Workshop with Dexter Santos in Heidelberg on Nov 8/9 '26!

REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

Dexter is a true master of blues roots and jukin' grooves, a very experienced teacher (20+ years of teaching blues all over the world!), a passionate and dedicated social dance enthusiast, and - last but not least - an all-around wonderful human. I'm very excited that he'll be joining us for a weekend of blues dance classes and more in Heidelberg!

Check him out in action:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRLh5crcCMU

(Solo Blues Choreo with students in Scotland)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1y5dVVf9RDM&t=455s

(Improv to live music with the inimitable Jenny Sowden)

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SCHEDULE

7 hrs of class + two extra afternoon sessions

Class content will be taught progressively:

Open level on Saturday, Challenge level on Sunday

SATURDAY & SUNDAY

11:30-13:30 Class

- lunch break -

15-16.30 Class

+ DJ'd Social Practice from 17-19 on Saturday

(classic evening parties are not allowed by the venue)

+ Fine-tune your Blues from 17- ca.18.30 on Sunday

This is a cozy workshop with an emphasis on learning and practicing, and with enough time to receive individual feedback on your dancing, too. The evenings are free to relax, eat, rest, enjoy the beautiful city of Heidelberg or book a private lesson with the teachers. :)

→ CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

Workshop description

Whether you're new to Blues dancing or a seasoned shuffle veteran, join us for a weekend of learning and dancing that's perfect for anyone curious about the style or looking to move more confidently to this beautiful music!

Saturday - Open Level: From Grit to Grace

On Saturday, we'll explore the depth and diversity of Blues movement: from the raw, grounded feel of Jookin’ to the smoother flow and drive of Ballroomin’. This workshop will give you tools to build your own grooves, explore the aesthetics and contrasts within Blues dancing, and help you move with more confidence, creativity, and connection.

We’ll kick things off in the morning with two hours focused on Jookin’ Blues. We'll take time to get into the gritty, grounded side of the dance, diving into posture, pulse, and that distinctive Blues aesthetic. Together, we’ll build our own movement vocabulary by playing with shapes, lines, angles, rhythms, and steps. Furthermore, we’ll look at how to make clear, intentional and creative choices when dancing with a partner. Expect plenty of juicy solo movement, lots of exploration in partnership and space to find your own voice in the style.

In the afternoon, we’ll switch gears and take a closer look at the contrast between Jookin’ and Ballroomin’: What’s different in how they look and feel, how they relate to the music, and how we move within each style? We'll dig into the feeling, rhythm, and flow of both, and then bring those ideas into partnership - with lots of room to play, explore, and groove together.

To finish the day, there’ll be a DJ’d social practice dance where we can practice what we’ve learned, connect with others, and enjoy moving to the music together.

Sunday - Challenge Level: Shape, Explore & Shine

Sunday is all about digging deeper: into the groove, into the details, and into your own creativity as a dancer. We’ll explore how a simple movement can grow, evolve, and transform into something entirely new, and how blues, at its heart, invites that kind of exploration. Whether you’re coming fresh off Saturday and ready to challenge yourself, or you’ve been dancing Blues for years, Sunday is your day to play, experiment, allow yourself to grow, and fine-tune your dance.

We’ll start the day with a session focused on variation: Taking a basic step, rhythm, or groove and stretching it, shifting it, reshaping it, until it's all flow and ease. We'll then take those ideas into partnered dancing and discover how to create and evolve a shared groove together with another person and in different dance positions.

In the afternoon, we’ll flip the script and address ideas in a kind of practical Q&A: Everyone will have the chance to bring their own questions, challenges, and curiosities to the session. Not sure what to ask? No problem! We’ll throw on some music and come up with ideas and questions in the moment together.

And finally, we’ll wrap up the day with a special bonus session: Fine-Tune Your Blues - a sort of group private lesson where there’s space for individual feedback, questions, inspiration, and shared learning, drawing from Dexter and Annette’s combined knowledge and years of experience. Think of it as a creative jam with guidance, a chance to pick up ideas and inspiration from the room, and walk away with something personal to keep working on.