Sept 30 – Oct 2, 2022
Boston Waltz Weekend
Workshops and dancing
with Ari Levitt
Concord Scout House
74 Walden Street
Concord, Massachusetts
Register here (full weekend, packages, or individual sessions)
The Folk Arts Center of New England and Mostly Waltz for Boston are pleased to welcome back master teacher and dancer Ari Levitt of Seattle, WA for a weekend of waltz and other workshops, dancing, and fun.
Ari is well known for his clear, energetic, fun teaching style, for his detailed attention to connection and partnership, as well as for his ability to translate even the most complex moves into simple, understandable instructions. Saturday night's dance party will feature live music by Jacqueline Schwab (piano) and Dave Langford (fiddle).
- Level: The workshops are designed for non-novice dancers, familiar with any form of turning waltz, who are looking for something more!
- Partnering: It is not necessary to attend any of these workshops with a partner. We encourage rotating partners, or you can choose to stay with your own partner.
- Check-in: Please arrive 15 minutes before your first workshop to check-in.
- Shoes: Help protect the hall's wooden floors by changing from street shoes to clean, soft-soled shoes for dancing.
- Carpools: Feel free to post requests and offers on the Mostly Waltz Facebook event page.
- COVID Precautions: Include VAX/booster, masks during classes, and negative COVID test; download the PDF with the full details here.
Weekend Schedule
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
THURSDAY, Sept 29 (optional): |
|
| 6 - 7:30pm | Group Dinner (TBA) |
| 7:30 - 10pm | Blues Lesson & Dance with Blues Union Boston 16 Bow Street, Second Floor, Somerville, MA (Union Square) 7:30 – 8:30pm: free beginner lesson 8:30 – 10pm: dancing (Suggested donation $5-$15) |
FRIDAY, Sept 30: (See workshop descriptions below) |
|
| 6:30 - 7pm | Check-in |
| 7 - 9pm | Waltz Workshop A — Fun Striding & Gliding Waltz Combos |
| 9 - 10:30pm | Open dancing — DJ'd by Ari |
SATURDAY, October 1: (See workshop descriptions below) |
|
| 9:30 - 10am | Practice time |
| 10 - NOON | Workshop B — Fabulous Shadow Waltz Variations |
| NOON - 2pm | Lunch Break |
| 2 - 4pm | Workshop C — Fun with Foxtrot |
| 4:15-5:15pm | Workshop D — Finding Common Ground |
| 5:30pm | Optional group DINNER (location tbd) |
| 7:30 - 11pm | Mostly Waltz Dance Party — Waltzes and more to live music! |
| 7:30 - 8:20pm, Pre-Dance lesson with Ari: Beginning Blues-Waltz
8:30 - 11pm, open dancing with music by Jacqueline Schwab (piano) and Dave Langford (fiddle). |
|
SUNDAY, October 2: (See workshop descriptions below) |
|
| 9:30 - 10am | Practice time |
| 10 - NOON | Workshop E — Swinging The Waltz |
| 12:30pm | For those going on the dance cruise with Ari, transfer to the port to board the "Nieuw Statendam" |
Workshop Descriptions
| Workshops | |
|---|---|
Fun Striding & Gliding Waltz Combinations (FRIDAY, 7 - 9pm, Workshop A)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: Non-novice Beg/Int. Comfort with any turning waltz style and basic partnering skills are assumed. |
|
Fabulous Shadow Waltz Variations (SATURDAY 10am - NOON, Workshop B)In this class you’ll learn various ways to transition in and out of shadows, all while creating wonderful and effortlessly flowing patterns like the turbine turns, corkscrews, and shadow rolls. Level: Int/Adv. Facility with any turning waltz style and partnering skills are assumed. |
|
Fun with Foxtrot! (SATURDAY 2 - 4pm, Workshop C)Foxtrot is the classic partnered travel dance popularized from the 1930's to 1950's, and boasts some of the best music of that era. It has continued to thrive on the ballroom dance floor to this day, and now is a dance that we easily blend with other styles, such as swing, waltz, rhumba, Laminu, tango, and blues. This is the perfect class to review the basics, learn some fun new combos, and see how they all connect! Expect some GREAT music as well. Level: Non-novice Beg/Int. Basic partnering skills are assumed. |
|
Finding Common Ground (SATURDAY 4:15 – 5:15pm, Workshop D, Special bonus!)In this very unique concept session, Ari will demonstrate how waltz, swing, WCS, one-step, foxtrot, NC2S, and even Latin dances are all based on the same fundamental building blocks of rhythm and movement. Understanding how these major dance styles are really all one-and-the-same will GREATLY help you to expand your repertoire and see the connection between them all. (No in-depth knowledge necessary, but it would be helpful if you happen to know the basics of any one of those of those listed) Level: Open to all levels |
|
Swinging the Waltz (SUNDAY 10am – noon, Workshop E)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: Int/Adv. Facility with any turning waltz style and partnering skills are assumed. |
|
Pricing
Register here (full weekend, packages, or individual sessions)
FAC members, students, and "helpers" are eligible for discount admission. Please check box on the registration form if you're interested in helping at the event for discounted admission (e.g. helping with check-in, group dinner, etc.) and we'll be in touch.
Note: Workshop registrants (and those attending the dance cruise) will receive priority sign-up for the Saturday evening Mostly Waltz dance party through August 24th. Registrations for just the dance party will be held until then.
Refund Policy
Full refund (minus $20 processing fee) if cancelling before Sept 9th. After that a refund is offered, minus processing fee, only if we can fill your space.
Package Pricing
Pricing for the full weekend, including all events Friday – Sunday
| Category | General Admission | FAC Members | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Weekend registration | General Admission: $115 |
FAC Members: $105 |
Students: $60 |
| Advanced Beginner Special (A,C,D + dances) (if you know basic waltz, maybe a few moves, and are looking to expand/improve your dancing, this is for you!) | General Admission: $55 |
FAC Members: $50 |
Students: $28 |
| Saturday Day Pass (B,C,D + dance) | General Admission: $75 |
FAC Members: $70 |
Students: $40 |
| Any 3 workshops | General Admission: $75 |
FAC Members: $70 |
Students: $40 |
A la carte pricing
| Category | General Admission | FAC Members | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-hour Workshop, each (A,B,C,E) | General Admission: $30 |
FAC Members: $28 |
Students: $15 |
| Bonus Workshop (D) | General Admission: $15 |
FAC Members: $13 |
Students: $7 |
| Mostly Waltz Dance Party | General Admission: $15 |
FAC Members: $13 |
Students: $7 |
| Friday Open Dancing (if not attending Friday Workshop) |
General Admission: $5 |
FAC Members: $5 |
Students: $5 |