Get Exited Folks! Justin Riley of the Blues Recess Contingent will be coming to Ft Collins for a weekend to teach you all some blues dance! Justin is an international instructor, organizer, DJ, and dancer with loads of experience and love for dance. Don't miss this amazing opportunity to learn from him!

Saturday and Sunday May 5th and 6th at Old Town Yoga (upstairs)(map)

Saturday May 5th

1-5pm Classes at OTY
9-1 Dancing at OTY

Sunday May 6th

1-5pm Classes at OTY
9-1 Dancing at Adin's House

Class Descriptions and Schedule

Classes are in order and will last approximately an hour each with a 10-15 minute break in between

Saturday (1pm-5pm)

- The Connection Game
Why do we dance? Sure it's fun, good exercise, and a good way to meet people, but why do we really do it? We do it for the connection! This class explores the creation of connection and the role it plays in our blues dance through fun games and exercises.

- Diss-Arming: Dreaming of a World Without Arm Leads
Arms, we've got two of them, but what to do with them? or more importantly, what NOT to do with them? In this class we'll dive into the secret world of body and arm connection and learn when to use those lanky gifts of biped evolution… and when to not.

- Better Balance Blueprints
Balance! Without it, you may find yourself falling over a lot. All of us have understanding of balance whether or not we know it. You can walk around and even run and jump without falling down. This class will focus on strengthening your balance in partner dance through exercises and techniques geared towards grounding yourself and solidifying your connection with the ground. We'll also explore how to use intentional or controlled imbalance to create fun and unique moves

Sunday (1pm-5pm)

- Filling the Empty
One of Blues Dancing's most distinguishing characteristics is its appreciation of the small, the in-between, the quiet. We'll learn to use breath, micro isolations, dynamic tone, and a true reveling in silence to fully utilize those hard-hitting breaks, the gushy between-the-beat moments, and the infinite time and space we have between even the simplest of weigh-shifts.

- Slow Flow
Ever watch a pair of really amazing dancers and think "How do they make it all fit together and look so easy?" We'll learn how to create a flow to your dance that makes sense and looks good, but also feels good for both partners. Follows will focus on continuing momentum all the way to the end, and leads will focus on creating change in ways that flow smoothly.

- Expanding Your Blues: A Creativity Course
Tired of dancing with your usual “bag of tricks?” This course will give you the tools to explore and develop your own innovative moves and styles. Through play, activity, and peer-based inspiration, we will explore new connection points, movements, and ways of thinking to transform us into the type creative monsters that lead and/or inspire (for follows) new gems of creativity in every dance.

Full Weekend

Students - $35

Non Students - $45

Full Day Pass (pay at the door)

Students - $25

Non Students - $30

A La Carte (pay at the door)

Classes - $10 each

Dances - $5 each