What: an afternoon of solo jazz classes
When: Saturday May 25th
Where: RVA Swing dance studio, 6114C Lakeside Ave Henrico VA 23228
Instructors: Mattie Kelly
Format: solo movement
Pre-requisites/level: Workshop 1 is open to anyone. Some basic solo jazz experience, while very helpful, is not required. Students taking Workshop 2 must already be familiar with the Shim Sham or have taken Workshop 1.
Pre-requisites/level: Workshop 1 is open to anyone. Some basic solo jazz experience, while very helpful, is not required. Students taking Workshop 2 must already be familiar with the Shim Sham or have taken Workshop 1.
Cost: Sliding Scale of $10 to $40 per person depending on the number classes
Schedule
2pm: doors open for at-door signups
2:30pm: Workshop 1: Learn the Shim Sham
3:45pm: 15 minute break
4pm: Workshop 2: Riffin' on the Shim Sham
5pm: studio closes for dinner break
6:30pm: doors re-open for the dance
7pm: included beginner swing lesson with RVA Swing staff
8pm: Jumpin at the Lakeside social dance (included in your workshop registration)
About the workshops:
About the workshops:
Workshop 1: Learn the Shim Sham
Celebrate Frankie Manning's birthday by learning his signature version of the Shim Sham! In this 75 minute class, you'll learn the entire Shim Sham choreography from beginning to end.
This is an open-level class and no solo jazz experience is needed.
Workshop 2: Riffin' on the Shim Sham
The Shim Sham is a short, simple routine with tons of room to add and change steps to suit your personal style. In this one-hour workshop, Mattie will share their favorite variations on the standard Shim Sham choreo, and help you to explore your own creativity to create your own as well.
This workshop requires familiarity with the basic choreography & structure of the Shim Sham.
About the routine
The Shim Sham is a classic swing-era group line dance that you'll see performed at social dances all over the world! It's tons of fun and a great "entry-level" routine for newer dancers eager to try out some solo dancing. The version we will be learning was developed and taught by legendary original lindy hopper Frankie Manning.
About your instructor:
An educator by profession, Mattie knows that it takes more than technical skill to be an effective teacher. She is adept at meeting people where they are and encouraging growth from any skill level. As a teacher, Mattie is candid, adaptable, and the right amount of goofy.
Outside of the classroom, you can find Mattie solo dancing in most situations-- whether it's improvising on the social floor, practicing drills in the studio, or choreographing and performing with her teammates. If you really want to get her going, ask Mattie about her favorite version of Splanky.
See Mattie doing some improv in the solo jazz finals at Hard Knox 2022:
Register Online:
online registration is now closed
At-door registration will be available for this workshop
Need to sign up at the door? Arrive 10 minutes prior to the start of the workshop
(please note that walk-in registrations are only available for one-day workshops such as this one. Our regular weekly classes require advance pre-paid registration.)
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Registered students:
Once you hit submit, our registration system sends out an almost instant confirmation email with all your information. Didn't receive one? Please check your spam folder first, then contact us at RVAswing@gmail.com. (You will also get a PayPal receipt once your credit card payment is complete, sent from PayPal).
Venmo payments should be sent to @Erica-Vess (3132 if prompted)
