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Thistle Blues Dancing
Thistle Blues Dancing presents 5 week courses on blues dancing, a style of partnered social dance done to blues and related jazz/soul/funk music!
Taking place on Tuesdays from September 10th til October 15th* at the Salisbury Centre in Edinburgh, these progressive classes will teach you not only how to dance blues but also about blues music, culture and history. With time after the classes to social dance, practice your new moves and make some new friends!
*No classes on October 4th due to venue availability.
These courses will cover two blues dances topics:
1. Jukin’ refers to the social dancing done on the spot in crowded juke joints, live music bars and house parties in the United States to the many many styles of blues music with a large variety of rhythms. With music from countless incredible artists such as B.B. King, Etta James, Ray Charles, Muddy Waters, Big Mama Thornton and Dr John. In this style there is a big focus on 2 partners dancing together as equals in conversation, riffing off each other’s movement. In this course we will cover the basics of partner connection, dances like the Slow Drag, Fishtail and Four Corners and Black aesthetic principles that define blues dances.
2. Area blues dances, in contrast to the Jukin’ style spot dances, were historically danced in bigger venues and take up a little more space. Using stretchy partner connections and playful footwork options, these dances feature a lot of dynamic movement and share a lot of the techniques and musicality of popular swing dances like the Lindy Hop. This course will feature more uptempo, swinging music with styles like Chicago blues and West Coast blues and cover dances like Chicago Triple and Texas Shuffle
You can sign up for both courses or just one but must buy a ticket on Eventbrite before the classes start on the 10th.
*IN CLASS* – No partner is required and everyone will get the opportunity to dance with each other in both lead and follow roles. Wear comfy clothes and shoes.
Blues as a dance style, often uses a close embrace as the main connection in partnership. Consent will be prioritised at all times. Everyone has the right to say no to a dance and that right must be respected.”
