Levels

The partnered tracks are offered for multiple levels.

To allow for a smooth registration and valuable festival experience, read the information below carefully to find out which description resonates with you most. We trust you to sign up based on an honest self-assessment.

Across all levels

At the core of all workshops is blues in its social dancing context. In the workshops you will explore individual expression with respect for the black African American roots and qualities of blues music and dance. The content you receive at Big City Blues goes beyond the scope of a dance class: inspirers and participants will share insights and experiences in multiple ways. 

To facilitate the workshops, Big City Blues invites inspiring artists from the culture or facilitators who are guests and work towards cultural competence with a humble attitude.

---

Partnered track – Total Beginners

This year, we offer a track for those who are new to blues dancing.

Embrace the excitement of starting from scratch! Learn during the day, party at night. Together, we dive right into blues music, dance and culture.

In the Total Beginners track, you will take your first steps in Couple Blues. The workshops are designed according to ELEF: Everybody Leads, Everybody Follows, which means that you will learn both dance roles as a “switch dancer”. ELEF doubles the fun, because you can dance with everyone and explore both roles from the start! If, however, you prefer to stick to one role, you can also sign up as a lead or follow.

The inspirers for your track are: Valérie Villers & Elena Cancilla, and Jamica Zion & Kenneth Shipp. For more input from other inspirers, you can add an optional workshop with Nawelle Saïdi & Felix Berghäll.

Partnered track – Jukers

• Over the last year, or over a longer period of time with less intensity, you have started to explore dancing to blues music or you have some experience in other styles of partnered dances.
• You are familiar with concepts such as basic rhythm, open and closed position and basic concepts of leading and following.
• You have started to express yourself while dancing as a couple.
• You already took some partnered workshops  or have been dancing socially from time to time.
• You are eager to learn more about the many textures of blues music and dance.

The inspirers for your track are: Annette Kühnle & Dexter Santos, Elise Klein & Hadrien Haden, and Jamica Zion & Kenneth Shipp. For more input from other inspirers, you can add an optional workshop with Nawelle Saïdi & Felix Berghäll, Genia or Breonna Jordan & Felix Berghäll.

Partnered track – Shufflers

• You have been dancing blues for multiple years, or for a minimum of one year at high intensity.
• You’re accustomed to and comfortable with specific blues movement, lead/follow dynamics and rhythmical dancing.
• You have been playing with some blues dance idioms such as chicago triple, ballroom stepping or Struttin’.
• You feel the need to express yourself to blues music at home, in socials or at (inter)national events.
• You eagerly want to grow as a solid social dancer and you are ready to dig deeper.

The inspirers for your track are: Annette Kühnle & Dexter Santos, Krysia & Filip, Elise Klein & Hadrien Haden. For more input from other inspirers, you can add an optional workshop with Jamica Zion & Kenneth Shipp, Genia Tsvietkova or Breonna Jordan & Felix Berghäll.

Partnered track – Draggers

• You are a solid blues dancer, dancing for more than three years with devotion, or even longer over periods of different intensity. You consider yourself an advanced blues dancer and are up for a challenge.
• You’ve participated in multiple classes and workshops, and/or you are familiar with dance practice.
• To express yourself beyond steps is a default and you are familiar with blues idioms such as chicago triple, ballroom stepping or Struttin’.
• You dance socially a lot and maybe you perform and have competed in the past.
• You are keen to reflect on the deeper dynamics in the dance and your role in its culture.

The inspirers for your track are: Breonna Jordan & Felix Berghäll, Jamica Zion & Kenneth Shipp, and Annette Kühnle & Dexter Santos. For more input from other inspirers, you can add an optional workshop with Nawelle Saïdi & Felix Berghäll.

Partnered track – Strutters

• You are a seasoned and very experienced social dancer, dancing for at least four years with devotion, or even longer over periods of different intensity.
• You are working hard to become a better dancer and more attuned to the cultural roots of the dance.
• Possibly you are a blues dance teacher in your local scene and beyond. Or maybe you perform blues dances or compete.
• You regularly train with a fixed or multiple partner(s).
• You can reflect on your own dancing and you are aware of the rich palette of blues music and dances.
• You love solo dancing.

The inspirers for your track are: Elise Klein & Hadrien Haden, Jamica Zion & Kenneth Shipp, and Breonna Jordan & Felix Berghäll. For more input from other inspirers, you can add an optional workshop with Annette Kühnle & Dexter Santos, and Genia Tsvietkova.

---

Social Solo Track

• You have recently taken some solo blues dance classes and/or you have some experience as a couple blues, Lindy hop, latin or even as a Hip hop, contemporary dancer.
• You look forward to working on blues fundamentals, expression, and rhythm.
• You seek quality movement in the context of social dancing.
• If you don’t have any experience in solo dancing but you are motivated to join, you’re also more than welcome if you are looking for a challenge. However, we won’t lower the speed of content digestion.

The inspirers for your track are: Felix Berghäll, Sep Vermeersch and Elena Cancilla. For more input from other inspirers in a partnered blues setting, you can add an optional workshop with Jamica Zion & Kenneth Shipp, and Annette Kühnle & Dexter Santos.

Solo Performance Track

• You already have quite some experience in solo blues dancing, and want to explore something different.
• You may even compete, perform or teach as a solo Blues dancer.
• You are keen to work over 2 days on a performance with a group of solo blues dancers.
• You are excited to shine on stage at Big City Blues.

The inspirers for your track are: Breonna Jordan and Sep Vermeersch. For more input from other inspirers, you can add an optional workshop with Jamica Zion & Kenneth Shipp (partnered), Annette Kühnle & Dexter Santos (partnered), Genia Tsvietkova (solo) or Breonna Jordan & Felix Berghäll (partnered).