It's finally happening.

Our first Jazz Dance Party.

After 4 months of free dance classes with the 52nd Street YMCA, we are ready to party.

Are you?

JAZZ DANCE PARTY!

Saturday, June 7th at 8:00pm

Center For Architecture

1218 Arch Street

Phila PA 19106?

Blues, Bebop, Latin Jazz, Organ Trios, Swing, Soul Jazz, Funk and Fusion.

Music spun by DJ: Mr. Sonny James of the IllVibe Collective

Humor flipped by Comedian:

Food!

Wine!

Beer!

Raffles!

All included with your ticket.

Tickets: $15 in advance / More at the door

To purchase tickets now, click here

Many thanks to our dance instructors Otis Givens, Kevin Tan, Tony McFadden, Gail Conley, Charlie Willingham, our advisors, Germaine Ingram, Brenda Dixon Gottschild, Sheron Wray, our collaborators at the YMCA, Terry Henry, Felecia Thompson, Alonzo Holder, Kevin McPherson El, and most important, PJP's Melissa Talley Palmer who started the off party months ago in our office.

Dance Party Flyer/Poster Illustration: Eric Battle

Dance Class Details Below!!!

"For centuries, dance manuals and other writings have lauded the health benefits of dancing, usually as physical exercise. More recently we've seen research on further health benefits of dancing, such as stress reduction and increased serotonin level, with its sense of well-being. Most recently we've heard of another benefit: Frequent dancing apparently makes us smarter."
          from "Use It or Lose It: Dancing Makes You Smarter" written by Richard Powers

The Philadelphia Jazz Project in collaboration with the West Philadelphia YMCA, is offering Free Dance Classes!! Classes will be held Friday nights at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday afternoons at 2:30 p.m., February through June at the West Philadelphia YMCA, in anticipation of the Philadelphia Jazz Project Dance Party COMING THIS SUMMER!

Location:

West Philadelphia YMCA
5120 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19139

The Classes:

Session 1: Bop
Friday, February 21 to Saturday, March 15

Sign Up Begins: February 10

Instructors: Melissa Talley-Palmer and Tony McFadden

Melissa Talley Palmer has over fifteen years experience as an Administrative Assistant and Education Program Manager in non-profit Community Arts and Education. In her leisure she plans events and instructs Bop & Cha Cha classes. Tony McFadden has been teaching Social/Partner/Ballroom dancing off and on for ten years. He’s taught at public schools, dance schools and major dance events through out the country. Also performs in plays, comedy shows and other dance events.

The Philly Bop is a smooth version of the Lindy Hop / Jitterbug / East Coast Swing, which are all dances that can be traced back to the 1920s.  The 6-count (double step, double step, rock step) is the basic Jitterbug / East Coast Swing dance pattern.  In the 50's, Philadelphia African Americans created their own version of the dance and called it The Philly Bop. This dance consists of the same 6-count steps, but the foot movement differs (double step, double step, step-step).

Important:

▪ Limited Space.
▪ Register now by sending a message to info@philajazzproject.org

▪ Only registered participants are allowed in classes.
▪ The class requires you to wear comfortable clothing that allows freedom to move. 
▪ Shoes are preferred, non-skid would not be good for this dance.
▪ You will need a partner, so please get a partner to attend with you or let us know immediately if you need a partner.
▪ Everyone who registers is expected to attend all classes during eight week session on both days.

Upcoming Dance Classes:

Session 2: Cha Cha
Friday, March 21 to Saturday, April 12

Sign Up Starts: March 10

Instructor: Otis Givens

Session 3: Swing/Lindy Hop
Friday, April 18 to Saturday, May 10

Sign Up Starts: April 7th 2014

Instructor: Chris Price:

Session 4: Strand
Friday, May 16 to Saturday, June 7

Sign Up Starts: May 5

Instructors: Charlie and Gail Conley

For more information contact:
info@philajazzproject.org

Philadelphia Jazz Project is a sponsored project of the Painted Bride Art Center, with funding provided by The Wyncote Foundation.