CAMP BLUES -- Instant inclusion and accelerated mastery with the vibrant and friendly blues dance community.

Welcome to Camp Blues, the only Blues Dance event where you get to "camp-out" with leading instructors, elite and beginning dancers and emerge a transformed master of the dance rooted in African movement, the juke joints of the early 1900's, and the deeply-grounded pulse of blues music.

Have you ever tried learning a new language? It can be a difficult and intimidating process when you have to struggle through new words and concepts on your own. It's a lot easier when you do it through immersion, surrounded by the language all the time, picking it up in a fun, social, supportive context.

At Camp Blues, you learn the language of blues dancing in the best possible way: through total immersion in a friendly community of instructors, experienced dancers, and the newly curious.

Over the course of several days you will grow into your new role as a blues dancer. You will make connections and share experiences with dancers from different backgrounds and skill levels, study with world-class dance instructors, and enjoy practicing your new moves at our exclusive nightly dance events.

For those new to the camp, this is going to be a journey that will completely change your life as a dancer. With activities scheduled from 9 am until 1 am each day (don't worry, late night activities are optional, so you can get your beauty sleep), Camp Blues is designed to build your confidence and mastery with blues dance, develop your connection to the community, and cultivate friendships that will last for years to come.

If you've been to Camp Blues before, WELCOME BACK! Now you have the opportunity to fine tune your skills and add layers of subtlety to your dancing. There will also be lots of new faces at Camp Blues this year, so in addition to reconnecting with your fellow dancers from the community, you will have the chance to greet and usher in developing dancers, eager to learn with you.

LEARN, PRACTICE, DANCE (YOUR HEART OUT)

One of Camp Blues most valuable offerings is the rock-solid instruction from a host of world-class instructors. Mike "The Girl" Legett (Philly), Reuel Reis (Nashville), Brenda Russell (Portland), San Francisco's very own Ruth Hoffman, just back from a Bali teaching tour, and Ted Maddry.

Best of all, Camp Blues offers a 4:1 student-teacher ratio, which means you get hours of individual attention. All the instructors share one unified vision: We meet you at your level and take you well beyond the next. Classes fit together seamlessly to give you a holistic sense of blues dancing in a number of different contexts. You'll learn:

* blues style (what makes it blues)

* musicality and rhythm

* body control, solo movement, and isolations

* lead/follow technique

* dance vocabulary and styles

* creativity

* connection and various embraces

* tone and relaxation

* balance, core engagement, and leverage

* how to have fun (seriously :)

* presence, breath

* aesthetics and visual appeal

* pivots, turns, and lunges

* body shaping

* advanced partnering and improvisation

In addition to great instruction, the camp offers you plenty of time to learn from others and to practice techniques with dancers above and below your skill level. So the next time you go out into the dance world you will know exactly how to get the most out of every dance with every partner.

We'll show you how to comfortably and confidently ask fellow dancers for feedback and how to "listen" to their movements as the most powerful indicator of how to improve your dancing. We ensure that what you learn sinks in.

EAT, PLAY, PARTY (TILL YOU DROP)

Every morning you'll be treated to a deliciously prepared breakfast. Every afternoon you'll receive a nourishing lunch and shacks. We provide everything you need to sustain a full day of dancing and to enjoy the company of passionate people. And then... WE PARTY!

Did you think Camp Blues was only about classroom instruction and drills? We didn't forget to schedule in the most important part of the event - time to dance! On Thursdy, Aug 12th, we'll have a group dinner then invite the Camp Blues alumni to join campers and instructors-turned-friends for an old-fashioned Blues House Party! It's the kind of party where everyone knows your name, and no one is left out.

On Friday, we will raid Friday Night Blues together and take no prisoners on the dance floor.

On Saturday night some people will need a break and go to bed early, and others will hit The Rent Party, offering lindy and Blues dancing in the heart of San Francisco's Mission district.

On Sunday, after we officially close camp, we'll mosie over to Tenderloin district for a top notch live blues jam.

Every night you get to show up, show off, and the best part... The slumber party!

RELAX, RECOUPERATE, AND REJUVINATE (TO DO IT ALL AGAIN)

We'll be askign the Bay Area residents to host the out-of-towners so everyone can get a chance to know one another outside of the classroom and off the dance floor. Come join the slumber party! There will also be 1-2 "quiet houses" if you'd like to be social in a more bite-size way.

You'll want to bring comfortable clothes (in layers) and shoes to dance in. For the evenings, bring clothes to go out dancing.

And if you have any special talents you'd like to share, come prepared and let the craziness begin! In the past we've had national-caliber talent in such wonderful and zany arts as baloon sculptors, clowns, singers, a bubble lady (I now know how the world looks from inside a soap bubble), and many more. We want to know who you are off the dance floor too.

MEET, MINGLE, CONNECT (FOR FRIENDSHIPS THAT LAST)

The number one thing we hear from people is that Beyond Blues events are a great place to meet new people. So if you're an up-and-coming dancer, this is the perfect opportunity to talk to experienced dancers and make new friends.

If you're a veteran, you'll reconnect with some of the most talented dancers in the Bay area! You'll also get to meet all the new recruits.

GET YOUR MONEY'S WORTH

OK so you get all of this... the instruction, the dancing, the parties, the accommodations, the food, the friends, and the memories. And because we value your inclusion in our community we would like to offer you the Camp Blues experience and give you a discount of over $100 off.

So if you register for your all-inclusive pass to Camp Blues NOW.. then we will take $155 off the door price.

That's a $650 value for $495.

What You Need To Know:

Camp Starts: Fri, Aug 12 @ 10:00 am

Camp Ends: Mon, Aug 15 @ 7:00 pm

Cost: $650 at the door, $495 if you register now.

P.S. MONEY BACK GUARANTEE

We're so sure that you will have a great time that we're happy to offer a money-back guarantee. Come join us for this unique experience. We guarantee that your dancing will never be the same. But you don't want to get stuck paying full price at the door. Act quickly, register now!

WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU THERE!!

**Make sure we know your sleeping arrangement preference when you register.

***Please let us know about any special diet requirements when you register so we can take care of you. (We can accommodate meals for vegetarians, vegans, gluten-free, and other special dietary needs!)

Registration