Richard Powers Waltz Weekend
October 5-6, 2019 – Gainesville, FL
Richard Powers is a dance historian and instructor at Stanford University specializing in both historic and contemporary social dance. He leads workshops around the world (see below for more about that). His Social Dance class is among Stanford University’s most popular courses.
The primary focus of the weekend will be waltzing, including cross-step waltz and traditional turning waltz with a few other dances of Richard’s choice. This special weekend is only for those with at least some waltz experience (traditional, cross-step, box, Viennese, etc.) This is not a workshop for waltz beginners. If you already know some basic waltz steps, then this waltz weekend is for you.
Early Bird Registration open NOW; $60 for the weekendRegular registration opens July 1st; $70 for the weekend
This venue will have a capacity of approximately 70, so be sure to register early to save your place!
Registration online only HERE.
Richard’s custom schedule for this weekend is tentative and subject to change. All events will be at the Thelma A. Boltin Center in Gainesville, Florida.
Saturday October 510:00 – 10:50 am – Waltzing for Waltzers – Beyond the basics to whirling with ease and comfort.
11:00 – 11:45 am – Cross-Step Waltz Basics – Ramp up on the newest and fastest-spreading form of waltz.
12:00 pm – 12:30 pm – Lunch break
12:30 pm – 1:15 pm – Lunchtime chat with Richard
1:30-2:30 pm – Sweetheart Variations: Permutations in Shadow Position.
2:40-3:30 pm – Cross-Step Waltz Variations, including a new one that Richard recently introduced to waltzers in Russia.
3:40- 4:30 pm – Waltz Rueda: Cross-Step Waltz Mixer Variations
4:30 pm – 6:30 pm – Break for dinner
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm – Evening Party Sunday, October 6
9:30 -10:40 am – On-the-fly rotary waltz variations, meaning spontaneous possibilities that can be intuitively led and followed.
10:50 – 11:45 am – Pivaloops and Halo Frisbee, cross-step waltz variations.
12:00 – 1:00 pm – Lunch break
1:00 – 2:00 pm – Review of some of this weekend’s highlights.
Saturday evening dance party will be hosted by Richard Powers using his selection of recorded music. Dances may span several vintage eras, from the 1800s to the early 1900s, as well as contemporary, depending on his selection.
Regular first Sunday contra dance – After the waltz weekend concludes, The Gainesville Oldtime Dance Society will host their regular 1st Sunday waltz & contra dance on October 6th. This dance is not included in your weekend ticket, but you are welcome to extend your visit for a 45-minute waltz from 2:30-3:15 pm, as well as contra dance from 4 pm – 7 pm. Suggested donation of $10 for this afternoon dance.
Food – You are welcome to bring food items to share for the weekend, and some snacks will be provided during the breaks. A simple array of salad & sandwich ingredients will be available for lunches for those who would like to stay and socialize during the lunch breaks, and you are welcome to pack your own as well. There are plenty of good restaurants within walking distance of the dance venue for your other food needs.
Water – Please bring a water bottle for your use at the dance weekend. We are trying to reduce our waste. We will have paper cups available if you forget your water bottle, but no open cups will be allowed on the dance floor.
Fragrance-free space – Please do not wear fragrance.
Photography – You are welcome to take still photos, but please do not use flash. If you would like to record video, Richard will give short reviews at the end of each session that may be recorded for personal reference only, an exclusive perk for anyone who has paid to attend this event. Richard has requested that no videos be shared without his permission.
Being A Host – The sharing of your home can help make a dance weekend really wonderful for someone. If you can host one or several of the visiting dancers at your home in the Gainesville area, please contact us with your name, address, phone number, number of people you can host, and any other information your guests may need to know (type of beds, children, pets, smoker, etc.).
Parking for the Thelma Boltin Center is in the lot across the street & in marked spaces on adjacent streets.
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For more about Richard Powers, check out this interview:
Richard Powers is known for his pioneering study of vintage dance and founding of dance groups, choreography and excellence in teaching. He is an expert in American social dance, noted for his choreographies for dozens of stage productions and films, and his workshops in Paris, Rome, Prague, London, Venice, Geneva, St. Petersburg and Tokyo as well as across the U.S. and Canada. He has been researching and reconstructing historic social dances for forty years and is currently a full-time instructor at Stanford University Dance Division.
Richard’s emphasis is on flexible attentive partnering, creativity, developing one’s personal style, and the ability to adapt to the dancing styles of various partners. He instructs students in communicating with partners and even extends lessons in dance to lessons in life.
A beautiful example of Richard Powers dancing the cross-step waltz with Angela Amarillas
You can also visit Richard’s website:www.richardpowers.com