What is Blues Dancing?
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Have you ever seen the movie Dirty Dancing? It's like that.
Blues dancing is a style of partner dance that originally began in African American communities during the early 1900s. It is a street dance, often associated with swing dance, but more intimate and danced to blues music ranging from lyrical Nora Jones ballads to down and dirty Muddy Waters juke. Because blues dancers often move in close embrace with an African hip action, and burlesque style-movements the dance earned the nicknamed "the grind." Modern blues as a dance, focuses on subtle and distilled movements. As such blues is a dancer's dance. It's not as flashy as other styles, but it is often taken up by Swing, Salsa, Tango and Ballroom dancers for deeper, richer connections and freedom from rhythmic assumptions and patterned steps. Most major cities around North America have active blues dancing scenes, with weekly dancing and occasional competitions. |
What is Fusion Dancing?
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Partner Dancing Evolved.
Fusion dancing derives its name from the intermingling of social dance styles and genres. This boundary defying partnered dance allows the dancers the freedom to express their personal styling, while still respecting the fundamental principals of partner dance (e.g. weight shifting, tone, compression/stretching). While many fusion dancers have extensive backgrounds in one or many styles, others chose to learn fusion as their first and only style of dance. While it is tempting to see fusion dancing as combination of more traditional styles, the community has definitely evolved a distinct personality all its own. The music is as diverse as the dancers, and creativity and artistry are celebrated. For example, many fusion dancers prefer more fluid boundaries between lead and follow, and change between the roles seamlessly within the same dance. This type of 'switch dancing' is common place at fusion dances. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to bring a partner?
As a general rule, very few people show up to our dances with a set partner. Couples and singles, old and young, everyone dances with everyone, which makes it a fantastic place to meet new friends.
Do I have to dance with everyone?
No. Most people at our dances with approach other patrons and ask them to dance. It's common practice to accept such invitation but you are never required to. Dance with the people you want to!
What should I wear and bring?
All you need is a sense of adventure. We recommend you wear whatever clothing you'd wear out to a bar, provided its comfortable and not too restrictive. Some venues are specific about footwear and require indoor-only soft soled shoes. If you don't have these, don't worry, in those places it's pretty common to dance in socks.
What if I've never danced before?
Stop objecting, and start dancing already! You're missing the best song. There is a beginner lesson before every dance, and while some people there are very experienced, you certainly wont be the only first timer.
