1.) What is a blues workshop/exchange?
2.) Why Los Angeles?
3.) That sounds great, but what is blues dancing?
4.) I have never taken dance lesson or attended such a weekend. Will I be in over my head?
5.) Do I need a partner? Will the classes be follow or lead heavy?
6.) How do I get to and around Los Angeles?
7.) Where can I stay?
8.) Where will the event be held?
9.) Can I volunteer for the event?
10.) What is do Something Blue?
11.) What else is there to do around Los Angeles?
12.) Where are some great places to eat in Los Angeles?
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
1.) What is a blues workshop/exchange?
A workshop is an event offering classes during the day and dances at night. An exchange focuses on offering dances only. These events happen in various cities around the country, even around the world.
L.A. Blues is a workshop weekend. It was first held in 2009 was such a success that it is returning in 2010.
- Watch videos from L.A. Blues 2009 on YouTube -
2.) Why Los Angeles?
Los Angeles has a great dance scene. You can swing, blues, salsa, tango, or west coast any night of the week and our blues scene is thriving. So, L.A. Blues is inviting dancers from around the country to join in a full weekend of classes and dancing in our great city. There will be nationally recognized teachers, DJs, live music and plenty of California Sun.
- CLICK HERE FOR OTHER L.A. ACTIVITIES -
- CLICK HERE FOR L.A. DANCE/BLUES MUSIC VENUES-
3.) That sounds great, but what is blues dancing?
"Like Blues music, Blues dancing finds its origins in African rhythm and movement." -Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Using the powerful beat originating from African Chants/Calls, Blues Dancing is about connecting to the earth and your partner. In fact, the best description of blues dancing is that it is a conversation. Because it is in large part an interpretation of the music, it is open to intimacy and creativity between the dancers, and not about pleasing others.
This is not to say that Blues Dancing must be intimate and sensual. On the contrary, Blues Music "is a sharing of human conditions that everyone can access on some level, and
a Blues dance can include the entire spectrum of human emotions."
Based on these emotions, there are several different styles of Blues Dancing. "The Gut-Bucket," "The Fish Tail," "Struttin'" and "The Slow Drag" are all different ways to interpret Blues Music.
- Watch videos from L.A. Blues 2009 on YouTube -
4.) I have never taken dance lesson or attended such a weekend. Will I be in over my head?
No, we will have two track levels and work hard to ensure that our classes will satisfy the needs of beginners and challenge more advanced dancers.
If you are local to Los Angeles/SoCal, you can get a head start by attending do Something Blue, a blues dance held the last TWO FRIDAYS of the month. http://www.dosomethingblue.com
- BACK TO TOP -
5.) Do I need a partner? Will the classes be follow or lead heavy?
No, you do not need a partner. Classes will incorporate rotating partners, so you get a chance to dance with everyone. Of course, if you wish to learn with one particular partner you can chose to do that as well. . but you do learn a lot from dancing with different people.
L.A. Blues would like to keep classes balanced in order to provide the best possible experience for all who attend the classes. In order to this, we may have to cap the follows or leads for any given track. Please register online (Registration opens Thursday, July 1st) so we can get a good sense of the balance.
6.) How do I get to and around Los Angeles?
Los Angeles is a big, scary city and our traffic will chew you up and spit you out. Fear us! . .Just Kidding!
...But seriously, it IS manageable. We do it every day and so can you. So don't worry! Whether you're trying to get to Disneyland, your friend's house, or you just want to get directly to L.A. Blues, you have options.
- CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ON GETTING TO LOS ANGELES -
- CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ON GETTING AROUND LOS ANGELES -
Questions regarding travel? Email Tracy - tracy@labluesdance.com
7.) Where can I stay?
Housing will be offered on a first PAY, first-serve basis. You will be able to request housing when you register for the event. Placement is not guaranteed. If you prefer hotel lodgings, stay tuned for more information.
8.) Where will the event be held?
Dance Center of Pasadena
1368 N. Lake
Pasadena, CA 91104
- CLICK HERE FOR VENUE INFORMATION -
- BACK TO TOP -
9.) Can I volunteer for the event?
Yes. Requesting to be a volunteer will open Thursday, July 1, 2010. See the -VOLUNTEER PAGE- for more info.
10.) What is do Something Blue (dSB)?
dSB is a blues dance held in Los Angeles on the LAST TWO FRIDAYS of the MONTH. The dance offers a lesson from 9PM-10PM and dancing from 10PM-2AM. Please see the website for more details. http://www.dosomethingblue.com
11.) What else is there to do around Los Angeles?
Heading into town early or staying in town after the event? Planning to attend the dances only and looking for things to do around Los Angeles? We have a list of some great options to keep you entertained.
- CLICK HERE FOR L.A. ACTIVITIES -
- CLICK HERE FOR L.A. DANCE/BLUES MUSIC VENUES-
12.) Where are some great places to eat in Los Angeles?
Want to know where to eat at break? Where to grab some of L.A.'s best coffee? We have a list of some great options both around the event and throughout Los Angeles! - CLICK HERE FOR PLACES TO EAT & DRINK IN L.A. -
| 
