Description
These classes will develop and practice technique used by followers (and leaders who would like to be responsive) so that they can take the guesswork and challenge out of pure "lead/following" itself. We won't be working much on styling, enjoyment and musicality, but creating the space where those things can occupy the majority of our focus when social dancing, as opposed to "trying to do what our leader wants".
When: Sunday July 12th and 19th, 4-Ppm
Where: LifeCare Centre in Stockbridge
How much: One class: £15. Both classes £25. If you need to pay less for whatever reason, you are welcome to.
Registration: https://forms.gle/bKg1oRqpN63N5iV86
Sunday 12th: weight shifts, tone, rhythms and pivots
Sunday 19th: weight shifts, tone, own movement and partner positioning
FAQ:
Q: Is this material also for leaders?
A: Absolutely, yes! When we're leading, no step will ever been perfect, so we are always adjust for where our follow actually is. The technique for doing this has considerable overlap with technique for following.
Q: Do I need to sign up for both classes?
The classes are designed so that you will get most benefit from taking both classes (as we will be deepening some material, and broadening out the rest), but can also sign up to only one or the other.
Q: Does this material apply to all partner dances?
A: In my experience, yes! Each dance then has its own advanced ways of using these techniques, and its own beginner shortcuts, but this material directly applies to dances where we step together such as blues, kizomba, urban kiz, tarraxo, tango, bal folk, and balboa; and a bit more indirectly to dances where we move around each other such as lindy hop, salsa and west coast swing.
Q: How much should I pay?
A: You can genuinely name your price. For context, £15 is about as much as I spend a weeh.k on coffees that I could be making at home or at the office instead.
Who is Greg?
Greg teaches Alexander Technique and partner dance (fusion, blues, lindy hop, bal folk). He is currently very enamoured with kizomba, urban kiz, fusion and blues. He loves leading and following equally and is frequently complimented on the subtlety of his partnering. None of this came naturally to him, so he has sought out mentors who were able to teach him the skills that he now teaches to others. His goal in dance class is for his students to become the people that everyone else loves to dance with.
Values
I value inclusivity and will try (within my ability as a young-ish cis-het-able-white man) to create a space that is welcoming to all. As participants I would expect you to also commit to welcoming
- Black and other racialised people (we will try to avoid cultural appropriation and disrespectful stereotypes)
- Queer and trans people (we will try to avoid mis-gendering you, making assumptions based on your gender presentation and pulling in any patriarchical bullshit related to partner dance)
- People of all abilities (in this case, as the focus is walking, you will need to be able to walk for short periods. But we would also be willing to find out what "walking as a default" looks like if that's not available to you)
- People of all dance backgrounds (we will avoid poking fun at anyone or caricaturing their preferred dance style)
- More generally, anyone with a marginalised identity is welcome: don't be an asshole
Venue accessibility:
- The entrance to the building is wheelchair friendly
- There is a lift
- There are wheelchair accessible toilets
- Changing facilities for babies are also available