As an advanced dancer trying a new style of dance, you appreciate the importance of foundation, but beginner classes are often both way too slow and not nearly deep enough. It can also be challenging to figure out which aspects of your existing technique apply in the new style and which are different in the new style. These workshops are designed to address these challenges.

These workshops will provide a deep dive into foundational zouk technique, with an emphasis on safety, consent, and comfort. They won’t be a fast-paced version of a typical beginner zouk class. Instead, the primary focus will be on concepts, such as weight transfers and torsion, while learning a handful of moves along the way. Since zouk draws on lots of other dances, many dancers will find some aspects of the classes to be familiar, while other portions will likely feel new and challenging. You aren’t expected to master all of the new-to-you material in this weekend alone – instead the goal is to give you a sense of the dance, prepare you to be able to do a simple zouk social dance, and to plant seeds that will allow you to get more out of future zouk classes.

Each day will consist of a 3-hour workshop (with a short break or two) followed by a 1-hour practica so you can practice what you’ve learned. Day 1 will be mostly technique and concepts, with only a few moves. Day 2 will be a more even mix of technique and concepts.

Cost for Day 1 ONLY: $20 Early Bird Rate until 1/24 | $25 until 1/31 | $30 until 2/8 | $35 until 2/14 | $40 Day-Of

Cost for BOTH DAYS: $35 Early Bird Rate until 1/24 | $45 until 1/31 | $55 until 2/8 | $65 until 2/14 | $75 Day-Of

REGISTER HERE

If cost would be a barrier to you attending the workshop, please contact Emily Bloomenthal on Facebook or by emailing her first name and last name (no punctuation) at gmail.


What is the legacy of the genre/form/style you are teaching?

Brazilian zouk is a partner dance from Brazil that is routed in lambada and draws on a lot of other styles of dance. It can be done to many types of music and can have very different vibes depending on the music and the dancers, making it enjoyable for dancers from many different backgrounds. For example (all of these examples are improvised, not choreographed):

– Here’s a zouk dance where you can especially see contemporary/contact improv influence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITRCYkFMqfk.

– Here are a couple where you can especially see influence from hip hop and other street dances: s://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yi3SstZA7X8 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HvEoupm8Pk.

– And here’s one where you can especially see tango influence: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1786141618556369.

– Zouk also provides lots of room for playing with musicality, as can be seen in this dance: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1602349843901562.

And role (leader/follower) is not tied to gender, as can be seen here: https://www.facebook.com/100001793085543/videos/341536318841392

If the head movement makes you nervous, don’t worry! Zouk has beautiful basics and is a wonderful dance with or without head movement. Here’s are a couple great zouk dances with no head movement: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CpDa2KbggoR/?igsh=cTJmMDc2MDY3bDJt, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2EO4gagzgM, and https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBPrgmlSWOg/?igsh=eWU3Y3dkYnB2YjZ6. Also, good head movement requires a solid foundation, so we won’t be doing head movement in this introductory class.

What background, training, and or relationship do you have with this style/technique/class subject?

My dance background is very eclectic! I have more than twenty-five years of experience in lots of solo dance styles, including jazz, theater dance, modern, ballet, hip-hop, step, Afro-Cuban, and more. I was an apprentice at Ann Reinking’s Broadway Theatre Project, and I’ve performed with numerous companies including Rainbow Tribe, Tony Williams Ballet, Selmadanse, Pasy Naay Leer Dance Company, Forty Steps Dance, Roots in Revolution, Grupo Ribeiro, and H.T. Chen & Dancers. I also accidentally became a solo artist during the pandemic and performed my piece “Take Five” at Dance for World Community Fest, ArtBeat, Wake Up the Earth Festival, and the Festival of Us, You, We, and Them.

I got more interested in partner dance close to a decade ago. I dance casino (Cuban-style salsa), salsa (mostly on2), and a small amount of other styles including lambada, son, chacha, bachata, west coast swing, and contact improv.

In the past couple of years though, my primary dance focus has been Brazilian zouk and lambada. I’ve trained with many top zouk and lambada instructors, including most notably completing Levels 1-3 (90 hours) of BRIC (Bruno & Raiza Improvement Course), one of the premier Brazilian zouk training programs, and Modules 1-4 (90 hours of in-person training plus online training) of Lambada Mastery with Ariel and Leticia, one of the most well-respected lambada training programs.

I’ve also taught dance in various contexts, including Rueda in the Pahk, MIT Casino Rueda, Visions Vacation Camp for the Blind, and the South Street Youth Center.

Finish this statement: I am passionate about teaching this style because…

…I love Brazilian zouk and am excited to introduce it to new people with the type of class that I wish I had been able to take when I started dancing it.


Contact Information
Contact:
emilybloomenthal@gmail.com or message Emily Bloomenthal on Facebook