Portland Dance Eclectic
partner dancing with an eclectic mix
Looking back over how
partner dancing has evolved over the last 15 years,
there has seemed to be a progression towards styles
of dancing that are co-created by both lead and
follow, with both being more in the moment,
improvising to the music with a connection that is
more like a spontaneous conversation than a
choreographed performance of learned patterns.
Our goal is to provide an atmosphere where dancers can bring what they know from other genres and dance to a wide variety a music. Being in the moment with their partners and the music.
Our goal is to provide an atmosphere where dancers can bring what they know from other genres and dance to a wide variety a music. Being in the moment with their partners and the music.
Blues dance, like
Lindy Hop and Swing, came into being as a
reflection of swing and jazz music. Many aspects of
Blues dance (for example, call and response,
emotional intensity and expressiveness, and tension
and release) are directly related to the music to
which it is danced. There are many types of blues
music, rural, urban, up-tempo, slow, electric,
gutbucket, delta, modern, etc., all with very
different nuances and emotions.
Some who have tried to pick up blues dancing simply by observation overlook the nuances of the dance beyond its “sexy” side. The sensual appearance may overshadow the basis and structure of the dance. Some of the best blues dancing is rooted in subtle physical communication, and is almost impossible for anyone to learn simply by watching.
Blues dance enables intense individuality in expressing the music. It really is all about communication, emphasizing that the music, not the dancer, leads the dance; we are simply the interpreters. Blues dance demonstrates the passion of the entire range of human emotions, not just the sensual ones. If you don’t have a visceral reaction to the music, your partner, and the environment, then you are missing the wonders of dancing blues.
In addition, learning to blues dance will enable the dancer to more fully understand concepts such as simplicity, clarity, creativity, expression, intensity, active listening, and musical and emotional interpretation. The connection between these concepts is critical to advanced social dancing of any kind. It is for this reason that learning blues dancing will help and improve your Lindy Hop.
Definition from St Louis Blues Exchange
Link to youTube blues playlist
Link to youTube vintage blues and swing
Some who have tried to pick up blues dancing simply by observation overlook the nuances of the dance beyond its “sexy” side. The sensual appearance may overshadow the basis and structure of the dance. Some of the best blues dancing is rooted in subtle physical communication, and is almost impossible for anyone to learn simply by watching.
Blues dance enables intense individuality in expressing the music. It really is all about communication, emphasizing that the music, not the dancer, leads the dance; we are simply the interpreters. Blues dance demonstrates the passion of the entire range of human emotions, not just the sensual ones. If you don’t have a visceral reaction to the music, your partner, and the environment, then you are missing the wonders of dancing blues.
In addition, learning to blues dance will enable the dancer to more fully understand concepts such as simplicity, clarity, creativity, expression, intensity, active listening, and musical and emotional interpretation. The connection between these concepts is critical to advanced social dancing of any kind. It is for this reason that learning blues dancing will help and improve your Lindy Hop.
Definition from St Louis Blues Exchange
Link to youTube blues playlist
Link to youTube vintage blues and swing
"The tango is a direct expression of something that
poets have often tried to state in words: the
belief that a struggle may be a celebration. "
Jorge Luis Borges
Jorge Luis Borges
Tango is a dance, a dance culture and a particular
way of dancing to music whether that music is a
traditional tango or music that just makes you want
to dance to the passion in it.
YouTube playlist of Tango Lessons
YouTube examples of Milonguero style tango
YouTube examples of Nuevo style tango
YouTube examples of Salon style tango
YouTube playlist of Tango Lessons
YouTube examples of Milonguero style tango
YouTube examples of Nuevo style tango
YouTube examples of Salon style tango