Blues Events and Updates!

[Loraine Hoane]

Hey dancers!

As many of y’all know, the Blues Association of Austin (BAA) and the Austin Blues Community (ABC) recently came together to discuss the future of the blues scene in our lovely city.  While several big changes (improvements, we hope!) may lie ahead of us, there will always be exciting events happening for dancers in and around Austin!

Regular dances:

KickButt Blues: Join us every Friday for Austin’s signature blues dance held at KickButt Coffee on Airport.  Entrance is $5 and includes a fundamentals class held at 8:30pm, as well as the regular dance that runs from 9pm-1am.  The next will be this week on the 28^th of September.  For more information, visit: http://www.kickbuttblues.com/

 

Blues Sideroom at the Fed: On the first Thursday of every month the Austin Swing Syndicate holds a blues sideroom at the Texas Federation of Women’s Clubs on 24^th and San Gabriel in West Campus.  A beginner class is held from 8:30 until 9:30pm, and the dance goes from 9:30 until 11:30 ($5 for non-Syndicate members, $3 for members).  The next sideroom will be on October 4^th.

Workshops and Weekends!

Fall for Blues: This weekend, the 28^th-30^th, Austin’s own Campbell Miller and out-of-town dancing all-star Andrew Smith will be running a blues workshop designed to both introduce new vocabulary and perfect technique through a variety of different classes.  To sign up follow this link: http://www.austinsocialdance.com/fall_for_blues.html

Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/346619518749824/

In addition to this, there will be a dance Saturday night featuring three incredible DJs for both workshop participants and those unable to attend the afternoon classes. https://www.facebook.com/events/475447829161521/

Also, on Friday (the 28^th), there will be discussion and dinner held to strengthen the community and allow our scene to take advantage the wealth of knowledge possessed by our out-of-town guest-instructor, Andrew Smith.  https://www.facebook.com/events/422117577823812/

Gypsy House Party: Craving a mixture of lindy, blues, and soul, but don’t know where to get it?  Never fear, Austin dancers, GHP is just around the corner!  Held at Sons of Hermann Hall in Houston, TX from the 19^th-21^st of October, GHP is sure to be a weekend full of dancing, costumes, and sheer excellence. http://www.gypsyhouseparty.com/

Feelin’ the Blues: Need more Houston blues?  Campbell Miller and Philippe Wilson of Austin fame will be teaching two days worth of workshops, as well as holding a Saturday night dance with a live band at the Continental Club the weekend of November 3^rd-4^th.  Click here for more information: http://www.austinsocialdance.com/feelin_the_blues.html

Austin Lindy Exchange: ALX is back with three nights of dance, excursions around town, and the famous Lindy in the Park.  Not up for hours of lindy?  Never fear, there will be a blues side room every night for those who prefer slower tunes and a more laid-back atmosphere.  Held November 16^th-18^th, click here to register: http://www.austinlindyexchange.org/home/

 

Community Information:

In addition to all these amazing events, the BAA has a shiny new board, ready to plan, organize, and get things done!:

President: Philippe Wilson

Vice President: Nick DeWitt

Treasurer: Susan Shelton

Secretary: Sarah Elias

At-Large: Adam Hughes

Even though all the board positions have all been filled, the community wants needs your opinions and input!  The next integrated BAA/ABC meeting will be held on the 28^th of October from 3-5pm at The Gallery and will focus on the new direction that the BAA is taking, the possibility of switching Friday night venues, and the planning of next year’s Austin Blues Party! 

For more information, email Loraine at lorain...@gmail.com, join the BAA group, and like the ABC page on Facebook!  And, if you’re not on the KickButt Blues Google Groups page, go ahead and add yourself to stay up to date on the latest bluesy happenings in Austin!

BAA group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/27210571912/

ABC page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Austin-Blues-Community/170731033001489

KBB Google Group: https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups#!forum/kickbuttblues