For those of you not familiar with my background I started teaching adult tap and street classes almost 10 years ago using various school gym halls as a base before tiring of the council’s erratic cancellations and setting up Dance HQ. These classes performed twice a year in different venues, often in pieces with a narrative which incorporated each style rather than just being a display of individual dances.
These classes were collectively known as Blaze, which some of you will recognise from the Dance HQ timetable. Recently Blaze has taken a bit of a sabbatical as other projects, including the Blaze Dance Academy for young dancers, have been given time to develop but now, the time is right to bring Blaze back.
We are calling all enthusiastic dancers of any style to come and join us for a performance in Glasgow this June supporting the Blaze Dance Academy. All dancers are welcome, regardless of age, ability or experience – this is supposed to be FUN! – but you must be available on Saturday 16th June for the performance and a commitment to attend weekly classes on Tuesday evenings is expected.
March Madness
We’ve got so much lined up for you that we think a handy little round up is in order.
3rd – Hip Hop ‘n’ Flo Workshop with Kelly Shearer £15
Hip Hop to Florence & the Machine may not be a combination that many think of but when it works, it works well!
This class will combine strong, intricate streetdance with full-bodied and high-powered contemporary styles. With a high emphasis on musicality and expression, you should come prepared to sweat!
10th Flash Mob Workshop, Performance & Night Out £5
Following the success of last summer’s Flash Mob on Buchanan Street we have been asked to provide another one for a secret company. The Flash Mob routine will be taught and rehearsed at Dance HQ from 12.30pm-3.30pm then we’ll travel to the secret location to perform it at 5pm.
Also included, is an evening of family-friendly entertainment at the same location. Please don’t try to guess the location as we won’t tell anyone until after signing up.
The Flash Mob routine will be fairly short with simple moves and will be suitable for adults and children, all under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. Breaks will be given during rehearsals so please bring a packed lunch and plenty of water.
If you’ve always wanted to be part of a Flash Mob, this is your chance and we’re throwing in an evening of entertainment to celebrate so what’s stopping you?
11th Vintage & Craft Fair FREE
Whether you are looking to earn some extra cash or buy some unique presents in time for Mother’s Day, this is the perfect opportunity.
With stalls including vintage clothing and accessories, homemade jewellery, records & CDs, unique gifts and home baking as well as some great tunes adding to the atmosphere we know this will be a great day out.
Free entry for all guests, it’s a great chance to spring clean your wardrobe.
17th A Streetcar Named Desire Scottish Ballet Workshop £15
In the 65th anniversary year of Tennessee Williams’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Scottish Ballet presents vibrant new take on A Streetcar Named Desire, collaborating with theatre and film director Nancy Meckler and international choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa to create a powerful infusion of drama and dance.
Trying to leave a troubled past behind her, fading southern belle Blanche DuBois moves into her sister Stella’s New Orleans apartment. Stella’s brutish husband Stanley sees that Blanche is not what she appears to be, and sets out to destroy her…
Dance HQ is delighted to be hosting this fantastic workshop with Scottish Ballet. Take class and learn rep from the performance then enjoy a post-workshop Q&A session.
This workshop is a must for all ballet lovers.
24th Tease with Tom DeLish Burlesque Workshop £15
Have you ever wanted to learn how to strut like Dita Von Teese or command a room like Immodesty Blaize? Tom DeLish can teach you how to perform like the Burlesque stars of the stage and silver screen.
This workshop will cover the basics such as poise, elegance, walking & facial expressions and will include learning a saucy new routine to impress someone special or just have fun on your own. This class will also help you release your inhibitions and celebrate your body in all its wonderful glory.
Please bring high heels (that are comfy to wear for full class), a long scarf or feather boa, a spare bra and wear comfy clothing (leggings and t- shirt is perfect) Feel free to come with makeup and hair done to get you in the mood for the class – even just a bit of red lipstick will make you feel gorgeous!
*please note there will be no actual nudity during the class*
31st Voguing & Waacking Workshop with Emma Park £15
Voguing & Waacking are the most glamorous styles of the urban dance movement and although often paired together they are both extremely unique. Get ready to learn the distinction between the styles through music, evolution and intention whilst we work our bodies with precision, rhythm and attitude.
Fresh from her trip to NYC and studying with Archie Burnett (one of the prime club dancers of the 70s and 80s), Emma is eager to get everyone moving in the moment whether they are striking a pose or riding the soul train!
Did Someone Mention A Monthly Deal?
It’s almost the end of the month, which can mean only 1 thing… another great Monthly Deal is on its way!
This month, we’re offering you the chance to get a block of classes for half price when you book a full price block. Yep, Buy One Get One Half Price! Or 2 blocks of classes for just £36, saving you 25% off the full price.
This offer is only available on our regular weekly adult classes during the March block and excludes Graded Ballet & Graded Tap. The deal cannot be extended or transferred to another block under any circumstances so please check your availability before booking. If you miss a class you are entitled to a make up session but this must also be used within the block.
1st March Monthly Deal – Buy One Get One Half Price
Once you’ve bought your deal, we will email you to ask which blocks you’d like to take. Please ensure you buy the Monthly Deal to take advantage of this offer, all other blocks will be charged at the usual rate.
Peace & Jam
Calling all Freelance Dance Tutors/Performers/Choreographers – this one’s for you!
After spending 10 years as a freelancer I know one of the biggest drawbacks is the isolation and the fact that it can sometimes be months between catching up with other dance friends. Another drawback is having to choreograph routines in your bedroom/car/kitchen. So, to help out our fellow dance professionals we’ve come up with ‘Peace & Jam’ a weekly open house for networking, catching up, working on new material or having a good old boogie!
Every Friday afternoon from 1.30pm-3.30pm we’ll be opening our doors to any dance professional who wants to use the space either for some peace & quiet or a wee jam in the studio – Peace & Jam, clever eh!
We’ll provide the teas, coffees & studio space and all we ask for is a small donation to cover the costs on a ‘pay what you can basis’. The studio space will be shared amongst anyone who wishes to use it and cannot be used for commercial purposes, this is an opportunity to try out new material and meet other dance professionals.
Peace & Jam will start on Friday 24th February 1.30pm-3.30pm and will be a weekly event. Please spread the word.
Our Flash Mob Needs You!
Last summer we invited many of you to come and join our Flash Mob, taking Glasgow’s shoppers by surprise on a Saturday afternoon, and since then we’ve had some requests for more. Most of these requests have either been at VERY short notice (in one instance we were given just 1 day!) or have fallen foul to last minute complications but we have another one lined up and it’s all systems go!
On Saturday 10th March we need 45 people to join us in a brand new Flash Mob workshop, performance and night out. We’re looking for people of all ages and abilities to come and join the fun. We’ll teach and rehearse the routine in the afternoon then head off to our secret location to perform it at 5pm. Immediately after the performance we’ll be treated to a fun night out courtesy of our fun, family-friendly location.
We won’t reveal the exact details of our secret location until the day of the workshop so please don’t ask but we will say it’s one of Glasgow’s top entertainment venues and is suitable for people of all ages.
Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult and everyone must give photographic consent.
If you’ve always wondered what it’s like to be part of a Flash Mob or if you loved it last year and want to do it all again, come and get involved.
Rehearse 12.30pm-3.30pm
Performance 5pm
A Streetcar Named Desire
Today is the day that Scottish Ballet start rehearsals for their new production of A Streetcar Named Desire so here’s a little taste of the original. The performance will be touring in April but we’re very lucky to be getting a sneak peek of the performance and some insider info at our A Streetcar Named Desire Scottish Ballet Workshop on Saturday 17th March.
The workshop will include learning sections of repetoire from the performance as well as a chance to interrogate chat to those involved first hand. Spaces are limited and this workshop will sell out so please book soon to avoid disappointment.
A Streetcar Named Desire Scottish Ballet workshop Saturday 17th March 1pm-3pm £15
My, What Treats we have in Store…
As you all know by now, Sunday is the day of our Vintage & Craft Fair so we thought we’d spend a little time this morning introducing you to the wonderful array of goods on sale. We’ve got a great mix of vintage clothing, customised vintage items, craft goods, photography, cards and home baking which we’re sure you’re going to love.
Vintage
We start off with a personal collection from the elusive Ava Katya. She has allowed us to rummage through her drawers and cupboards to bring you an amazing collection of pre-loved clothing. Ava made a lot of the items herself so not only does she have great vintage style but she’s also selling some one-off creations.
Joining Ava, will be Beaten Crimson the new label from 2 of Glasgow’s most stylish young stars. These girls know their stuff and they know what you love, so come along and check them out.
We are delighted that VintageVulture12 and The Owl & The Pussy Cat are also making an appearance with their vintage jewellery, accessories and clothing, guaranteed to make you wish you’d brought more pocket money!
Jewellery & Accessories
Whatever your style, you’re bound to find something you like with our fantastic collection of jewellery & accessory designers.
The amazing Destroy Everything, who impressed everyone at our last fair, will be returning with a brand new selection of goods for you to ooh and ah over. Plus we’ll be adding Loose Changed, Lynsey Henderson Jewellery & Judith Jenny Jewellery.
And if you’re looking for somewhere to store all your new jewels, why not check out Gemma Petrie‘s collection of mirrors and trinket boxes?
Unique Treats
As if all that wasn’t enough, we also have a huge range of craft items, photography, greetings cards, cosmetics & other little treats to keep everyone intrigued.
Lynda Boyd will have a selection of handmade clocks, mirrors & pendants made in the most unusual style and Laureen’s Bits & Bobs are bound to be a treat, while Jinty Face who was a huge hit at our last fair, is returning with more of his handmade gift items.
If you’re looking for something to brighten up your home why not check out Perfectly Curious Design‘s handmade cushions and pirate inspired badges or maybe Flora Francis‘ patchwork stags will be just the thing.
Finally, with Valentine’s Day just around the corner, why not treat someone special to some new cosmetics or skincare from The Crafty Soap Company or Elizabeth McAlonan? Or how about a special print from Matt McKenna Photography, who has already photographed our wonderful building.
And don’t forget the card! Thankfully Loving Expressions Cards are on hand to make sure your Valentine gets the message.
As if all that wasn’t enough we have the lovely Shona on tea duty and Mark will be bringing a range of yummy home baked specialities to keep you all going all day.
Entry is free and we’re open from 1pm-5pm on Sunday 12th February.
See you there!
Hip Hop ‘n’ Flo
Excitement is mounting as we inch closer and closer to March and all its wonderful workshops. The aim of our workshops is always to bring something more specialised to the studios that will challenge our regular class dancers and hopefully introduce them to a new style.
Kelly Shearer is no stranger to Dance HQ, she has rehearsed here with various companies and has already taught an NYC Style Hip Hop workshop so we’re delighted she’s coming back and this time she’ll be incorporating her contemporary training with her unique style of hip hop to create a stunning routine to her favourite Florence & The Machine track.
We’re going to keep the exact song a secret for now but here’s a little taster of what to expect from one of Kelly’s workshops. This clip is an excerpt of a longer routine choreographed for a charity event last year.
Hip Hop ‘n’ Flo Saturday 3rd March 1pm-3pm £15
It’s all about Burlesque
Feeling inspired by this month’s Club Noir, we’ve come over all showgirl and are introducing some little temptations for all you burlesque fans out there. As well as a new weekly Burlesque class (Tuesdays 7.30pm-8.30pm) taught by our very own Shona Miller, we’re also bringing one of Burlesque’s bright young things to lead a 2 hour workshop.
Tom DeLish is a rising star of British Burlesque, he’s been named as ‘one to watch’ by both The Times and the Burlesque Bible and he’s coming to Dance HQ later this month to share his passion with all of you.
Tease with Tom DeLish, Saturday 24th March 1pm-3pm £15
Book before 24th February for only £10
February is the New January
You set your resolutions with great intentions of being healthier and getting fitter but it’s cold & dark, you’re still skint after Christmas and there are still boxes of chocolates in every cupboard, basically it’s January and things don’t always go to plan.
But rather than admit defeat and write off the rest of the year why not just turn February into January and have another go? That’s why we’re kept some of our new classes in reserve for this month, giving you something new to look forward to in February.
Starting this week, we have a new Burlesque class, some calorie-killing Bollywood routines and the all new Dance Icons class plus a chance for some more adults to get involved in our Graded classes with a new Tap syllabus class on Mondays.
