RollUpTheRug.com



Roll Up The Rug Dance Workshops

with Ari & Company


Join us December 4th for a fun 
SUNDAY SALSA  WORKSHOP 
at Ari's home studio
& GROUP OUTING 
to the Triple Door Music-quarium (featuring LIVE Cuban music)

Enjoy a fast moving int/adv-level two-hour salsa workshop & social at Ari's home, that begins with a quick review of the basic steps and styling, then introduces a number of fun, playful combinations that are nigh guaranteed to bring smiles to you and your partner's faces!

Afterwards, we'll all head down to the Triple Door (in Seattle), where we'll have the perfect opportunity to practice our moves to live Cuban music - Fabulous!

 DETAILS

WHEN:  Sunday, Dec 4th, 2016

5:00-7:00pm:  Salsa workshop at Ari's home/studio.  Doors open at 4:45pm. Come early to sign in, stretch, warm up, etc.  Workshop will start promptly as scheduled.  Space is limited, so sign up soon!
7:15-10:00pm:  Group Social & Outing at "The Triple Door Musicquarium" in Seattle, featuring LIVE music with the acclaimed Cuban guitarist Kiki Valera & Trovodoro

WHERE: 

SALSA WORKSHOP:  The workshop will take place at Ari's home-studio in the Eastlake neighborhood near the juncture of I-5 & 520 (Pre-registration on-line is required to attend.  Directions will be sent following registration)

GROUP DANCE & SOCIAL:  "The Triple Door Musicquarium", 216 Union Street, Seattle, WA (Free street parking on Sundays)

COST: (credit card or PayPal online; cash or check at the door only)

  • WORKSHOP & DANCE:  $20
  • STUDENTS (Under age 25): $15  

REGISTRATION & PAYMENT:  

Please go to our REGISTRATION page to pre-register, and to our PAYMENT page to pay using your Credit Card or PayPal.  (You can also pay with cash or check at the door).   

SPACE IS LIMITED, SO SIGN UP SOON!

ABOUT THE BAND:    "Kiki Valera & Trovodoro"
      [From their FB Description]  Enrique "Kiki" Valera is a legendary Cuban guitar player from La Familia Miranda which is one of the most popular bands in all of Cuba!  He is considered as possibly the greatest Cuatro guitar player in Cuba!  Julio Jauregui, from Mexico City is one of the greatest montunero piano players in all of the United States as well.   Rounding out the rhythm section will be Jeff "Bongo" Busch, Tor Dietrichson with the addition of Joshuah de Jesus, from Puerto Rico on vocal and percussion.
   

  Please welcome special guest & director of New York's premier Blues Dance Program

Flouer Evelyn

for a fabulous

Seattle Blues Workshop Weekend!

Sat, Oct 22, 2016

   

CLICK HERE for Details

Upcoming Specialty Workshops:  


Join us for a very special:

Harrison Hot Springs - Dance & Spa Retreat!

Feb 18-20, 2017 is our fabulous "Workshop & Dance" Weekend, at Harrison Hot Springs in B.C..  Not to be missed! 

CLICK HERE for Details


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Join Ari in GLENWOOD SPRINGS,  COLORADO for a full dance & workshop weekend:

Sept 29-Oct 2, 2016

NC2S, Waltz & Blues   "Dance Extravaganza" Weekend 

in Glenwood Springs, CO

CLICK HERE for Details


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Join Ari in EUGENE OREGON for a wonderful dance & workshop weekend:

Nov 11-14, 2016

   "Danceable Feast" 

in Eugene OR

CLICK HERE for Details


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Join Ari in ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO for a wonderful WALTZ dance & workshop weekend:

Nov 25-27, 2016

   "Albuquerque Rolls Up The Rug" Thanksgiving Weekend 

in Albuquerque, NM

CLICK HERE for Details


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Join us for our 2nd Annual:

Mexico Dance Retreat!

APRIL 1-8, 2017

in beautiful Chacala, Mexico

CLICK HERE for Details

  Join us in PORT TOWNSEND on June 23rd, 2016 for two fabulous workshops on:

"Swinging The Blues"

with Ari Levitt 

…this workshop focuses on fun new steps, great combinations, & musicality!


Thursday, June 23rd, 2016: 

·  7:00-8:00pm:  Part I: "Fancy Blues-ing”  fun!

·  8:15-9:15pm: “Part II: "Fun Swing Combo's - the best!

·  9:15-10:00pm:  FREE Guided Practice

WHERE:

Quimper Grange, 1219 Corona St, Port Townsend, WA

COST:     

Pre-Register on line OR just show up at the door!

Suggested Price: $15/class, or $25 for both classes. 

Pay by Credit Card or PayPal online, or by cash or check at the door. 

There will be a Pay-What-You-Can option at the door!

DESCRIPTION:

Learn some great new ways to dance to 'jump blues' & 'swing' with some fancy steps & combinations to launch you into a fabulous summer of dance.  Learn such fun variations as the "Turbine", the "Low-Down", the "Double-Dutch" and other great moves that will add a little spice your your Swing & Blues.  Not to be missed!   

All levels welcome - No partner needed.  

You must take Workshop #1 to participate in Workshop #2

  CLICK HERE to see an example of "Fun Swing Variations" from the Roll Up the Rug Video page 

CLICK HERE to pre-register online (You can also register and pay at the door before class)

Join us April 5th (Tuesday) & April 6th (Wednesday) at China Harbor for two very special 2-Hour Workshops:  

Join us at CHINA HARBOR on

Tuesday, April 5th, 2016  (7-9pm)

for a very special 2-hr workshop & guided practice:

"From The Best of Vienna to the Best of Seattle!"
 
Exploring 'Viennese Waltz', 'Laminu', & More!"

Freshly returned from teaching at "Waltz Week in Vienna", and in response to numerous requests from many of his students eager to learn the actual Viennese Waltz style being done in the great ballrooms of Austria today, in this workshop Ari first breaks down the essential steps, partnering, movement, and musicality elements of the beautifully flowing, rapidly turning Viennese waltz.  He will then show you the secrets to creating the kind of effortless rotation, flow, and floor craft that you'll find on the dance floors of the Hofburg Palace.  Finally, as an added bonus, Ari demonstrates how these kinds of waltz techniques can be applied to other fabulous dances popular in Vienna & around the world today, such as Swing, Foxtrot, & Laminu! 

 Perfect for all "non-novice" dancers (comfort with basic turning waltz steps & partnering concepts recommended). No partner needed. 

Join us in EASTLAKE on

Wednesday, April 6th, 2016  (7-9pm)

for a very special 2-hr workshop & guided practice on:

"The Art of Incorporating

 Blues & Fusion into any 

Partner Dance"

[SOLD OUT]

 Lessons from the Mission Fusion Dance Exchange

Bar none, I have always said that blues is the best way to learn and to deepen your appreciation of partnering & of musicality on the dance floor, and 'fusion' is the natural extension of applying those elements to more modern, lyrical music.  

In the first hour of this fabulous workshop, we'll introduce the concepts of blues & fusion-style connection, solo movement, and energy "fugue-ing" to your dance.  During the second hour, we'll continue to explore how blues & fusion musicality, free-styling, playful improvisation, and flexible connection can be applied to swing, to Latin, to ballroom, or to virtually any other social dance style you know!  This workshop will truly open all new kinds of possibilities for play & partnering on the dance floor!

Ari just taught a similar workshop to rave reviews at the Mission Fusion Extravaganza in San Francisco, and is excited to be able to share these wonderful concepts & techniques with all of our fabulous dancers in Seattle!  

 Perfect for all-levels of dancers.  No previous experience required. No partner needed. 

Wednesday's workshop will be held at a Private Home Studio in the Eastlake Neighborhood of Seattle.  You must PRE-REGISTER in order to get the address

DETAILS

TIME: (Same schedule applies to both the April 5th & April 6th sessions)

  • 6:45pm:  Doors open - come early to register or pay as needed, stretch, warm up, etc
  • 7:00-9:00pm:  Workshop is underway!
  • 9:00-9:45pm:  Post-Workshop Dance & Guided Practica, with Ari

LOCATION:  

  • Tuesday's workshop will be held at China Harbor2040 Westlake Ave N., Seattle, WA.  There is plenty of free parking available.  Doors to the dance hall open at 6:45. Come early to sign in, change shoes, stretch, warm up, etc.  China Harbor has a full bar and dinner menu as well, and we have coupons for a 25% discount on your meal
  • Wednesday's workshop will be held at a Private Home Studio in the Eastlake Neighborhood of Seattle.  You must PRE-REGISTER in order to get the address

COST (per workshop): 

  • PRE-REGISTRATION SPECIAL:  only $20.00 for the first 20 leads & 20 follows who pre-register each night, 
  • REGULAR PRICE, or AT-THE-DOOR:  $25.00  You can pay with a credit card or Paypal online, or with Cash or Check at the door.


TO PRE-REGISTER & PAY:  Click on the "Registration" button in the menu on the top left side of this page to go to the Registration Page.   

Payment can be made from the Payment page using PayPal or a credit card, or paid at the door by cash or check just before the first class. Payment by cash or check will help you to avoid the additional online PayPal surcharge. 

Class size is limited, so register early!  

 CLICK HERE to go to the Registration Page 

JOIN US ON 

Saturday, Nov. 7th (4-5pm) for:

”Bluesing Up Your Swango"

with Ari Levitt & Gwen Spinks

Join Ari & Canadian Tango Instructor extraordinaire, Gwen Spinks, at Dance Underground, for a new workshop with some of Gwen's students:  ”Bluesing Up Your Swango”.  This workshop will focus on the blending of tango, blues, and swing -- how to use the music to fuse the styles and enhance your connection with your partner.  Cost is $15 (Reply to Ari to let him know your coming, just show up at the door!)

WHEN:  Saturday, Nov. 7th (4-5pm)

WHERE:   Dance Underground (340 15th E., Studio B, Seattle)

COST:  $15 (Pay at the Door -- Cash or Check only)

REGISTER:  You can register from our REGISTRATION PAGE, or just show up at the door 10 minutes before class

  Join us in PORT TOWNSEND August 26th, 2015 for two fabulous

“Swing” WORKSHOPS

with Ari Levitt

Wednesday, August 26th, 2015: (all levels, no partner needed)

·  7:00-8:00pm:  “East Coast Swing, #2”  - fun, informative!

·  8:15-9:15pm: Swinging The Blues” - the best!

·  9:15-10:00pm:  FREE Guided Practice

WHERE:

Gardiner Community Center, 980 Old Gardiner Rd, Sequim, WA

COST:     

Pre-Register on line OR just show up at the door!

Suggested Price: $15/class, or $25 for both classes. 

Pay by Credit Card or PayPal online, or by cash or check at the door. 

There will be a Pay-What-You-Can option at the door!

DESCRIPTION:

   1)  7-8pm:  "East Coast Swing #2":

Starting from scratch, we'll quickly review the basics of 6-count East Coast Swing, plus add a little flair with fun syncopations and solo steps.  After that, we'll dive deeper in techniques that will not only help you to develop great connection and natural movement, but have you dancing with confidence and ease after only the first hour.  For those who attended the July swing workshop, this will be all new material, so you should definitely come (and bring your friends!) 

   2)  8:15-9:15pm: "Swinging The Blues" - Mix it Up, Make it New!

In the second hour, learn the art of improvisation and the use of alternate rhythms with this fun East Coast Swing (ECS)-based approach to dance that integrates elements of swing, blues, and foxtrot to create something new and wonderful.  In this workshop you'll not only learn a whole host of fun, original steps and combinations, but also a greater appreciation for those elements of partnering, framework, and connection that make the dance that much sweeter!  Again, for those who attended the July workshop, this will be all new material -- not to be missed!

You must take Workshop #1 to participate in Workshop #2

All welcome - No partner needed.

CLICK HERE to see an example of Swing & Swing-Fusion from the Roll Up the Rug Video page

  Join Us this Summer for Special:

Two-Hour Tune Up's

and "Wine & Cheese" Socials!

*Pre-Registration is Required for directions*

  TOPICS & TIMES

All workshops are 7:15-9:15pm, plus wine, cheese, and guided practice to follow until 10:00.   LOCATION: private studio in Eastlake Area.  Pre-registration is required to get the address.  Class size is limited so register early!  

  • [SOLD OUT] WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19th, 2015: "The Art Of Effortless Dance #4 -- Tension, and the Magic of Partnered Movement" (All levels, no partner needed)  The hallmark of great dancers is that they are aware of and utilize energy, direction, momentum, rotation, and tension in their partnership more than just memorizing footwork or patterns.  Understanding these concepts can be taught at every skill level, and opens up an exciting world of possibility for improvisation and "conversational" movement in your dance.  In this workshop you'll gain a whole new level of appreciation for the art of dancing at the level of a whisper, then learning to power up from there. Here, we'll focus primarily on the use of tension in inviting and/or responding to lead/follow direction. It's the invisible thing you'll never see, but is foundational to your communication on the floor.  Informative, engaging, insightful, fun!.    (All welcome - No partner needed but always encouraged!)


    *No partner needed (though I encourage you to come with someone you like to dance with).  Great for all levels of dancers.  No experience necessary. 

OR... FORM YOUR OWN GROUP:    If there is a special dance topic or a more advanced class you would like Ari to teach, get a small group together and we will schedule a special group private  for you-- Perfect for the Spring or Summer!   Topics might include, WCS, NC2S, balboa, blues, fusion, styling, connection, salsa, rhumba, merengue, cha cha, foxtrot, tango fusion, dips & lunges, musicality, etc (Minimum 6 people required)  LOCATION: private studio in Eastlake Area, or any other venue that can be arranged

 DETAILS

WHEN:  

Doors open at 6:45pm. Come early to sign in, stretch, warm up, etc.  Workshop will start promptly as scheduled

Workshop runs from 7:15-9:15pm

Guided dance practice, Wine & Cheese Social from 9:15-10:00pm  (for workshop participants only)

WHERE: 

Private home-studio in the Eastlake neighborhood near the juncture of I-5 & 520 (Directions will be sent with registration)

COST: (credit card or PayPal online; cash or check at the door only)

  • EACH WORKSHOP:  $20
  • STUDENTS (Under age 25): $15 per workshop 

REGISTRATION & PAYMENT:  

Please go to our REGISTRATION page to pre-register, and to our PAYMENT page to pay using your Credit Card or PayPal.  (You can pay with cash or check only at the door).   Cost is $20 per workshop.

 

Join us

THURSDAY & FRIDAY (August 6 & 7, 2015) for

Two Glorious Summer Days of Dancing

with Ari,  in Ashland, Oregon

 Thursday, August 6, 2015

Two Fabulous Workshops

at the Grove in Ashland



7:00-8:00pm:   “Night Club Two-Step: Fun Flowing Combinations” 

Learn a variety of fun, innovative combinations from Ari's library of unique moves and inventions; beautiful, flowing, and elegant as always. Ari is one of this country's leading innovators and instructors in NC2S and regularly teaches workshops throughout the USA and abroad.
(Level: Non-novice Beg/Int. All welcome - No partner needed)

CLICK HERE to see a clip of Ari dancing NC2S:

8:00-9:00pm “Swinging The Blues” 

In this inventive ECS-based class, we'll start by reviewing some simple blues & swing concepts, then quickly move on to fuse the two together, exploring how we use energy and connection to add fun, new, improvisational steps and stylings to our swing. Perfect for both non-novice beginning or experienced dancers who would like to develop their partnering and connection skills while learning a whole lot more about swinging outside the box, or for anyone who would like to dramatically increase their swing dance repertoire without having to learn a whole lot of new steps. Not to be missed!
(Level: Non-novice Beg/Int. All welcome - No partner needed)

LOCATION:  The Grove Ballroom, at Ashland Parks and Rec:  1195 E Main St, Ashland, OR 97520 (near Mountain)

COST:   $12/class or $20 for both. Students half price. No Pre-Registration:  Just show up at the door! 

CLICK HERE for details about the event
     

 Friday, August 7, 2015

Beginning NC2S & Swing Lesson, & Dance Party

 at the Evergreen Ballroom (Ashland, OR) 

WHEN:

  • 7:30-8:30 Beginning Lesson in East Coast Swing and Night Club Two-Step with Ari.
  • 8:30-10:30 Open Dancing, with a mix of wonderful music for your dancing and listening pleasure, DJ'd by Ari

COST:  $8 with the lesson; $6 after 8:30; $6 for youth.  No Pre-Registration:  Just show up at the door! 

LOCATION:  The Evergreen Ballroom:  6088 Crater Lake Avenue, Central Point, OR 97502
From the Medford North Exit (30), take 62 East past Cost Co. Continue about 1 mile to Vilas Road. Turn Right, then immediately left onto Crater Lake Ave. Go another mile until you reach the Ironwood Business Park. The Ballroom is in the back at 6088 Crater Lake Avenue. More info: 541-826-8000.

"Swing, Sip, & Screen"

A night of dancing, movies, and nosh!

Join us August 15th (6:30pm) at the Stroum JCC on Mercer Island for "Swing, Sip, & Screen" -- An evening of dance, drinks, & desserts, followed by a screening of "Dancing in Jaffa", an amazing documentary about the power of dance to bring peace to the Middle East.  CLICK HERE for details on FB.

------------------------------ DETAILS --------------------------------------

Learn to swing dance before a screening of “Dancing in Jaffa,” an Israeli film about the power of ballroom dance to promote peace. Join us for a full evening of dance, drinks, and dessert before the film, or just catch the film.

Swing class led by Ari Levitt, who has taught and performed nationally and internationally for over 25 years. No partner or prior dance experience needed.

ABOUT THE FILM:
 "DANCING IN JAFFA" (88m | documentary | Arabic and Hebrew w/subtitles)
     How do you get Jewish and Palestinian children to forget their differences for one afternoon? Teach them to dance – or, so believes four-time ballroom dancing world champion Pierre Dulaine, born in Jaffa. Ages 12+

Watch the trailer for "DANCING IN JAFFA":  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEok-5KlAXY

--------------------   WHEN  ------------------

6:30-7:30pm: Swing Dance Lesson (All Welcome, All Levels)

7:30+ pm:  Socializing, Movie, Nosh

--------------------   WHERE  ------------------

Stroum JCC

3801 East Mercer Way, Mercer Island, WA

206 232-7115


------------------  TICKETS -----------------

  •  $15 dance class, drinks, dessert, and film | $10 SJCC members, seniors, students, youth
  • $10 film only | $5 SJCC members, seniors, students, youth

  CLICK HERE to purchase tickets, or go to:

http://sjcc.org/cultural-arts/arts-events/film/swing-sip-and-screen/

 Join us June 27-28th, 2015 as

Hawaii "Rolls Up The Rug"

Join Ari in Hawaii for two fabulous days of dance workshops in Kona & Hilo.  Not to be missed!

------------------

Saturday, June 27, in KONA:  

1:00-3:00pm, WORKSHOP 1:  "Tango'd Up in Blues!"  A great class for learning both tango AND blues, giving you a whole new perspective to both!  

Blues and Argentine Tango share many widely overlapping features and are often seen danced on the floor together in many late night blues parties or social dances.  Each emphasizes and builds upon connection to your partner; Each has a potential for wonderful, playful, sophisticated footwork that can crossover to either dance; Each  utilizes a backdrop of beautifully expressive slow & sultry music as a canvas for the dancers to innovate.  While tango is a more difficult dance to master, blues provides the perfect entry level to learning the foundations of both dances as it is much more relaxed & forgiving to do, and it's much easier to blend with other dances you may already know.  This workshop is perfect for both beginning dancers or for more experienced dancers who want to work on fine-tuning their partnering, connection, and musicality skill, or who would like to try some role-reversal.  (Level: Beg-Adv)  All welcome - No Partner Needed.  
 

3:30-5:30pm, WORKSHOP 2:  "Night Club 2-Step Innovations - Introducing the 'Rolling Turbine' combo"

In this workshop, we'll quickly review the foundations of this beautiful, flowing, & elegant dance style, then move on to explore the "Rolling Turbine" combination from Ari's repertoire of fun, original moves that will make those watching go 'oooh' & 'ahhhh' with admiration.  Perfect for non-novice beg/int level dancers or for more int/adv dancers who want to develop exciting new repertoire.  Ari first is well known as one of the country's leading innovators in NC2S, and actively teaches around the world. CLICK HERE to see an example of Ari's NC2S improv. (Level: Non-Novice Beg/Int.  Comfort with left turning NC2S and basic partnering skill assumed)  All welcome - No partner needed. 

  • LEVEL:  These workshops are geared for non-novice beg/int level dancers (slightly more experienced dancers with some basics under their belt).
  • LOCATION:  The Fitzone Club in Kona, 75-5699 Kopiko St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
  • COST:  $20 each class, $35 for both classes. Cash or check at the door.
  • PRIVATES:  Ari will be available for privates on Saturday in Kona, and Sunday & Monday in Hilo (in all dance styles - swing, blues, connection, tango, fusion, waltz, ballroom, wcs, nc2s, latin, etc)

 

------------------------------


 Sunday, June 28, in HILO:  

Although each 2-hr workshop is a stand-alone, taking the two workshops together will be a phenomenal way to master the concept of applying a single element of dance to various dance styles!  This gives you more chances to practice the moves, and much more comfort with being able to understand and own the element.  In both workshops you will learn some very cool combinations that use reverse rotary spins as their foundation.  Remember, while each class may be taken separately, there is much added benefit to taking them together!

 1:00 - 3:00pm, WORKSHOP I:  "Ari's Fabulous Waltz Creations" -- In this class, after reviewing the essentials of cross-step waltz, we will quickly move on to learn some very beautiful and fluid rotating travel waltz variations such as the "double-dutch" and "tandem-turbine". Both of these combination are fairly easy to learn, very impressive to do, and use a variation of the reverse rotatory spin at their core.   (Level: Non-Novice Beg/Int. Comfort with left or right turning waltz and basic partnering skill assumed) All welcome - No partner needed.

3:15 – 5:15pm, WORKSHOP II: "More Night Club 2-Step Innovations": In this workshop, after a quick review of the NC2S basics, we'll also explore the use of reverse rotary spins in some of Ari's unique combination, such as the "Tokyo Drift", and "Reverse Slingshot". (Level: Non-Novice Beg/Int. Comfort with left turning NC2S and basic partnering skill assumed) All welcome - No partner needed.  Go to www.rolluptherug.com (Video Page) to see an example of Ari's NC2S

  • LEVEL:  These workshops are geared for non-novice beg/int level dancers (slightly more experienced dancers with some basics under their belt).
  • LOCATION:  Elks' Lodge, 150 Kinoole St, Hilo, HI 96720
  • COST:  $20 each class, $35 for both classes. Cash or check at the door.
  • PRIVATES:  Ari will be available for privates on Sunday and Monday (in all dance styles - swing, blues, connection, waltz, ballroom, wcs, nc2s, latin, etc)

 Sunday, Feb 15th, 2015 (4-9PM)

Join us at the Seattle Swing Club for

TWO FABULOUS PRE-DANCE  WORKSHOPS

with Ari Levitt

 WHEN:  Sunday, Feb 15th, 2015:  Two Fabulous Workshops & Dance to Follow

  • 4-5pm:  "Innovations in NC2S-Blues Blending"
  • 5-6pm:  "Using Blues Techniques to Create Playful, Conversational Improvisations in WCS"
  • 6-9pm:  WCS dance with DJ Chris Jones

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:  This promises to be a fun afternoon of exploring new frontiers in your dance, starting with an insightful workshop on how to "bluesify" your NC2S, then learning how to use similar techniques to open your WCS up to a world of play and improvisation: 

1)  Intro to "NC2S-Blues Blending":  Blues, as a dance form, celebrates the idea of both breaking rhythms, and of leading or following movements more through energy changes than through footwork.  In this fun, unique class, you'll not only learn to apply these concepts to build new NC2S patterns, but you'll also learn to play well outside the box by riffing on rhythms and musicality.  Fun! Fun! Fun!  (All Levels, No partner needed)

2)  "Using Blues Techniques to Create Playful, Conversational Improvisations in WCS":  In this fun, games-based class, you will not only learn some amazing techniques for creating playful conversations in your dance, you'll open yourself up to a whole new way of appreciating how to be improvisational and musical in your partnering!  Not to be missed :)   (All Levels, No partner needed)

WHERE:   Alki Masonic Lodge, 4736 40th Ave SW, Seattle, WA

COST: 

Seattle Swing Dance Club Members, $12/class or $19 for both;  Non-members $18/class or $25 for both. Free entry to the dance with paid admission to any of the workshops.  Dance only, $7 (members) / $11 (non-members)

REGISTRATION:  Go to www.seattlewcswing.org for more information

Join us Wed, Feb 4th for a Special One-Pop Workshop: 

Wednesday, Feb 4th, 2015  (7-9 pm)

Fun with “Fox-Waltz!”
 
A hybrid of two dances that you already know and love!"

This is the perfect class to learn how to blend moves from foxtrot into waltz, and vice versa.  PLUS learn about the kind of music that best lends itself to dancing to the Fox-Waltz pulse. 

 Perfect all non-novice dancers (Comfort with basic Waltz and/or Foxtrot steps recommended). No partner needed.

LOCATION:  

  • The workshop will be held at China Harbor2040 Westlake Ave N., Seattle, WA.  There is plenty of free parking available.  Doors to the dance hall open at 6:45. Come early to sign in, change shoes, stretch, warm up, etc.  China Harbor has a full bar and dinner menu as well. 

COST: 

  • Workshop = $20 (pay with CC or Paypal online, or with Cash or Check at the door)
  • STUDENTS (under age 25):  $15


TO REGISTER & PAY:  Click on the "Registration" button in the menu on the top left side of this page to go to the Registration Page.   

Payment can be made from the Payment page using PayPal or a credit card, or paid at the door by cash or check just before the first class. Payment by cash or check will help you to avoid the additional online PayPal surcharge. 

Class size is limited, so register early!  

 CLICK HERE to go to the Registration Page 

  Join us in PORT TOWNSEND Oct 30th, 2014 a fabulous

"HALLOWEEN DANCE" &  WORKSHOP

with Ari Levitt (Seattle’s Best!)

 

Thursday, Oct 30, 2014: (all levels, no partner needed)

·  7:00-8:00pm:  “Transforming Your Dance”  - learn the art of dancing through energy, that will immediately transform your WCS, swing, blues, and other dances into playful connected conversations!  An AMAZING pre-Halloween dance lesson to literally let the spirits move you!

·  8:00-10:00pm: “Halloween Dance Party!” - Enjoy a wonderful mix of music for your dancing and listening pleasure.  Feel free to bring finger foods to share (fingers optional).  DRESS THEME:  "Come as you aren't!"

·  10:00-close:  "Late Night Blues & Fusion"

WHERE:

Quimper Grange, 1219 Corona St, Port Townsend, WA

COST:     

 $15 for lesson AND dance; $10 for lesson only OR dance only. 

Pay by cash or check at the door. 

There will be a Pay-What-You-Can option at the door!

 

Join Us in PORTLAND & HOOD RIVER:

August 18, 19, 20

Three days of Summer Workshops with Ari

*Pre-Registration is NOT Required - JUST SHOW UP!*

 MONDAY, Aug 18th, 2014

PORTLAND, Oregon

 
Workshop A:   7:00 – 8:00 pm
NC2S Innovations - The "Shadow Tuck & Turn" Combo" (Non-novice beginner/int level):   
The "Shadow Tuck & Turn" is a wonderful, new, beautifully flowing combination that combines elements of waltz and swing into your NC2S! It's nigh guaranteed to rock your socks off!  (Comfort with basic NC2S Left Turns & Peek-A-Boo's recommended)
 
Workshop B:  Monday Aug 18th, 8:15 – 9:15 pm
"Swinging the Blues"
(non-novice, Int. level)
:  Learn the art of improvisation and the use of alternate 6 & 8 count rhythms in swing with this fun East Coast Swing base approach to dance that addresses the use of tight partnering, framework, lead/follow connection, and energy to break in and out of 6-count rhythms. Amazingly simple to do, yet so much fun! Perfect for both beginning or experienced dancers who want to learn a whole lot more about swinging outside the box and into the blues!   Ari is one of the county's leading innovators in this style

           Note: Ari is encouraging dancers to take both workshops in each day since he will be building one on the other.

Location:  Laurelhurst Club, 3721 SE Ankeny St., Portland
Pricing:  $15 per workshop, or $25 for both (cash or check at the door)

If you have questions, please email Colleen at: Colleen_Suzanne@yahoo.com

We look forward to a GREAT workshop, with YOU!

TUESDAY Aug 19th, 2014

HOOD RIVER, Oregon

5:00 – 6:00 pm:  "Swinging the Blues" Workshop with Ari:
6:00 – 10:00 pm:  Dance to the music of "Fiddlegrass Blues"
 
   All ages, family-friendly, no partner needed, no experience required.  After the lesson, enjoy live dance music with unmatched acoustics, while feasting on artisan wood-fire pizza and s'mores, all paired with delicious Gorge wines made in-house!  
 
Location:  Springhouse Cellars Winery, 13 Railroad St., Hood River, OR
Pricing:  $5 for the workshop (cash or check at the door).  The dance afterwards if FREE!
 

WEDNESDAY Aug 20th, 2014

White Salmon, WA

7:30 – 8:30 pm:  "Blues-Latin Fusion Fun!" workshop with Ari:
8:30 – 11:00 pm:  Social Dance for ALL
 
   Learn some fun, basic latin salsa combinations, and then learn how to incorporate those movements into some more contemporary latin-blues music (and vice-versa!)
All ages, family-friendly, no partner needed, no experience required.  
 
Location:  White Salmon Grange,
Pricing:  $5 for the workshop & dance
 

 Join Us this Summer for Special:

Two-Hour Tune Up's

and "Wine & Cheese" Socials!

*Pre-Registration is Required for directions*

  TOPICS & TIMES

All workshops are 7:15-9:15pm, plus wine, cheese, and guided practice to follow until 10:00.   LOCATION: private studio in Eastlake Area.  Pre-registration is required to get the address.  Class size is limited so register early!  

  • [SOLD OUT!] Tuesday, JULY 1st, 2014: "Advanced Concepts in Partnering & Connection for ALL dancers!" (All levels, no partner needed)  The hallmark of advanced dancers is that they are aware of and utilize energy, direction, momentum, rotation, and tension in their partnership more than just memorizing footwork or patterns.  Understanding these concepts can be taught at every skill level, and opens up an exciting world of possibility for improvisation and "conversational" movement in your dance.  In this workshop you'll gain a whole new level of appreciation for the art of dancing at the level of a whisper, then learning to power up from there. Here, we'll focus primarily on compression, extension, swiveling, and creating rotational movement. Informative, engaging, insightful, fun!.    (All welcome - No partner needed but always encouraged!)

 

  • [SOLD OUT!] Tuesday, JULY 8th, 2014: "The Art of 4-Dimensional Connection"  (All levels, no partner needed)  Take your dancing to the next level with the 4-D experience: "See it, Hear it, Feel it, Express it". Another in our series of "advanced partnering and connection concepts for all skill levels", in this class we'll play with:  1) How to use tension to communicate your intention to your partner, and 2) How to add individual expression and musicality to your partnering.

'Expressions' are elements that you can either do independently from your partner or together (if you know how to lead it!). 'Musicality' is awareness of how your movements & energy reflect the energy, rhythm, and arc of the music you're listening to. The secret is in learning how to garnish your dance with this kind of pizazz, but not take anything away from your partnership. This class takes you to that next level.      (All levels welcome - No partner needed)

 

  • [SOLD OUT!] Wednesday, JULY 30th, 2014: "Lifts, Dips, Drops & Liabilities -- the art of lifts without lifting, and dips without dropping"  (All levels, no partner needed)  All too often we have seen dancers injured on the floor by throwing themselves or their partners into inappropriate dips or drops. In fact, my partner and I were both recently injured this way, which is what inspired this class. While it's true that in this workshop you will learn a number of simple ways to add elegance and garnish to your dancing with lovely and socially appropriate dips, elevations, flourishes, and balance steps, the focus will really be on how to safely execute and transition into these kinds moves while best protecting yourself and your partner..
No partner needed (though I encourage you to come with someone you like to dance with).  Great for all levels of dancers.  No experience necessary. 
 **PLEASE NOTE:  No one will be lifted off the ground or dropped to the ground in this workshop!
  • [SOLD OUT!] Wednesday, Aug 13th, 2014: "Musicality in Motion"  (All levels, no partner needed)  Whether you like to dance solo or with a partner, learning how to apply musicality to your steps is the best way to add your own unique flavor to the movement and to spice up your dance.  Musicality is awareness of how your movements & energy reflect the energy, rhythm, and arc of the music you're listening to. In couples dancing, musicality allows you to syncopate and style on your own while remaining connected to your partner. The secret in doing this well is in learning how to garnish your dance with your own expression & pizazz, but not take anything away from your partnership. This class takes you to that next level.

 

OR... FORM YOUR OWN GROUP:    If there is a special dance topic or a more advanced class you would like Ari to teach, get a small group together and we will schedule a special group private  for you-- Perfect for the Spring or Summer!   Topics might include, WCS, NC2S, balboa, blues, fusion, styling, connection, salsa, rhumba, merengue, cha cha, foxtrot, tango fusion, dips & lunges, musicality, etc (Minimum 6 people required)  LOCATION: private studio in Eastlake Area, or any other venue that can be arranged

 DETAILS

WHEN:  

Doors open at 6:45pm. Come early to sign in, stretch, warm up, etc.  Workshop will start promptly as scheduled

Workshop runs from 7:15-9:15pm

Guided dance practice, Wine & Cheese Social from 9:15-10:00pm  (for workshop participants only)

WHERE: 

Private home-studio in the Eastlake neighborhood near the juncture of I-5 & 520 (Directions will be sent with registration)

COST: (credit card or PayPal online; cash or check at the door only)

  • EACH WORKSHOP:  $20
  • STUDENTS (Under age 25): $15 per workshop 

REGISTRATION & PAYMENT:  

Please go to our REGISTRATION page to pre-register, and to our PAYMENT page to pay using your Credit Card or PayPal.  (You can pay with cash or check only at the door).   Cost is $20 per workshop.

 

Join us at Washington Hall for

Four Fabulous Saturday Workshops

with Ari, Jodi, & Friends

(Your last chance to learn some great dance moves before Ari & Jodi head out this Winter to teach in Europe!)

 TOPICS

Saturday, Feb 1st, 2014 (12-4pm):

   1)  "Fox Out Of The Box" -- Pick up some fun, innovative Foxtrot combinations from Ari's collection of fusion dance tricks, including hidden hand changes, and rhythm breaks
   2)  Favorite "Traveling & Raveling" Night Club 2-Step Combo's -- More unique combinations from Ari's repertoire of fabulous moves that move, wrap, and unwind in clever ways....

 

Saturday, Feb 8th, 2014 (10am-2pm):

   1)  "Romantic Cross-Step Waltz Innovations" -- Pick up some of the inventive waltz patterns that Ari & Jodi created and taught together at Stanford (and which they will be bringing to Europe for "Waltz Week" next week!)
   2)  Fabulous "Sliding & Gliding" Night Club 2-Step Combo's --  Learn some silky smooth moves that will slide & glide you across any dance floor!  Ari & Jodi are masters of this dance!

 

 DETAILS

WHEN:  

     Saturday, Feb 1st:  (Ari & Partner)

  • 12:00pm:  Doors open, register, sign in, warm up. 
  • 12:15-1:50pm"Fox Out Of The Box"
  • 2:00-3:45pm"Fun Traveling & Raveling NC2S Combos"

     Saturday, Feb 8th:  (Ari & Jodi)

  • 10:00am:  Doors open, register, sign in, warm up. 
  • 10:15-11:50pm:  "Romantic X-Step Waltz Innovations"
  • 12:00-1:45pm:  "Fabulous Sliding & Gliding NC2S"

WHERE: 

Washington Hall (Upstairs Ballroom), 153 14th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122  (Free parking lot adjoins the building on the north side)

CLASS LEVEL: 

All class will be geared toward "non-novice" dancers (ie, you should be familiar with beginning level Foxtrot, NC2S, and Cross-Step Waltz)

ON-LINE COST: (credit card or PayPal online; Price is $5.00 more by cash or check at the door only)

  • ONE WORKSHOP:  $25 ($5 savings)
  • BOTH WORKSHOPS on ONE SATURDAY:  $45  ($10 savings)    
  • BOTH SATURDAYS (All 4 Workshops):  $80  ($25 savings)   
  • STUDENTS (Under age 25): $20 per workshop, $30 for one Saturday (2 workshops): $50 for both Saturdays (all 4 workshops); pay at the door

REGISTRATION & PAYMENT:  

Please go to our REGISTRATION page to pre-register, and to our PAYMENT page to pay using your Credit Card or PayPal.  (You can pay with cash or check only at the door).   Cost is $20 per workshop.


 

 

 

 

Here's an example of Ari & Jodi dancing NC2S 

 CLICK HERE for more information about Private Lessons

Workshops Beyond Seattle

with Ari & Company

Ari has been invited to do workshops in a number of other US cities over the course of the year. (Click Here to see a list of those locations).  If you're in town, please feel free to join him on the road!  Likewise, if you know anyone from those respective cities who might be interested in attending, please let them know! 



 

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CLICK HERE for more information about our Tuesday and Wednesday class series at China Harbor!