Juan Villafane and Sharon Davis Workshop
Calgary, May 10 – 12
and
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The Big Beat Band
Playing Saturday, May 10
Mount Pleasant Community Hall
22 Ave & 5 St NW, Calgary, AB
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Check out Sharon & Juan’s website
www.sharonandjuan.com
“Juan Villafane and Sharon Davis are performers and teachers of vintage swing and jazz dances. Juan hails from Buenos Aires, Argentina, while Sharon calls Perth, Australia home. Together they represent a diverse social and performance dance talent, including not only Lindy Hop, but also Charleston, Cakewalk, Blackbottom, Vintage Jazz, Breakaway, Balboa, Big Apple, Blues, Collegiate Shag, Burlesque and various other performance artforms of the jazz era. Sharon and Juan tour throughout the year, combining their loves for dance and travel.“
Classes for the Weekend will include:
- Hot Solo Charleston
- Hardcore Solo Jazz
- The Art of Improvisation
- Hit the Breaks!
- Leads only/Follows only (Slides and Burlesque)
- Exploring the past: Learning from Lindy-hops Greats
The classes will be geared at an intermediate level (level 2.0 in Calgary). If you are unsure of what this means ask Meghan (Calgary) or Julie (Edmonton).
REGISTRATION
Due to a shortage of leads there is now a waitlist for follows. Follows can still register and if space doesn’t come available will be fully refunded. Ultimately, it’s first paid first served. so don’t wait.
For weekend, one day payment or for the Big Beat Band only you can use Paypal
Your registration includes:
-Friday night dance at Carpenter’s Hall
-6 Workshop Classes (sat and sun)
-LIVE MUSIC on Saturday Night with the Big Beat Band!
All of this for the low low low price of ****** $80 before May 1st! *********
We can offer this exceptionally low price for a workshop weekend thanks to the contributions and support from the ALBERTA INSPIRATION WEEKEND. Thank you to everyone who was involved, teaching or taking classes.
Prices go up to $95 after May 1st so sign up right away!
There are several methods of payment
1. Paypal
2. Cheque to Swing Dance Calgary
506, 924 14 Ave SW
Calgary, AB T2R 0N7
3. Cash to Meghan (Calgary) or Julie (Edmonton)
In any of the above cases, please send an email to indicate:
a) lead/follow
b) need housing or can provide housing
c) can volunteer either night
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
Hot Solo Charleston
The Charleston was the dance that captured the spirit of the 1920s, danced with wild abandonment across America and the world, ushering jazz dances into their place in popular culture for the next three decades. It’s also experiencing a huge revival in swing dance scenes around the world and, well, it’s a heap of fun! This class will give you a flexible repertoire of classic solo Charleston movement, an understanding of musical phrasing and some killer Charleston variations to bust out on the social floor. No experience needed.
Hardcore Solo Jazz
Get those feet flying! Learn some solo jazz moves that pack a serious punch! This is the razzle dazzle of solo jazz dance – killer footwork variations and tap-influenced flash steps, inspired by tap greats like the Nicholas Brothers, Berry Brothers, Eleanor Powell, Gene Kelly and Bill Bojangles Robinson. No solo jazz or tap experience needed, suitable for all levels.
The Art of Improvisation
Like jazz music itself, improvisation gives Lindy Hop its unique flavor. Like musicians, we improvise rhythms and movements to respond to the music and our partner. Through a series of exercises, Sharon and Juan will help you to eliminate redundant leading/following in your swingout and clarify your connection, to leave room for improvisation, musicality and styling. To put theory into practice, you’ll also learn some fun rhythmic variations to explore and start taking your dancing to the next level. Lindy Hop experience needed.
Hit the Breaks!
Learn some of Sharon and Juan’s favorite Lindy Hop breaks, for both the leader and the follower, as well as how to understand the music so that you can hit that break every time! Learn how to play with the intensity, style and rhythms of your breaks and communicate this to your partner, for exciting and dynamic musicality. Take away some cool new moves for the social dance floor, plus a whole new range of musical possibilities! Lindy Hop experience needed.
Burlesque with Sharon
Burlesque is the hottest trend in town, a type of performance bringing together a sizzling dance style with elaborate vintage costumes, cool retro tunes and a lot of sassy fun! As a dance form, burlesque brings together elements of vintage jazz dance, solo blues, exotic Eastern, African and Latin styles, chorus line dancing and Vegas showgirl, together with the theatricality of vaudeville and the art of the tease. In this fun taster class with Sharon, learn how to get in touch with your femininity and sensuality through dance and movement, and have a lot of girly fun at the same time!
Exploring the Past: Learning from Lindy Hop’s Greats
Join Sharon and Juan in a journey through the history of Lindy Hop. Want to breakaway like Shorty George, swivel like Jewel McGowan,layout like Frankie Manning, boogie like Sandra Gibson or swingout like Al Minns? Can you dance like they did at the Savoy Ballroom or at the Palomar, on the set of Hellzapoppin or at the Harvest Moon Ball? If you don’t know any of these names – don’t worry, you will! Watch the vintage film clips, explore the styles, learn some signature moves and footwork, and get inspired by Lindy Hop’s rich heritage. Whether you strive to dance just like the oldtime dancers, or you love to take your Lindy Hop in new, modern directions, knowing this history is the foundation every great Lindy Hopper needs!
SCHEDULE
REGISTRATION
For weekend, one day payment or for the Big Beat Band only you can use Paypal
Note: an account is no longer required to use paypal.
Questions? Email Us!
