Lounge Blues is a one off blues event held in Christchurch NZ from the 14th-16th February 2020.
There will be 2 days of mindblowing classes and 3 late night house party social dances – blues the night away!
Classes assume a good understanding of the basics, and will be aimed at intermediate and above dancers.
Registrations open NOW! Only until 25th November – register now so you don’t miss out!
COST
$150 for full pass and beware! Individual workshops are available for purchase but only full pass holders will be able to attend the social dances due to venue size restrictions, so once registrations open, be in quick to secure your spot!
CLASSES
| Time | Saturday | Time | Sunday | |||
| 10am – 11am | Noni | 11am – 12pm | Debi & Jeff | Sarah & Becky | ||
| 11:10am – 12:10 | Sheiva & Chris | Sibby and Angela | 12:10pm – 1:10pm | Sarah & Chris | Noni & Rebecca | |
| 12:10pm – 1pm | Lunch | 1:10 – 2:00 | Lunch | |||
| 1pm – 2pm | Rebecca & Marcel | Sheiva & Angela | 2pm – 3pm | Rebecca & Chris | Sibby & Marcel | |
| 2:10pm – 3:10pm | Noni & Angela | Sibby & Chris | 3:10pm – 4:10pm | Sheiva & Marcel | ||
TEACHERS
Noni started dancing lindy hop as a teenager in 1999/2000 and fell in love with blues as soon she found it! Noni started teaching in 2003 and toured America teaching blues with Solomon in the years following and worked with many other international teachers.
She is one of Australia’s most experienced and respected blues dance teachers. Noni proudly established the Melbourne’s weekly blues dance classes, pivotal in building the largest blues community in Australia and the event organiser of the largest blues dancing festival, Blues Before Sunrise.
Noni currently teaches regular workshops, teacher training and performs with Australia’s premier swing dance troupe, Echoes of Harlem.
When Noni isn’t dancing she is with her two kids, creating artwork and stilt walking.
Chris was dragged to his first dance class, almost kicking and screaming, by his new wife, Chloe, on their cruise ship honeymoon. Instantly enjoying every moment of it, Chris soon found his way into some local dance classes. Since then he’s had an unwavering pursuit of dance perfection for the last 7 years.
Dabbling in styles in and out of the swing umbrella, Chris strongly favours Blues and Lindy Hop. With a strong focus on connection with both partner and music, Chris enjoys highlighting the music and elements of the music in ways that always surprise and delight. Chris regularly teaches Lindy Hop and Blues, loving the opportunity to share his love for these styles.
Rebecca Stewart
Rebecca is a Blues dancer and teacher originally based in Dunedin. She recently returned from a four month dance extravaganza throughout the USA and Europe which provided her with the opportunity to attend teacher training, local events, and international workshops. Rebecca enjoys dancing to a wide range of Blues music styles, exploring different aesthetics, idioms and techniques.
She is passionate about personal expression and musicality in partnership. Rebecca also loves to delve into the history of Blues dance and share this knowledge so that others can be inspired by the rich cultural context surrounding Blues dance.
Shieva has been dancing Lindy Hop, Balboa, Authentic Jazz and Blues for many years, with a particular passion for Solo Blues. She’s known for her fluid style and quality of movement.
Based in Wellington, she teaches regularly when she’s at home, but has also taught in Melbourne, NYC and in Europe. She’s also competed extensively around Europe, placing in and winning several partnered and solo blues comps.
She loves sharing her ideas and her passion for music and dance with others. Her classes tend to be fun, but also challenging, as she loves to push herself and her students.
Sibby Dillon
Sibby is the epitome of musicality and refinement. She discovered Lindy Hop in 2016 and has found a true passion for it! It wasn’t long after that she was introduced to Blues dance on the social dance floor. All of the Swing era dance styles have really resonated with Sibby’s sense of humour and joy for life. She loves spending time refining her dance and the rest of the time passing on her passion for it.
Dance and performance have always been a big part of her life – she even taught Jazz ballet for several years. 
Bringing together her musicality, dance experience and a sense of fun, Sibby’s ready to introduce you to a world of hilarity and happiness through lindy and the smooth sultry shapes of Blues!
Marcel first stepped into a dance class in 2008, when he decided he needed an extracurricular activity to offset his studies. As destiny would have it, he happened to step into an Argentine tango class, and was nigh on instantly hooked. While exploring other dances, Marcel started Swing dancing in 2011, and this eventually lead him to find Blues.
Marcel’s love of Blues dances was born one rainy night on 2012 in a small church hall filled with the music of BB King. Since then Marcel has travelled to many Blues events, both nationally and internationally, learning from amazing blues teachers, and revelling in the awesome dancing to be had on packed dance floors.
Marcel and his partner Therese made their interstate teaching debut at Borderline Blues in 2015, and since then they have taught both nationally and overseas. Spreading his love of Blues dancing has always been close to Marcel’s heart; this led him to open the first Australian dance school exclusively dedicated to Blues in 2016, where he now teaches regularly. 
In 2017 Marcel competed in the inaugural Australian Blues Dance Championships, where he placed 1st in the Mix and Match, 2nd in Strictly Blues and was finalist in Solo Blues Dance competitions.
Angela saw Lindy Hop for the first time while at uni in Montreal but started actually dancing it when she came across a lonely lead in Africa looking for a follow. From there she arrived in Christchurch hungry for more and found Blues which was an instant favourite because of all the hugs! She started leading because it meant that she could dance with absolutely everyone and she’s known for her creativity and wild enthusiasm. 
Angela has been teaching and working with the Christchurch performance troupe as a dancer and organizer since 2014. She’s currently in Switzerland, excited about working with some international Blues dancers and bringing home what she learns. She loves looking at the connections between maths (her other love!) and dance and mindfulness, and would love to do some dance meditation with you!
Jeff and Debi started dancing in the U.S. and brought their new moves and VHS Lindy Hop tapes back to NZ to start Hepcat Swing in Christchurch. Sarah and Becky started learning shortly after and together they have taught, danced and performed for over 15 years.
Jeff is a solid all-rounder with mad skills in Blues, Lindy and Balboa. He loves the social dance floor and is always out there asking people for a dance.
Debi is a lover of all things blues but rocks both lead and follow for each dance style she does. She’s an experienced teacher who loves helping people improve.
Becky is the technique freak of the bunch with unmatched focus on connection, dynamics and flow. She’s a lead and a follow primarily in Lindy but but has the skills that transcend dance styles.
Sarah is the performer of the bunch and can’t stay off the stage. She has taught blues around NZ and in Australia and loves all things dancing.