Verdi Club: Lindy Hop, Balboa, and Solo Jazz monthly classes

In April 2024, the Woodchopper’s Ball is offering monthly class series in LINDY HOP, BALBOA, and SOLO JAZZ (*NEW*). All April 2024 monthly class series run on Tuesdays for 5 weeks: April 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30.

Check the class descriptions and schedule below to decide which class series to take. By registering in advance (by Monday, April 1), you guarantee yourself a spot in class and pay only $95/person for the full monthly class series, saving $20!

You can also register for any of the full monthly class series (space permitting) at the door on the first day of class, but you’ll need to pay the full price, $115/person.

Either way, enrollment includes admission to the live music Dance Parties immediately following each week’s classes for the whole month!

Beginning Lindy Hop

Dates: Tuesdays, April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Time: 8:00-9:00pm (main floor)
Instructors: Hep Jen & Ken Watanabe
Description: The Lindy Hop basics, Side-by-Side Charleston, Swingout, and Lindy Circle, are taught every month, and different variations are taught each month in the later weeks of class. Important concepts like frame, connection, musicality, styling, and etiquette are also introduced. By the end of the month, students will have learned enough to dance on their own! However, many students take this class more than once to review and build confidence with the 8-count basics and fundamentals.
Prerequisites: Previous swing dancing experience is helpful, though not required. Complete beginners are welcome in this class!
Cost: $115/mo door ($95/mo adv, $50/mo as an additional class), $25/wk drop-in (All prices include admission to the Dance Parties.)

Intermediate Lindy Hop

Dates: Tuesdays, April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Time: 7:00-8:00pm (main floor)
Instructors: Hep Jen & Ken Watanabe
Description: Different steps and concepts are introduced each month, so this class is designed to be taken continuously over several months. Topics include more complex variations, footwork syncopations, fine-tuning of frame and connection, more advanced musicality concepts, jazz steps, and improvisation.
Prerequisites: Students must already be confident with 8-count basics, including the Lindy Hop Swingout and related turns, and basic Charleston steps. They are expected to be social dancing Lindy Hop regularly outside of class.
Cost: $115/mo door ($95/mo adv, $50/mo as an additional class), $25/wk drop-in (All prices include admission to the Dance Parties.)

Beginning Balboa

Dates: Tuesdays, April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Time: 8:00-9:00pm (upstairs)
Instructors: Tor Helmer & Annie Kirkwood
Description: Learn the basic steps, technique, connection, and partnership of Balboa. We’ll be covering both closed position pure balboa and open position bal-swing. Beginner dancers looking to get started, as well as those looking to refine their technique, are all welcome!
Prerequisites: Some previous experience in swing dancing or partner dancing in general is helpful but not required.
Cost: 115/mo door ($95/mo adv, $50/mo as an additional class), $25/wk drop-in (All prices include admission to the Dance Parties.)

Intermediate Balboa

Dates: Tuesdays, April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Time: 7:00-8:00pm (upstairs)
Instructors: Tor Helmer & Katie O’Neill
Description: After having mastered the Beginning-level core material, the Intermediate level classes adds depth and texture, including musicality, refined technique, fancy footwork variations, transitions, classic and new combinations.
Prerequisites: Students must complete 6 months of Beginning Balboa or pass an audition with the instructors. Additionally, students must be able to confidently dance the following moves at 180 BPM or higher: up-hold (gather) basic, down-hold basic, scoots, paddles, out and in, come-around, lollies, and toss-out (a.k.a. send-out or throw-out). Students are expected to be practicing and/or social dancing Balboa outside of class.
Cost: $115/mo door ($95/mo adv, $50/mo as an additional class), $25/wk drop-in (All prices include admission to the Dance Parties.)

Solo Jazz: Breaking from Patterns to Freedom *NEW*

Dates: Tuesdays, April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Time: 9:00-10:00pm (upstairs)
Instructor: Idalia Ramos
Description: Get ready to boogie beyond the basics! Dancing isn’t only about fancy footwork; it’s a magical mix of creativity, freedom, and connection to the music! We often forget and get caught up in our heads about “doing it right’” and can feel intimidated. But not this time! It’s solo, so you can focus on what you hear and feel, and explore new opportunities and variations! During this session, we will be learning some foundational jazz steps to get our feet talking, but more importantly, we will explore dancing deeply to the music, as it whispers ideas to help us create new movements and get out of our heads. This class is aimed to help inspire you and explore being the unique mover you are!
Prerequisites: All levels welcome–some dance experience helpful, but not required.
Cost: $115/mo door ($95/mo adv, $50/mo as an additional class), $25/wk drop-in (All prices include admission to the Dance Parties.)