SwingOrama

Meeshi · Sun Oct 02 2005 CDT

"Jazz is the teacher, Funk is the preacher." -- James "Blood" Ulmer (left)

Melissa and I are excited to bring to you our first-ever SWING-TO-FUNK-MUSIC workshop this Sun. Oct. 2nd at the Kava Lounge. Why swing dance to funk music? Because funk music is fun and expressive, and it is the direct descendant of jazz/blues music in America. In fact, funk music combines aspects of a wide range of black musical traditions: the blues, R&B, soul, progressive jazz, African percussion, and psychedelic rock. So if we can swing dance to the blues, we can swing dance to da funk.

Our 90-min. workshop (7:00-8:30p) will be an introduction to how to adapt your swing dancing to better fit funk music. The cost: only $10 (includes admission to the Kava dance). Here are some of the topics we'll address:

1) How funk music is structured similarly (polyrhythmic layering, call-and-response) and differently ("on the one" vs. shuffle beats, percussive vs. melodic lines) from jazz/swing music

2) How to alternate between a soft, laid back dance style (West-Coast-feel) and a hard, attacking dance style (Charleston/Salsa-feel)

3) How to incorporate FUNK breakaways and maintain a connection even when you are not touching your partner

We hope you will join us this Sunday to explore a new way to swing dance with your partner. After the workshop, we'll be playing swing and funk music all night long with DJs Gage & Brian featuring some New Orleans funk from the Neville Brothers (pic middle) and the Funky Meters (pic right). We look forward to seeing you there!

*****

This Sun. Oct. 2nd: Funk'n'Swing night at Soul Swingers!

6:00p-7:00p - Int. Swing Choreography Class
7:00p-8:30p - "Swing to Funk Music" Workshop with Meeshi and Mel
$10/workshop (includes FREE admission to the dance).
8:30p-12mid - $5/dance (2-for-1 for CafeSavoy Swing Students and VIPs).
Organic Chocolate Fondue Bar Upstairs, and all the Sake you can drink.

Questions: Call Meeshi at 858-395-6060 or sirdancealot@cox.net

Directions: The Kava Lounge is located at 2812 Kettner Blvd. between Olive and Palm. From I-5, exit Sassafras, heading south on Kettner. Pass Sassafras, pass Alamo Car Rental on right (blue sign), next block is Palm. Head past electrical plant, Kava is the next building on the right.

For more info/directions to the Kava Lounge, visit:

http://www.cafesavoy.com/kavalounge.html

Always A Student · Rhythm Circle Joined: 25 Aug 2005 Posts: 134

No funk session is complete without Lee Dorsey. I assume we will be able to delight in his sound as well?

Meeshi · Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2005 5:28 am GMT Post subject:

Always A Student · Rhythm Circle Joined: 25 Aug 2005 Posts: 134

The "on-the-one" detail is important because it differentiates itself from rhythm of jazz which is a steady meter on 2 & 4.

I still think Lee Dorsey has funkiness to him.

Meeshi · Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2005 12:50 pm GMT Post subject:

You're right, his music does have some funkiness (syncopation, groove, etc.), but structurally it's still R&B. Lou Rawls made some funky music in the 60's, but structurally it's soul-jazz. Sorry to sound so picky, but I just want to make an important distinction between funkiness and Funk Music, because it does affect the way you would dance to it. I can dance modern, groove Lindy to Lee Dorsey or Lou Rawls, I can't do it so easily with James Brown or Parliament.

westiehopper · Shorty George Joined: 11 Jul 2005 Posts: 300

One difference I use when dancing to funk music is dancing an 8 count as 1,2,&3,4,5,6,&7,8 (instead of 3&4 and 7&8 ).

Meeshi · Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2005 5:52 pm GMT Post subject:

Interesting rhythmic adjustment, Jane, but I can't quite picture how that would work. Can you give me a song example where that rhythm would be easy to feel? Thanks.

Always A Student · Rhythm Circle Joined: 25 Aug 2005 Posts: 134

Jane's example seems like a modified hustle. So, maybe she is referring to a disco experience?

Sugar pushes for funk are nice. Especially when you can extend them a bit to get some stylin' in to celebrate the funkticiousness of the song.

Meeshi · Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2005 2:24 am GMT Post subject:

Actually, Jane, I think I figured it out. I was just listening to some funk music from the JBs and in a few of the songs the rhythm guitar was cycling a lick that went "1-2&3-4" over and over, but the 2&3 lick was pulled a little before the actual 2&3 count giving the groove some added rhythmic tension (more space between counts 3 and 4). Aargh, it's so much easier to hear/feel it than explain in words.

Thanks, Jane, for opening up my ears/body to a rhythmic feel. I'll try playing with it in my dancing.

westiehopper · Shorty George Joined: 11 Jul 2005 Posts: 300

westiehopper · Shorty George Joined: 11 Jul 2005 Posts: 300

I believe Prince does a lot of stuff on 1.

RednBubba · Swing Charleston Joined: 15 Aug 2005 Posts: 1096

Thanks Meeshi & Mel! The class was really fun, and I learned more how to "let go" and get down. I really liked the alternate pop thing and the fast swingout...1,2,3-1,2,3. You get that momentum going, and woohoo!!! ha ha!!
Anyhow, I had a great time!

Thanks to the Bizarro Twins for the dances...would have stayed longer, but I need to recover from this weekend full of dancing! Mr. Green

honeybee · Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 5:04 pm GMT Post subject:

Good times Laughing

My vote is in for next month.

Meeshi · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 12:44 am GMT Post subject:

Thanks guys for trying something a little different. It was really fun to teach with Mel again and share a style of dancing we both feel passionate about. Long live da funk.