Blowout Lindy Weekend with Kevin, Juan, & Sharon
August 8-10, 2008
Pittsburgh PA

Welcome Dance

Cost:$8 ($6 student) or Full Weekend Registration gets you in

Dance with DJs

Burlesque Part 1 (Sharon) (All Levels: Women)

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 these fun introductory classes, 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! No experience needed

Gentleman's Fancy Footwork (Kevin & Juan) ( All Levels: Not Just Advanced)

Not restricted to 'only' men, but as the title suggests, it will focus on footwork styling from a leader's perspective. Juan & Kevin will provide a plethora of variations that will impress follows, bystanders and movie producers who might be lurking in the shadows looking for their next movie star.

Frankie's Shim Sham (Juan)

The Shim Sham originated in 1928, as a tap dance choregraphed by legends Leonard Reed and Willie Bryant. Over the years, it was adopted by tap and swing dancers and has become one of the most renowned jazz routines in history. Juan will teach what many consider the standard Lindy Hoppers Shim Sham as defined by Frankie Manning and most commonly done on the social floor when a shim sham song is played.

Sublime Lindy Connection (Kevin & Sharon)

Learn the higher level concepts of partner connection that are simple to understand, yet deceptively difficult to execute. Emphasize will be placed on pure lead and follow techniques.

Partnered Charleston (Juan & Sharon)

Originating as a solo dance "The Charleston" soon became popular as a couple dance forming the foundation of early Lindy Hop. Juan & Sharon will give you figures and technique to boost your old school cred as well as arm you for those up tempo songs.

Spinning Technique (Kevin)

Especially useful for leaders, this class will give you the foundation for spinning on the spot with an emphasize on momentum, styling and musicality.

Arm Work for Lindy Hop (Juan & Sharon)

As Lindy Hoppers, we often have our attention on our footwork, but this class will get you thinking about your arms and upper body, so that we can put the whole package together and start to dance Lindy with our whole bodies. With some fun styling for your arms in familiar figures, plus some tricky moves that focus on arms (rather than feet), you'll get your top half moving and back in the dance!

Dean Collins Shim Sham Part 1 (Kevin)

The Shim Sham originated in 1928, as a tap dance choregraphed by legends Leonard Reed and Willie Bryant. Over the years, it was adopted by tap and swing dancers and has become one of the most renowned jazz routines in history. Many dancers choreographed their own take on the Shim Sham, and Dean Collins created a stylish non-tap version that has become one of the most popular. Dean was one of the most influential Lindy Hoppers on the West Coast in the 1930s and 40s. Kevin will teach the Dean Collins Shim Sham over two classes.

9:00p - midnight

Swing Dance at Swing City

Cost: $10
Not part of the weekend package, pay at the door

Burlesque Part 2 (Sharon) (All levels: Women)

See part 1 from Saturday

Gentleman's Flash & Styling (Kevin & Juan) (All levels: Men)

Not restricted to 'only' men, but as the title suggests, it will focus on movement that looks good on the male physique and works well in social lindy hop. When executed properly, these steps have been known to cause follows to line up on the side of the dance floor to await their turn.

Turning Technique (Kevin)

Especially useful for followers, this class will give you the foundation for turning while traveling with an emphasize on speed, control and syncopation.

Partnered Dips and Tricks (Juan & Sharon) ***Partner Required

Cool Lindy Hop figures that fall outside the lead and follow realm. It's a chance to add a bit more death defying moves to your repertoire.

Solo Charleston (Juan)

Ironically, one of the best ways to improve your partner dancing is to improve your solo dancing. Juan will expand your Charleston repertoire while pushing you to look more authentic in your vernacular jazz movement.

Social Tricks (Kevin & Sharon)

Socially leadable lindy hop tricks that are fun to do and safe to execute.

Flashy Swingout Figures (Juan & Sharon)

The swingout is the move that defines Lindy Hop, and we dance it countless times every time we hit the dancefloor. In this class we'll take this familiar figure and introduce some flashy variations, to instantly boost your repertoire and spice up your social dancing. And best of all, knowing how to lead and follow variations on the swingout, will improve your overall swingout technique. Take this class and fall back in love with the Swingout!

Dean Collins Shim Sham Part 2 (Kevin)

See Part 1