Class Descriptions
Please note: Immersion classes are taught in a “Master class” format, which is to say at a rapid pace, with as much or as little detail as the teacher believes is necessary, in the method of their choice.
These classes are open to everyone… but you must have your own partner (though it does not have to be a regular partner, and small groups may form) and there will be no teacher led rotation. You are encouraged to ask questions and to work with each other to figure out the material, but the teachers will not slow down nor dumb down the material.
These classes are offered in the slots they are so those who do not believe they are ready for this kind of intensity can sleep in and/or leave for dinner early. If you are attending for a fun laid back time, you may wish to seriously consider skipping some or all of these classes, as they are not aimed at the merely dedicated, but at the truly obsessed.
For more information about class format, please see the About page of the website.
For a printable program with the schedule and class descriptions, click here.
Down Home Blues 2011 Class Descriptions
Dexter & Michelle
MO’ BETTER BLUES – SOLO & PARTNERED / JOOKIN’ / VOCABULARY & TECHNIQUE (All Levels)
So, you’ve been dancing blues for a while and have taken your fair share of classes. You know that the aesthetic of the dance is grounded, athletic, and has a pulse. But what else can you add to your blues to make it better? In this class we add more depth to your dancing and add more aesthetic by applying different centers of movement, adding polyrhythms, and then shaping it with asymmetry. Your blues just might come out mo’ better after this class.
FRED & GINGER GET THE BLUES 3 – BALLROOMIN’ / VOCABULARY & TECHNIQUE (Immersion Class – Partner Required)
Dexter and Michelle’s signature Ballroomin’ Blues class comes back to Down Home Blues! This time we’ll cover a variety of lifts that have the leads sweeping the follow off their feet and resulting in flashy spins. Turns and re-direct turns that lead into the sweep will be covered as well as some styling tips for the follows to add during the spins. If there is enough time, we’ll add more ballroomin’ lifts. This class requires you to bring your own partner as there is no rotation. Also, leads must be comfortable and able to lift their follows.
THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND…THE PROMENADE! – BALLROOMIN’ / VOCABULARY & TECHNIQUE (All Levels)
Learn how to be a bad-ass promenader when it comes to Ballroomin’ Blues! Promenade forward, backward, with skips, lifts, and other fancy footwork! After taking this class, people on the dance floor will want to make room for you and your partner (tumbleweeds might even roll by!) as you strut your new promenade skills! Heel spurs not necessary.
SHARP & SMOOTH FLAVOR – JOOKIN’ / TECHNIQUE & MUSICALITY (All Levels)
In this class, we’ll contrast movements that can be done both sharply and smoothly in the context of Jook Joint style blues dancing. We’ll emphasize the “weight” and attitude of the movements while learning what muscles to engage to create the sharp and smooth effect desired.
THE WALKIN’ BLUES – MEN’S SOLO BLUES / VOCABULARY & TECHNIQUE – Dexter (All Levels)
What do you do when your partner is “spotlighting?” Do you find yourself unsure of what to do? Upon approaching your partner across the floor, do you find yourself simply walking to them? Did you ever think to dance your way toward them? In a cool fashion? This class is designed to provide men a variety of base “grooves” (movements) that they can use when “hanging back,” walking to, or breaking away from their partner. We’ll examine ways where we can use these “grooves” as a means to participate in the dance while being laid back and cool.
Tim & Julie & Whitton
ILLUSIONS – Julie (Immersion Class – No partner is required for this one; but it will move at a “Master’s level” pace)
Many historical dancers, such as Earl “Snakehips” Tucker, created incredible illusions when they danced: they could make it appear as though their legs were broken or made of rubber, or that their feet could glide on top of the floor. Watch some of these masters at work and learn how you can create these illusions as well.
DRAG BLUES (BALLROOMING – Core Class)
Learn some stylish moves in Drag Blues! We will be teaching a style of Drag Blues that uses elements from Apache, a dramatic Parisian street dance. In this class, we’ll use some weight-sharing, off-axis moves, and leads that generate momentum in the follow’s legs.
PIVOTS (BALLROOMING – Core Class)
Pivots are great for traveling, spinning around, and also creating inertia for other moves. In this class you get all three! Leads: learn how to bend the pivot to your will and use it to create new moves. Follows: learn how to ride the pivot like a wave and then have it launch you into new directions.
FAST BLUES (JOOKIN’ – Core Class)
Not all Blues music is slow and sultry. Don’t miss out on all the fast stuff or just go into Lindy by default. In this class we will go over some Blues moves that work well at speed as well as some rhythm variations to make things even more interesting. It’s time to make your Blues sweat.
Layers of Flavor – Tim & Whitton
We are going to be taking the most popular solo jookin’ movements pick them apart and build them back up again. Learn how to never do a move the same way twice. Then take those variations and and challenge your classmates to keep layering the variations and your will dance keep growing and changing.
Joe & Mike
DANCING BETWEEN THE NOTES (Core Class)
Dance is the space between moves. It’s not the moves you lead; it’s the moves you don’t lead. In this class, we’ll use tension, isolations, weight changes, and momentum to dance the whole phrase of the music.
SOLO DANCING FOR SHY PEOPLE
Does the idea of dancing without someone to hold your hand make you want to hide? Great! This class is the non-scary way to get comfortable with moving alone, and (gasp) improvising on your own. Join your fellow solo dance-wallflowers, and learn how to use the phrasing of the music to guide your hand- or hips, or whatever.
OPEN-ENDED DANCING (Immersion Class – Partner is required for this class)
Learn the difference between open-ended and closed-ended dancing. Create a lot of space to creatively move your body without using your “pointer finger” to say “this is your time to stylize.”
ENERGY CHANGES (Core class)
There are so many changes that occur within our connection. This class will focus on the changes of energy and how to syncopate fast and slow movements. You’ll walk away with a good understanding of the signals that leaders can utilize to create these changes and how to appropriately respond to them.
Ria & Heidi & Damon
SWAG – Damon & Ria (Immersion Class – Partner Required)
Swag – noun: The way in which you carry yourself. Swag is made up of your overall confidence, style, and demeanor. Swag can also be expanded to be the reputation of your overall swagger. You gain swag, or “Swag up”, by performing swag worthy actions that improve this perception. If you need, it this class will give it to you. If you have it, we’ll help you refine it.
TRIPLE-STEP BLUES – Damon & Heidi (Core Class)
Yep. Some blues dances do have triple steps. This is not your basic swing step nor a cha-cha. Come learn how to rock and groove with triple-step blues to fast and slow music and really get a new perspective on how much can be done in blues.
LIKE A BOY (WOMEN’S SOLO MOVEMENT) – Heidi (All Levels)
What makes a dance sexy? What makes a dance aggressive? How can a woman dance in an aggressive or masculine way while remaining true to the dance and herself? This class explores the character of your movement, in particular expanding female solo movement, so that you can add variety to your dancing. (Blues-based class, although there will be some variation to a broader range of music to get you out of your comfort zone.)
BREAKING THE RULES – Damon & Heidi (Immersion class – Partner Required)
All dances possess a rule-set that defines the aesthetic and helps distinguish that dance or genre of dances from others. These rules in some dances are very rigid, others very elastic. In this class we will show you how dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge! (I mean break) the rules without actually breaking out of the blues aesthetic.
CRITIQUE – Damon & Ria
This class is simple. You dance and we critique. It is an opportunity to get incredibly focused attention on you and your dancing, with feedback tailored specifically for you on what will help you improve the most and break into that next level.
SOLO (DANCING FROM HEAD TO TOE) – Ria
What is the difference between dancing and just doing steps? A great dancer can express different aspects of the music by utilizing complementary movements/rhythms in different parts of his/her body.This class will begin by focusing on movements and isolations from head to toe to get your entire body dancing to the music. Then we can explore how these can be combined to have a greater impact.
YIN & YANG – Damon & Ria & Heidi (Immersion class – Partner Required)
Blues dancing, like the music, is a study of contradictions, a celebration of paradoxes. This class will show you how to hear and embrace the various contradictory elements in blues music and express them through your dancing. Key among these is masculine and feminine energy. Learn what movements and sounds carry different “flavors” how to enhance your own natural inclinations and learn to move against type.