Partner Dance Foundations (theme: (not?!) walking)

This 3h workshop will dive into some of the foundations of partner dancing, focusing specifically on walking and whether our default for a dance is to walk or not walk, move or not move, particularly as a follower. As it's my birthday weekend, I'll be hosting a house party that evening - all are welcome to join - https://www.facebook.com/events/1050253509417175! It is open to all (no partner necessary), whether you - have no dance experience yet - specialise in one dance and are wanting to connect your knowledge to something broader - dance multiple dances and wonder what the unifying concepts are - dance fusion (as its own dance, or as a fusion of multiple dance styles) When: Saturday February 24th, 3-6.30pm Where: St Columba's by the Castle (Edinburgh) How much: £1-£40 (pay what you can/want) Sign up: https://forms.gle/s6dzAy3Eu3YMfdtr5 (cap at 20 participants) --- Contents - Movement Foundations: how do we walk? - Partnering Foundations: how do we track and respond to our partner's choice or default of walking? - Cultural Foundations: how does this tie through to specific dances and musics? For this session, we will explore the musicality and movement of Kizomba/UrbanKiz, Lindy Hop and Micro-fusion - Guest Teacher: Andy --- Who is Andy? I'm extremely nerdy about all things movement - and neurodivergent enough to infodump all that until you stop me (or there's a theme). I had trained in Karate for 10 years before the next 10 years of discoveries. I found Lindy Hop and Blues in 2013, that got me serious enough about dance to achieve a BA Dance and Drama a few years ago. The ones that stuck long enough and well enough are contemporary dance (weird, abstract, mix it with theatre and make it immersive), Blues (I teach at Thursday Night Blues in Glasgow), and Fusion (taught and DJed at local and international events). My most recent love is UrbanKiz, for reasons you'll find out on the 24th! I dip in and out of various dance styles - I lost count. Many? Lots? I arrived to the same low-key controversial opinion as Greg below that there are common denominators in how bodies work together across styles. On top of which the historic, social and cultural contexts bring individuality to the dances. I'm very excited to share a bit of that with you in this workshop! Who is Greg? I've been partner dancing for over 15 years, starting to work more seriously on body mechanics and partner dance technique about 10 years ago. I have in depth experience of Blues, Bal Folk and Fusion, which I have taught locally in Edinburgh and at workshop weekends in France, Poland, Switzerland and the UK. I have extensive experience of Lindy Hop, Balboa and Tango and have dabbled in half a dozen other forms. I'm currently training in Alexander Technique, a way of increasing our physical awareness, reducing our reactivity, and increasing our space of choice and agency in all our favourite activities (dancing, music, relationships, work, etc.) I hold the (low key?) controversial opinion that the foundations of partner dancing are similar enough across all styles that they can meaningfully be taught in an agnostic way. (Obviously, individual dances come from cultures with different values, different musics, different movements and moves, so not all dances will make use of all foundations and possibilities for partnering). I value everyone's agency and creative expression and as such: - will encourage everyone to try both leading and following, regardless of gender or current specialisation - will encourage both leads and follows to be fully expressive dancers who cannot be made to do anything (but can consent to lead and follow whatever movements they choose) I also value inclusivity and will try (within my ability as a young-ish cis-het-able-white man) to create a space that is welcoming to all. As participants I would expect you to also commit to welcoming - Black and other racialised people (we will try to avoid cultural appropriation and disrespectful stereotypes) - Queer and trans people (we will try to avoid mis-gendering you, making assumptions based on your gender presentation and pulling in any patriarchical bullshit related to partner dance) - People of all abilities (in this case, as the focus is walking, you will need to be able to walk for short periods. But we would also be willing to find out what "walking as a default" looks like if that's not available to you) - People of all dance backgrounds (we will avoid poking fun at anyone or caricaturing their preferred dance style) - More generally, anyone with a marginalised identity is welcome: don't be an asshole Venue accessibility: - The entrance to the building is wheelchair friendly - There is a lift down to the hall. - There is an accessible toilet with level access from the hall. - Changing facilities for babies are also available -- Photo credit: Maytree photography