LUX
THE LUXURY DANCE EXPERIENCE
LUCKY SKILLEN
WORKSHOPS AND TEACHERS - this is our 2023 line up; 2024 TBC
The full schedule for 2024 will be available closer to the event date, but in the meantime you can get an idea of the teaching and DJing line up and timings on the previous LUX 23 schedule HERE
Our main aim in creating the LUX experience is to build confidence in dancing to different genres of music. Consequently the line-up of teachers always reflects the varying styles suited to each dance space - but more importantly our teachers are selected because of their teaching ability, experience and understanding of the lead and follow techniques required to develop their students. Of course approachability and a keen sense of fun are also high up on the list of requirements.
The workshops taught at LUX will reflect the following styles:
Blues
Ceroc
SILC / Utopia Style
Tango
CAINE LANGFORD
Host of the popular Bristol SILC Sundays and veteran teacher / DJ on the dance weekender scene, Caine is a smooth dancer, a joy to watch, and a pleasure to dance with. He has been teaching for around 10 years, currently in the Bristol area after a long time teaching in Sussex and the South Coast. This weekend Caine heads up the SILC Intensive 2 hour session.
SILC INTENSIVE - Sun, 4.30 - 6.45pm - Sequoia - Int
SILC is the smooth, slotted dance that finds its home in the Chill-out & Utopia zone. The techniques taught allows room for interpretation and style that suits the slower music genres playes in the Chill Out and Utopia zones. This is a 2 hour session which will start with the fundamentals and progress to include, style, moves & patterns that will enhance your dance floor prowess whether you are in the Main Room or the Chill Out Room.
DALE ST ROSE
London Based Ceroc Teacher Dale has a passion for different dance styles and his dedication to dance has led him to win 1st place at the Ceroc Championships twice, the Blues Open Championships in 2007 & 2009 and joint 1st place winning spot in the Blues showcase Category in 2010..... And 2017 the Open Winner at the London Ceroc Champs. His background in Line Dance, Salsa, Kizomba, Bachata and WCS influence his style and syncopation, and this makes for classes that are full of pure body and soul. He's also a talented Dj and will be playing in both the Main Room and Utopia lounge over the weekend.
Keep It Smooth - Sun, 12.45 - 1.45 - Sequoia - Int
Seamless links, smooth styling techniques and fluid moves.
Bachata- Sun, 3.15 - 4.15pm - Juniper - All
This session will introduce you to Bachata which is a style of social dance from the Dominican Republic. Its slow and sensual and danced in 'hold' with simple, but rhythmic patterns.
DEBBIE ATTWOOD
Debbie is the darling of the West Midlands! The hostess with the mostess on many of the Dance Holidays, including the ever popular Medfest, Blaze and dance ski holidays. With years of teaching experience and dedication to building her lovely community of dancers on the west side of Birmingham her passion for dance never diminishes. she's always dipping a toe into this dancefloor and that, gathering experience and skills that continually enhance her talents.
Salsa Rueda - Sat, 8pm Sequoia - All
Salsa rueda (also known as rueda de casino) is a style of salsa dancing which originated in Cuba, where couples form a big circle and execute turn patterns. Get ready for big fun, Debbie will make this achievable and incredibly entertaining. What a way to start LUX !
Launch into LUX - Sun, 1.15pm - 2.15pm - Sequoia - Int
If you missed Debbie getting the party started with the Rueda, she is going to get everyone going again with an energetic, fun intermediate class to settle you all in, get you warmed up and get those feet moving.
Connection for Styling - Sun, 4.30pm - 5.30pm - Juniper - Int+
This class shows that style shouldn't be independent and that interpretative possibilities are opened when connection is mastered.
LUCKY SKILLEN
Back by popular demand all the way from the US of A, is the incomparable Lucky Skillen! Through the magic power of his huge smile, he brings dancing joy wherever he goes. Lucky started dancing in 1996 and began teaching in 1998. Since then he has taught and performed many styles of dances in Asia, Europe, and North America. He has also had the privilege of working with such celebrities as Neil Young, Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick, Katie Holmes, and Frankie Manning. He will be teaching a classes over the weekend that will suit the Blues room and the Utopia Room.
Intro to Blues - Sun, 11.30am - 12.30pm Juniper - All
Blues is slow, close, subtle and beautiful. This intro will get you connected and into the Blues mood!
Blues Dynamics - Sun, 2pm - 3pm Juniper - Progressive Blues
Using momentum and connection to develop dynamic force to make even the slowest dance exhilirating.
Blues Masterclasses (£10 per head per session or £15 for both sessions)
Session 1 Micro-Blues - Mon, 11.30am - 12.30pm - Pines
This is a modern style of blues that uses small movements to communicate to your partner. This is the glue that holds the dance together and further develops the intricacy of connection
Session 2 Slides & Glides - Mon, 12.45pm - 1.45pm Pines
This session does exactly what it says on the tin, so expect to be gliding and sliding during this fun class that will be guaranteed to leave you with some impressive moves and a smile on your face!
MARC & RACHEL
Slinky, bluesy, elegant dancers Marc & Rachel have been introducing our dancers to Argentine Tango and Pure Blues on many of Ceroc's largest weekend events now for a number of years – not just through classes but with their involvement and introduction of Milonga's at the Escape Weekenders. With a keen interest being shown in this style of dance, Marc and Rachel will be running a number of Argentine Tango classes over the weekend as well as Blango.
Blango - Sun,12.45pm 1.45pm - Juniper - Int
Take Blues, take Argentine Tango and fuse them together. The result, close, slow & sultry with the introduction of beautiful foot patterns danced to Blues music.
Intro to Argentine Tango - Sun, 7pm - 8pm - Juniper - All
Argentine Tango is beautifully precise and intimate. Marc & Rachel will get you gliding and pivoting in this wonderful introduction to the Argentine Tango and its followed by an hour of Milonga freestyle to allow you to practice and immerse yourself in the dance.
STEVE THOMAS
Steve is a veteran of nearly 20 years of Ceroc teaching. He’s the main man behind the groundbreaker Ceroc Evolution franchise and the man responsible for bringing Ceroc to The O2. His laidback and humorous approach, coupled with an extraordinary understanding of technique makes even the most complicated things seem easy. You’ll always leave his class with something new in your repertoire and a smile on your face.
Keep it Classic - Sun, 2pm - 3pm - Sequoia - Int
A selection of classic move variations à la Steve!
Pivotal Power - Sun, 5.45pm - 6.45pm - Juniper - Int +
A selection of 'whips' that create momentum, energy and dynamism.
DAN HEWITT-GREEN
Southampton based teacher and franchisee, Dan Hewitt-Green is one smooth teacher! One half of SO Ceroc, Dan has been teaching for twenty years and is known for drilling down into technique, fluid moves and style plus golden nuggets of wisdom that help propel dancers to that next level. He’s also known for his propensity for mischief and getting the party started…
Magic Moments - Sun, 3.15pm - 4.15pm - Sequoia - Int+
Make a 'dance moment'. Dan will introduce 3 techniques to add emphasis and interpretation to each individual dance. Learn about stops & breaks, spotlighting, deceleration & acceleration.