Portland Lindy Exchange 2024
Class Descriptions
Saturday April 20, 10:00 - 11:00 AM
Solo Jazz — Improvising with Confidence
Nika Jin
This class will focus on using the vernacular jazz vocabulary that you already have to build confidence improvising. Whether for a jam circle, an improvised performance, or simply being able to lock in for an entire song dancing solo at a party, it can feel difficult to come up with ideas on the spot even when we "know" a lot of steps. Let's work on breaking through that barrier from knowing steps to using them!
Conversations in Partner Charleston
Austin Neverman & Darcie Juarez
Faster tempos can challenge our ability to have a 2-way conversation. In this class we dive into strategic patterns to empower your sense of voice, as well as fun rhythm choices to share with your partner.
Dancers should be comfortable with hand-to-hand Charleston and be ready to diversify their basic Charleston rhythms.
Saturday April 20, 12:45 - 1:45 PM
Lindy Hop — Rhythm-Based Creativity in a Partnership
Nika Jin & Shane Allen
With a music-centered approach, this class will help you find a strong, clear, creative voice in your partnered dancing. We’ll practice ways to maintain solid rhythm while finding moments to trade ideas conversationally, and discuss ways to develop a deeper relationship with the music.
This workshop is for dancers who are comfortable with foundational Lindy Hop movement including swing outs, lindy circles, tuck turns, passes, and can comfortably switch between 8-count, 6-count, and charleston footwork rhythms. Some solo jazz vocabulary is beneficial but not required.
Social Tricks — Rides for the Social Dance Floor
Austin Neverman & Kali Henson
In our hour together we'll look at rides, a type of trick that doesn't require leaving the floor like an air step would. Together we'll work through the fundamentals of ride connections, counterbalancing your partner, and how you can approach rides in your Lindy-Hop on the social dance floor. Still curious what a ride is? Check out this link here (time stamp 3:08)!
This workshop is intended for intermediate or above dancers who invest time in developing their partnered dance connection. No partner is required, but this will be movement that leverages your leg and core strength to counterbalance a partner's weight.