Well - it's Landy Hop Time again! All of you who know the Landy Hop know what to expect! Everything can happen, from cozy workshop classes and great parties, or holding the old party tent in thunder storms trying not to get completely soaked with water. Anyway, all is fun, and what happens at Landy Hop, stays at Landy Hop!
Zachersmühle is the "cradle" of SwingKultur Stuttgart. The very first courses and workshops took place here, even before the opening party in January 2005 at the 'Kulturwerk Stuttgart' and before the founding of "SwingKultur Stuttgart" as a cultural non profit organization in February 2005. The story of how SwingKultur came to be is quite an extraordinary one, an encouraging one, an adventure that also took a lot of courage. It is closely tied to the Zachersmühle, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. We are celebrating 20 years of SwingKultur Stuttgart with the people from the very beginning. Let yourself be surprised!
The Teacher - Lu Marosa (GER)
Studies in Speech and Drama, performer, singer, speaker, moderator, space and dream caretaker. She discovered partner dancing in Stuttgart (Argentine Tango, Salsa, Ballroom), and taught at the dance school “Taktlos” in Berlin from 1995 to 2008, covering everything rhythmically possible on two feet. Since 2002 (after attending the Herrang Dance Camp), she has been a passionate lover of Lindy Hop and a pioneer of its rise in Berlin: Triple Step (original first event flyer and network organizer), Clärchens Ballhaus as the first major multiplier of this joyful style of dancing, and countless street, dance school, party, and workshop events.
Additionally, she is a freelance artist, art therapist (specializing in speech development), theater educator, director, lecturer at the Michael Chekhov International Academy, teacher of speech training, and continues to further educate herself with like-minded people, always dancing through life.
The Venue
The entire workshop weekend happens at the wonderful Zachersmühle!
The Zachersmühle, an old mill, is a place where nature and culture come together and where kids and families are always welcome. An open air dance floor in an open tent, children’s playground just next to it, donkeys, goats, bunnies and a small brook on the other side, something to offer for everyone. During breaks between dance classes, you can discover the nature around. The restaurant in the mill offers dining, the dining times are organized to be suitable for families. The harmony with nature will be perfect if you decide to stay overnight in a tent on a meadow a few meters behind the mill. In a place like this it is very enjoyable and relaxing to stay for the whole weekend. Overnighting on the meadow is free of charge. Restroom in the mill restaurant can be used. Welcome kids!! Welcome families!!
Accommodation possibilities: Camping on the meadow free of charge. Achievable rooms are close to the vicinity. For more information contact Geli Holzer, Zachersmühle: Phone: +49 7166 255, zachersmuehle@zachersmuehle.de
Address: Zachersmühle, 73099 Adelberg (40 km away from Stuttgart). You can find information on how to get there and whatnot on the homepage of the Zachermühle: www.zachersmuehle.de
The Party - Masl Blues (GER)
Handmade, danceable swing music under the motto: "MASL-BLUES" – Maslband meets Bluesette:
In this musical encounter, the longtime musician colleagues draw from the rich repertoire of both ensembles, offering a lively and colorful mix of various swing styles. Frank Eisele on the accordion (Bluesette) and Katharina Wibmer, who plays both the violin and the trumpet violin in both formations, shape the francophile flair of Gypsy Swing in the style of Gus Viseur and Stéphane Grappelli.
The musical spectrum is further enriched by the energy of Maslband musicians Helga Freude (vocals, swing guitar) and Monika Nuber (bass), who bring an extra touch of spirited Balkan groove with their joyful and passionate performance.
What about classes and all that other stuff?
We put together a bouquet of classes with different topics.
"Shape the breaks"
Swing music is, among many many other things: Pulse, rhythm, melody, off beat, syncopation, delay, instrumental solos, lyrics (!) and ... BREAK. The break forms a kind of counterpoint to the never ending pulse of the music, a „zero point“ which offers a very special creative space for improvisation. We will discover five ways of expressively shaping the pauses: staccato/legato, isolation of a body centre, interpret a specific music instrument, text interpretation as well as contact and movement dialogue within the dance couple. Let's enjoy the enchanting charm of the break as a moment of pause, freedom and inspiration.
Swing Rueda Track
Taken from salsa and simply a well-rounded thing: the couples stand in a circle facing the centre and ready to dance the spontaneously announced figures simultaneously, a fluent partner change is often involved. We will incorporate changes of direction, stops and variations of the triple step into the Lindy Hop basics.
Partner Steeling Track "Robbing in Rhythm"
Birthday - Jam.... Large circle, the birthday celebrant in the centre is "stolen" in a friendly and smooth manner by as many dancers as possible to celebrate a new year full of dancing joy. A perfect opportunity to practise the art of stealing a partner: concentration, composure, timing, spatial awareness and the multitasking to not only end up with the person I want to dance with, but also to politely but firmly displace the person whose place I am taking. Step by step we practise the rules of stealing, and by the end we will have mastered a bouquet of nice possibilities. It can be very refreshing to be stolen. The music of life goes on...
Level requirements:
All classes are open level with a minimum experience required at beginner/intermediate. So you should at least have gathered a bit of Lindy Hop dancing experience and feel comfortable dancing the main 8-count moves like Swing out, Lindy turn and Lindy circle as well as the most classic 6-count moves like Send out, Pass by, Sugar Push.
What is when?
Things to know about the Dinner on Saturday and Breakfast on Sunday
The Zachersmühle offers a dinner buffet saturday evening between the classes and the party and a breakfast sunday morning. You can reserve a "seat" for the dinner and/or the breakfast, when you register for the classes, but you will pay on site at the Zachersmühle during the workshop. So do not wonder if we do not collect the money from you during registration ;-).
Join the Fish Bowl Talk saturday evening before the party!
20 years of Swing Culture Stuttgart - how did it all start? What sparked it? Who was there and initiated, accompanied, was responsible for and, above all, inspired this unique development? In the open "Fish Bowl Talk" we will review 20 years of swing history in Stuttgart and some surprising things will pop up, for example the important role that Dawn Hampton played and how the people who started it all came together. Questions, contributions and legends welcome!
When can you register?
The registration starts here on May 20th, 6:00 pm.
How much is it?
Shape the breaks: 17 € regular / 14 € reduced* per class and person (1 h of teaching)
Swing Rueda Track: 34 € regular / 28 € reduced* per class and person (2 h of teaching)
Partner Steeling Track "Robbing in Rhythm": 34 € regular / 28 € reduced* per class and person (2 h of teaching)
Party with live music: 15 € regular/ 12 € reduced*
Breakfast: 16 € (Only reservation. You will pay the money on site at the Zachersmühle)
Warm Dinner Buffet: 16 € (Only reservation. You will pay the money on site at the Zachersmühle)
*We are happy to offer you that discount, if you are still going to school or are a student, if you volunteer in social projects or own the Stuttgarter Bonuscard (or a corresponding card). In case you do not apply to any of these, but are in need of financial support to make the workshop happen, please get in touch with us.