Shag & Blues Lab

Blues

Blues is an expressive African American dance deeply rooted in the history and music of the blues. It emerged in Black communities in the United States in the early 20th century and is characterized by grounded movement, rhythmic nuance, and a strong connection to the music.

Solo – Open Level

In this Solo Blues class, you'll explore your own body, groove, and personal interpretation of the music. We'll work with essential Blues concepts such as pulse, lag, body isolations, and playful musicality.

Whether you have previous dance experience or are completely new to Blues, this class invites you to discover your own style, deepen your movement quality, and express yourself freely through the music. Together, we'll create a welcoming space where creativity and joy are at the heart of the dance.

Partner – Open Level

In this Partner Blues class, you'll learn how to lead or follow through a clear, respectful connection, improvise together, and interpret the music as a team. We'll focus on posture, frame, shared movement, and classic Blues partner vocabulary.

This class is perfect for anyone who wants to develop their partner dancing—whether you're already dancing Blues or coming from another swing dance. We emphasize comfort, communication, and the joy of dancing together.

Collegiate Shag

Partner – Intermediate

Collegiate Shag is a lively, high-energy swing dance of African American origin that developed during the 1920s and 1930s. It is typically danced to faster tempos. The term "shag" was once a slang word for dancing, and as the name suggests, Collegiate Shag became especially popular among college students.

This class is designed for dancers who are confident with the basics and ready to take their Shag to the next level. Together we'll sweat, laugh, and unleash plenty of Shag energy.

Registration & Pricing

Registration is available for individuals only (1 person = 1 registration). We aim for a balanced ratio of leads and follows throughout the workshop. Therefore, registrations are limited by role (Lead, Follow, and Switch). Once a role reaches capacity, registration for that role will close.

Please bring clean indoor shoes with light-colored soles or socks for dancing. As Collegiate Shag can be quite fast-paced and physically demanding, we also recommend bringing a change of clothes, a towel, and plenty of water.