Saturday will feature an introduction to Jukin’ blues dancing and Sunday will focus on Funk blues (see detailed class descriptions below). 

Jukin’ blues refers to the kind of dancing that people danced in the “Juke Joints” (think small, packed bars). This style has a more “get down” (low to the ground) posture and emphasis on the hips - with movements you can do in small spaces.

Funk blues is a jukin’ dance style rooted in blues dancing but influenced by the upbeat, rhythmic, and syncopated elements of funk music. It combines the grounded, soulful movements of traditional blues dancing with playful, dynamic accents and sharper body isolations that reflect the funk groove.

During this weekend, there are no roles, everyone dances with everyone. We’ll dance both solo and partnered. The jukin’ styles of dancing that we’ll explore during this weekend are mostly danced in open or closed position (no or little close embrace).

Registration is flexible: You can sign up for one class, morning classes both days (open level), afternoon classes both days (some blues experience needed, see below), one day of classes (Saturday or Sunday), or for the full workshop programme. Evening parties are included in all workshop passes.

Saturday class 1 [11:00-13:30]: Jukin’: Layers. Jamming. Call and response. 

This class is an open-level class so anyone can join.

In music, a riff is a short, repeated phrase or pattern. In blues and jazz, riffing isn't just about repetition—it’s about improvisation, call and response, and layered movement. In this class, we'll explore how to riff with each other—playing off our partner’s movement, building connection, and finding inspiration in the dance. We’ll dive into different ways of connecting, from solo movement to partnered dancing, and eventually, maybe even jamming together as a group. By the end of this class, you'll have a deeper understanding of Jukin’ and how to bring its raw, playful, and musical qualities to your dance.

Saturday class 2 [15:00-17:30]: Building on Jukin’ blues: idiom, Playful, and Party 

This class is open to people who participated in the Saturday class 1, or who has equivalent experience in Jukin’ blues from elsewhere.

In this class, we’ll refine our Chicago Triple, focusing on musicality, variations, and improvisation to make it more expressive and dynamic. Building on what we explored in the previous class, we’ll also experiment with the mix of idiom dance and freestyle, turning it into a party dance—riffing with each other, layering movement, and bringing out the social, interactive energy that makes blues dancing so alive. By the end, you’ll have more tools to make Chicago Triple your own and bring it to the dance floor with confidence and creativity.

Sunday Class 1 [10:30-13:00]: Funk blues 1: Groove, Play, and Get funky!

This class is an open-level class so anyone can join.

In this class, we’ll explore how to bring more funk into our blues dancing, with a special focus on Four Corners and other moves that add depth, musicality, and texture to your dance. We’ll play with timing, variations, and ways to connect with the music and our partner, keeping everything funky, fun, and full of energy.

Sunday Class 2 [14:30-17:00]: Funk blues 2: Funky Butt! 

This class is open to people who participated in the Sunday class 1, or who has equivalent experience in Jukin’ blues from elsewhere.

Funk Blues isn’t just about footwork—it’s about letting the whole body groove, and that includes the hips! Funky Butt is all about getting down, finding rhythm in your hips and pelvis, and using grounded movement to create a funky, dynamic dance. In this class, we’ll explore how to engage the hips with rhythm, weight shifts, and isolations, making your movement more expressive and connected to the music and partners. We’ll also work on ways to incorporate Funky Butt into partnered and solo dancing—playing with levels, energy, and musicality to keep it fun, loose, and full of personality.

Evening programme: There will be evening social blues dances on both Friday and Saturday evening. Practise what you have learned in class, or just let the good times roll! Evening parties are included in the workshop price for people taking classes.