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Discounted tickets available here: https://the-blue-light-lounge.square.site/
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What: A Full Day of Blues Dance, including:
- Blues Dance Workshop w/ Jenny Sowden
- Blues Dance with a LIVE BAND from Chicago! With Steven "Dr. Feelgood" Watkins spinning during band breaks
- Late Night Blues Dance at NEON
When: Saturday, August 3rd, 12:00 PM to Sunday, August 4th, 4:00 am
Where:
12:00 noon to 12:30 AM - Old First Presbyterian Church, 1751 Sacramento Street, San Francisco
1:00 to 4:00 AM - NEON, 1974 Union Street, San Francisco
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We have been delighted to see the return of blues dancing in the Bay Area. We want to add to that by highlighting the history of blues and the dance that grew from it.
Inspired by the historical "basement party", where a blue light seen through the window meant that the party was on and the dancing was "slow boogie", we bring you: THE BLUE LIGHT LOUNGE.
We are thrilled to welcome Matthew Skoller (coming all the way from Chicago!) and Steve Freund who are teaming up to bring us a special four-musician band and the best of the blues, tailor-made for blues dancing.
For info on Matthew, please see: https://matthewskoller.com.
We are equally thrilled to welcome Jenny Sowden and Steven Watkins to both teach and deejay throughout the event (see below!)
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All day (Saturday) schedule:
- 12:00 noon to 4:30 PM: Jenny Sowden blues dance workshops
- 7:00 to 8:00 PM: Evening lesson with Jenny Sowden
- 8:00 PM to 12:30 AM: Evening dance with a four-piece Blues band, led by Matthew Skoller (Chicago) and Steve Freund (San Francisco), and band breaks deejayed by Steven "Dr. Feelgood" Watkins (North Carolina, formerly SF)
•1:00 am to 4:00 am (next day): Late Night at NEON (1974 Union Street, San Francisco)
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Ticket pricing:
Full Day Pass: $85 Pre-sale price (valid until Thursday, August 1, 11:59 PM PDT).
Note: please choose the Lead or Follow option as preferred.
(A Full Day Pass allows entry for one person to all Blue Light Lounge events and workshops on Saturday, August 3rd, 2024: Jenny Sowden blues dance workshops and evening lesson and blues dance.)
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Workshops Only Ticket: $70 Pre-sale price (valid until Thursday, August 1, 11:59 PM PDT).
Note: please choose the Lead or Follow option as preferred.
(A Workshops Only Ticket allows entry for one person to our Jenny Sowden blues dance workshops.)
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Evening Lesson/Dance Only Ticket: $25 Pre-Sale price (valid until Thursday, August 1, 11:59 PM PDT).
(An Evening Lesson/Dance Ticket allows entry for one person to our evening lesson and blues dance.)
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Late Night Dance ticket: FREE with Full Day Pass. $10 at the door with Evening Lesson/Dance ticket/wristband.
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We are really excited about our inaugural event! Looking ahead, we are very hopeful that we continue to host more dances, workshops, and events to help to bring greater awareness of blues music, to showcase the various roots of blues dance and blues music, and foster a wider community of blues dancers seeking to improve. If you have the inclination and the means to help us make this happen, please consider making a donation!
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No refunds will be provided for any Blue Light Lounge passes or tickets; transfers will be allowed via prior email arrangement. Please email [email protected].
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Parking at the Old First Presbyterian Church (venue location for workshops and evening dance)is either street (you can try on Polk Street where a few restricted spots will have opened after 6 or Van Ness which tends to have the most available spots. Or: across the street at the Old First Parking Garage (self pay). The garage has agreed to stay open late enough for us!
Parking at NEON at 1 am is street parking and will be relatively easy at that hour (as indicated by our checking on a Sunday at 1 am!)
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Workshop Descriptions:
Prerequisite: You've been social dancing before for 2+ years, any style. If you are new to partnered dance we recommend coming out for the Chicago Blues Foundations at 7:00 pm before the dance to get you ready & warmed up for the party.
Blues Dancing Grit [12:00 noon - 1:20 PM]
After a solid connection reset with finessing notes, we will get into the grit with a triple step in our footwork. The Moves: The Bake (named after Josephine Baker 1930ish), and Rocks will be used in creative, musical and alternative ways. With expression options for the Follow and the Lead, and tips on how to respond to their choices. This session will have depth in the details, individual options and history tips to welcome All Levels. (Please Note Prerequisite).
Blues Dancing Party [1:30 - 2:50 PM]
After changing our dance positions with ease we will get to the party with a turn that has a playful surprise. The Moves: The Stroll (named after the song The Stroll 1958) and Four Corners will be used in creative, musical and alternative ways. With expression options for the Follow and the Lead, and tips on how to respond to their choices. This session will have depth in the details, individual options and history tips to welcome All Levels. (Please Note Prerequisite)
The Dancer & the DJ [3:00 - 4:20 PM]
The Dancer & the Drummer is a grounding call & response concept found all over the world and also between the Dancer & the DJ. Steven & Jenny are very excited about their first collaboration to share & geek out on how the Dancer & DJ can effect each other, getting a clear POV from each side. You will both dance & chat in class.
Steven Watkins started DJing in 2004 and is one of our most seasoned DJs in the Blues dancing scene. He is often credited as one of the best DJs at ‘reading the room.’
Jenny Sowden started Blues dancing in 2000, has been a full time international Swing/Blues Instructor/DJ since 2012 and founded a dance school in NYC, Brooklyn Swings in 2010.
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Early Bird pricing: through Thursday, July 18th, 11:59 PM
Pre-sale pricing: Friday, July 19th to Thursday, August 1st, 11:59 PM
Full Day passes are only available through Early Bird and Pre-sale pricing. No Full Day passes will be sold at the door.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Old First Presbyterian Church, 1660 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94109-3609, United States,San Francisco, California