Brazilian Zouk Weekender With Sydney Schiff

Join us for a weekend of Brazilian Zouk workshops and practicas with Sydney Schiff - a Chicago-based Zouk instructor, contemporary dancer, dance educator, choreographer, and scholar. Her dance background includes a lifetime of ballet, modern, and jazz with over a decade of social dance training in Lindy Hop, competitive International Latin and Standard Ballroom, Blues, Fusion, and Brazilian Zouk. Sydney received her Bachelor’s in History of Science and a Certificate in the Program in Dance from Princeton University, as well as a Master of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Michigan where she secured a fellowship to pursue Brazilian Zouk. Upon graduating, Sydney traveled the world to teach, study, and continue her research on Zouk before settling in Chicago to teach and produce Zouk and Fusion dance events while continuing to pursue other dance opportunities. She currently directs a contemporary dance team for Evolución Latina Dance Company, teaches regular Zouk classes, and hosts Zouk socials in the Chicago area. SCHEDULE: Friday, 7-11 pm: Beginner Intensive – A fast-paced intro and review of foundational material such as the basic step, Lateral, Viradinha, and other content covered in the June Weekender. Includes a full warm-up, 2 hour intensive, and a practica to solidify your foundations. Suitable for all levels. Saturday, * 3-7 pm: Brazilian Zouk Progressive – Build on your foundational Zouk knowledge with new patterns and transitions to build your repertoire. Includes a warm-up; patterns such as Abertura, Soltinho, Yo-Yo, Boomerang, and more; and a practica to solidify what you’ve learned. Some knowledge of foundational basics and/or attendance at the Friday workshop is recommended. * 7:30 pm - 12 am: Join us at the Second Saturday Salsa social for a Zouk takeover! Sydney will be teaching an intro class from 7:30-8, followed by a mix of Salsa, Bachata, Kizomba, and Zouk from 8pm - 12am. The social will be at the Wightman school building in Squirrel Hill, on a brand new 3000sq. ft. dance floor! $10 at the door - this event is not included with the weekender passes. Sunday: * 1-3 pm: Zouk 412 Community Brunch (location TBD) * 3-6 pm: Head Movement Intensive – This masterclass will focus on safe and effective head movement for Zouk, providing techniques for leading and following both static and traveling head movement. It will start with foundational concepts such as body preparation and balão, building to more advanced techniques that incorporate head movement in traveling patterns and turns. Includes a warm-up, the two-hour masterclass, and a practica to put it all together. A solid understanding of Zouk basics and travelling movements, approval from the instuctor or organizer, and/or attendance at all previous weekend workshops is required. Sydney will also be offering private lessons throughout the weekend. PRICING: *Early Bird Full Pass (Registration up to and including Oct. 3) $100 *Standard Full Pass (Registration after Oct. 3): $130 *Out-of-Towner Pass Package: 5 passes for $400 *Friday Only: $45 *Saturday Only: $60 *Sunday Only: $50 For tickets & more details visit: https://pgh.lossabrosos.org/zoukweekender/. COVID-19 POLICIES Due to the prolonged and intimate nature of contact at the Zouk Weekender, and attendees coming from outside of the Pittsburgh area, we will be requiring that all participants present proof of FULL vaccination (meaning 2 weeks have passed since you received your final dose) AND masks at all times. WHAT IS BRAZILIAN ZOUK? Brazilian Zouk is an energetic, creative, and flowy Latin dance that originated from a Brazilian dance called Lambada. It was often danced to a Caribbean style of music called Zouk, and this is where the name comes from! Brazilian Zouk is incredibly diverse (!), but here are a few sample videos of renowned, beloved dancers & instructors so that you can get a feel for the dance! *Marck & Melissa: https://tinyurl.com/2xyz25hv *Ry’el & Jessica with Clo: https://tinyurl.com/4kx7r9v5 *William & Paloma: https://tinyurl.com/2vcwwutm