Ĺtepoti Blues Sessions
A day of blues dance workshops for all levels of dancer to level up your Blues dancing in an immersive, fun environment.
We are excited to be hosting another event in 2025!
SATURDAY 1ST MARCH
THIS EVENT IS FOR EVERYONE!
If you are new to dance or Blues dance, we have got you covered. The first workshop of the day is aimed at you! That way you can enjoy the rest of the workshops with the basics you need.
If you've been dancing blues for ages - then we hope this event is for you too!
What is blues dance?
Blues dance developed alongside the music and is as varied in its style and tempo as the music is. It has its roots in African-American dance, which itself is rooted in sub-Saharan African music traditions and the historical dances brought to the United States by European immigrants. Blues dances as a genre has an athletic and grounded body posture and movement, characterized by the weight being held on the balls of the feet, the knees bent, the hips pushed back, and the chest forward. It is steeped in improvisation between dancers and on their own movements, pushing and pulling creating a sense of tension both in the body and the body moving through space, while remaining loose and relaxed.
What's happening? Good question!
FOUR (4) blues dance workshops.
ONE (1) Evening Social Dance with live band and taster dance class.
Workshops will start at 10am and finish around 4pm with a lunch break somewhere in the middle. The workshops are being held at the very centrally located Te Whare O Rukutia (20 Princes Street)
Ok. But what's it going to cost?
Blues Beginner Pass: (four workshops plus evening social) $85
Blues Mover pass: (three workshops plus evening social) $65
Single workshop: $25
Evening social with taster class: $35
As with all Swing Riot events, we try to keep things as affordable as possible.
Swing Riot has a discretionary fund to help people attend events. Please let us know if this event is something you'd love to attend but are struggling to pull together the money. Contact us via our contact page.
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Our Teachers:
Rebecca and Coco (Auckland)
Swing Riot are so honoured and excited to be bringing these two incredible dancers and teachers back to our city. If you haven't had the pleasure of learning from Coco or Rebecca yet you are in for a real treat. And those of you who have will know that their sensitivity towards the cultural context and their love for blues dance is irrepressible and infectious.
Rebecca and Coco started teaching together for Auckland Blues Dance almost 6 years ago and since then have had the privilege of sharing their love of the dance at various events around the motu.
Fun and approachable, Rebecca and Coco enjoy helping students experience the freedom and joy of individual expression in partnership. Their classes are thoughtfully structured, full of great music and lots of laughter.
Both Rebecca and Coco are committed to honouring and sharing the dance's rich cultural heritage, acknowledging their role as guests and students of this African-American art form.
Can't wait! Can you?!
