Blues Workshops w Odysseus Bailer

Blues Underground and Portland Blues & Jazz Society presents a 2 day workshop with Odysseus Bailer. Dance Underground Studio B Class schedule: March 16th: Noon-1pm - Lecture w/ Odysseus 1:30- 4:30 - Workshops March 17th: 11am- 2:30pm - Workshops Class descriptions: Saturdays Classes- —It's All about Timing- Fundamental Concept We talk about rushing the beat or finding the beat, however, once we start moving it's really easy to lose it in your body. This class is all about helping you to feel and be in time with the music so you never feel lost. Set your dance up for success right from the very beginning. —Let’s Relax and Go Struttin’ When a medium or uptempo song comes on we have the tendency to tense up on the dance floor, or get lost trying to keep up. Solution - relax and do some Struttin. —Go With the Flow - Savoy Walk Learn to maintain your coolness while in line of dance. We will teach you two rhythm patterns to explore. In addition, learn turns, how to get in and out of the promenade seamlessly while adding playfulness into your partnership. Sundays Classes- —Dare to Be Different One of the most fun aspects of dancing a Black American cultural art form is bringing who you are as an individual to the dance. In this class we are going to explore creative fun ways to get into, and end our dances. —Hit the Hits Do the breaks keep passing you by? Are you not sure exactly what to do? Well there is not a “one size” fill all approach to hitting the hits. In this class we will introduce you to several techniques to help you recognize when the moments are coming in the music, so you can capitalize on it. —Creative Spins-off on Classic Moves - Creativity, Self Expression & Collaboration How to personalize the classic idioms dances like the Mooche, Low-downs, 4-corner, grinds, or fishtails to your body type and desired self-expression regardless of tempo or style of music.. How you doin’ rule breaker? Lecture: How is Lindy Hop And Blues A Black American Cultural Music and Dance Form? This talk is to help you understand and appreciate that Black American Culture is more than just the music and the dance that has continued to come out of Black American Communities. We will dive in to understand how the music and dance helps tell the story of us as a people. About Odysseus: Odysseus Bailer is a Blues and Lindy Hop Instructor from NYC. He has been dancing for over 20yrs and is a staple in the NYC Blues and Lindy Hop Scene. He is extremely excited to be visiting the Pacific Northwest and sharing his knowledge on the dance and the culture. Odysseus’s teaching brings passion to not just teach blues idioms and vocabulary, but to help the scene understand and have a better appreciation and resepct for the values, practices, and cultural context for the art form we are all participating in.