Classes

(Block 1) Improvisation & Body Listening 101 w/ Fen

The first thing we should connect to in any fusion dance should be our own bodies and sense of self - this class will give you different tools for checking in and creating with your body. We’ll explore different sensory systems and kinds of physical awareness, and how they form the building blocks to different kinds of partnered and solo movement.

(Block 2) Stretch & Compression 101 w/ Tren & Markus

Discover the foundational concepts of stretch and compression, an essential tool for creating the seamless look of WCS in your dancing! Through the introduction of classic WCS patterns like Side Passes, Sugar Pushes, Sugar Tuckes, and the Whip, dancers will develop the ability to create and respond to stretch and compression cues and foster clearer communication, connection, and musicality in their dancing.

(Block 3) Introduction to Frames w/ Flouer & Mark

Frames define and enhance the beauty of doors, windows, and paintings, preserving their form and offering protection. In dance, our frame is the conduit for sending and receiving communication between partners, making it one of the most vital aspects of partner dancing. However, the concept of frame is not static—it evolves with different dance styles. Each form may demand unique ways to send and receive signals. Join us as we delve into the concept of frame in partner dancing, exploring how it shapes and transforms our connection and communication on the dance floor with practical techniques and exercises.

(Block 4) More for Less: How to Learn Moves Better w/ Mark & Ally

A lab-style workshop where we practice watching and learning more-and-more complex moves or sequences with less-and-less instruction. Get good at picking up moves on the dance floor, from videos, or from every class you’ll take moving forward. We’ll also give tips for how you can practice these moves during a class, on the dance floor, and be the best learning partner you can be.

(Block 5) Pattern Prediction in Urbankiz Music w/ Charles & Alicia

Learn about musical composition and phrasing through the lens urbankiz music. We'll use the sub-genres of urbankiz instrumentals, tarraxo, ghetto zouk, douceur, and afro beats to gain a deeper understanding of the multi-layered musical elements and their varying patterns.

(Block 1) Afro Latin Fusion: The Art of Solo Dancing w/ Malik

Solo dancing can be a juicy and liberating experience. In this class, you will be learning foundational patterns and solo techniques to incorporate into your partner work. The goal is to give you, the dancer, a way to communicate a call and response with the music and your partner. We will learn to adapt and create from a place of intention, thusly pushing your dance into unexplored areas of connection and creativity. We will use Bachata Moderna concepts to express and explore these ideas.

(Block 2) Embrace Your Axis: Foundations of the Tango Calesita w/ Emily & Jeannie

Step into a world of centeredness and creativity. The calesita adds a touch of grace to your dance, emphasizing the trust and synchronization between partners as they move harmoniously around each other. Come explore the intricate nuances of maintaining a strong axis and partner connection in a class that promises a fresh take on turns and the tango spiral. Let the calesita be your gateway to exploring endless directions and possibilities on the Fusion dance floor.

(Block 3) Stretch & Compression 102 w/ Tren & Markus

Refine your understanding and application of stretch and compression to create greater nuance, precision, and musicality in your partnered dancing. Through targeted exercises, feedback, and advanced techniques, learners will deepen their ability to utilize stretch and compression to enhance communication, lead-follow dynamics, and expression while maintaining a strong connection with their partner.

(Block 4) Into Your Partners Shoes w/ Grey

Learning your non primary role can be intimidating and vulnerable. No matter if you want to be ambidancerous or just gain some perspective, this class will offer a variety of skills that can be used in both roles. We will also address various concerns about bodies, embodiment and confidence. Step out of your comfort zone, and into your partner’s shoes!

(Block 5) Blues --> Fusion w/ Flouer

Much of the classic music we danced to in the early fusion days, and still love today, comes from a direct lineage of sounds rooted in blues music. Not a big surprise, since most American music has! In this class, we’ll explore various traditional blues sounds and connect them to the music we hear on the dance floor today, examining how our dancing has evolved alongside it. Let’s honor our roots and know our own history.

(Block 1) Hit the Drop w/ Kenya & Pomona

Want to look like you wrote the song you're dancing to? Wanna feel the music flowing through your body so that "hitting the drop" feels obvious? Understanding musical structure – not only with your mind, but feeling it in your body – will unlock new levels of musicality you've never felt before.

(Block 2) Flow Movement w/ Flouer

Most of our partner dances are based on walking movements, connecting with upright torsos. What can happen when we break this assumption and open our bodies, allowing our torsos to bend and flow, cresting and falling together like ocean waves? In this class, we’ll incorporate movements from Brazilian Zouk and Contemporary Dance into our fusion, exploring new pathways of movement and connection.

(3) The Cross Roads of Lindy and Blues w/ Grey

Lindy hop and blues are often pitted against each other stylistically. As two Black dances with so much shared and overlapping history and culture, shouldn’t they have more in common? Well, they do. Join Grey as we redefine what features define these dances, challenge years of muscle memory, and deepen our appreciation of both styles.

(Block 4) Tracing, Flicks, Locks, and Combs: Afro Latin Arm Movements for Fusion w/ Malik

What the What?? What does all this mean? There are so many things we can do with our arms and hands; they are beautiful extensions of our expression, the added conversation piece we need. Locks, Flicks and Combs can create fun accent moments, pauses, decorations or transitions in partner work. In this class, we will bring this embellished conversational concept into our partnership through connected arm work in dance frames we are familiar with, like a “ Closed Social Hold” , “ Shadow Position “ or an “ Open Closed Hold “ to enhance our collaborative experience as dancers and add lil more conversation to the magical moments we create within our lead, follow, or switch relationship in partnership.

(Block 5) Meta-listening, Micro-listening w/ Fen

Do you like the big picture? Or the small details? In this class we’ll think about the scope of our attentions – what we tend to speak about, and what we tend to listen to. This class will help you understand your own technical and personal preferences, and help you get the most out of your partnerships

(Block 1) Earth and Sky w/ Flouer

Stability and intricate movements arise from the harmony between opposing forces. In this class we will elevate our balance and transitions by diving deep into the advanced concept of creating opposition within the body. Once we have this within our bodies, it can pour into the partnership, making our connection flexible and stable.

(Block 2) Movement Analysis for Dancers/ Fen

Are you a dance geek? This class will use principles of formal movement analysis to explore your movement habits in both solo and partnered movement. Expect to learn tools for looking at your own dancing, and for seeing other dancers more clearly. Please bring something to write with and something to write on, and prepare to get nerdy.

(Block 3) Legs of Fusion Fire: Igniting Partner Leg Connection w/ Jeannie & Emily

Experience the fiery energy of Tango leg movements in a Fusion context, where the true beauty lies in fluid body mechanics and seamless coordination between partners. Once you understand the intricate relationship between your axis, your legs and your partner, you will unlock the secrets to effortlessly connected leg movements. Join us to ignite the Fusion floor with dynamic leg hooks and flairs that will take your dance to new heights of expression and fire.

(Block 4) KiZouk w/ Charles & Alicia

Challenge your mind and body with a conscious fusion of Brazilian Zouk and Urbankiz Fundamentals into more challenging entries and exits between both styles.

(Block 5) WCS Turns + Redirections w/ Tren & Markus

Refine and expand your mastery of turn mechanics to add precision, control, and musicality to your dancing. Through advanced techniques, drills, and partnered exercises, dancers will deepen their proficiency in initiating, maintaining, and stylizing turns, incorporating body movement, balance, and connection to enhance their expression and partnership. We will play with combining multiple spins & turns together, and introduce some WCS turns like Illusion Turns, Advanced Whip Variations.

(Block 1) Setting Down Roots: Growing a Fusion Community from the Ground Up w/ Gracie

Discover techniques for launching a new dance event, or improving your current practices, in this class. Learn how to assemble and manage a proficient team, leverage technology for streamlined collaboration, and optimize logistical operations such as scheduling instructors and DJs, managing social media, and coordinating volunteers. Gain access to practical resources like Google Sheets templates and tutorials to empower your journey. Additionally, understand the importance of effective planning to support organizers and team well-being, preventing burnout. Join us as we explore ways of nurturing our teams, fostering vibrant scenes that flourish and thrive!

(Block 2) Navigating Conflict for Scene Leaders w/ Eleanor

Tools and frameworks for navigating difficult situations as an organizer. Introduction to transformative justice and practical applications for policy, safety, and procedure.

(Block 3) Effective Practice w/ Ally

No matter what dance you are practicing, there are some ways that are more effective than others to practice so that you are integrating the skills you want into your muscle memory. We will cover the basics of iterative (instead of rote) repetition, how to remain inside of curiosity, asking for & giving effective feedback, and more. This is a class for both those who want to improve their own practice time as well as those who facilitate practice spaces.

(Block 4) Becoming Your Own Favorite Artist: How to Produce the Music You Hear in Your Head w/ Lillian

Are you curious about how your favorite songs are actually made? Want to learn to produce music yourself? Join music producer Lillian Frances as she takes you behind the scenes and shows you how your favorite songs are created. Whether you’ve never produced a song in your life, or are already crafting your own bangers, this workshop will have something for everyone. Get ready to leave inspired and empowered to craft music that resonates with your soul.

(Block 5) Body Mapping for Teaching Dance w/ Ally

Learn about your wings, tails, tripod feet, and snakey spines! We will explore how your body works differently on the inside than it appears on the outside, how we can move in ways that are easier and more sustainable (so we can dance longer, more freely, and in less pain), and how to use this simple information to more easily teach students of all levels movement technique.

UPDATED: (8:30-10 pm) BIPOC Dancer Affinity Space w/ Eleanor

A place for BIPOC attendees to be together. Free to attend.