collegiate shag workshop (beginning) w/Mike + Haily

11/16 SAT 11:00-1:00p $30 online, $35 in studio

Collegiate Shag is an energetic partner dance that was popular in the 1930s and 40s. It has a history similar to other jazz and swing era dances like Lindy hop, Charleston, and Balboa, but its hopping basic and high energy footwork distinguish it from other styles of swing and other dances that use the 'shag' name such as Carolina Shag or St. Louis Shag. It is gaining popularity in current social swing dancing, and Portland is the perfect town to do this dance justice, with all our fabulous local swing bands that often play uptempo tunes. But whether you're dancing out on a Friday night, or in your own living room with friends, the Collegiate Shag is a great go-to no matter the situation!

This is an intermediate level workshop so dancers will work with up tempo songs and fun patterns :)

sign up! - 11/16

SALSA QUICKSTART WORKSHOP (INTRO) W/sarah RiddlE

11/16 SAT 1:00-4:00p $40 online, $45 in studio

Have you been curious about learning Salsa, but feel little intimidated? Don’t be! Let us demystify one of the easier parter dances to learn. It may be fast, but it isn’t complicated, and contrary to popular belief, you do not have to know how to shimmy to know how to Salsa! This 3 hour intensive workshop is geared to get dancers and NON dancers moving to today’s most popular Latin Rhythm – SALSA! The class will cover Salsa rhythm, body movement, Salsa timing, 3 basic step variations, three turn patterns, and more! After finishing the Quickstart course, students will be eligible to take the Salsa 2 weekly series, without taking Salsa 1! Don’t miss out on this ever popular, easy to learn dance. Register Now! No partner required.

*when signing up for more than one person, be sure each participant is signed up separately.

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SALSA SUELTA WORKSHOP SERIES (BEG/INT) W/JENNIE FREMONT

11/16, 11/30, 12/14 SAT 4:00-5:30p $20 online, $25 in studio

Give new life to your Salsa, which is to say, loosen it up and give it a little Cuban groove!  Salsa Suelta means "loose" Salsa, or in club vernacular, a Salsa shine.  Sueltas can be done with a partner, or on their own in a line dance format (or on your own at home in front of your cat!). It is how we translate what we hear in the music into how we feel when we are dancing. Jennie Fremont brings her expertise in Cuban Salsa and general awesomeness when it comes to playing with music and dance forms of all types.

This class will focus on movement and footwork. Unlock those shoulders! Unhinge those hips! Liberate your torso!  Improve your range of motion, and articulate your style. Footwork is just the vehicle for applying the body movement to specific timing and musicality.  Where in the music do certain types of movements fit?  How can I relax and let the steps/movements flow from one thing to the next? How can I find space in the movements for all the steps, or can I create it!? Jennie will help you find the answers to these questions through movement.

Popular Cuban dances such as Son, Reggaeton, Rumba (Cuban), Mambo, as well as Afro-Cuban concepts, will be taught in this class right alongside Salsa. These aren't patterns, these are concepts that you can apply like salt.  Add to taste, sprinkle or pour it in. Either way, it will certainly change the flavor of your dance!  Basic-intermediate Salsa partnering knowledge is best.

*when signing up for more than one person, be sure each participant is signed up separately.

sign up! - 11/16
sign up! - 11/30

TANGO QUICKSTART WORKSHOp  (INTRO) W/GLYKERIA MANIS

11/23 SAT 12:00-3:00p $40 online, $45 in studio

Did you know that Portland is home to one of the largest Argentine Tango festivals in North America? It is no wonder as this romantic and thoughtful dance has changed the lives of thousands of people around the world! Come find out why and how in this special 3 hour workshop designed to get you out on the Tango floor in one afternoon! In this workshop, we will explore Argentine Tango fundamentals (such as frame, timing, the line of dance, and the beauty of walking in Tango) as well as progress to slightly more complicated movements. Students will gain confidence in and connection with their partner and the music given Glykeria’s approached, which is both academic and personable. Come find out what's the to-do about this dance! No prior experience is required. No partner required. Please wear comfortable shoes that do not stick to a wood floor surface (leather bottoms are best).

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lindy lab WORKSHOP (beg/INT) W/MELISSA + Colin

TBA 11:00a-1:00p $35 in studio ($30 online) per person

The Swing QuickStart workshop is geared to get you from Swing-curious to Swing-furious in just 3 hours! The class will cover Swing rhythm and timing, basic Swing steps with basic step variations; three turn patterns, and more! Vintage Swing is an ageless and ever popular dance that has filled dance halls for over 80 years, and it is still as popular as ever! That said, the Swing Quickstart workshop fills up fast, so sign up ASAP! Don't miss out on this exciting and easy to learn dance. Students will learn the fundamentals of social Swing dancing, plus some bonus material in a non-intimidating, low pressure, fun environment. No partner necessary, no prior experience required!

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Swing Quickstart WORKSHOP (beg/INT) W/MELISSA

TBA SAT 12:00-3:00p $40 online, $45 in studio

The Swing QuickStart workshop is geared to get you from Swing-curious to Swing-furious in just 3 hours! The class will cover Swing rhythm and timing, basic Swing steps with basic step variations; three turn patterns, and more! Vintage Swing is an ageless and ever popular dance that has filled dance halls for over 80 years, and it is still as popular as ever! That said, the Swing Quickstart workshop fills up fast, so sign up ASAP! Don't miss out on this exciting and easy to learn dance. Students will learn the fundamentals of social Swing dancing, plus some bonus material in a non-intimidating, low pressure, fun environment. No partner necessary, no prior experience required!

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SLOW BALBOA WORKSHOP (ALL LEVELS) W/ ROD + Rachael

TBA SAT 11:00a-1:00p
11:00-12:00 - PT 1 - Beginning
12:00-1:00 - PT 2 - Beyond Beginning

$15 each or $30 both (online), $35 (at the door)

Vintage style swing music is back in the mainstream and dance nights are popping up all over Portland. Whether the music is live or DJed, there is always a great variety in the music, including varied tempos! When the music slows down we need a dance that matches the rhythms of these sweet slow tunes...enter, Slow-Bal. Slow Balboa originated in Southern California in the 1940's, was created specifically for slow songs. If you already know some Balboa it will be a help, but there are lots of fancy new steps and most of the Balboa moves have been retooled so you can elegantly take advantage of the slow music and still look like a kick ass dancer! Beginners also welcome! No partner required.

We will divide the workshop into 2 parts:

Pt. 1 - Beginning
Pt. 2 - Beyond Beginning

Both - $30 online ($35 day of)
Just 1 - $15 online + day of

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PARTNER 101 WORKSHOP (INTRO/BEG) W/SARAH RIDDLE

TBA $40 online, $45 in studio

You want to learn to dance, but don't know where to start? Perfect. There are many beautiful dances out there to learn, but sometimes just the fundamentals of how to move with rhythm and grace with another person are enough. This 3 hour workshop will focus on lead/follow technique that are universal, and the mechanics of traveling, turning, and moving as one. Students will learn how to find and keep a beat, and how to tailor each dance to the particular style of song they are dancing to and how to work with their own natural dance skills. This is not a ballroom course where you learn 'forms' and strict patterns. This class is about learning how to dance in any context with another person. Students leave this workshop not just being the masters of their own dance, but the creators as well. It is a valuable life skill!

What's the biggest take-away from this workshop? You will learn how to love, not fear, partner dancing. This class is great for anyone looking to hone their partner dance skills without having to choose a specific dance style to master.  Please bring your favorite music! We will dance to anything!

*when signing up for more than one person, be sure each participant is signed up separately.

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boogaloo cha cha challenge (beg) 

TBA $30 online, $35 in person

Cha Cha has been around for a very long time but it's music is the perfect vehicle for Boogaloo and modern Pachanga steps as well, particularly the Cha Cha coming out of Cuba and New York in the 60s and 70s. Accept the challenge, and learn how to fuse the 3! We will spend the first hour on movement, musicality, and footwork in Cha Cha, Boogaloo, and modern Pachanga. The second hour will be dedicated to Cha Cha partner work and where to add in the Boogaloo and Pachanga concepts we worked on in the first half. This class is not for first time dancers, so if you've done Cha Cha before, prepare for a pleasant surprise. Beg/Int Salsa level recommended.

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