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Solo Jazz Workshop
From 03:00 pm until 05:30 pm
At Veterans Memorial Building Upstairs Dance Studio
1626 Willamette St, Eugene, OR 97401
Al & Leon Shim Sham Workshop
Saturday, March 14th, 3-5:30pm (with breaks)
Join Nika in taking a closer look at the iconic clip of Al Minns and Leon James dancing their take on the Shim Sham in The Spirit Moves!
The Shim Sham originates in the 1920s on the T.O.B.A. performing circuit, created by tap legends Leonard Reed and Willie Bryant. It was famous as a closing number, with all the performers in a variety show including singers and comedians joining in on stage at the end. By the 1930s you might even see the audience and staff at a theatre or club join in as well.
It makes sense that Lindy Hoppers and jazz dancers at the Savoy Ballroom learned this routine and where bringing it out on the dance floor!
In the current Lindy Hop scene, we gather together to dance a version taught to the community by Frankie Manning.
We will start the workshop with a refresher on our "regular" swing dancer's Shim Sham. If you've been hoping to get clarification on different steps after trying it at the dances, this is your time!
We will then look at Al & Leon's Savoy Ballroom version from The Spirit Moves, break down the new steps and gain insight and rhythmic inspiration from how they are personalizing the routine.
Venue is the Upstairs Dance Studio in the Veteran's Memorial Building
1626 Willamette Street, Eugene, OR 97401
