Get ready for a short but intensive crash course on swing aerials! Justin and Emma will be visiting Christchurch for one opportunity only, so if you’re interested in aerials this is your chance! They’ll be teaching all the fundamentals to get you flying including basic and intermediate aerials, spotting, and how to stay safe when practicing. Come and work hard, get sweaty, enjoy the adrenaline and finish the day with a great sense of achievement.
Those Rebels who’ve been around a while will recognise that the dancers in the flier above are not in fact Emma and Justin, but Josh and Maud, Rebels from years past – you too can be like them if you come to this workshop!
Requirements
You MUST attend with a partner, we will NOT rotate partners throughout the workshop. If you are keen but don’t have a partner we may be able to help you find someone so please fill in a registration form anyway, but your spot is not guaranteed until you have a confirmed partner.
One person in the partnership will need to be the “base” and one the “flyer”, for the whole session – no swapping roles as we go please.
This workshop will involve moderate exercise, including unfamiliar movements and physical exertion. Participants are responsible for informing teachers if they have any physical limitations to consider, and managing their own breaks during the session as needed. Whilst the teachers will make every effort to teach you a safe approach to these moves, attendance is at your own risk.
When and Where
St Michael’s School Hall, 249 Durham St, Christchurch
1:30 pm – 5 pm Sunday 14th April
We’ll head out for dinner at a local restaurant afterwards if anyone is keen to join us! Please indicate your interest on the registration form.
If you’re in town on the 13th April check out Microcosm! for an epic warm up to these workshops.
Registration
Cost $50 per person.
Places are limited to 10 couples – first in first served.
Registrations will open on February 15th – come back and click the below link then! The first person in the couple will need to register with the below link, then they will access a link to send to their partner to register. If you miss out and you are really keen please email us to go on a waitlist in the event of a withdrawal or extra capacity.
What to wear and bring on the day
Please wear comfortable shoes suitable for moderate exercise.
It’s best for bases(leads) and flyers(follows) to wear tops with sleeves (to avoid skin on skin friction where possible).
Jeans, singlets and clothing with buckles or items that can catch are not advised. Pants are generally preferable for the flyers as you will be going upside-down!
Other things to bring: Camera or phone for self recording, water bottle, snacks, mints, deodorant, spare t-shirt, small towel, band aids – swing dancing is exercise, and you may well break a sweat, so be prepared. And bring a smile and lots of energy!
Workshop teachers
Emma Robinson
Hailing from New Zealand, Emma Robinson discovered her passion for dance in Auckland back in 2014. It wasn’t quite love at first sight, as she only attended her third lesson because she’d prepaid for the block. But, by the end of that class, everything started to fall into place, and she hasn’t looked back since.
Developing an obsession with Lindy Hop, Emma immersed herself in various swing dance genres, including balboa, blues, shag, slow jazz, and the peabody. As an aficionado of these dances, she’s a familiar face on the social dance floor, happily dancing all night long.
Currently teaching Lindy Hop at the Jitterbug club in Sydney, Emma aims to create an inclusive and inviting atmosphere for everyone to discover the joy of swing dancing. When she’s not sharing her love for dance, you’ll find Emma defying gravity as she gracefully spins in the air on the lyra.
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Justin Ford
In 2005, Justin discovered his passion for Swing Dancing Air Steps while captivated by the Australian Hellzapoppin competition in Canberra. In his inaugural year of dancing, he achieved notable success by clinching the Marney Oliver and Up And Comers title whilst securing the 2nd position in the Like a Virgin events. Justin has continued to excel in dance competitions across Sydney and Melbourne.
For two years, Justin shared his expertise by teaching aerials in Sydney and conducting various aerial workshops in Victoria, Sydney, and regional NSW. As a founding member of Sydney’s Savoy Stomp, he performed professionally for two years. Additionally, Justin played a pivotal role as a founding member in establishing several swing dancing schools, including the Geelong Swing Dance Society, Albury Swing Dance Society, and Armidale Swing Dance.