OlySwing Jam is Scheduled for Saturday March 27th. This is Olympia’s Biggest Swing event of the year. This year we are proud to announce that All the proceeds from this event will go to help pay the taxes on the beautiful ballroom we are so lucky to dance in every week.
Each year OlySwing Jam invites guest instructors to teach workshops durring the day and celebrates with fabulous dance in the evening. This years guest instructors are Brenda Russell and Jonathan Janis. They will be teaching 3 workshops in Lindy Hop, Charleston, and Blues starting at noon on Saturday March 27th. The workshops will be $12 each or $30 for all 3 workshops if you register and Pay by March 19th. After that date workshops are $15 each or $40 for all 3 workshops. We are so excited to have Brenda and Jonathan with us this year, please check out the workshop descriptions and schedule below.
11:30am – Registration and Warm Up. We will play some music so you can get your body moving.
12pm (noon) - Blues Essentials - In the words of the late KoKo Talor, this workshop will “get down to the real Nitty Gritty” of Blues Dancing. The focus will be on movement, partner connection and finally moving with a partner to create that monolithic illusion of 2 people becoming one. This is an excellent class for all levels.
1:15pm - Connecting the Dots – This is your Lindy Hop and Charleston overhaul. It’s all about technique and transitions and how these 2 dances flow together so seamlessly
2:30 - Lindy Hop Charleston Combos - Basically, this is a fun moves class using all the new technique you have just picked up in the previous workshops. Good Stuff!!
The evening dance will begin at 7:30 with a beginning swing dance lesson. From 8-11pm the amazing Jessica Blinn Combo will play. Admission will be $10 or $8 for those registered for the workshops. No Parnter needed. All ages welcome. Pleanty of tickets available at the door.
On line registration is closed but you can register at the door starting at 11:30am at The Olympia Eagles Ballroom.
We Brenda’s Bio - Brenda is fulfilling her childhood dream as a professional dancer and instructor. Brenda’s early dance training included about 30 dance styles. She has put the majority of her focus over the past many years into the Lindy Hop, Balboa, Blues, West Coast Swing, and Salsa communities. She believes we are all born with dance in our bodies, and that each of us can use this activity as a means for personal expression, connecting with others, and exercise. Brenda loves the image of being able to dance anytime, anywhere, to any music, alone, or with anyone. She spends her time living this dream for herself while assisting her students in accomplishing their personal dance goals.
Jonathan began training seriously with Brenda Russell in 2007, and additionally with Barry Douglas in 2009. His goal is to continue his own exploration of dance, and share his knowledge of jazz-based dancing as a top-notch instructor. He continues to train with coaches Barry and Brenda to accomplish mastery over the base movements of jazz dance.
Jonathan’s dance experience includes Argentine Tango, Blues, Lindy Hop, Balboa, and Charleston