How to Dance Blues: Blues Movement Vocabulary with Joe DeMers

Movements covered: Basic Pulse, Fishtails, Side Roll with Stomp, Figure 8's, Hip Roll to Side, Knee Knocks, James Brown, Boogie Forward, Shimmies, Mooche, Low Down, Apple Jacks, Shorty George, Mess Around, Grinds, Camel Walks, and Boogie Drops. More info on Joe DeMers at joeandnelle.com.

Blues is an umbrella term for an improvised family of individual, partnered, and group dance forms done to Blues music and structures. It is based on a series of dance styles created in America between the 1800's and mid 1900's, parallel with blues music. Rooted in African movement, Blues places high value on rhythm and a strong emphasis on solo movement. The dance has experienced a significant evolution within the last 10-15 years.

While there are now a wide range of Blues dances, each with unique dynamics, aesthetics, rhythms, attitudes, and step patterns, they share numerous characteristics that allow individuals to stylistically and creatively express the music. These include: asymmetry in the body; grounded and earth-focused movement; a balanced and flexible posture; dancing behind the beat; pulse; polyrhythms; 'every day' found movement; bent limbs and torso; movement in all parts of the body; call and response; lead and follow; and emotion.

Relative to Lindy Hop, West Coast Swing, and the Ballroom Dances, Blues is a very eclectic term and dance. There is a wide range of music from Eric Clapton to BB King to Norah Jones. Within each genre and style of music there are rhythms and moods that change the blues aesthetic and connection. One song will make you stand straight up and waltz around the room while another will ask you to grind really low with our partners. The constant change and freedom within the music really attracts us to this style of dance. Blues is a feeling that comes from within. It's an expression and release of emotions and personality. When you dance with a partner that can match you, you'll feel like the only dancer in the room... just you, your partner, the music, and the floor.