'The Pulse' was the basic slow dance of our time and I'm 67. This dance has been around a LONG time and it has evolved beautifully in to an interpretive lead/follow dance that maximizes the feeling of the music, the movement, and the partnership.
Gonzoneca's comments cracked me up. Truth in what he says. I dance to Blues music and don't consider myself a "Blues Dancer". Maybe it's the Blues scene in the area I live in but to me it's like all the dancers who were shitty lindy hoppers jumped over to a dance where you could get your grind on and not really have to worry about technique. Norma Miller once said that they used to dance blues at the end of the night when the guy wanted to take home the gal. :^)
@dancemansal Thank you! And it's not just the area where you live. And it's not just lindy hoppers. I've seen decidedly mediocre tango dancers discover that they can go to a blues event and completely own it. They'd get turned down by experienced follows at a milonga, but at a blues dance they're the hotshots. This is not necessarily a bad thing. It's awesome to get your grind on and not worry about technique sometimes. But see my reply to brooklynsweb - I think some are taking it rather far.
@dancemansal If you're using Blues dancing to take a girl home, not only only are most likely a terrible dancer who got into the scene for the WRONG reasons but you're also commonly known as creeper (behind your back), and we don't tolerate creepers in our dance scene.
@brooklynsweb Using dance to take a girl home was how Argentine tango was invented! Absolutely nothing wrong with that. Creepers I think are just too narrowly-focused, aggressive and yes, generally don't take enough classes although sometimes you'll find the instructor himself is the biggest creeper of all - *especially* in blues dance. I've heard quite a few stories from female friends about how the visiting hotshot blues instructor was constantly hitting on them.
@brooklynsweb Re-read my post and don't word your creeper comments like you are directing them to me. I was quoting Norma Miller when asked what she thought about Blues Dancing today. If you know anything about Lindy Hop history you should know who Norma Miller is. Google Search her and educate yourself or you can buy her autobiography.
Although today the Blues dance scene can be considered a young scene, blues dancing itself has been around for a long time in seedy bars and anywhere there was late night dancing, rent parties etc...
Gonzoneca speaks volumes of truth. Re-read his posts and learn something otherwise don't post verbal diarrhea.
@dancemansal I don't think I mentioned your yt-handle in my comment, you're not that special my friend. I was just making a general comment about how the blues community is tightly knit and does not tolerate any kind of disrespect of their members. We had a few issues 2 years ago, they were resolved promptly. And with respect to Ms. Miller, and I will say this as modestly as I can, —I might know just a little bit more about her than you do. =)
@brooklynsweb Perfect! Since you know so much more about NM, you might as well ask her, LOL You sure do make your Blues scene sound like some sort of mafia."resolved promptly!" ROTFLMAO THanks for the laugh my special friend. :^)
From what I can tell, and I've been dancing lindy for 12 years and tango for 4, people dance TO blues. That's different from "blues dancing," which I don't think really exists. If it does it's got a vocabulary of about three moves. I see it as a mix of sloppy tango, a few basic turns borrowed from swing and some jazz/modern hip isolations all done to blues music. Nothing wrong with this at all, but let's not pretend it has some distinguished history like the music itself does.
I don't see anybody pretending anything of the kind. The only thing I see in these videos is people enjoying themselves; partly because there aren't any pretentious, condescending tango dancers spoiling the vibe.
@XTC199 Touchee! I don't mean to be demeaning towards blues dancing. I love dancing to blues, and I do like this video a lot. Where I am, I had to switch to tango to find the vibe captured in this film. I used to be able to find it with lindy but then blues dancing came along and kind of killed it. Everyone got pretentious and people's technique went to shit. I like this video - perhaps my snarkiness is better directed at blues dance contests, most of which make me cringe.
@Gonzoneca It's a little unclear what Gonzeca is expressing disapproval of... if this is about the name "Blues Dancing" I certainly agree that it is a bit misleading. But what can you do? It's a cultural movement that has evolved and taken on a life of it's own in many cities and countries around the world. It's not as if there's a centralized "blues dancing senate" that can be petitioned to vote in a more precisely descriptive name.
It is what it is, I suppose. It's also really fun!
This is a great definition! I'm on the east coast and everyone here is like, "Blues Dancing is a secret martial art practiced by Black People in the 20's and nearly lost until we Hip White People revived it." I'm just not sure this is true. Yet the history of blues *music* is undeniable, and so simply saying "blues dancing is just this fun thing we do" seems problematic too, no? I love your video though. The dancing looks sooo much nicer than the dancing I see in blues dance contests. Ugh!
@Gonzoneca Blues dancing although a young scene, has a rich history. Look up on Wikipedia. Also there is quite a solid Blues-dancing vocabulary. If you are interested in learning, there tons of great instructors all over, —DC, Virginia, Boston, and even NYC. There a number of fantastic events/competitions such as the Emerald City Blues, BluesShout and others. For someone who has been dancing Lindy for 12 years you sure don't sound like it.
@brooklynsweb - I went to my first blues exchange in 2004. I've been to plenty of blues events. I was totally taken in at first. But now I think people are claiming there's more of a history to this dance than there actually is. You see a blues move: I see a sloppy ocho, or volcada, or lindy dip, or vaudeville hip shake. I'm questioning whether we're not erroneously labeling a whole variety of moves "Blues Dancing" and then thinking that we're Hip White People who're down w/ Black Culture.
@Gonzoneca Blues dance is young in comparison to Lindy and other forms of Swing, and yes it incorporates moves from other dances.. However it does have it's own concrete vocabulary. Do some research if you are interested.. Please don't use the word 'we,' as that clumps together a group of people that you claim have the same opinion as you (which is not the case).
The sloppiness you see is your own perspective, —some forms of blues are more solid, while others are more relaxed.. open, closed...
@brooklynsweb, My perspective, take it or leave it: I'm seeing sloppy ochos, volcadas and other stuff labeled, and taught by teachers charging money, as "blues dancing." They can't do a decent ocho and so they call themselves blues dance teachers and make money off of people who haven't had the experience to know what they're paying for. There also seems to be an attempt by some to invent a more elaborate history to this dance than I think actually exists. That's all I'm trying to say.
@Gonzoneca I'm not trying to change your perspective (as I don't know you well enough to spend that kind of energy).
With respect to teaching ochos, if they are teaching ochos within a blues class, then I'm sure what you were seeing is the mentioning that you can incorporate ochos into your blues stylings. I really doubt that a blues instructor would take the time out of their session to teach moves of other stylings.. I think they were just showing an example.. Cliff noting a concept..
@brooklynsweb I have personally attended a blues dance class taught by a very well-known instructor who has headlined at major blues dance events who specifically taught ochos... badly. Meanwhile my tango instructor, a guy from Argentina who does this part-time & practically gives his lessons for free, teaches them so well it's a thing of beauty.
@Gonzoneca I think it definitely has a history. Blues dancing was a huge movement between the 20's and 40's. It was looked down upon as unrefined but lived on in small cirlces. It was a counter culture and is easily the most soulful, personal dance I've done. Just, I've never felt so connected to another dancer.
This video, to me, engenders what blues is really all about. It's about people, about fun, about connection, about the music, and about the dance. The vibe of the video gets me focused on the people and the connection between each of them. Great job.
Hi... I found that the blues dance style is different in other places like Austin, SFO and New Orleans. Is the style in Portland practised anywhere else?
I've only been blues dancing for a a year.. and absolutely love it.. the community, the music, the atmosphere and warmth. To touch another person, to move with that person to the music.. there's no greater feeling. When I'm dancing I feel that I can finally talk to the universe.
I've heard great things from my friends who visit Portland. As a Colorado girl, I'm stuck between my loves of blues dancing and year-long sunshine. Blues is probably going to drive me there at some point. Keep the dance floor warm for me until then. :P
If I wasn't a college student in Indiana, I would be there already. There is nothing like a blues party. The connection established while dancing blues is completely unique. It gives life to the soul.
@PortlandBluesDancers Thanks! Some new friends just introduced me to blues dancing in Philly, and I'm quite stoked on it, :). Thanks for making this video, as well. Next time I'm in Portland, I will surely dance with some of ya'll. :D
my dream
MrCienistyUriel 5 months ago
Hi Portland! Shout out from Olympia
roadrunner7000 6 months ago
'The Pulse' was the basic slow dance of our time and I'm 67. This dance has been around a LONG time and it has evolved beautifully in to an interpretive lead/follow dance that maximizes the feeling of the music, the movement, and the partnership.
starsstuff 6 months ago
BLUES DANCIN LOOKS TO ME LIKE UNPROFESSIONALS EXPRESSING THEMSELVES IN A SEXY WAY, SLOW DANCIN. THAT'S IT.
gardendaisy 6 months ago
VERY SEXY!!!!!!!SMILES!!!!!!
gardendaisy 6 months ago
Gonzoneca's comments cracked me up. Truth in what he says. I dance to Blues music and don't consider myself a "Blues Dancer". Maybe it's the Blues scene in the area I live in but to me it's like all the dancers who were shitty lindy hoppers jumped over to a dance where you could get your grind on and not really have to worry about technique. Norma Miller once said that they used to dance blues at the end of the night when the guy wanted to take home the gal. :^)
dancemansal 7 months ago
@dancemansal Thank you! And it's not just the area where you live. And it's not just lindy hoppers. I've seen decidedly mediocre tango dancers discover that they can go to a blues event and completely own it. They'd get turned down by experienced follows at a milonga, but at a blues dance they're the hotshots. This is not necessarily a bad thing. It's awesome to get your grind on and not worry about technique sometimes. But see my reply to brooklynsweb - I think some are taking it rather far.
Gonzoneca 6 months ago
@dancemansal If you're using Blues dancing to take a girl home, not only only are most likely a terrible dancer who got into the scene for the WRONG reasons but you're also commonly known as creeper (behind your back), and we don't tolerate creepers in our dance scene.
brooklynsweb 6 months ago
@brooklynsweb Using dance to take a girl home was how Argentine tango was invented! Absolutely nothing wrong with that. Creepers I think are just too narrowly-focused, aggressive and yes, generally don't take enough classes although sometimes you'll find the instructor himself is the biggest creeper of all - *especially* in blues dance. I've heard quite a few stories from female friends about how the visiting hotshot blues instructor was constantly hitting on them.
Gonzoneca 6 months ago
@brooklynsweb Re-read my post and don't word your creeper comments like you are directing them to me. I was quoting Norma Miller when asked what she thought about Blues Dancing today. If you know anything about Lindy Hop history you should know who Norma Miller is. Google Search her and educate yourself or you can buy her autobiography.
dancemansal 6 months ago
Although today the Blues dance scene can be considered a young scene, blues dancing itself has been around for a long time in seedy bars and anywhere there was late night dancing, rent parties etc...
Gonzoneca speaks volumes of truth. Re-read his posts and learn something otherwise don't post verbal diarrhea.
dancemansal 6 months ago
@dancemansal I don't think I mentioned your yt-handle in my comment, you're not that special my friend. I was just making a general comment about how the blues community is tightly knit and does not tolerate any kind of disrespect of their members. We had a few issues 2 years ago, they were resolved promptly. And with respect to Ms. Miller, and I will say this as modestly as I can, —I might know just a little bit more about her than you do. =)
brooklynsweb 6 months ago
@brooklynsweb Perfect! Since you know so much more about NM, you might as well ask her, LOL You sure do make your Blues scene sound like some sort of mafia."resolved promptly!" ROTFLMAO THanks for the laugh my special friend. :^)
dancemansal 5 months ago
@dancemansal Lol, I did not mean as in 'swimming with the fishes' sort of way... but I've already said too much... shhhh, friend. ;)
brooklynsweb 5 months ago
From what I can tell, and I've been dancing lindy for 12 years and tango for 4, people dance TO blues. That's different from "blues dancing," which I don't think really exists. If it does it's got a vocabulary of about three moves. I see it as a mix of sloppy tango, a few basic turns borrowed from swing and some jazz/modern hip isolations all done to blues music. Nothing wrong with this at all, but let's not pretend it has some distinguished history like the music itself does.
Gonzoneca 8 months ago
@Gonzoneca
I don't see anybody pretending anything of the kind. The only thing I see in these videos is people enjoying themselves; partly because there aren't any pretentious, condescending tango dancers spoiling the vibe.
XTC199 8 months ago
@XTC199 Touchee! I don't mean to be demeaning towards blues dancing. I love dancing to blues, and I do like this video a lot. Where I am, I had to switch to tango to find the vibe captured in this film. I used to be able to find it with lindy but then blues dancing came along and kind of killed it. Everyone got pretentious and people's technique went to shit. I like this video - perhaps my snarkiness is better directed at blues dance contests, most of which make me cringe.
Gonzoneca 8 months ago
@Gonzoneca It's a little unclear what Gonzeca is expressing disapproval of... if this is about the name "Blues Dancing" I certainly agree that it is a bit misleading. But what can you do? It's a cultural movement that has evolved and taken on a life of it's own in many cities and countries around the world. It's not as if there's a centralized "blues dancing senate" that can be petitioned to vote in a more precisely descriptive name.
It is what it is, I suppose. It's also really fun!
PortlandBluesDancers 8 months ago 3
Comment removed
Gonzoneca 8 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
This is a great definition! I'm on the east coast and everyone here is like, "Blues Dancing is a secret martial art practiced by Black People in the 20's and nearly lost until we Hip White People revived it." I'm just not sure this is true. Yet the history of blues *music* is undeniable, and so simply saying "blues dancing is just this fun thing we do" seems problematic too, no? I love your video though. The dancing looks sooo much nicer than the dancing I see in blues dance contests. Ugh!
Gonzoneca 8 months ago
@Gonzoneca It ain't what you do, it's the way that you do it.
IndigloMouth 6 months ago
@Gonzoneca Blues dancing although a young scene, has a rich history. Look up on Wikipedia. Also there is quite a solid Blues-dancing vocabulary. If you are interested in learning, there tons of great instructors all over, —DC, Virginia, Boston, and even NYC. There a number of fantastic events/competitions such as the Emerald City Blues, BluesShout and others. For someone who has been dancing Lindy for 12 years you sure don't sound like it.
Don't let your assumptions be your anchor.
brooklynsweb 6 months ago in playlist M - GOLD
@brooklynsweb - I went to my first blues exchange in 2004. I've been to plenty of blues events. I was totally taken in at first. But now I think people are claiming there's more of a history to this dance than there actually is. You see a blues move: I see a sloppy ocho, or volcada, or lindy dip, or vaudeville hip shake. I'm questioning whether we're not erroneously labeling a whole variety of moves "Blues Dancing" and then thinking that we're Hip White People who're down w/ Black Culture.
Gonzoneca 6 months ago
@Gonzoneca Blues dance is young in comparison to Lindy and other forms of Swing, and yes it incorporates moves from other dances.. However it does have it's own concrete vocabulary. Do some research if you are interested.. Please don't use the word 'we,' as that clumps together a group of people that you claim have the same opinion as you (which is not the case).
The sloppiness you see is your own perspective, —some forms of blues are more solid, while others are more relaxed.. open, closed...
brooklynsweb 6 months ago
@brooklynsweb, My perspective, take it or leave it: I'm seeing sloppy ochos, volcadas and other stuff labeled, and taught by teachers charging money, as "blues dancing." They can't do a decent ocho and so they call themselves blues dance teachers and make money off of people who haven't had the experience to know what they're paying for. There also seems to be an attempt by some to invent a more elaborate history to this dance than I think actually exists. That's all I'm trying to say.
Gonzoneca 6 months ago
@Gonzoneca I'm not trying to change your perspective (as I don't know you well enough to spend that kind of energy).
With respect to teaching ochos, if they are teaching ochos within a blues class, then I'm sure what you were seeing is the mentioning that you can incorporate ochos into your blues stylings. I really doubt that a blues instructor would take the time out of their session to teach moves of other stylings.. I think they were just showing an example.. Cliff noting a concept..
brooklynsweb 6 months ago
@brooklynsweb I have personally attended a blues dance class taught by a very well-known instructor who has headlined at major blues dance events who specifically taught ochos... badly. Meanwhile my tango instructor, a guy from Argentina who does this part-time & practically gives his lessons for free, teaches them so well it's a thing of beauty.
Gonzoneca 6 months ago
@Gonzoneca I think it definitely has a history. Blues dancing was a huge movement between the 20's and 40's. It was looked down upon as unrefined but lived on in small cirlces. It was a counter culture and is easily the most soulful, personal dance I've done. Just, I've never felt so connected to another dancer.
RunninAD 2 months ago
@RunninAD so true, it's obvious in every persons face you watch. The connection of course.
flurryofwings 1 month ago
What's the name of the song that's played in the first few seconds of the video? =)
brooklynsweb 9 months ago
We do this in Minneapolis/St. Paul as well, monthly.
singe101 9 months ago
Man! Professional and slick vid! if I had gone to that party they would have put me in the loft too!
Gismotronics 1 year ago
Hi PBDancers, what's the song you guys use for your intro?? Sounds sooo nice!
dukekiduke 1 year ago
Hi PBDancers! What's the song you guys you for the intro?? Soo nice!
dukekiduke 1 year ago
This video, to me, engenders what blues is really all about. It's about people, about fun, about connection, about the music, and about the dance. The vibe of the video gets me focused on the people and the connection between each of them. Great job.
IndigloMouth 1 year ago
Hi... I found that the blues dance style is different in other places like Austin, SFO and New Orleans. Is the style in Portland practised anywhere else?
kevin007515 1 year ago
Hi PBDancers, is the dance itself slow, or is the video in slow motion?
kevin007515 1 year ago
@kevin007515 Both!
PortlandBluesDancers 1 year ago
Comment removed
kevin007515 1 year ago
What's the name of the intro song before the main clip starts? It's fire.
brooklynsweb 1 year ago
This video is pure magic...
I've only been blues dancing for a a year.. and absolutely love it.. the community, the music, the atmosphere and warmth. To touch another person, to move with that person to the music.. there's no greater feeling. When I'm dancing I feel that I can finally talk to the universe.
brooklynsweb 1 year ago
I've heard great things from my friends who visit Portland. As a Colorado girl, I'm stuck between my loves of blues dancing and year-long sunshine. Blues is probably going to drive me there at some point. Keep the dance floor warm for me until then. :P
PChanmisao 1 year ago
@PChanmisao there is a decent blues scene in Denver, I thought. Look up John Miller, he had a blues dance on New Years Eve
pjazwier 1 year ago
this is all so familiar to me ....
been a while since we did a blues party in edinburgh Uk
we should have a blues party !
cheers for the inspiration ...
andersingram 1 year ago
I have to say I really enjoy this video. Makes me miss all my favorite people in Portland. Noah
nynoah 1 year ago
Loves blues and love the scene. Can't wait to introduce some of the Colorado flavor into your world :)
cibomatto47 1 year ago
After seeing this video, you have no idea how badly I want to move to Portland now...
gwong99 1 year ago
Ahh this video makes me want to dance really badly. I wish there was a blues scene in the Southeast.
thomasspence 1 year ago
Beautiful song, beautiful dancing. You guys are fantastic
strungoutonsix 1 year ago
I miss 7th ave. I'm pretty sure I might have teared up at some point during this. Let's have more blues parties people.
aelyblue 1 year ago
I gotta move to portland! Do you know if the blues dancing scene is this good in chicago?
sloanetaytay 2 years ago
If I wasn't a college student in Indiana, I would be there already. There is nothing like a blues party. The connection established while dancing blues is completely unique. It gives life to the soul.
Brenboy01 2 years ago
so wonderful! I've enjoyed it a lot!
katjacornucopia 2 years ago
what's the name of the band whose song is being played in the background?
messyalex 2 years ago
All Comin' Down by Colin Lake
PortlandBluesDancers 2 years ago
thanks
messyalex 2 years ago
@PortlandBluesDancers Thanks!
mkbnett 1 year ago
@PortlandBluesDancers Thanks! Some new friends just introduced me to blues dancing in Philly, and I'm quite stoked on it, :). Thanks for making this video, as well. Next time I'm in Portland, I will surely dance with some of ya'll. :D
mkbnett 1 year ago
emmy emmy emmy! Yes, come! (It's cassie)
rosenbloomster 2 years ago
that's it. I'm moving to Portland.
emilyzisman 2 years ago
I sort of randomly stumbled across this, but that was beautifully filmed and produced. You've got some crew.
cluebcke 2 years ago
The crew appreciates the recognition!!!
PortlandBluesDancers 2 years ago
yay! it's a blues party!
the chance of moving to portland just went up a bit more. As it has been a lil every day.
fadeoutx1 2 years ago
Yes! Move to Portland and be a Blues Dancer! You'll have an instant circle of friends in us!
PortlandBluesDancers 2 years ago
very beautifully put together.
RiKamen 2 years ago
1st to post: GREAT SHOTS! Warm choice of colors, I liked it!
lordtiberius 2 years ago