(What is a Progressive Series?)

February 2, 9, 16, 23

Instructors: Andrew Smith, Ben Long, Drew Robinson

Alternative & Experimental Series:
SDFX Reprise: Blues With a Twist

Couldn't attend SDFX, or couldn't make it to all the classes? Now is your chance to learn the talented Portland instructors that taught at the nation's biggest fusion exchange. Come out for hit classes of the weekend that had everyone energized.

Some classes will be the same, but all will cover different material and present different lessons to learn. Even if you attended the classes at SDFX, you will benefit from taking this series.

Week 1 -  Andrew Smith  - BYOB (Ballroom Your Own Blues)
Week 2 -      Ben Long     - Trip-Hop
Week 3 -      Ben Long     - Arc of a Dance
Week 4 - Drew Robinson - Fast Blues

Class descriptions:

Week 1: BYOB (Ballroom Your Own Blues)
Dancers classically trained in ballet, modern, jazz, and ballroom all tend to have a distinguishing quality and technique. Andrew has trained intensively in ballroom. Many aspects from this style can be applied to social dances to improve lead/follow technique, aesthetics, connection, musicality, quality of movement, and more. Andrew will introduce fundamental dance concepts from Ballroom that can be implemented in your dancing. Each concept will be supported by an exercise for you to practice at home: this is only the beginning of your journey.

Week 2: Trip-Hop
Despite the name, trip-hop is a smooth and heavy intersection between hip-hop and electronica. Exploration of this type of music can revolutionize your dance style and open your mind to the vast possibilities in this and other kinds of electronic music. We will work with the timing variations in trip-hop and other electronic music, and how to break those rhythms down into usable dance formats even when it seems overwhelming. We'll further discuss how to work with your partner's movement and momentum in ways that draws out and highlights trip-hop musicality.

Week 3: Arc of a Dance
Learn how to prevent dance indigestion though utilizing the arc of the dance. We will start with exploring the anticipation of initiating a dance and end with how to engage the awkwardness that often follows its conclusion. In the middle, we'll warm your appetite, prime your spirits, and dig into the main course. Whether it's a story, a meal, or a dance, there has to be an initiation, rising tension, a climax, and a resolution. Without all of these components, the dance can feel... umm...

Week 4: Speed It Up!