Pre-dance musicality classes
Revised schedule:
- Musicality class, 7 to 8 pm. $20 (includes admission to dance)
- Dance, 8 to 10 pm. $10
Musicality. Dancing inside the music is indescribably sweet. My partner and I mutually surrender to the song, the melody in particular, and allow it move us. We let the song dance us.
- This is an ongoing drop-in class series for experienced dancers. Each class is complete in itself; you do not need to have gone to the class before.
- Each week we will explore dancing musically to two contrasting songs, e.g. a waltz and a blues tune. New songs every week. I'll choose familiar songs, Waltz etcetera favorites. Our starting point will be to find a relatively slow pace within the music and then walk with our partners to the music, all slows. Then build on that by doing what the melody says.
- In learning to dance more musically we won't rely on set moves or basics. We won't be doing "a dance," e.g. foxtrot, waltz, nightclub etcetera. Instead, we'll work to create a dance for this song in particular using the core elements of partner dancing: the embrace, slows, quicks, rebounds, direction changes, pivots, pauses. Lots of pauses.
- In this class we dance in close embrace. Dancing musically is an intimately shared work of art. It takes a lot of detailed, subtle lead-follow exchange. I need to be able to feel my partner breathe. Dancing in close embrace is actually more sanitary than dancing face to face, breathing on each other or worse yet chatting while you dance.
- We will all dance both roles with each partner, switching frequently. A better grasp of the other part is a key element in musicality. Leads get to learn to listen for and respond generously to their partners' musical contributions. Follows get to learn how and when to speak up in a way that's less likely to trigger testosterone toxicity. Musical dancers are all follows, following the music with their partner.
Ongoing details:
- Covid: Please bring proof of vaccination/boosters the first time you come to Waltz etcetera. If you or someone you live with is at high risk, consider wearing an approved mask while dancing. If you have Covid, flu, or cold symptoms, please stay home and get healthy before you come out dancing.
- Where? The Sunset Hill Community Club, 3003 NW 66th St, Seattle, WA 98117, is a bright, spacious, well ventilated dance hall with a lovely wood floor. Please bring soft-soled dance shoes that don't leave marks on the floor. If it's wet outside, please change your shoes near the entrance before walking on the dance floor. Water and other beverages in containers that won't spill if accidentally knocked over, please.
- Parking. Sunset Hill is a quiet residential neighborhood. There's free street parking all around. Please park courteously, not too close to anyone's driveway.
A weekly dance since the beginning of 1999, Waltz etcetera is a beloved Seattle tradition. It's a welcoming, noncompetitive mixed social partner dance. The music is mostly waltz and blues, spiced with a little swing, nightclub, Latin and tango. Dress is casual. Come with or without a partner.