American Vernacular Dance Week

2013 Tuition:  $450

Click for on-campus housing and meals information.

Gareiss & Olwell

Kwame Shaka Opare

This year Augusta emphasizes American Vernacular Dance, a diverse and yet integrated field spanning Appalachian flatfooting and clogging, swing, vernacular jazz, tap, and contemporary urban dance forms like House and hip-hop. This week offers an opportunity for solo and social dancers from many backgrounds to come together to cross-train in support of personal dance goals.

West African dance and Northern European step dances will be the focus of the courses this year, as they are some of the most significant (though by no means the only) influences in many American dance forms.  The opportunities to jam across boundaries will allow dancers to integrate new skills into their personal styles with rigor and social responsibility.

Contra dance and Square dance have long been and will continue to be highlights of Augusta during the summer, but especially during Week 5!  This year there will be no shortage of amazing evening contras and squares with Will Mentor and The Great Bear Trio.

Junious Brickhouse & class

To register, specify “Dance Week” as the name of your class, and do NOT list individual classes  on your registration form, UNLESS you are taking Dance Caller’s Intensive, otherwise you will select classes at Dance Orientation on Sunday evening immediately following general orientation..

Dance Week Coordinator

Matthew Olwell  -  Bio

CLASSES & INSTRUCTORS

Kwame Shaka Opare

West African Dance

Nic Gareiss

North Atlantic  Step Dance Traditions

Junious Brickhouse

Contemporary Threads in Urban Social Dance

Emily Oleson (assisting Kwame Opare and Junious Brickhouse)

Matthew Olwell (assisting Nic Gareiss)

DANCE AT AUGUSTA

Will Mentor

Calling Squares Intensive

House band:

Great Bear Trio

OTHER WEEK-LONG CLASSES OFFERED THIS WEEK

Appalachian Storytelling  -  Susanna “Granny Sue” Holstein

Augusta for Kids (age 8-12)  -  Kim Rodgers

Basics of Letterpress Printing:  Creating a Broadside  -  James Horton

Gourd or Tack Head Wooden Rim Banjo Construction  -  Pete Ross

Rustic Chair Making  -  Tom Lynch

Weaving Old Time Favorites  -  Wendy Clark

White Oak Basketry  -  Alan Miller

Optional Evening Mini-Courses ($55)

 Songs of Work and Freedom  -  Carrie & Michael Kline