“Evolving from the Bop, Swing, and the Jitterbug, Chicago Stepping has made its mark in black culture and art. Stylized by intricate steps, dance partnership, and smooth movements, Chicago Stepping provides a space for connection and liberation at the same time.“ Shaun Ballentine — aka Mr. Effortless — is teaching a basic eight count for Chicago Style Stepping as well as how to connect with a partner.

In this class, dancers will learn fundamentals and techniques of body movement in the context of learning Salsa choreography. This class will explore Afro-Latin body movement and Salsa footwork. We will dance a Latin warm-up, do technique-based exercises, and learn an energetic combination.

Sharon and Brandon will teach an introductory lesson in Country Two-Step, a welcoming partner dance that has a vibrant and growing scene in Chicago. Attendees will learn everything they need to get on the dance floor, along with finding local places to dance and the bands that play two-steppable tunes.

A focus on the Umfundalai 7 that will explore the basics of the technique, sharing stories, and contexts for each movement to emphasize the importance of history and community.

“Femme DOWN!” creates a space where dancers can create their own standards of beauty, power, freedom, and artistic expression. Dancers will experience a choreography-based class that channels the movement and feminine influences of dances styles such as: Hip Hop, Vogue, Jazz, Heels, Dancehall/Afro and HBCU Majorette, while leaving space for dancers to do what we love most without all the pressure — DANCE!

Warm up your arms, hands, and fingers for this special add-on to the Friday Class Series with K-Pop choreographer Spella teaching her signature style of a combination of Tutting and Waacking.

Oftentimes when we think of a ballet class - we accept that we will be expected to go through the standard/traditional ballet barre, center, and across-the-floor combinations. This class encourages a pause for inquiry and conversation to check in with what we are doing and why we are doing it. While this class will incorporate ballet vocabulary, the progression and approach of the class will be non-traditional

This workshop considers states of dissociation and alienation felt in the body and produced in the social realm. We will use durational group improvisation and seek to consciously embody divergence and opposition. We will explore registers of disconnection, dissonance, and detachment in our movement. We will lose focus and use attention, assemble a method to make our oppositions physical, and build a group scene by giving form to these impulses in close proximity.

This Afro-Contemporary workshop will explore the movement aesthetics found in Dunham Technique and Chicago House.

Hailing from Lagos, Nigeria Tom Tom, a founding member of Westsyde Lifestyle, will take you on a journey of learning, discovery, growth, and culture.

Rivera invites to join in a celebration of community and to explore your individuality through this Latin Jazz inspired workshop fusing elements of Latinx diaspora with jazz and contemporary techniques.

Join us for this special workshop to learn Latin Jazz choreography. Expect smooth, lyrical movements informed by African, Latin, Jazz, and contemporary dance.

This class will explore African and contemporary movement styles in conjunction through movement exploration and choreography.

This Sildance/Acrodanza movement workshop led by Silvita Diaz Brown will expand body malleability, strength, playfulness, and self-expression.

This workshop draws from Textile Dances, a series of kinetic fabric works devised by Rachel Damon over the last 10 years. Abstract motions drive and follow the textiles, stemming from modern dance, martial arts, and needlecraft choreographies. Expand your kinesphere as you loft and drag weighted textiles made through a process called arm knitting. Wrap yourself in a cocoon of comfort, then swirl and stretch as we twist space together.

The "Relaxation Exploration" workshop allows participants to move through different modes of relaxing, giving every mover a chance to examine new, deep relaxation techniques.

Hip-Hop meets Dancehall Workshop is an Afro-Caribbean and Hip-Hop movement MASHUP of music, community ritual, social dance, and FIYAH energy led by Leyda "ProFeSOL" Garcia!

Uses of the Erotic: Burlesque as Power is a movement based workshop that explores burlesque movement as a vehicle to explore and awaken one’s erotic, a sense of deep satisfaction.

Join Joey Martinez for this workshop focused on learning how to break free of the notion of performance and create a casual space where both art and humanity can coexist.

Join Sirr Tmo, a professional Chicago footwork dancer with nearly 20 years of experience, for an immersive session that will focus on mastering form, understanding musicality, and developing your own footwork vocabulary. Participants will explore foundational moves like the west side ghost, south side two-step, bangs, dribbles, drops, spins, breakdowns, and combos, including left-to-right patterns to build symmetry in movement.

This Masterclass led by Kuchipudi artist Kasi Aysola will explore the fundamental concepts of the Kuchipudi style. Kuchipudi hails from Andhra Pradesh and is steeped in a rich tradition of theater, music, and movement. Participants will be introduced to basic techniques in movement and emotive aspects.