Dash over to the Block to hop to the sounds of Sparrow and Her Wingmen! There will be swingin’ music, and great classes for beginners! Stay late for our post-band blues DJ! Plus the venue is not only gorgeous, but they have a fabulous bar!
~~~Schedule (short version- see below for details)~~~
7 pm (Continuing/Intermediate): Solo Jazz & Charleston w/ Jean
8 pm (Beginning): Beginning 8-Count Lindy w/ Sparrow & Keith
9-11pm: Swing AVL Dance w/ Sparrow and Her Wingmen
11pm – close: Blues Dance w/ DJ
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PRICING: Dance/Band is $5 (includes blues) and classes are $10/$8 for Swing Asheville members. Blues Dance is $2 suggested donation for those who didn’t pay for Band admission.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Interested in free dances or half priced lessons? Want to help promote the swing scene? Consider volunteering for Swing Asheville! To see what sort of opportunities are available and to sign up, please head over to http://signup.com/go/LMqYCSz
MUSIC
With a wide repertoire ranging from gypsy jazz to early ragtime pop to New Orleans blues, they play gems from every era of early jazz. Featuring Sparrow Pants on vocals and accordion, Keith J. Smith on guitar, and the marvelous Je Widenhouse on cornet, this new band on the block is ready to move your feet.
BLUES
Band finished and you’re not done dancing? You’re in luck… stick around for our blues after party! Continue dancing to DJ’d music until the bar kicks us out. $2 suggested donation for those coming just in time for the blues.
FOOD: Feeling peckish? The bar has a small selection of vegan goodies to help keep your stamina up! Ask a bartender for more details. Buncombe Botanicals and Sowing Ceeds will also be out their with their rotating selection of freshly made, allergy friendly, plant medicine infused goodies including banana based “Nicecream”, baked goods, and savory bites!
CLASSES
7pm: Solo Jazz & Charleston w/ Jean
It’s not as scary as it looks! The Charleston, a dance that came out of the Gullah communities in Charleston, SC and traveled north with the Jenkins Orphanage marching band, is the original American dance that predates lindy hop and other forms of swing. It’s intimidating to a lot of dancers, but don’t worry! This class will be a fun, high-energy way to learn a bunch of solo jazz steps and help build your confidence on the dance floor. We’re going to start at the bottom and work our way up, so you don’t need any Charleston experience, just be willing to play around and have a good time.
“Continuing” classes are for those dancers who have cemented the basics of the dance being featured that specific month. This includes knowing (and being able to execute cleanly and consistently) basic footwork and lead/follow skills for that dance. Some continuing classes may require no advance knowledge of a dance. This will be noted in the the class description.
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8 pm: Beginning 8-Count Lindy Hop w/ Sparrow & Keith
Come find out what this dance is all about! Originating in Harlem in the 1920’s, the Lindy Hop has been bringing joy worldwide ever since. We will start from the top, getting comfortable with the rhythms, steps, and patterns that are the building blocks of this style, practicing first on our own and then with a partner. We will get the basics ingrained, and also learn a fun turn or variation each week to spice it up. No partner necessary, we will rotate partners throughout the class.
“Core” lessons stress the fundamentals of swing dancing for beginning dancers. Lessons rotate monthly to focus on a different kind of swing dance (6 Count Lindy, 8 Count Lindy, Charleston, Balboa, etc.). Because good fundamentals are hard to develop in one month, we recommend repeating Core lessons (on the same topic) to help develop the solid foundation you’ll need in continuing classes. Core lessons are also great for intermediate and advanced dancers who want to “get back to basics” or learn a different dancing role (lead vs. follow).
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GIFT CERTIFICATES
Do you want to buy a gift certificate for our classes as a gift, or to pre-pay for a block of classes for yourself? You can purchase gift certificates at the door at our weekly dance! They are $40 for a block of 4, and a great way to dive into the fun world of dance.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
June 4: Community Jazz Jam
June 11: Gravyhouse Storytellers
June 18: One Leg Up
June 25: TBA
July 2: Community Jazz Jam
July 9: TBA
July 16: The Bacchaneers
https://www.facebook.com/events/1099453650238163/