BACHATA WORKSHOP: Traditional FOOTWORK INTENSIVE
beyond beg-adv
instructor: Leah + Jeff
4/20 4:00-6:00p
$35 per person
One of the most fun elements of traditional Bachata is all of the play you get to do with rhythm, movement, and syncopations.
In this 2 hour workshop, we will use our feet and body to play along with the five instruments and voice! If you’re up for a challenge, this footwork combination will have your brain and body moving! You will leave with many footwork elements you can use on the dance floor both as shines and with a partner, as well as an embodied connection to each of the instruments.
No Partner Needed, Solo work only.
Some experience helpful. (Beyond Beginner +)
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cross-body lead variations: Salsa
Beginning/Intermediate
Instructor: Sarah
4/28 SUN 1:30-3:00p
$30
In Salsa, like any other dance, you start with basic steps. But, as any new Salsa dancer has noticed, those basic become few and far between once you learn the Cross-Body Lead. For intermediate dancers, the CBL *is* your basic step! What''s so great about this move is that there are endless variations on the fundamental CBL, and that's what this class is all about. How to use a basic CBL as a transition move, and how to play with multiple variations. Leads benefit from learning how to lead the different styles, and how to plan ahead! Follows get to practice turn technique (see turn workshop for details) during CBLs, and tips on how to add styling, as well as how not to back lead them ;)
No partner required. Knowledge of basic cross body lead is highly recommended for leads.
sign up: 4/28
sALSA SOCIAL
4/28 SUN 3:00-6:00p
w/ Sarah
$10
Every month join Sarah for a Latin dance social that is equal parts socializing, open dancing/practice, mini-workshops in Salsa, Cha Cha, and Bachata, and DJed music of all 3 genres. This is an ALL AGES event. A brunch hour social with coffee and donuts for in contrast to the late-nights that is common in the Salsa scene. In the casual light of day you still get to dance your face off, but also learn, get some feedback, and hang out with your dance family!
Pay online in advance, or cash in person!
Pay Online
bhangra workshop
All levels
Instructor: Anjali
5/4 SAT 1:00-2:30p
$30 per student
You've heard her on the radio, and you've been to her dance parties, now you can join her in this 2-hour workshop and learn the history, culture, and technique behind the music and this Punjabi folk dance, Bhangra. Anjali is one of Portland’s best kept secret’s when it comes to our music culture. Take advantage of her expertise and charm ;)
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SALSA QUICKSTART WORKSHOP
intro/beg
instructor: Sarah
5/5 SUN 3:00-6:00p
$55 per person
Have you been curious about learning Salsa, but feel a little intimidated? Don't be! Let us demystify one of the easier partner dances to learn. It may be fast, but it isn't complicated, and contrary to popular belief, Salsa is designed for ALL body types and degrees of sauciness. This 3 hour intensive workshop is geared to get dancers and NON dancers moving to the joyous rhythms of Salsa! The class will cover Salsa rhythm, body movement, Salsa timing, 3 basic step variations, three turn patterns, and history! 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.
No partner required.
This class is not offered via Zoom.
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PARTNER 101 QUICKSTART WORKSHOP
all levels
instructor: Sarah
TBA
$55 per person
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 a of how to move with rhythm and grace with another person are enough.
This 3 hour workshop will focus on actually lead/follow technique that is 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!
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bachata workshop: musicality
All levels
Instructors: Leah + Jeff
TBA
$22 per person
Want to be more musical with your dancing but not sure where to start? Join Jeff and Leah Velez an hour and a half journey through Bachata Musicality. Groove to each of the 5 instruments plus vocals, learn the basic song structure, and dance to each of the four generations of Bachata. (Bachata Clasica, Bachata Tradicional, Urban Bachata, and Bachata Sensual).
No matter if you've never danced, or been dancing for years, you'll leave with more awareness and sensitivity to rhythms that you can use on the dance floor to move more intentionally with the music and your partner. (No partner needed for class.)
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BACHATA WORKSHOP: PARTNER WORK
beyond beg-adv
Instructor: Leah + Jeff
TBA
$30 per person
Let's get your Bachata partnering to the next level. Leah and Jeff will guide you through the fundamentals you already know while gently pushing you forward into a more intermediate skill level by enhancing your musicality, technique, timing, and transitions. Let's not forget body movement!
No partner required, beyond beginner level experience with Bachata required.
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SWING QUICKSTART WORKSHOP
intro/beg
instructor: TBD
TBA
$55 per person
The Swing QuickStart workshop is geared to get you from Swing-spastic to Swing-tastic in just 3 hours! The class will cover Swing origins, rhythm and timing. You'll learn the foundational basic steps of Swing, some footwork play, a turn, some musicality, and the evolution of Lindy Hop as well as what the umbrella "Swing" includes! You might be surprised by what you learn :)
Post pandemic we are keeping our class sizes small, so this workshop will fill up fast, so sign up ASAP!
This class is not offered via Zoom
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INTERMEDIATE BACHATA WORKSHOP
beyond beg-adv
Instructor: Leah + Jeff
TBA
$35 per person
Let's get your Bachata partnering to the next level. Leah and Jeff will guide you through the fundamentals you already know while gently pushing you forward into a more intermediate skill level by enhancing your musicality, technique, timing, and transitions. Let's not forget body movement!
No partner required, beyond beginner level experience with Bachata required.
sign up
$55 - Quickstart workshops (3 hr)
$40 - 2.5 hr workshops
$35 - 2 hr workshops
$30 1.5 hr workshops
$18 - 1 hr workshops