same, just in a different order. You'll be split up for size, and so the classes can move at the best possible pace. When there's a pink or green class, you're in your home room.
Class descriptions are below!
Class Descriptions
Beginner-Intermediate
Saturday
Basics: Putting the “Fun” in Fundamentals (Don and Tina)
Like a fine-tuned race car, every dancer needs a tune up every once in a while… and like every great dancer, everyone could use a basics class. This class is for Blues newbies and seasoned pros alike.
Moving into Beat One (Mike M and Rachel)
Every phrase and new thought in the music ends and begins with a beat one. Often a blues song places emphasis on beat one, and it's sometimes difficult to know how to express that through your movements. We'll work on moves that accentuate those driving moments in the music, and in doing so help you strengthen the connection with your partner.
Built for Comfort (Jon and Carsie)
Close embrace should be as comfortable, cozy, and connected as possible, while being versatile enough to remain interesting for a whole dance. Through a series of connection exercises, stylings, and rhythmic variations, we’ll share the secrets of a deliciously comfortable yet dynamic close embrace connection.
Blues in the Big Picture (Mike L and Reuel)
What, really, IS blues? What kinds are there? Where did it come from? Consider this class the cliff-notes to the encyclopedia of blues.
Basics: Putting the “Fun” in Fundamentals (Don and Tina)
Like a fine-tuned race car, every dancer needs a tune up every once in a while… and like every great dancer, everyone could use a basics class. This class is for Blues newbies and seasoned pros alike.
Moving into Beat One (Mike M and Rachel)
Every phrase and new thought in the music ends and begins with a beat one. Often a blues song places emphasis on beat one, and it's sometimes difficult to know how to express that through your movements. We'll work on moves that accentuate those driving moments in the music, and in doing so help you strengthen the connection with your partner.
Built for Comfort (Jon and Carsie)
Close embrace should be as comfortable, cozy, and connected as possible, while being versatile enough to remain interesting for a whole dance. Through a series of connection exercises, stylings, and rhythmic variations, we’ll share the secrets of a deliciously comfortable yet dynamic close embrace connection.
Blues in the Big Picture (Mike L and Reuel)
What, really, IS blues? What kinds are there? Where did it come from? Consider this class the cliff-notes to the encyclopedia of blues.
Beginner-Intermediate
Sunday
Rhythmic Blues (Mike R and Laura)
More than just dancing on beat, blues music is a very rhythmic art, full of syncopation and tempo changes. This class will work on connection, body movement, and give you another tool for your musical kit.
Turns and Spins (Mike R and Laura)Just as the title says, we'll be covering how to spin like a friggin' top on your own, as well as how to lead / follow spins smoothly and calmly. Because everyone loves spins!
Movement and Floorcraft: You Gotta Move! (Don and Tina)
Trust us when we say that Blues Dancing isn’t just about dancing in the same 2 inch by 2 inch square. Tina and Don will get you movin’ across the floor with style and grace.
Intro to Ballroomin (Mike L and Reuel)
Prepare to take a trip back to the Savoy, to grab your partner and dance to some slow jazz. You'll travel, you'll use momentum, and you'll do some fancy turns- old-school style.
Rhythmic Blues (Mike R and Laura)
More than just dancing on beat, blues music is a very rhythmic art, full of syncopation and tempo changes. This class will work on connection, body movement, and give you another tool for your musical kit.
Turns and Spins (Mike R and Laura)Just as the title says, we'll be covering how to spin like a friggin' top on your own, as well as how to lead / follow spins smoothly and calmly. Because everyone loves spins!
Movement and Floorcraft: You Gotta Move! (Don and Tina)
Trust us when we say that Blues Dancing isn’t just about dancing in the same 2 inch by 2 inch square. Tina and Don will get you movin’ across the floor with style and grace.
Intro to Ballroomin (Mike L and Reuel)
Prepare to take a trip back to the Savoy, to grab your partner and dance to some slow jazz. You'll travel, you'll use momentum, and you'll do some fancy turns- old-school style.
Intermediate-Advanced: Core Classes
Saturday
Dancing Fast (Mike L and Reuel)
When the band is jumpin', and the tempos are high, the music is still blues- in fact, it's what blues bands normally play! Mike and Reuel will take those blues skills you've cultivated at slow tempos, and teach you to use them on those uptempo tunes that the musicians know best!
Partnership/Connection: Blues Partnership and Technique (Don and Tina)
Think you’re on your way to becoming a Blues Rockstar? Tina & Don will test all the notions you’ve got about partnership and technique and make sure those cool moves you've got in your head actually make it to the dance floor.
Dancing Fast (Mike L and Reuel)
When the band is jumpin', and the tempos are high, the music is still blues- in fact, it's what blues bands normally play! Mike and Reuel will take those blues skills you've cultivated at slow tempos, and teach you to use them on those uptempo tunes that the musicians know best!
Partnership/Connection: Blues Partnership and Technique (Don and Tina)
Think you’re on your way to becoming a Blues Rockstar? Tina & Don will test all the notions you’ve got about partnership and technique and make sure those cool moves you've got in your head actually make it to the dance floor.
Intermediate-Advanced: Core Classes
Sunday
Rhythm IS Blues (Jon and Carsie)
We believe that rhythm and syncopation are what make blues BLUESY. In this class, we’ll take you on a tour of blues rhythms, and show you how to find them on your own. Next, we’ll introduce you to some techniques for expressing these rhythms with your body, and sharing them with your partner! This class will guarantee that you never have another boring dance.
Dancing Slooowww (Mike R and Laura)
Slow dancing - I mean really slow dancing - is the hardest music to stay balanced, on time, and musical. In this class, we'll be experimenting with that control.
Rhythm IS Blues (Jon and Carsie)
We believe that rhythm and syncopation are what make blues BLUESY. In this class, we’ll take you on a tour of blues rhythms, and show you how to find them on your own. Next, we’ll introduce you to some techniques for expressing these rhythms with your body, and sharing them with your partner! This class will guarantee that you never have another boring dance.
Dancing Slooowww (Mike R and Laura)
Slow dancing - I mean really slow dancing - is the hardest music to stay balanced, on time, and musical. In this class, we'll be experimenting with that control.
Intermediate-Advanced: Elective Classes
Saturday
Bring Back That Loving Feeling (Mike M and Rachel)
Ever have one of those dances that made your heart sing and your knees weak? We're going to focus on how the partnership feels, and we'll work on bringing that wonderful feeling into every dance through your movements and connection.
Bluesify! (Don and Tina)
Find out what in the hell Harry Potter has to do with Blues Dancing and how you can take moves and movements you may already know from other dances and put a little blues in ‘em.
Bring Back That Loving Feeling (Mike M and Rachel)
Ever have one of those dances that made your heart sing and your knees weak? We're going to focus on how the partnership feels, and we'll work on bringing that wonderful feeling into every dance through your movements and connection.
Bluesify! (Don and Tina)
Find out what in the hell Harry Potter has to do with Blues Dancing and how you can take moves and movements you may already know from other dances and put a little blues in ‘em.
Intermediate-Advanced: Elective Classes
Sunday
Feminine Movement (Mike L)Using solo blues as a platform, Mike'll be talking about what it means to move in a "feminine" way, and the implications of feminine movement in partner dancing. She'll also talk about integrating masculine qualities into feminine dancing, and how use them to create dynamic movement.
Masculine Movement (Reuel)
What makes a position or movement masculine? What movements are the opposite of Masculine? How can we dance creatively but maintain a masculine form? Reuel will train your artistic eyes to help you recognize the essential elements of masculine movement. You'll learn some fun vocabulary that incorporates manly static poses and Masculine ways shake things up!
Flead or Lollow (Don and Tina)
If you're a lead who has always wanted to follow, or a follow who's curious about leading, this class is for you. Tina and Don will talk about what it means to "lead" and "follow" in a dance, especially if you're switching roles. Who knows... you might like the view from the other side of the fence.
Nitty Gritty Technique (Mike L and Reuel)The devil's in the details- and so is the difference between good connection and great connection! This class is going to focus on some of the more subtle and challenging tools, to open up new options in your social dancing.
Feminine Movement (Mike L)Using solo blues as a platform, Mike'll be talking about what it means to move in a "feminine" way, and the implications of feminine movement in partner dancing. She'll also talk about integrating masculine qualities into feminine dancing, and how use them to create dynamic movement.
Masculine Movement (Reuel)
What makes a position or movement masculine? What movements are the opposite of Masculine? How can we dance creatively but maintain a masculine form? Reuel will train your artistic eyes to help you recognize the essential elements of masculine movement. You'll learn some fun vocabulary that incorporates manly static poses and Masculine ways shake things up!
Flead or Lollow (Don and Tina)
If you're a lead who has always wanted to follow, or a follow who's curious about leading, this class is for you. Tina and Don will talk about what it means to "lead" and "follow" in a dance, especially if you're switching roles. Who knows... you might like the view from the other side of the fence.
Nitty Gritty Technique (Mike L and Reuel)The devil's in the details- and so is the difference between good connection and great connection! This class is going to focus on some of the more subtle and challenging tools, to open up new options in your social dancing.
Class levels at EtB4
This year, EtB will be offering 3 tracks covering 2 levels.
Beginner-Intermediate: This level is for anyone who wants to get a grasp on what blues dancing is, how to do it, and how to improve the fundamentals that make it rock. You'll be learning blues connection (which is distinct from the connection basics of many dances), traditional blues vocabulary, different styles of blues, and more! This is ideally for anyone who's never been dancing blues to someone who has been blues dancing regularly for less than a 1.5 years.
Intermediate-Advanced: This level is for the old hats of the blues world. You'll be covering ideas like contrast, macro/micro musicality, movement quality, performance/competition, and more. By this point, you should have a several great pulses, kick-butt fishtails, wicked-fast pivot turns, and the ability to explain to a non-dancer what blues dancing is.
So what about this three track business? We're going to try something this year that we've seen work other places. We're going to take one level (Int-Adv), and split it into two groups. We're going to give you a "sorting" class, where we watch the way you learn. Then we'll break you up into two groups. Both groups will get the same classes, just not at the same time. Why do it this way? Because we know that being in a group that learns at a different rate is frustrating- too fast, and you're lost; too slow, and you're bored. So we're going to let you pick the level of classes you want, and put you in a group that will hopefully give you the best learning experience possible!
There will also be elective classes that int-adv dancers can choose between, regardless of group, to give you some specialty classes!
There will be a full day of classes on Saturday, and a full day of classes on Sunday, plus an intro-to-blues class on Friday night.
Beginner-Intermediate: This level is for anyone who wants to get a grasp on what blues dancing is, how to do it, and how to improve the fundamentals that make it rock. You'll be learning blues connection (which is distinct from the connection basics of many dances), traditional blues vocabulary, different styles of blues, and more! This is ideally for anyone who's never been dancing blues to someone who has been blues dancing regularly for less than a 1.5 years.
Intermediate-Advanced: This level is for the old hats of the blues world. You'll be covering ideas like contrast, macro/micro musicality, movement quality, performance/competition, and more. By this point, you should have a several great pulses, kick-butt fishtails, wicked-fast pivot turns, and the ability to explain to a non-dancer what blues dancing is.
So what about this three track business? We're going to try something this year that we've seen work other places. We're going to take one level (Int-Adv), and split it into two groups. We're going to give you a "sorting" class, where we watch the way you learn. Then we'll break you up into two groups. Both groups will get the same classes, just not at the same time. Why do it this way? Because we know that being in a group that learns at a different rate is frustrating- too fast, and you're lost; too slow, and you're bored. So we're going to let you pick the level of classes you want, and put you in a group that will hopefully give you the best learning experience possible!
There will also be elective classes that int-adv dancers can choose between, regardless of group, to give you some specialty classes!
There will be a full day of classes on Saturday, and a full day of classes on Sunday, plus an intro-to-blues class on Friday night.