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We are super excited to have Brenda Russell back in Switzerland! Schedule:
Friday March 7th (2h advanced class)
We are offering an additional advanced class: 18.15-20.15. Please only register if you have at least 3 years of bluesdance experience. We will review your application to ensure a high level of learning in that extra class. Thank you for your understanding.
You can and should still participate at the Blüesli as well, Brenda will give you high level material to work on during the weekend classes.
Class description
Advanced Body Mechanics, Partnering, and Rhythms – Participants should be familiar with Afro-Blues aesthetic and multiple styles of Blues and Jazz Blues dances.
Party
Followed by a warm-up party: 20.30-midnight
Saturday March 8th
11:00 Check-in/Warm-Up
11:30 – 12:30 Slow Drag, Slow Blues
12:30 – 13:45 Lunch
13:45 – 14:30 Blues Vernacular I
14:45 – 15:45 Slow Shuffle
16:00 – 17:00 Texas Shuffle
17:10 – 17:45 Practice
Class descriptions
Slow Drag, Slow Blues
These smooth styles of Blues dance are the foundation of any House Party, Jook Joint, or Blues Bar dancing. The triplet rhythm, shared with swing music, drives the music styles of Drag Blues and Slow Blues and has influenced much of the popular music dancers love today. The 6/8 timing of Blues can be found in many genres, and pop music today. We will cover the aesthetics, some base movements, pulse, and differences vs similarities of the music and dance of these grooves.
Blues Vernacular I
Vernacular is the language or dialect. In Blues dance, we look at movements and aesthetics commonly done to each musical style. In this first class, we will prepare for Shuffle music by covering the moves common to that style, such as four corners, rocks, mooche, etc.
Slow Shuffle
This class continues where Slow Blues leaves off, adding syncopation to the double pulse, offering a wider variety of tempos and the energy for more movements. We will apply what we learned in Slow Drag and Slow Blues, along with the vernacular movements to allow for more dynamics and individual variation.
Texas Shuffle
Also known as “Shuffle,” this session will explore improvisation, momentum, and partnering dynamics in greater depth.
Party
20:30 – 01:00 Saturday night party with live music from 4 Handful of Blues
Sunday March 9th
12:15 Check-in/Warm-up
12:45 – 13:45 Gospel Blues & Jazz
14:00 – 15:00 Latin/Afro-Caribbean Blues Part I
15:00 – 15:30 Snack Break
15:30 – 16:15 Blues Vernacular II
16:30 – 17:30 Latin/Afro-Caribbean Blues Part II
Class Descriptions
Gospel Blues & Jazz
Sunday morning is when we go to church. One of the major influences of Blues and a differentiation from pure African is Gospel/Spiritual music and movement. We will warm up with some Spiritual Vernacular and solo dance, then take it into partnership with Strut and Swing Walk (Savoy Walk).
Blues Vernacular II
In this second vernacular class, we will prepare for our Latin and Afro-Caribbean rhythms by working on Grind, Fishtail, Drops, Skates, Boogaloo, Shimmy, and Shakes
Latin/Afro-Caribbean Blues Part I and II
Rumba rhythm is the base for many musical styles. Rumba Clave and Son Clave differentiate additional styles. There are Blues songs with the rhythms of Rumba, Mambo, Cha Cha Cha, Swamp Groove, Boogaloo, and more. We will cover the four-beat pattern structure for dancing to these styles and how to figure out where the hold is in each. Applying our Blues Vernacular to the four-beat pattern, you will get in the pocket of this vibrant music. In Part II, we will explore the change between using a slow step and a triple step, as well as common partnering structures.
Livemusic from 4 Handful of Blues
Enjoy some amazing Livemusic from 4 Handful of Blues from Baden (CH)
The name 4 Handful Of Blues says it all: two musicians – four hands – play the blues. Everything that can be left out is left out. There are only vocals, guitar and bass – that means pure blues, honest, straightforward, real. The themes are the simplest and oldest there are. Everyone understands what it’s all about: the feelings that go crazy in your stomach, that break your heart, that drive you to the brink of madness. The 2 brothers Patrik and Paul Schneider founded the band in 2000 and have been playing together since then. They have also played several time for the Zurich Bluesdance scene. We are happy to have them back!
Find all the Details here
https://bluesli.ch/bluesli-brenda-russell-march-2025/
If you want to get the full experience, you should also participate in the Bluesdance-Workshop with Brenda in Lucerne in February. Different dancestyles, more technique and drills. Get a discount if you do both weekends! All details and registration here:
https://www.triplestep.ch/angebot-1/workshop-blues/
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Ella's Fellas, Militärstrasse 84, 8004 Zürich, Schweiz,Zürich, Switzerland, Zurich
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