2024.06.21 The Blues Variety Weekend 2024
Opis wydarzenia
OUR EVENT IN ONE SENTENCE 
– Top international teachers
– Intensive workshops on 3 levels
– Blues and African dance classes
– Amazing bands
– Chill out on the beach
– Djembe drums workshop, an African drum concert & jams
– Additional intensive training for ambitious students (Monday – Tuesday)
– Intensive workshops on 3 levels
– Blues and African dance classes
– Amazing bands
– Chill out on the beach
– Djembe drums workshop, an African drum concert & jams
– Additional intensive training for ambitious students (Monday – Tuesday)
THEMES OF THE WEEKEND CLASSES – Rhythm and creativity!!! 
One of the most intriguing things about African and blues dancing is the plethora (or variety ;)) of rhythms we hear and interpret in these types of music. At The Congo Square in New Orleans there were traditional African rhythms (e.g. tresillo, clave), which started mixing with ragtime music and polkas of the parades and parading brough on one hand the marching rhythm and on the other – interpretation of different instruments by the dancers with their own rhythms 
As blues dancers we would love to find out more about these rhythms, their interpretation, differences and roots in African dances This is why we start with village African dances, go to blues rhythms and styles and finish with walking blues inspirations We hope you’ll enjoy this journey But.. we would love to be creative in it and have more and more resources and ideas to do it, while respecting the aesthetics and the historical context of the dance This all sums up to the major themes of the weekend (Friday – Sunday workshops) – RHYTHM AND CREATIVITY!We want to focus on the following:
djembe drum workshops (playing drums) using traditional African dance rhythms which are also present in blues dancing, African dance – dances of villages in Western Africa, traditional rhythms and preparation for African dance jams, the rhythm is in your body/backbone (groove) or in your feet, so we will cover also some upper body workout in African dances to make our backbones more vivid and prepared for blues dancing, we will work on the grooves of the Downhome (also called “Backwoods blues” – the acoustic blues of rural areas of the South) African rhythms in blues marching and walking blues funk and fast blues rhythms for more creativity and ideas for music interpretation.
FULL WEEKEND CLASS TOPIC DESCRIPTION AND TENTATIVE 
SCHEDULE in this link 
LEVELS
INTERMEDIATE – you have had or are attending local classes at least for a few months (or you used to dance blues and had a long break or you dance other dance styles more often than blues) and one or more workshops & international festivals and have some experience dancing socially. You know basic movements and some variations depending on the music genre of blues.You are familiar with concepts such as rhythms, grooves, open and closed position. You can express yourself while dancing in a couple.
ADVANCED – you have been dancing blues for a few years now and traveling a lot to festivals or actively attending many workshops. You have a rich vocabulary of movements, genres, understanding of blues aesthetics and want to further develop your skills in improvising. You know musicality well and distinguish between various blues styles without effort.You feel comfortable dancing in different types of close embraces. You have been playing with some idioms such as chicago triple, ballroom or struttin’.
SOLO BLUES (OPEN LEVEL REQUIREMENTS) – you have had or are attending local classes at least for a few months (or you used to dance blues and had a long break or you dance other dance styles more often than blues) and one or more workshops & international festivals and have some experience dancing socially. You know basic movements and some variations depending on the music genre of blues.You are familiar with concepts such as rhythms, grooves, shapes. You can express yourself while dancing solo.
AFRICAN DANCE (OPEN LEVEL REQUIREMENTS) – you are fit, have no major injuries, love djembe drums and are ready for a dance workout
BEGINNER – you have no or very little experience in blues dancing, but you would like to participate in this festival, so you need us to show you the basics to enjoy the parties
MUSIC BANDS THE VARIETY BLUES BAND Variety Blues Band is an extraordinary mix of musicians from two Warsaw bands – Blues Junkers and Smokey & The Slim Cats – who are joining forces especially for The Variety Blues Weekend 2024. Their common love for black music means that we can expect from them the sound of old-time blues, steady soul, lively boogie and more! This evening you will be put into trance by Dominik’s confident and juicy harmonica, Krzysiek’s powerful and fat beat, Natalia’s phenomenal and captivating voice and Witek’s fiery and agile playing.
Band members:
Natalia Abłamowicz – vocals
Dominik Abłamowicz – harmonica, piano
Witek Bielski – vocals, piano, guitar
Krzysztof Mika – drums
Natalia Abłamowicz – vocals
Dominik Abłamowicz – harmonica, piano
Witek Bielski – vocals, piano, guitar
Krzysztof Mika – drums
THE BLUES SISTER & BROTHER If you knew and liked Christine and the Blue Drags, you are going to love them for sure! Witek Bielski is a talented musician playing on many different instruments (see bio below) and Krysia Ostrowska has a beautiful voice. They now return with a new project and repertory.
WITEK BIELSKI
Witek „Little Boogie Slim” Bielski – multi-instrumentalist and blues vocalist. He began learning music at the age of six, playing the piano. In 2006, he founded his first duet with harmonica player Antek „Kurson” Kurek. They regularly performed at the renowned Warsaw jazz club Tygmont, and took part in numerous festivals and competitions, including: International Blues Challenge (2009, USA), Jesień z Bluesem, Lauba Pełno Blues and Jimiway Blues Festival. His solo album „Born to Blues” reached the IBC semi-finals in the „Best Self-produced CD” category. He holds an MA in Music (Music & Sonic Media, 2014, University of Sussex, England). In 2016, together with Sławek Nowodworski, he founded The Blue Drags, which was soon joined by Krystyna Ostrowska and Jan Lipert. Together they played at many dance and music festivals, including Bluesila (Lithuania), Blues Meets Balboa (Leipzig, Germany), Bear Blues & Fusion Exchange (Berlin, Germany) and Rawa Blues (Poland). He currently performs with the band Smokey & The Slim Cats.
Witek „Little Boogie Slim” Bielski – multi-instrumentalist and blues vocalist. He began learning music at the age of six, playing the piano. In 2006, he founded his first duet with harmonica player Antek „Kurson” Kurek. They regularly performed at the renowned Warsaw jazz club Tygmont, and took part in numerous festivals and competitions, including: International Blues Challenge (2009, USA), Jesień z Bluesem, Lauba Pełno Blues and Jimiway Blues Festival. His solo album „Born to Blues” reached the IBC semi-finals in the „Best Self-produced CD” category. He holds an MA in Music (Music & Sonic Media, 2014, University of Sussex, England). In 2016, together with Sławek Nowodworski, he founded The Blue Drags, which was soon joined by Krystyna Ostrowska and Jan Lipert. Together they played at many dance and music festivals, including Bluesila (Lithuania), Blues Meets Balboa (Leipzig, Germany), Bear Blues & Fusion Exchange (Berlin, Germany) and Rawa Blues (Poland). He currently performs with the band Smokey & The Slim Cats.
Marek Malinowski & Cocodjembe musicians Marek „ajsu” Malinowski, multi-instrumentalist, instructor, musician from Tricity Cocodjembe band. While developing his musical passion, he explored various areas styles, went through many transformations. Already in his family home he discovered that there was music like language and began to look for forms of his own expression. He learned the basics of music playing keyboard instruments. Then the realities of beats and rhymes, in which, as an MC and producer, he traversed the world of hip-hop as part of „Prości People”. He also developed a love for reggae and dub, which resulted in this co-founding the band „Root Wise” and performing as a musician keyboardist in the band „Kompanija”. The positive vibes of reggae took him to roots of music, where he fell in love with the natural sound of drums. From then on, he focused around the ethnic percussion music of West African countries. It fascinates him at the same time the simplicity of the instruments and the complexity of the form, with countless combinations basic sounds create intricate compositions. In the drum world has been operating for over 14 years, conducts workshops, organizes events and animates social actions.
During our event Marek and his band will:
– run the djembe drumming workshop
– play a drum concert
– play during some of Viola’s classes and shows
– play a drum concert
– play during some of Viola’s classes and shows
What can a concert of African drums sound like? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tda2RKsD62c
Tickets for classes:
Solo Track (4 hours) + Party (SAT + SUN) – 360 PLN /85 EUR Couple Track (4 hours) + Party (SAT + SUN) pass – 400 PLN / 95 EUR Afro Track (5 hours) + Party (SAT + SUN) Pass – 415 PLN / 100 EUR Solo Track + 1 afro class on Saturday + 1 afro class on Sunday (6 h) + Party (SAT + SUN) Pass – 465 PLN / 110 EUR Couple + 1 solo class on Saturday + 1 on Sunday (6h) + Party (SAT + SUN) Pass – 500 PLN / 115 EUR Solo Track + Afro Track (8 hours) + Party (SAT + SUN) Pass – 560 PLN / 130 EUR Couple + 2 solo class on Saturday + 2 on Sunday (6h) – 480 PLNCrazy Pass (couple pass 4h, solo track 4 hours, + 2 extra afro classes) + Party (SAT + SUN) Pass – 670 PLN / 160 EUR Party Pass without classes – (Saturday + Sunday) – 120 plnwithout parties:
Solo Track (4 hours) – 260 PLN / 60 EUR Couple Track (4 hours) – 290 PLN / 70 EUR Afro Track (5 hours) – 305 PLN / 75 EUR Solo Track + 1 afro class on Saturday + 1 afro class on Sunday (6 h) – 355 PLN / 85 EUR Couple + 1 solo class on Saturday + 1 on Sunday (6h) – 390 PLN / 90 EUR Solo Track + Afro Track (8 hours) – 460 PLN / 105 EURCouple + 2 solo class on Saturday + 2 on Sunday (6h) – 580 PLN Crazy Pass (couple pass 4h, solo track 4 hours, + 2 extra afro classes) – 570 PLN / 135 EURIn any questions contact us: harlembeatsstudio@gmail.com
cheers!
cheers!
Harmonogram
Friday:
Tentative schedule:
18.00 djembe workshop with Marek Malinowski (patio)
20.00 African dance – into & jammin with Viola Wojciechowska (theatre)
21.00 – African drums concert, jams, showcases
22.20 – blues band concert – 1st set
23.20 – blues band concert – 2nd set with showcases
01.00 – end of the party
20.00 African dance – into & jammin with Viola Wojciechowska (theatre)
21.00 – African drums concert, jams, showcases
22.20 – blues band concert – 1st set
23.20 – blues band concert – 2nd set with showcases
01.00 – end of the party
tickets for Friday party and drum activities available from 18th of March on: https://gck.interticket.pl/
TENTATIVE CLASS SCHEDULE (classes are going to take place in Latino Cafe studio, Cypriana Norwida 4c street in Gdynia)
Saturday
- 10.30 – 12.30 Partnered Funky Stuff (Dan + Flouer), COUPLES BLUES INT
- 11.30 – 12:30 African dance – Village dances of Western Africa (Viola) – BLOCK 1, OPEN LEVEL
- 11.00 – 12:20 – Introduction to solo blues, BEGINNERS
- 12.40 – 13.40 Accoustic Guitar & the Blues (Flouer) – SOLO INT/ADV (WITH AN OPTION OF USING IT IN COUPLE)
- 12.40 – 13:40 African dance – Lamban – move your spine and shake your upper body (Viola), OPEN LEVEL (the same as on Sunday)
- 14.30 – 15.30 Blues Rhythms (Dan) SOLO INT/ADV (WITH AN OPTION OF USING IT IN COUPLE)
- 15.40 – 17.40 Partnered Funky Stuff (Dan + Flouer), COUPLES BLUES ADV
- 15:40 -16.40 African dance – Village dances of Western Africa (Viola) – BLOCK 2, OPEN LEVEL
Sunday:
- 11.00 – 13.00 Walking Blues (Dan + Flouer), COUPLES BLUES ADV
11:40 – 12:40 African dance – Village dances of Western Africa (Viola) – BLOCK 3, OPEN LEVEL - 13.10 – 14.10 Boogie Woogie Blues (Flouer) SOLO INT/ADV (WITH AN OPTION OF USING IT IN COUPLE)
- 14.50 – 15.50 Moving Solo and Together (Dan) – SOLO INT/ADV (WITH AN OPTION OF USING IT IN COUPLE)
- 14.50 – 15:50 African dance – Lamban – move your spine and shake your upper body (Viola), OPEN LEVEL (the same as on Saturday)
- 16.00 – 18.00 Walking Blues (Dan + Flouer), COUPLES BLUES INT
- 16:00 – 17:00 African dance – Village dances of Western Africa (Viola) – BLOCK 4, OPEN LEVEL
DETAILED CLASS TOPIC DESCRIPTION AND TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF THE INTENSIVE SESSIONS