Mission
Back Alley Blues is a weekly
Thursday night blues venue dedicated to the exploration and
study of blues dance.
Like a social dance, most will show up and find people to
dance with once they get there. A DJ will keep the music
interesting and establish a good flow throughout the night.
Where Back Alley Blues differs from other venues is its
emphasis on the study of dance in a setting where the
dancers themselves are in charge. Dancers have the capacity
to learn very quickly when given an opportunity to
experiment with new ideas, fine tune developing skills, and
communicate verbally with others about practice goals and
dance concepts. At a traditional venue, where the focus is
bent more towards the simple pursuit of dancing in the
moment, the more verbal aspects of practicing are often at
odds with the feel of venue. This is where Back Alley Blues
fits in. By dedicating the venue
toward exploration and study of blues dance, Back Alley
Blues provides a safe haven for dancers to communicate
freely about their own dance aspirations.
Features
- Hard wood dance floor with
mirrors on one side
- A video camera available
for dancers to use
- Back room lounge
with a laptop to connect the camera
- A moderator will be on duty
to facilitate the flow of ideas throughout the room
In the spirit of making it easy to
practice dance, Back Alley Blues offers a few unique
features. First is the availability of a video camera and a computer
in the lounge, allowing dancers to video tape themselves
and study their dancing to see what they look like to an
outside observer. The second is the presence of a moderator.
The moderator’s role is to help dancers
establish practice goals and stay engaged. Moderators will
have teaching experience, so dancers may ask moderators for
dance feedback or consult the moderator for ideas on what to
do. Dancers are in charge of
their own night, using the moderator as resource to get the
most out of their experience.
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