Boston Waltz Weekend:
Workshops and Dancing with Ari Levitt

Friday, October 13 – Sunday, October 15, 2017

in Cambridge and Newton, Massachusetts

The Folk Arts Center of New England and Mostly Waltz for Boston were pleased to welcome back master teacher and dancer Ari Levitt of Seattle, WA for a weekend of waltz workshops, dancing, and fun. The theme for the weekend was waltz fusion, or having fun mixing it up! Ari is one of the country’s leading teachers in this innovative form of waltz. CLICK HERE to see an example of some Fusion Waltz improv with Ari.

We welcomed out-of-town dancers who were staying on for the New England Dance Cruise with Ari, leaving Boston on Sunday, October 15th!

• The workshops are designed for non-novice dancers, experienced in any form of turning waltz, who are looking for something more!

• For any of these workshops, it is not necessary to attend with a partner, as we will rotate partners.

• Please arrive 15 minutes before your first workshop to check in.

• Help protect the halls’ wooden floors by changing from street shoes to clean, soft-soled shoes for dancing.

• For carpooling, email Mostly Waltz for Boston or post on the Mostly Waltz Facebook event page.

Friday schedule

Optional group dinner at Jasper White’s Summer Shack (across Cambridge Park Drive from the Alewife T station), 149 Alewife Brook Parkway, Cambridge, MA. We’ll make a group reservation for 6 pm for as many as will. The Friday night swing dance is close by, so many may head there afterward:
Boston Swing Central dance
at Q Ballroom, 26 New Street, Suite 3, Cambridge, MA (near Concord Avenue)
Free beginner lesson 8–9 pm; dancing 9 pm–midnight with the Beantown Swing Orchestra
Admission $15 / seniors and students with ID $13

Saturday schedule

First Unitarian Society in Newton (FUSN), 1326 Washington Street, West Newton, MA (see PDFs for public transit on Saturdays and parking)

10 am – noon
Fun "Striding and Gliding" Waltz Combinations
Cross-step waltz and more
Learn a variety of fun, new, innovative cross-step waltz combinations from Ari’s ever-expanding library of moves and inventions; beautiful, flowing, and elegant as always.  Plus, get a little introduction to the art of free-flowing “Fusion Waltz”. It’s easy to learn and lots of fun to do! 
Level:
Advanced beginner/Intermediate. Comfort with any turning waltz style and basic partnering skills are assumed.
Admission $25 / FAC members $23 / Age 25 and under $15

Noon – 2 pm
Lunch break
Order from Blue Ribbon BBQ across the street, or brown bag it.

2 – 4 pm
Waltz with a Little Latin Flair!
Innovative Latin-waltz fusion
In this new and very applicable class, you’ll learn how to blend some fun Latin steps into your favorite cross-step waltz patterns. Ari is one of this country’s leading innovators in Latin waltz fusion, and regularly leads classes in this throughout the USA and abroad.
Level:
Intermediate/Advanced. Facility with any turning waltz style and partnering skills are assumed.
Admission $25 / FAC members $23 / Age 25 and under $15

4 – 5 pm
Guided dance practice, deejayed by Ari
Stay for some open dancing and practice the moves you’ve learned.

5 – 7:30 pm
Dinner break
Join a group at one of the nearby restaurants.

7:30 – 11 pm
Mostly Waltz Dance Party
Waltzes and other couple dances to live music by Larry Unger and Julie Metcalf
Enjoy dancing to waltzes of varying styles and tempos, interspersed with other couple dances such as swing, blues, tango, schottis, and hambo. Beginners, experienced dancers, singles and couples are all welcome! Mini-lessons will be given throughout the evening. Intro waltz lesson at 7:30 with Ari, live music and dancing start at 8:15 pm.
Admission $12 / FAC members $10 / Age 25 and under $6

Sunday schedule

Masonic Hall in Porter Square, 1950 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA

10 am – noon
Swinging the Waltz
Fun swing-waltz fusion
In this fun and informative class, you’ll learn how to intermix and blend some classic swing moves into your waltz. A perfect fusion of two dances that we all know and love!
Level:
Intermediate/Advanced. Facility with any turning waltz style and partnering skills are assumed.
Admission $25 / FAC members $23 / Age 25 and under $15