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REGISTRATION IS OPEN!!

We're so excited to dance with you! Is now OPEN! Afternoon bird passes are available. Once sold out, the next tier will be open.

January 31 -
February 2, 2024

Join us in Cleveland, OH for the first ever Lake Effect Blues workshop weekend brought to you by the Burning River Blues dance group.

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​Stay up to date with our announcements on our Facebook event page and learn more below!

Meet The Teachers

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Damon & Kelsy Stone

Damon has been dancing his entire life, starting with vernacular Jazz/Blues first taught to him at the tender age of six by his grandmother. After nearly a decade of learning at the heels of his elders, he went on and eventually studied numerous dance forms until coming full circle in 1995 to focus primarily on the history and styles of partner dances as his family danced them with a special focus on the Southern Blues styles from the Mississippi Delta region. He has studied the development of vernacular Jazz/Blues dance across the United States learning from a number of the original dancers. He is largely regarded as one of the foremost authorities on Blues idiom dance and has been interviewed as a dance historian in documentary, radio, and newspaper. Damon has been a featured instructor at camps, festivals, and workshops regionally and internationally.

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Kelsy brings her lifetime of dance training, a passion for vernacular dance, and a sharp eye for technique to the Blues dance world. She has brought her joy and knowledge of Blues idiom dances to some of the most important and high-profile events in the USA and across five continents, including but not limited to: bluesSHOUT!, The Experiment, Muse, Hearken the Blues, and Seoul Blues Dance Festival-serving as faculty, mentor, competition coordinator, and judge.

Kelsy's critical eye and love of deep technique are tempered by her love of "dad jokes," getting lost in the music, and embracing of the ridiculous. She shows her appreciation of African American culture by speaking of the history of Blues idiom dance and taking her craft seriously, but never herself. She believes every mistake is an opportunity to learn, every class an opportunity to challenge, and every dance an opportunity to pay respect to those who came before.

Musician Info Coming Soon

We'll have more info on the musicians to come! Until then, please see the schedule of the weekend below.

The Schedule

This year our focus is on the "idiom" dances of Blues. Throughout the weekend each of our rooms will be dedicated to exploring either the Fundamentals or taking a Deep Dive into blues music, dancing, history and culture.​ One instructional teacher pair will be dedicated to a track for the day and will switch to the other track the next day.

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Fundamentals

For both the beginner as well as anyone who wants to brush up on their fundamentals in the idioms. Be on the lookout for class descriptions to choose your own adventure of what you'd like to attend from hour to hour!

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Deep Dive

These classes will be going deeper into nuance and concepts of each of the idiom styles, geared more toward those who have a solid foundation in blues concepts, shapes and a few idioms. Be on the lookout for class descriptions to choose your own adventure of what you'd like to attend from hour to hour!

Weekend Schedule

Friday - Jan 31, 2025

Disciples Community Center

3663 Mayfield Rd

Cleveland Heights, OH 44121

7 - 8pm                    Beginner Blues Dance Crash  Course

8 - Midnight              Blues Dance Party with Live Music feat. Austin Walkin' Cane and Band

12 - 2am                  Delta Blues Late Night with Austin Walkin' Cane Solo

                               *DJ'd band breaks feat. TBA

Saturday - Feb 1, 2025

Disciples Community Center

3663 Mayfield Rd

Cleveland Heights, OH 44121

10 - 11am                 Classes 1a & 1b

11:15 - 12:15pm       Classes 2a & 2b

12:15 - 2:30pm         Lunch Break

2:30 - 3:30pm           Classes 3a & 3b

3:45 - 4:45pm           Classes 4a & 4b

 

8 - 9pm                     Beginner Blues Dance Crash Course

9 - Midnight               Blues Dance Party with Live Music feat. The Whirlybirds!

12 - 3am                   Jazz Blues Late Night with The Whirly Birds

                                *DJ'd band breaks feat. TBA

Sunday - Feb 2, 2025

The Brownhoist
4403 St. Clair Ave
Cleveland, OH 44103

10:30  - 11am            Brunch at the Brownhoist

11 - 12pm                  Culture Talk with Damon Stone

12:30 - 1:30pm          Classes 1a & 1b

1:45 - 2:45pm            Classes 2a & 2b

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7 - 10pm                    Farewell Dance

Housing

Looking for a housing group or ridesharing? Join our Facebook group to connect with others coming to the event!

The Venues

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The Cultural Arts Center at Disciples Church

3663 Mayfield Road, Cleveland Heights, OH, 44121

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The Brownhoist

4403 St Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH 44103

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