|
Fairfield,
Iowa Classes
Wednesday,
December 11, 7:45 - 9:15, Learn the Jitterbug Stroll.
This and “Shim Sham” are the two popular swing line dances that
are danced all over the country. In fact, after this class, we
will play the music at our dances so that everyone who knows it
can give it a whirl. The Jitterbug Stroll introduces many classic
moves you can add to your swing dancing. Taught by Meret Amick.
$10
Wednesday,
Dec. 18, 7:45 - 9:15, Swing Improvisation to Slow Swing Music
This not-to-miss event takes place on Jeffrey’s actual birthday.
It is described in the article below. Instructors: Jeffrey and
Andrea. $10
Saturday,
Dec. 21, 8 - 11, Swing & Salsa Dance & Birthday Party for Jeffrey
Free class from 8 - 8:30 (Jeffrey instructing). Dance costs $5,
$2 for university students or anyone after 10 p.m. Free refreshments
provided by Everybody’s.
On Swing
Improvisation Workshop:
“Swing improvisation is our most successful workshop,” says Jeffrey
Smith, who, with his wife Andrea, will be teaching it this winter
in Florida, Iowa and Colorado. “The effect is magical. Dancers
have significant breakthroughs; their whole experience of dancing
can change.”
Learning
dance, according to Jeffrey, typically moves through 3 levels—the
head, the body, then the heart. “First you’re figuring out the
step. With repetition, it gets into your body. Finally, you connect
with the music and the partner. That happens,” according to Jeffrey,
“when you’re dancing from your heart.” During a normal dance class,
students move through these levels many times, returning to the
head with each new instruction. The improvisation workshop, however,
is a shortcut to the heart level. “It helps solidify the experience
so that participants can more easily dance from their heart whenever
they dance.”
After an
improvisation workshop in Iowa City, for example, a participant
wrote to Jeffrey: “Your description of the class is way too modest.
The three hours of "playing" with the music was a revelation for
me as well as great fun!! Your suggestions broke down the "must
step this pattern" self-consciousness I had and made triple count
a joy. I felt the music in the heart that night. I look forward
to similar workshops. I thank you and my partners.”
Both leads
and follows report more confidence and connection, and their style
is spontaneously more beautiful.
Jeffrey has
chosen to share this powerful experience on his birthday, by teaching
a swing improvisation class in Fairfield. This one, however, will
be different. He and Andrea will focus on improvising to slow
swing music. “It will combine elements of swing and blues,” says
Jeffrey. “There’s also an incredible liberation of footwork. It’s
like doing a spontaneous soft shoe routine with a partner.”
The workshop
will take place on Wednesday, December 18th, from 7:45 - 9:30,
at Morning Star Studio. The cost is $10 and the class is open
to all levels, even those with no swing experience. This will
not be a birthday party for Jeffrey. That will take place on Saturday
night, December 21st, as part of this month’s Swing and Salsa
dance at Morning Star Studio. The first half hour will be a free
lesson, taught by Jeffrey, as part of his birthday gift to the
community. The dance will continue till 11 p.m., and costs $5
(only $2 for university students or anyone after 10 p.m.).
Hope to see
you there!
Lindy
Class with Swingphoria Troupe
* TO BE ANNOUNCED *
|
Private
Instruction
Private instruction in swing, Lindy Hop, Country Walz, and
Dips and Tricks are available by appointment. Semi-private
and wedding party instruction is also available. Contact
Jeffrey and Andrea Smith, 888-797-7000 or jeffrey@swingsmith.com.
|
|
