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| Blues and Swing Dance Instructor | ||
Two of Denver's best instructors, Joe and Nelle DeMers are known for their performance Swing, Lindy Hop, and Blues. They are continually ranked the best instructors at workshop and competition weekends in which they teach. Joe and Nelle are part organizers of and teachers at Mile High Blues in Denver, CO. They have toured the world teaching and performing Blues and Lindy Hop in countries such as South Korea, Japan, Canada, France, Hungary, England, and all over the United States. They are proponents of Frame Matching and the creators of ΔPTED, a framework for teaching partner dance connection. Their level of instruction is exceptional and they always innovate creative moves and movements while adhering to the aesthetics of the dances they teach. They have been competing since 2003, and have taken home several National Championship titles at events such as Blues Shout, International Lindy Hop Championships, Swingtime in the Rockies, Camp Hollywood, and Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown. Their performance troupe, the Woodside Jumpers, have placed at events such as International Lindy Hop Championships and Camp Hollywood. In 2008, they were awarded the Spirit of Lindy Hop award at Camp Jitterbug. |
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| Swing and Blues | ||
Dancing, especially swing and blues, has an amazing unharnessed energy. From its conception as a street dance with African roots, occurring during the rebellious vibe of jazz and the swing era, to its creating an uproar and enthusiasm that sparked life and encouraged social changes, to the new life and look that thrives today, swing has an inherent vibe and energy unlike any other dance. Because of the nature of this dance, it must be felt and not thought, a flow in movement rather than an order of moves, a whole-body expression of its essential energy and life…or you won’t be doing it justice. We should understand and appreciate the originality and creativity of this dance, and how it fosters these characteristics in us. We believe that an important aspect to focus on in order to become an all-around better dancer is whole-body movement; creating an energy, feeling, and look that utilizes your entire body. We strive to find the methods and style of movement that gives dancing an organic look and feel that is natural and comfortable, and thus opens up the possibilities for creativity and self expression. We encourage all dancers to push themselves and find new ranges in body movement, musicality, creativity, connection, technique, and thoughts of what dancing really is. |
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| What is Blues Dancing? | ||
Blues is an umbrella term for an improvised family of individual, partnered, and group dance forms done to Blues music and structures. It is based on a series of dance styles created in America between the 1800's and mid 1900's, parallel with blues music. Rooted in African movement, Blues places high value on rhythm and a strong emphasis on solo movement. The dance has experienced a significant evolution within the last 10-15 years. While there are now a wide range of Blues dances, each with unique dynamics, aesthetics, rhythms, attitudes, and step patterns, they share numerous characteristics that allow individuals to stylistically and creatively express the music. These include: asymmetry in the body; grounded and earth-focused movement; a balanced and flexible posture; dancing behind the beat; pulse; polyrhythms; 'every day' found movement; bent limbs and torso; movement in all parts of the body; call and response; lead and follow; and emotion. Relative to Lindy Hop, West Coast Swing, and the Ballroom Dances, Blues is a very eclectic term and dance. There is a wide range of music from Eric Clapton to BB King to Norah Jones. Within each genre and style of music there are rhythms and moods that change the blues aesthetic and connection. One song will make you stand straight up and waltz around the room while another will ask you to grind really low with our partners. The constant change and freedom within the music really attracts us to this style of dance. Blues is a feeling that comes from within. It’s an expression and release of emotions and personality. When you dance with a partner that can match you, you'll feel like the only dancer in the room… just you, your partner, the music, and the floor. |
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| Teaching and Performing | ||
Jun 2017 - Balboa & Blues; Seoul, South - w/ Shauna Marble |
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| Awards and Accomplishments | ||
2015 2014 2013 2010 |
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| 2008 The Spirit of Lindy Hop Award (Camp Jitterbug) - Joe & Nelle 1st place Endurance contest (Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown)- Joe 1st place Invitational J & J (Lindy on the Rocks) - Nelle 1st place Mid-tempo Strictly (Lindy on the Rocks) – Nelle 1st place Diversity Dance Competition (Hawkeye Swing Festival) – Joe 1st place J & J (Rhythmic Arts Festival) - Joe 2nd place Champions J & J (Blues Shout) – Joe 2nd place Solo Blues Cuttin' Contest (Blues Shout) - Joe 2nd place Ballrooming Strictly (Blues Shout) - Joe & Nelle 2nd place Strictly Lindy (Rhythmic Arts Festival) - Joe & Nelle 3rd place Invitational Jack and Jill (Emerald City Blues Festival)- Joe 3rd place Champions J & J (Blues Shout) - Nelle 3rd place Balboa Strictly (Lindy on the Rocks) - Nelle 3rd place Invitational J & J (Lindy on the Rocks) - Joe 3rd place Team Division (Lindy on the Rocks) - The Shhhwiiiiingers |
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| 2007 1st place Team, NJC / Camp Hollywood 2007 - 23 Skidoo! 1st place Juke Joint Strictly (Blues Shout) – Joe 1st place Open J & J (Blues Shout) – Joe 1st place Invite J & J (Lindy on the Rocks) - Joe 1st place Solo Battle (Rocky Mtn. Girl Jam) – Joe 1st place Partner Charleston (Rhythmic Arts Festival) – Joe & Nelle 2nd place Strictly Lindy (Camp Jitterbug) - Joe & Nelle 2nd place Team Division (Colorado Intercollegiate Swing Battle) - Blam 2nd place Ballrooming Strictly (Blues Shout) – Joe & Nelle 2nd place Solo Charleston (Old West Sausage Fest) - Joe 2nd place Balboa J & J (Boston Tea Party) – Nelle 2nd place Strictly Lindy (Southwest Lindyfest) – Joe & Nelle 3rd place Strictly Lindy (Boston Tea Party) – Joe & Nelle 3rd place Team Division (Nat’l Jitterbug Championships) – 54 Weeks 3rd place J & J (Rhythmic Arts Festival) – Joe 4th place Juke Joint Strictly (Blues Shout) – Nelle |
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| 2006 1st place Team Division (Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown) – 23 Skidoo! 1st place Team Division (Camp Hollywood) – 23 Skidoo! 1st place Inner-City Strictly Lindy (Phoenix Lindy Exchange) – Nelle 1st place Solo Charleston (Phoenix Lindy Exchange) - Joe 1st place Fast Feet Contest (Herrang Dance Camp) – Nelle 1st place Back Beat Contest (Herrang Dance Camp) – Nelle 1st place Team Division (Colorado Intercollegiate Swing Battle) - Blam 1st place Pro/Am (NJC) – Nelle 1st place Amateur J & J (NJC) – Joe & Nelle 1st place Amateur Lindy (NJC) – Nelle & Joe 1st place Pro/Am (Midwest Lindyfest) – Joe 1st place J & J (Cheap Thrills) – Joe 2nd place Jitterbug Contest (Camp Hollywood) – Nelle & Joe 2nd place Fast Feet Contest (Herrang Dance Camp) – Joe 2nd place Jitterbug Contest (Camp Hollywood) – Nelle & Joe 2nd place Pro/Am (NJC) – Joe 2nd place J & J (Camp Jitterbug) – Nelle 2nd place “No Holds” Strictly Lindy (Midwest Lindyfest) – Nelle & Joe 3rd place J & J (Midwest Lindyfest) – Nelle 3rd place Couples Strictly Juke Joint (Cheap Thrills) – Joe 5th place Amateur Balboa (Camp Hollywood) – Nelle |
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| 2005 1st place Strictly Lindy (Lindy on the Rocks) – Nelle 1st place Open J & J Balboa (CMDance) – Nelle 1st place J & J (Barcelona) – Joe 1st place Team Division (Colorado Intercollegiate Swing Battle) - Blam 2nd place J & J (Cowtown Jamborama) – Nelle 2nd place Showcase Division (Lindy on the Rocks) - Nelle 2nd place Amateur Couples (Nat’l Jitterbug Championships) – Joe & Nelle 2nd place Charleston Only J & J (Mercury Café) – Joe 2nd place No Holds Strictly Lindy (Midwest Lindyfest) – Joe 2nd place Lindy Hop J & J (CO State Swing Championships) – Joe 2nd place Strictly Lindy (CO State Swing Championships) – Joe 3rd place Team Division (Nat’l Jitterbug Championships) – Atomic Rhythm 3rd place Open J & J (ULHS) – Nelle 3rd place Open J & J (Lindy on the Rocks) – Nelle 3rd place Novice Strictly Swing (CO State Swing Championships) – Joe 3rd place Classic Swing (CO State Swing Championships) – Joe 5th place Amateur J & J (Nat’l Jitterbug Championships) – Joe |
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| 2004 1st place Endurance Contest (Mercury Café) – Nelle 2nd place Open J & J (Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown) – Nelle 2nd place Team Division (Colorado Intercollegiate Swing Battle) - Blam 2nd place Team Division (Camp Hollywood) – 23 Skidoo! 2nd place Team Division (Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown) – 23 Skidoo! 3rd place Team Division (Nat’l Jitterbug Championships) – Atomic Rhythm 4th place Strictly Lindy (ALHC) – Nelle |
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| Quick Links: |
Frame Matching Article |
Hierarchy of Creating Partner Connection |
| Drag Blues Checklist |
| How to Drag Blues 1 |
| How to Drag Blues 2 |
| How to Drag Blues 3 |
| How to Drag Blues 4 |
| How to Drag Blues 5 |
| How to Drag Blues 6 |
| Jookin' Solo Blues Movement 1 |
| Beginning Lindy DVD |
| Drag Blues DVDs |
| Blues Dance Teacher |