Roaring Twenties Workshops + Dance - March 17, 2007
We are thrilled to offer a day of workshops on 1920's dance styles Peabody & Charleston in partnership with the Art Deco Society of Washington!. The classes will be taught by an amazing group of instructors, dancers and historians named Chad Fasca and Midori Asakura. After the workshop, we'll be holding a dance party with the amazing Russ Wilson Swingtette where you can strut it with your new skills.
About The Peabody
(4 classes) Rumored to be the source of the Savoy's nickname "The Track", the Peabody captivated New York dancers for decades with its fast pace, fancy footwork and racing around the ballroom action. Sometimes described as a one-step or fast foxtrot, the Peabody is danced in line of dance fashion, like the foxtrot, but to very fast music of 250 beats per minute minimum or greater. A dancer's favorite at the Savoy and Roseland Ballrooms, the Peabody became popular in the 1920s and remained so through the 1950s.
For additional information, visit: http://fasca.net/2006/07/19/peabody-a-whodunit-for-dancers/
(4 classes) All levels, but challenging.
About Charleston
Popularly associated with "flappers" and "speakeasies", the Charleston is a dance craze of the 20s. Bouncey, energetic, and fun as hell, this dance later heavily influenced the Lindy Hop during the Swing Era.
(1 class) All levels, but challenging. Expand your Charleston knowledge with these creative steps!
About Chad & Midori
Midori and Chad from New York City are two of the very best and most enjoyable teachers in the world for dances from the Swing Era and 1920s. Outstanding dancers, choreographers, and dance researchers, in 2004 Midori & Chad took first place in the Fast Dance Division of the American Lindy Hop Championships with a Peabody and 1920s Charleston performance and received a hugely enthusiastic response from the people who were there. They have appeared on national U.S. television programs, including on the History Channel, CBS (The Cut), American Movie Classics (AMC Swings) and Good Morning America. They direct the Swing Dance Program at the Sandra Cameron dance school in Manhattan (the same major dance school where the legendary Lindy Hopper Frankie Manning teaches and where the late great Lindy Hopper Al Minns taught).
Visit Chad & Midori's Website for more info about them.
Check out some videos of Chad & Midori dancing.
The Dance Party: The Russ Wilson Swingtette
We are proud to present the Russ Wilson Swingtette (a version of the Russ Wilson and his Nouveau-Passé Orchestra) direct from North Carolina. They will playing they brand of hot jazz in the vein of the sounds of 20's and 30's hot jazz and dance music. Music made famous by Ben Bernie, Bert Lown, Ben Pollack, Fletcher Henderson, Chick Webb, Duke Ellington, "POPS" himself Paul Whiteman and many others. These guys have been heralded as the next big thing to hit our scene. Check out the sound clips on their website: http://www.npojazz.com/. Also, check them out at their MySpace page.
"Glen Echo Goes to the Races" Dance Contest!
As a highlight to the Roaring Twenties dance party, Chad and Midori will host a Peabody dance contest to uncover the Fleeted Feet in the Nation's Capitol through a race around the Glen Echo Ballroom. Check back for details.
Dance Details:
The dance will take place at the gorgeous Glen Echo Park Spanish Ballroom
7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, Maryland
Beginner Swing and Charleston lesson free with admission: 8-9
Dance: 9-Midnight
Class Descriptions
Peabody
(these all levels classes are mildly progressive, meaning they gradually build in difficulty)
1. The Five Essential Steps (11:00-12:00)
What every Peabody dancer needs to know to hit the dance floors running, these essential steps are not only key patterns in the dance but the foundation for later variations, such as the Rock turn and Lock n' Run.
2. Locked n' Loaded (12:10-1:10)
The hallmark of Peabody dancing is the lock. In this class, Chad & Midori teach different lock combinations, such as backlocks, alternating locks, the Charles.
3. Ponys, Breaks & Pivots (2:10-3:10)
Dancers love to syncopate and spin. This workshop covers combinations that satisfy either and even both with fast footwork, fun rhythms, and Castle-style turns.
4. Chad & Midori's Signature Steps (3:20-4:20)
Over the years, Chad & Midori have collected a number of signature steps from or inspired by our mentors as well as developed through our own dancing. This workshops explores several of our favorites, such as the State Fair.
'20s Charleston
(all level but challenging class, where previous experience is a big plus)
1. Keeping it Reel & Hot Off the Press (4:30-5:30)
Touching briefly on the basics, this workshop will delve into fascinating patterns, moving from pure fun to unusual and challenging, taken directly or adapted from newsreels and dance manuals, such as the Traveling Contest Step.
Prices
Prices will be $12 per class or $50 for all five. The dance will cost $13.
Register Online for Classes
While tickets will be available at the door, we have opened online registration for your convenience.
You can pay for the dance at the door.
Location
The classes and dance will take place at the gorgeous Glen Echo Park Spanish Ballroom 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, Maryland
Presented in cooperation with the Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts & Culture, Inc., the National Park Service and Montgomery County, MD.