The partnered tracks and solo 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.
The Blues Addicts track is the only track without a determined level. Check below for more info.
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 (NEW!)
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.
Partnered blues dance means dancing as a couple on blues music, connecting and grooving together while expressing yourself in a personal way. Blues dance is characterized by emotion, improvisation, rhythm, community feeling and creativity. Visually, you can expect fluent but grounded movements, with plenty of freedom for feet, hips, upper body and arms. Dancers switch between open and closed positions. Similar to the music, blues dance varies from slow, quiet movements to energetic expressions.
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.
In the Partnered Track – Total Beginners, you will have 3 workshops of 1,5 hours with Jamica Zion, Charlley Ward, Valérie Villers and Sep Vermeersch. Read more about your inspirers here.
We have a dedicated webpage with Frequently Asked Questions on the Total Beginners track and Blues Dancing for newbies.
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.
In the Partnered Track – Jukers, you will have 3 workshops of 1,5 hours with Chisomo Selemani, Alba Mengual, Gas Fernández, Lotte Dijkstra, Wouter Vervloet and one more inspirer to be announced.
Want to take workshops with other inspirers? Add an optional workshop.
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.
In the Partnered Track – Shufflers, you will have 3 workshops of 1,5 hours with Genia Tsvietkova, Victor Hristoskov, Chisomo Selemani, Lotte Dijkstra, Wouter Vervloet and one more inspirer to be announced.
Want to take workshops with other inspirers? Add an optional workshop.
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 have danced 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.
In the Partnered Track – Draggers, you will have 3 workshops of 1,5 hours with Alba Mengual, Gas Fernández, Chisomo Selemani, Genia Tsvietkova, Victor Hristoskov and one more inspirer to be announced.
Want to take workshops with other inspirers? Add an optional workshop.
Solo Track – Stompers
- 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. Just know that the tempo won’t be lowered to absolute ‘newbies’.
In the Solo Track – Stompers, you will have 3 workshops of 1,5 hours with Els Houttequiet and Jamica Zion.
Want to take workshops with other inspirers? Add an optional workshop.
Solo Track – Groovers
- You already have quite some experience in solo blues dancing, and want to explore more.
- You may even compete, perform or teach.
- You want to dig deeper, question the fundamentals and explore beyond steps & aesthetics through finding a stronger connection to the rhythms, idioms and deeper (cultural) expressions of the blues.
In the Solo Track – Groovers, you will have 3 workshops of 1,5 hours with Jamica Zion and Els Houttequiet.
Want to take workshops with other inspirers? Add an optional workshop.
Blues Addicts Track (NEW!)
The Blues Addicts Track approaches blues culture in all of its forms. We explore the thrilling fun or absolute challenge of deconstructing and reconstructing blues dance and music.
What does it mean to be an authentic blues dancer or musician? What is free and unconventional? How do we take responsibility considering the Black American roots and context of blues culture? Have you ever thought about these questions, or are you triggered to hear more? Then this is the right track for you.
This track is a matter of attitude, not of skills. However, since we will dive deep into the topic, some previous knowledge and experience with blues dance and music is a must. Is this description a match for you? Welcome to the Blues Addicts Track!
In the Blues Addicts Track, you will have 3 workshops of 1,5 hours with Alba Mengual, Gas Fernández, Lotte Dijkstra, Wouter Vervloet, Chisomo Selemani and one more inspirer to be announced.
Want to take workshops with other inspirers? Add an optional workshop.