Elnah Jordan

Join us for Dancing til Dusk 2023, 14 summer evenings of free music, dance lessons and dancing in downtown Seattle parks! 1st hour is a beginning dance lesson, no partner necessary. Elnah Jordan | Blues Ballard Commons, 6–9pm Elnah Jordan's passion for singing was discovered when she was a child in the church choir. Originally from Ohio, Elnah was influenced and encouraged by her mother who is an accomplished pianist. She developed her natural and raw talent on a path that winded through the choir stands of her gospel roots to the streets of San Francisco and its clubs and eventually with much persistence, to the theater. She was awarded a nomination in 1986 in that city for Jazz Vocalist of the Year. Elnah performed in several other theatrical productions including a two and half year stint in “The Evolution of the Blues” produced by Jon Hendricks in which she portrayed the legendary Bessie Smith. Her performance in the off Broadway musical drama, "Street Dreams” landed her the prestigious Cabaret Gold Award. She has also given opening performances for artists such as Gil Scott-Heron and Bobby Blue Bland. Having moved to Seattle, Elnah has been embraced by the community of gifted performers and artists here. She continues to grow in her appreciation of the music and for the blessing of being able to do what she loves dearly. She has graced stages through-out the Pacific Northwest: She been a featured performer at Egan’s Ballard Jam House, The Sorrento Hotel, Tula's Jazz Lounge, The Royal Room , Grazies and the New Orleans. She even found her way into the Seattle theater scene performing in the last season of Black Nativity. Blues lesson with Lila Faria | lilafariaconsulting.com/dance Lila Faria is a Seattle-based blues dance instructor and organizer. Lila first encountered blues dancing in 2015, hidden in the back rooms of New York City bars. After 8 years of training in synchronized skating and ice dancing (2004-2012), she fell in love with the partner dance, pursuing learning opportunities across the U.S., Canada, and Europe. She finally settled down in Seattle (2018), where she launched Lila's Living Room Lessons, took a day job as a Montessori educator, and spent her nights supporting the local blues dance scene. Lila approaches blues dancing as an opportunity to connect body, emotion, and history. Through her teaching, she hopes to create environments where her students feel safe, supported, and empowered to be their true, authentic selves. Follow Lila on Instagram instagram.com/lila.makes.things.happen/ and check out her Seattle blues dancer newsletter called Seattle Blues Monthly News under the title, "Seattle Blues Dance Collective" instagram.com/seattle.blues.dance.collective/