Overstreet Dance Gallery: Denver Area Blues Dance Workshop

April 12th, 2012

Nearly two years into my empty nest–not syndrome–celebration, I am always seeking out ways to entertain myself well past the dinner and homework hours. My newest gem of a find: Blues Dancing.

Photo Credit: Overstreet Dance Gallery

The only dance I really know is the kind I make up as I go along and the little jitterbug my father taught me a long time ago. What I do have going for me is quite a bit of fearlessness and enough vanity to form a hobby that will help me stay fit.

I have been to a few dance events at the Mercury Cafe and the dancers there are very friendly and gratefully they tolerated my amateur ways, but it was clear that I need more skills. My search led me to the Overstreet Dance Gallery. It just so happens at the end of this month there is the Dance Blues Workshop.

For the evening dance there is live blues music with Ronnie Shellist, who is bringing his sweet harmonica sounds to Overstreet. He’s been inspiring the dancers at Mile High Blues for years, and you can catch him live on April 28. Whether you boogie with a Blues, West Coast or Lindy style, his Bluesin’ tunes will put extra rhythm in your shake, extra fancy in your feet, and more tappin’ in your toes. Find out more on Facebook.

Blues Workshops with Joe DeMers & Nelle DeMers who are the founders of Overstreet Dance Gallery and master-minds behind this event. The cost for all this cardio fun is less then eating at my favorite restaurant: $65 for all workshops and the dance, or $10 per individual classes.

The schedule for the two day workshop session:

WHEN: Saturday and Sunday, April 28 and 29, 2012. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday: Foundations

11-11:50 a.m. Walking (variations in walking from different styles – Jukin, Ballrooming & Drag Blues.)
12-12:50 p.m. Turning technique – pivot, single axis, traveling
1-1:50 p.m. Connection – Tension/compression, based in PTED
2-2:50 p.m. Momentum – Energy control

Sunday: Essentials

11-11:50 a.m. Solo Blues – focus on personal movement
12-12:50 p.m. How to dance to really SLOW Blues – both Jukin’ and Jazzy styles
1-1:50 p.m. How to dance to really FAST Blues – jump Blues and Blues that feels like lindy (how to not lindy)
2-2:50 p.m. Practice Time/Personal Feedback