SATURDAY: ALL ABOUT THE MUSIC

Choose one musical concept to study.
There are four tracks to choose from; they are not divided by level. Simply select the topic that interests you most — you can register for any track regardless of your experience or ability.
In addition to the live music at the parties, there will also be a lunchtime concert. So you will truly immersed in live music all day!

Jazz Drenched Blues

with Jessie & Gas

​How has blues influenced jazz and what impact did jazz have on the evolution of the blues? 

Join us as we explore the shared language of blues and jazz music, focussing on expression, creativity, improvisation, rhythm, melody and most importantly: feeling.

Together, Gas and Jessie will talk you through the history and the specific musicians who bridged the gap between jazz and blues. 

Gas will give you tools to embody the distinctive differences between jazz and blues, while Jessie will help you listen for musical elements that can inspire your own expression and creativity.

By the end of the session, you will not only enhance your dancing skills but also develop a deeper appreciation for the artistry and historical context that connect blues and jazz dance.​

Early Acoustic Blues:
​A Workshop in Blues History

with Stef & Adamo

Dive into the roots of early acoustic blues, discovering the pioneers who shaped this influential genre.  Trace its journey from the rural South to urban America, and discover key artists such as Robert Johnson, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Son House, and Mississippi John Hurt.

With Stef playing live, you will learn about guitar techniques such as fingerpicking, slide guitar, and classic chord progressions, and dive into the rich storytelling and themes found in early blues songs.

And what about the dancing?
Being up close and personal with live music, you will explore how the sounds can inspire movement. Learn to listen for the distinctive characteristics of these different blues styles and translate what you hear into your dancing.

Get ready to listen, connect and dance your way through the roots of the blues!

Women & Blues:
​Wildness & Freedom

with Mayka & Vicci

What happens when we listen to the blues through the voices of the women who helped shape it? In this 2-hour workshop, we’ll explore the often-overlooked history of women in the blues — the pioneering singers, songwriters and performers who sang about desire, heartbreak, resilience, wildness and freedom, and who challenged the expectations placed upon them.

​Together with the fabulous singer and singing teacher Mayka Edjole, we’ll bring these stories to life through listening, lyric analysis, singing and dancing. We’ll explore what lies beneath the words of some iconic blues songs, discover how the voice communicates feeling and musicality, and use our own voices and bodies to connect more deeply with the music. No singing experience is necessary — just curiosity, a willingness to play, and a desire to get a little wild and free.

Find the Groove, Dance the Funk

with Jay & Alba

​Funk didn't come out of nowhere.
Long before funk became a genre, funky was already part of the language of Black music. Musicians talked about playing funky, about making the music groove and making people move. From the blues to James Brown, Sly Stone and beyond, you can trace a musical and cultural continuum.

Discover this deep connection between blues and funk and really get inside the music.  Meet some of the iconic artists who shaped this journey, and explore how both blues and funk became spaces for authenticity, self-definition and challenging the status quo.

Let the musical and cultural ideas behind funk inspire the way you dance blues... The groove, the backbeat, repetition, riffs, syncopation and the pocket. Listen to what changed on the journey from blues to funk — and what never really left.

Because funk isn't only something you hear. It's something you feel.

SUNDAY: ALL ABOUT THE MOVEMENT

Sunday: Choose one level-based track to participate in.
These classes will focus on partnered dancing, with an emphasis on exploring and developing musicality.​ They are divided by your experience and ability in partnered blues dancing. 
Please read the track descriptions carefully and ensure you register for the correct level. The festival sells out very quickly and it will not be possible for you to change tracks after registration.

I Want More Blues

(Intermediate)

I am not a beginner to blues dancing.  I am comfortable social dancing and improvising, have attended a few (or more) dedicated workshops​ and am ready to develop my skills and build confidence.

I'm Addicted to Blues

(Intermediate / Advanced)

I have been dancing blues regularly for a number of years and am comfortable social dancing and improvising.
I have a sound understanding of the blues aesthetic and solid partnering technique. I know about different styles of blues music and am ready to explore how to change my dancing to fit the wide range of blues styles.

Blues is My Business

(Advanced)

I have been dancing blues regularly for many years and am amongst the most experienced dancers in my community.  I have a sound understanding of the blues aesthetic and solid partnering technique.
I am confident dancing to a large variety of blues music styles and at a range of tempos, with good quality of movement. I'm looking for my next project to help me level up.

I'm a Blues Hound

(Advanced Plus)

I am amongst the most experienced dancers in Europe. I might teach in my local community or internationally.    I have a sound understanding of the blues aesthetic and solid partnering technique. 
I am confident dancing to a large variety of blues music styles and at a range of tempos, with great quality of movement.

I bring my own unique style and personality to my dancing.  As well as learning new concepts from teachers I love to workshop ideas with peers as I feel that I have ideas to offer.

CLASS SCHEDULE

SATURDAY

SUNDAY