SUNDAY (Oct 28) - Hilo Elks Club
10am-12pm: WORKSHOP #1, "Foxtrot Freestyling and an Introduction to Laminu"
In the first hour, you'll learn how to "free-style" your foxtrot. We'll do this by focussing on the language and physics of lead & follow, providing you the tools and know-how that will allow you to break from standard rhythms and really start to improvise. In the second hour, we apply all of those concepts to learning the 'Laminu'. Laminu is a beautiful historic dance from the turn of the century that many view today as a mixture of foxtrot, balboa, and blues. It can easily be done to very slow ballads as well as to more spritely, upbeat swing & balboa tunes. Perfect for all level swing and/or ballroom dancers who want to greatly increase their vocabulary moves and musicality. (Level: Beg/Int) All welcome - No partner needed
1:30-3:00pm: WORKSHOP #2, "Cross Step Waltz Innovations"
Learn a variety of fun, innovative combinations from Ari's library of moves and inventions; beautiful, flowing, and elegant as always. Ari is known as one of the country's leading innovators in this style, and actively teaches waltz around the world, including at "Waltz Week in Vienna" coming up this Feb, 2019. Perfect for int/adv level walzers-ers. CLICK HERE to see an example of Cross-Step Waltz. CLICK HERE to see an example of "Fusion" Cross-Step Waltz. (Level: Int/Adv) All welcome - No partner needed.
3:15-4:45pm: WORKSHOP #3, "West Coast Swing Combinations"
This is a great steps-based class to learn some fun new combinations to wow folks on the dance floor. WCS is not only one of the smoothest & sexiest forms of swing dance on the scene today, but is hugely popular across the country and growing strong. Not to be missed! Ideal to take in conjunction with the 1:30pm waltz class as we will be building on themes and moves that will help to reinforce everything you learned there. (Level: Int/Adv) All welcome - No partner needed
MONDAY (Oct 29) - Aloha Wellness Studio
7:00-9:00pm: WORKSHOP #4, "The Art of Swing & Balboa Blending"
Learn the art of seamlessly shifting between 4, 6, & 8-count rhythms with this fun East Coast Swing based approach to dance that addresses the use of tight partnering, framework, lead/follow connection, and shows you how to blend balboa patterns and styling into your swing & Lindy repertoire. Amazingly simple to do, yet so much fun! Perfect for non-novice dancers who already know some ECS and Balboa and who would like to learn a whole lot more about dancing outside the box. Level: Non-Novice (some basic swing, balboa, & partner dance skills assumed)
TUESDAY (Oct 30) - Aloha Wellness Studio
7:15-9:15pm: WORKSHOP #5, "Blues, Swing, and the Art of Conversational Dance"
In this class, we’ll explore creative new ways to improvise and play with your partner on the dance floor. We do this by first building on the foundations of blues, then learning how to initiate momentary break-aways and create unique “conversations” with our partners (a skill that can easily translate to all the dance styles you do, including swing!). If there's time, we'll wind it down with a mini-micro blues lesson to satisfy the soul. As with all of Ari’s classes, major emphasis will be on lead/follow connection and partnering skills.
THURSDAY (Nov 1) - Gertrude's Jazz Club, Kona
4:00-5:00pm: WORKSHOP #3, "Salsa for Small Spaces"
Come get your salsa on with this fabulous intro to the basics, and a few bonus steps for folks who have the basics under their belt. Perfect to apply to the live Latin music band playing later tonight at Gertrude's. Appropriate for dancers of all levels.
FRIDAY (Nov 2) - Gertrude's Jazz Club, Kona
4:00-5:00pm: WORKSHOP #1, "Blues for Small Spaces"
The perfect introduction to the Art of Blues for dancing later tonight to live music at Gertrude's. Emphasis will be on the basic language of blues, musicality, connection, and play. Appropriate for dancers of all levels
SATURDAY (Nov 3)
1:30-3:00pm: WORKSHOP #2, "Night Club 2-Step Innovations" - At "The Club in Kona", Kona
Learn a variety of fun, innovative combinations from Ari's library of moves and inventions; beautiful, flowing, and elegant as always. Ari is known as one of the country's leading innovators in this style, and actively teaches this dance around the world. Perfect for int/adv level NC2S-ers. CLICK HERE to see an example of NC2S. (Level: Int/Adv) All welcome - No partner needed.
4:00-5:00pm: WORKSHOP #4, "Swing for Small Spaces" - At Gertrude's Jazz Club, Kona
Learn the art of swing dancing in small spaces with this intro class that will focus on rhythms, steps, styling, and musicality. Learn how to make more of less by breaking rhythms and applying the lead & follow concepts of blues to your East Coast Swing. Perfect to apply to the live swing music playing later at Gertrude's. Appropriate for dancers of all levels