BluesBlues is actually a name for a family of dances, danced to a variety of music styles. There is very little reliance on patterns, and a great deal of emphasis on creativity and partnership. Styles of blues dance include vintage styles like the Fishtail, the Mooche, and the Stride, and modern styles include Drag Blues and Blues Walk.
Ballroomin' Blues In the big ballrooms, in the heyday of jazz as pop, the big band would play slow tunes, as well as fast tunes. So rather than take a break, the dancers would continue to dance, doing what we now call ballroomin blues. Ballroomin is often characterized by traveling, momentum, large moves, and fancy turns, is danced to slow jazz music, and comprises dances like the Slow Drag, the Strut, the Stride, and the Savoy Walk. Jukin' Blues Jukin blues, on the other hand, grew up alongside blues music, in juke joints- basically, bars with live music. They were often crowded, and were not dance halls, so to speak, so the dance uses much less traveling and momentum than ballroom. Instead, it focuses on sharp, rhythmic movements, and a repetitive structure that allows for a lot of individual freedom. It includes dances like the Mooche, the Grind, the Fishtail, and Belly Rubbin'. Solo Blues Blues can also be danced solo. Many of the jukin' dances can be danced alone. Additionally, there are some styles like Sand that are primarily solo dances, which may get incorporated into partner dancing. |
 Mike Legett and Chris Mayer (Austin, TX) at BluesSHOUT! 2010  A room full of Blues dancers at Enter the Blues, 2010 in Atlanta, GA |
Ballroomin and Drag Blues |
Solo & Jukin Blues Exhibition |