Virtual Union: May 7

In May, we’re bringing you a cool experiment in virtual class format, with material layered for beginner/intermediate up through advanced & masters dancers!

*Variations on the Classics* (7:00-8:00pm EST)
with Mike Legenthal & Ruth Evelyn

This month’s class is an experiment in a class that combines pre-recorded material you can do on your own time, the opportunity to film yourself and send to us, and live online classes with participation. The classes are truly all-levels. The material is beginner/intermediate difficulty level, with more details added for people who want them. Plus, a bonus challenge each week for people who want something hard. They are also good for advanced dancers who want to get back into moving, and back into their bodies, or to focus on developing their own style and voice.

*Overview*
Each week, we’ll briefly cover the fundamentals of some of our favorite solo moves, but then we’ll get into variations on these basics–personalized versions to shake things up (sometimes literally). Classes will cover moves such as Fishtails, Camel Walks, Mooches, Grinds, Boogie Drops, Low Downs, and Jazz Squares.

You have the option to film yourself and send to us to help us give you better feedback in the live class. If you feel comfortable, post your video in the event, if not, you can send us an unlisted YouTube link. (Please nothing password-protected, as that adds an additional time layer.) You can send video links using this form: https://forms.gle/aiUKo8foRRcxkcuD7

*This week’s schedule*
– Monday May 4: Pre-recorded mini-class becomes available – watch and participate to prepare for Thursday’s class! (3-10 min.)
https://youtu.be/f4n9dAWLAVo
– [Optional] Wednesday May 6 by 11pm ET: Post/send in your video
– Thursday May 7: 7pm ET Live Zoom class (available for one week)

*Payment*
If you are able to, suggested donation of $5-15 each week. All proceeds will be split between the instructors, who are full-time dance instructors. https://paypal.me/pools/c/8oOg1UulcB

Virtual Union: April 30

This week, we’ll have a virtual dance class, from Ruth Evelyn! It’s taking place from 7:00-8:00pm EST.

Buttssssss
Come to class, bring your butt. We’ll work on technique and booty-shaking style.

Suggested donation: If you can pay, suggested sliding scale of $5-$15, but all amounts lower and higher welcome. To pay, send Friends/Family PayPal to danceruth@gmail.com (It will show up as Blues Yourself.) or Transferwise to hoffman.ruth@gmail.com.

Virtual Union: April 23

Mike Legenthal will bring us another great lecture! It’s taking place from 7:00-8:00pm EST.

**A woefully Incomplete Choreomusical Geohistory of Blues in the U.S.**
Part dance history, part music history, and way more information than I can reasonably fit into one class… But I’m going to try!

La version française apparaîtra également sur les diapositives!
(Because I once gave this talk at Blues Marathon in Toulouse, my slides have text in both French and English, so if there are any francophones who need a little help with English, this talk will be accessible!)

. . .
Suggested donation $5-15 to Mike Legenthal at paypal.me/mikelegenthal or Amazon gift card, etc.

Virtual Union: April 16

This Thursday, local blues musicians Amy Kucharik and Joshua Fialkoff will each broadcast a set of blues music from their respective homes, and we are so so excited!

Between sets, we’ll have a little social break, where we can come off mute (on Zoom) and say hi & chat for a bit.

Suggested donation $7-27 to https://paypal.me/pools/c/8ofS3xX8e1 or Venmo to Julie-Brown-2.
All proceeds will be split between the musicians.

~Rough schedule posted below, but, as with all live music events we’ll go with the flow~

MUSIC
– 9pm EDT Amy K via Facebook Live here: https://www.facebook.com/4stringserenade/
– 10:15pm EDT Joshua Fialkoff via Facbook Live here:
https://www.facebook.com/prof.fialkoff/live/

VIDEO
– See other folks dancing or share yourself dancing via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/92383170889
*If you join this, PLEASE MUTE YOURSELF so we don’t get echo-y audio.

Virtual Union: April 9

Storytime! (9:00-10:00pm EST)

“Muddy: The Story of Blues Legend Muddy Waters” is an illustrated children’s book about Muddy Waters, and the art style is very cool.

Julie Brown will read this book aloud while you can see the pages and enjoy the illustrations. We’ll stream a bit of Muddy Waters’ music afterwards.

This will be a Facebook Live event, so tune in here to join the fun.