Zouk Foundations & Variations (Level 1.5): 8-Week Series

REFINE YOUR BRAZILIAN ZOUK FUNDAMENTALS AND EXPLORE NEW POSSIBILITIES! As with everything in life, confidence and fluidity comes with practice. In this series with Ghee Prada and Julissa we will review important technique for the Brazilian Zouk fundamentals we’ve learned in our first learning of this dance, explore different ways to use them and transition between them, and practice with the assistance of the instructors. The classes will include review and study of transitions, and some new patterns, and assisted practice to make sure we are comfortable and safe with the moves and technique. Tuesdays at DanceSport Dupont [hidden] seriesJanuary 15 - March 5 Each week we will review one or two fundamentals, learn one or two new techniques or patterns and work on some of the possible transitions between them. Topics will include connection, viradinha, lateral, turns, and body movement. Afterwards we will practice these movements and transitions with various songs, so we can get used to executing the moves and transitions to different types and speeds of music. These classes will improve fluidity and confidence in executing and transitioning between the fundamentals of Brazilian zouk and enable better exploration of the music, space and connection. The class will be small to allow for personal attention. Before each class there will be a practice session (8-9pm) so you can come early and practice what you've learned so far. Enrollment: $144 for the 8-week series No drop-ins - you must sign up for the full 8-week series No partner required When purchasing your ticket we ask you to decide if you'd like to lead or follow in the classes so we can keep the lead/follow ratio fairly even Pre-requisite: this class is aimed at students who have learned Brazilian zouk fundamentals. Students should have completed our Brazilian Zouk Fundamentals series, at least one cycle of Level 1 Monday classes, or something comparable. If you're not sure if this series is right for you, ask one of our instructors. Location: DanceSport DuPont Circle 2201 P St. NW (GPS 1520 22nd St. NW) The Church of the Pilgrims Fellowship Hall (Entrance from the south side via stairs going down) Washington DC 20037 Between P & Q St's, 2 blocks west of the Q St exit of the Dupont Circle red line Metro. Directions and unlimited adjacent Embassy Row parking info available at: [hidden] Nearby bus lines: G2, D2 & D6, 42, N line to Friendship Hts, S line from Silver Spring & downtown and Dupont Circle Circulator from Georgetown The Instructors: Ghee Prada started dancing in 2004 inspired by the movie "Shall We Dance?". He began to dive deep into dance in 2006 as a work-study trainee of the Jaime Arôxa Dance School in Rio de Janeiro. Jaime Arôxa, one of the creators of Brazilian Zouk, was the head instructor and was a mentor for the most accomplished dancers in Brazil. During his 6 years as a member of the school's team, he learned all Brazilian partner dances (Forró, Samba de Gafieira, Soltinho, Bolero and Zouk) as well as Argentine Tango. After he left the school, he continued dancing and learning from other remarkable instructors, including Fabiano Vivas, Kelly Reis, Érico Rodrigo, Guilherme Pimentel and many others. Since then he has focused his training and research on taking the best of each of these dances and applying it to the close embrace, with the purpose of conveying a sense of well-being and relaxation to dance partners. In 2016 he attended the first Zouk Retreat in Valencia, led by Xandy Liberato, Brenda Carvalho and Anderson Mendes. After that, his research on partner dancing took a new direction, as he continued working with Brenda and Anderson to seek for the application of the concepts explored at the retreat in different ways by using the references of the other Brazilian partner dances and Argentinian Tango. As a result, the importance of the basic steps and concepts became evident, since it is through them that all dances reach another level. Ghee is looking forward to sharing his technique and training with students here in Washington DC to help them improve their basics, comfort and confidence on the dance floor. District Zouk’s mission is to offer regular opportunities to learn and dance Brazilian zouk, and to nurture and grow the Brazilian zouk community in DC. Ashley Kent and Valentine Luu co-founded District Zouk with Amy Abbott and Bianca Desroches, and they have been teaching weekly Brazilian zouk classes at DanceSport Dupont Circle since June 2014, as well as organizing workshops and other events. District Zouk's classes are technique-focused and accessible both to those new to social dancing, those with a background in other dance styles, and those who have been learning and dancing this dance for awhile. District Zouk received an award at the New York Zouk Festival in October 2017 for their contributions to zouk in North America. More Info below.