Name: Jukin' and Charleston Dance Workshops
Start: 2026-04-04T16:00:00+01:00
End: 2026-04-04T19:30:00+01:00
Location: The Out of the Blue Drill Hall

Dance to jazz and blues music! Learn juke joint dancing as seen in the hit 2025 movie, Sinners and the iconic Charleston dance of the 20s!
About this Event

Sign up for 2 immersive workshops on dancing to jazz and blues music!
Leith Jazz & Blues Dance teaches various historic styles of Black American social dancing, done to blues, jazz, swing, funk and soul music. This workshop is perfect for if you are brand new to jazz/blues/swing dancing (or even partner dancing in general!) or if you are an experienced dancer who wants to deep dive on your musicality and movement quality.
Check out this great video from a blues dance festival to get a sense of the vibe:

For this session we will be focusing on two topics:
-4pm-5.30pm: Jukin' blues, the social dancing done on the spot in crowded juke joints, live music bars and house parties in the United States to the many many styles of blues music with a large variety of rhythms. With songs from countless incredible artists such as B.B. King, Etta James, Ray Charles, Muddy Waters, Big Mama Thornton and Dr John. In this style there is a big emphasis on 2 partners dancing together as equals in conversation, riffing off each other's movement. (This style of dancing can be seen in the recent hit film, Sinners!)
-5.45pm- 7.15pm: The Charleston is an iconic jazz/swing dance from the 1920s and '30s. Also originating as a juke joint dance it became a staple of pop culture after appearing in many films and stage productions. It comes in many forms and styles but for this session we will touch on the original 20s version before primarily focusing on the kicks of the 30s style that overlaps with the famous Lindy Hop done in contemporary swing dance scenes.
*IN CLASS* - No partner is required and everyone will get the opportunity to dance with each other in both lead and follow roles. Wear comfy clothes and shoes.
Many of our dance styles often uses a close embrace as the main connection in partnership. Consent will be prioritised at all times, with the workshop providing skills needed to clearly communicate how to connect and dance comfortably with each other.

Agenda

🕑: 04:00 PM - 05:30 PM
Jukin' Workshop
🕑: 05:45 PM - 07:15 PM
Charleston Workshop