WEST COAST SWING INTENSIVE
for Lisboa Lindy Hop Dancers
"Connection creates everything"
OCT 2025 - DATES & TIMES to be determined
Probably: Oct 3, 19h-21h. Oct 4, 15h-18h. Oct 10, 19h-21h. Oct 11, 15h-18h. Social-Prática-Party (WCS+Lindy) Oct 11, 21h-??
WORKSHOP: Each workshop builds on all previous workshops. Each workshop will be a combination of parts (not just 1 part per 1 workshop).
part 1: WCS: A "constructivist" approach, using the 5 "building blocks" (like Legos) that all top dancers use.
part 2: Connection skills & technique. Master these, and everything becomes easy.
part 3: WCS Advanced Beginner moves & variations, using connection skills & Lego blocks to create everything.
part 4: Can we 'invent' a new move? Using our skills and building blocks? YES!
Part 5: What happens if we bring some of these connection skills into our Lindy Hop?
Part 6: Prática! Social! Party!
Probably: Oct 3, 19h-21h. Oct 4, 15h-18h. Oct 10, 19h-21h. Oct 11, 15h-18h. Social-Prática-Party (WCS+Lindy) Oct 11, 21h-??
WORKSHOP: Each workshop builds on all previous workshops. Each workshop will be a combination of parts (not just 1 part per 1 workshop).
part 1: WCS: A "constructivist" approach, using the 5 "building blocks" (like Legos) that all top dancers use.
part 2: Connection skills & technique. Master these, and everything becomes easy.
part 3: WCS Advanced Beginner moves & variations, using connection skills & Lego blocks to create everything.
part 4: Can we 'invent' a new move? Using our skills and building blocks? YES!
Part 5: What happens if we bring some of these connection skills into our Lindy Hop?
Part 6: Prática! Social! Party!
PREREQUISITE:
(1) You know triple steps, 6-count structure, and 8-count structure in Lindy Hop (or other dances). You do not need to know anything more than that. That is a great head start!
(2) You agree to change into shoes with clean soles (or your socks) to protect the studio floor!
(3) No partner needed. We will try to balance.
INSTRUCTORS: Ken Kreshtool (with Marta or Joana)
CLASS SIZE LIMITED due to room size:
10 leaders + 10 followers
Please register so we can keep count and preserve balance!
PRICE:
• To be determined. Small discount for mixed-role pairs.
• Alumni of previous Ken or Paula workshops: Discount to be determined
"Mixed-role pair" = 1 leader, 1 follower
MB WAY to Paula +351 913 541 750 - please add description "for Ken's WCS class" and your name(s) ... or cash in class
LOCATION:
LGC, Anjos ... or maybe a different place
(1) You know triple steps, 6-count structure, and 8-count structure in Lindy Hop (or other dances). You do not need to know anything more than that. That is a great head start!
(2) You agree to change into shoes with clean soles (or your socks) to protect the studio floor!
(3) No partner needed. We will try to balance.
INSTRUCTORS: Ken Kreshtool (with Marta or Joana)
CLASS SIZE LIMITED due to room size:
10 leaders + 10 followers
Please register so we can keep count and preserve balance!
PRICE:
• To be determined. Small discount for mixed-role pairs.
• Alumni of previous Ken or Paula workshops: Discount to be determined
"Mixed-role pair" = 1 leader, 1 follower
MB WAY to Paula +351 913 541 750 - please add description "for Ken's WCS class" and your name(s) ... or cash in class
LOCATION:
LGC, Anjos ... or maybe a different place
WHAT IS WCS? In relation to Lindy Hop?
WCS is a direct descendant of 1940s Lindy Hop, specifically Lindy Hop in the Los Angeles California area. After Swing Jazz music stopped being America's favorite Pop music in the mid-1940s, Lindy Hop faded ... but in many cities, small numbers of enthusiastic people continued.
In the Los Angeles area, the dancers continuously adapted to new Pop music with a smoother, more relaxed California style. They mostly danced to swung R&B (Rhythm-&-Blues), but also some straight-time Pop. Recently (post-pandemic), the music is mostly straight-time Pop.
Over the decades, WCS simplified Lindy Hop and then slowly expanded itself outward from that simplified core.
WCS is very simple to understand because everything is very "dance logical." We build every move "on the fly" from a few basic interchangeable parts like Legos — all connected smoothly together through sweet continuous connection skills. No need to memorize anything! But of course, people do memorize their favorite moves. When we understand WCS properly, WCS has a lot of room for individual expression and "conversational" dancing, where both partners influence each other.
WCS is a direct descendant of 1940s Lindy Hop, specifically Lindy Hop in the Los Angeles California area. After Swing Jazz music stopped being America's favorite Pop music in the mid-1940s, Lindy Hop faded ... but in many cities, small numbers of enthusiastic people continued.
In the Los Angeles area, the dancers continuously adapted to new Pop music with a smoother, more relaxed California style. They mostly danced to swung R&B (Rhythm-&-Blues), but also some straight-time Pop. Recently (post-pandemic), the music is mostly straight-time Pop.
Over the decades, WCS simplified Lindy Hop and then slowly expanded itself outward from that simplified core.
WCS is very simple to understand because everything is very "dance logical." We build every move "on the fly" from a few basic interchangeable parts like Legos — all connected smoothly together through sweet continuous connection skills. No need to memorize anything! But of course, people do memorize their favorite moves. When we understand WCS properly, WCS has a lot of room for individual expression and "conversational" dancing, where both partners influence each other.
Videos of Ken & Paula. These are 100% improvisational. We handed the DJ a long list of songs and said, "please pick any one."
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Thank you! We look forward to seeing you!