[Sold out!] Partner Dance Foundations (theme: axis and weight shift)

This 3h workshop will dive into some of the foundations of partner dancing, focusing specifically on the concept of axis and weight shifts. 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 January 13th, 2.30-6pm Where: The Out of The Blue Drill Hall How much: £1-£40 (pay what you can/want) Sign up: https://forms.gle/4n5ciVR3pVVQ3LydA (cap at 20 participants) --- Contents - Movement Foundations: how do we shift weight and axis in our own bodies? - Partnering Foundations: how do we track and respond to axis and weight shifts? - Cultural Foundations: how does this tie through to specific dances and musics? For this session, we will explore the musicality and movement of both French/Bal Folk Waltz and Tango Vals - Bonus content: hands on Alexander Technique from Cath throughout the afternoon (by placing her hand on your back, your shoulder or neck, Cath is literally providing a "helping hand", that is just seeking to provide physical and emotional support as you learn new things) --- Who is Cath? Creativity and Alexander work are my two passions. Discovering the Alexander Technique in my Art school days (GSA 1989) helped me navigate through my depressive 20’s… supported my Art practice as an exhibiting artist and young single mother (now into my joyous 50’s)! Wishing to share its myriad health/life benefits I trained as a teacher in 2019 and now practice in the Aberdeen area. 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 (I will try to make to content accessible to everyone with the ability to stand and move their weight onto one leg for short periods of time, or sit on one sitbone. At time of writing I am unclear on the venue's accessibility. I believe accesses may contain a few steps. I don't know the accessibility of the bathroom) - 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 -- Photo credit: Maytree photography