What is fusion?

Rising in popularity are fusion events and venues.

When you hear the word “fusion,” what kind of music do you think of? Right now, many DJs and dancers expect to play/dance to experimental songs that fall under multiple categories: dub-step, trip-hop, electronica, hip-hop, and whatever else stretches the dancer to experiment with the dance techniques and try new things. “Blues fusion” can be any song that you can potentially blues dance to that isn’t actually blues. Sometimes, hopefully more often than not, “fusion” means combining 2 different dances; other times, it means anything goes.

Fusion has so much potential for growth for all dancers because it provides an environment where multiple dance styles are encouraged. However, I really feel that the term “fusion” should be saved for when you’re fusing 2 dances together, like “tango-blues fusion,” for example. A song that you can potentially blues dance to that isn’t a blues song, I feel, should be called “experimental” rather than “fusion.” Fusion, in itself, is not a genre, and I think the term has gotten very ambiguous in the dance scene. When someone is scheduled to DJ a “fusion” set, what does that mean? I’ve come to expect just about anything, which makes me feel like there is absolutely no structure to what fusion DJs are being asked to play.

“Can you play a fusion-y set?” hmmmm . . . . . okay so a blues song maybe every . . . 4-5 songs? And what do I play in between? Anything you potentially blues dance to, which means something different to everyone. Play all the music that makes you want to dance that you can’t play anywhere else. That makes me want to play “Lean On Me” by Club Nouveau.

I would love to see more required of fusion DJs. Give us a reason to really learn the dance! Fusion events and venues organize these kick-ass classes, but those classes will produce little results if the dancers aren’t pushed to use those skills on the social dance floor. This is why I like the traveling fusion exchange so much – they have assigned sets for WCS, tango, and blues. There still are “fusion” sets, where anything goes, but you at least have multiple opportunities to dance the dances you’re learning in the workshops.

As far as “fusion” dances and venues, I think the DJs need more structure. If your lesson is on Tango, hire a Tango DJ to trade 3s with a blues DJ; do the same with WCS, Lindy-Hop, Salsa, or any other kind of dance style you’re focusing on that night. Because what it really comes down to what the DJs are playing. You can talk and teach these multiple dances at the beginning of a dance or during workshops at an event, but you’ll get nowhere if you teach different dance styles at fusion workshops and then send your dancers off to evening and night dances that aren’t full of this kind of music. Right now, there’s no salsa played in a fusion set. There’s most definitely no upbeat big band to Lindy-Hop to. I do like hearing tango-alternative music, or pop for WCS, or real blues in these fusion sets, majority of the songs you can dance all 3 of these styles to. THAT is great “fusion” music. Tango, blues, and west-coast dancers can dance to many different kinds of music and there is a lot of music that you can do all 3 dances to in one song if you want. However, the “experimental” songs, the ones that are not blues, not good songs for WCS, not Tango songs, but just something a little different to stretch the imagination for your dancing, are being classified as “fusion.” I’ve seen it called “liquid” or “alt-blues,” which I think are both appropriate. I believe this is where there is exponential room for improvement. This is where there is very little structure, and very little requirements for DJs. We need guidance! Leaders, give us direction! WHAT IS FUSION?! When you ask me to play fusion, what exactly are you wanting me to play? Because everywhere I go, it’s something different.

In the future, I plan to host a Lindy-fusion workshop and dance specific to the blues dance community who started out doing blues and haven’t yet taken the jump into the world of Lindy. More to come on that later.

Urban Blues Recess 2011

I've taken time figuring what to write on the blog for this event. I like writing a review about the event as a whole, but as I didn't see much of this event, it's difficult. The parts that I did see I didn't really enjoy because it just wasn't my thing. I will say this, however, this event certainly has my mind racing, finding my own definition of what fusion means to me. That I will post in a later blog. This blog is my reflection of the event.

It started with Friday evening for us. We were planning on leaving Seattle around 6-ish. Around 4-ish, I found out, from a friend, not from the event itself, that tent city was totally packed and there wouldn't be any room for us so we had no where to stay. The warehouse venue had to be changed last minute; last minute meaning 10 days before the event. Being that we were planning on bringing Evelyn, we can't exactly find somewhere random to crash last minute, and we weren't up for getting a hotel since I was only committed to one set, which was during the Saturday workshop lunch break when everyone leaves for lunch. Aside from the fact that we didn't hear this from the event itself, and the main organizer of the event had personally told me that we could stay there, I was less than happy about this. So we weren't going to go at all. Then fate happened to have a friend who had bought a house the day before and had not yet filled it, giving us plenty of space for a toddler and her pack n' play. Had it not been for this friend, we wouldn't have gone, for sure. Thanks, Dennis, for buying a house and sharing it with us and Jean, for inviting us to stay there with your group.

Friday night venue was split between 3 different places: 2 bars and a coffee shop. With Evelyn in tow, we chose to spend the whole night at the coffee shop. I actually loved this venue and probably would have gravitated toward that one regardless of having a toddler as company. The only downside was that there was only one blues set. The rest was "fusion." (Hence my recent contemplation of what that even means). I like blues dancing because I LOVE blues music. Take that away and I'm just not that into it. Old school R&B, modern electronica, hip-hop and trip-hop are fun to experiment with for one song here and there, but I like the night to be brought back to blues during a set with those kinds of songs and these sets didn't. There was very little blues at the Urban BLUES recess (not too surprised since I read a description of the event).

Looking over the workshop schedule, I was impressed by everything that was offered! He really had a great line-up of teachers and an extremely wide variety of classes, ranging from ballet to wresting to acro to education about female health (taught by Midwife Mindy :). Very cool. The part I didn't like was actually the one set I was assigned to DJ: the lunch break blues set to keep people dancing during the lunch break. What I did not know what that this was also the schedule time for the preliminary competitions, and they didn't want blues competition songs, they wanted "fusion-y" competition songs (again, what does that even mean?!?!). I had 10 minutes to prepare. I have plenty of blues competition songs ready at any moment, but alternative, hip-hop, electronica, soul competition songs? Not really. I would have, had I known at least a day in advance. They gave me 10 minutes. What was also not communicated was that they needed to be 2-minute segments. As I was trying to find the right music, I was not paying close attention to how long a song was going. I think I even let one song go the entire 4 minutes. Sorry. I had Ruth talking to me when I couldn't hear her and was feeling the pressure of finding the right non-blues song when I'm primarily a blues DJ. I could have done so much better had I known before-hand. Oh well. That scenario has inspired me to examine all of my non-blues danceable songs and star the really awesome ones in case that ever happens again.
I will give props to Justin for finding my laptop charging cable that I left at the venue. I didn't notice I'd left it until I got home. He found and mailed it to me a week later. THANK YOU!!

*deep breath of frustration* Moving on.

The evening dance. A public, social dance for a national event. I guess I can't say I wasn't warned. The event publicized the theme. I didn't fully understand until I showed up. I'm sorry, I'm just not into that. Perhaps it's the pregnancy, but dancing without clothes on just isn't appealing to me, in any circumstance. I don't want my hand on some guys sweaty back unless I'm . . well . . in a completely different setting . . . Majority of the crowd, men and women, were dressed in women's lingerie. Some men pulled it off really well (Chris Harris with his blond wig ;), some didn't (dude in the shiny-silver, crotch-wrap thing). I mean, I know guys have packages. I don't enjoy seeing them outlined in their clothes. Some people are into that and those people had a great time, and that's awesome! A majority of the crowd was totally into the theme. The ones not into it were ostracized. I like themes and all, but I like themes where the people who opt out of participating can still have a good time. This was not one of those themes. If you weren't into it, there were a handful of people you could dance with, and rest of the time, you were uncomfortable.

Two really great things came out of this event: the organizers, although lacking in a lot of organizational skills during the weekend, did an amazing job bringing in great dancers from all over the country. There were many teachers and DJs with only one set to spin and/or one class to teach. That quickly gets a lot of really talented people at your event. I had a great time seeing and spending time with friends that I hadn't seen in a long time. I love that about dance events. Item #2: This event has motivated to me to really think about how I feel about blues, fusion, and events as a whole. My mind is somewhere different as I'm listening to my music every day. My opinion has strengthened (or changed. . I'm not really sure), about what blues means to me and about what fusion means to me. I have a new motivation to make improvements in the scene and I'm excited to see where it takes me!

Here is my lunch hour set list, and the songs I played for the competition:
Basin Street Blues by Ray Charles
This is Hip by John Lee Hooker and Ry Cooder
Zip a Dee Doo Dah by the Fabulous Thunderbirds (this is from the Blues Album we bought for Evelyn: Big Blues Blues Music for Kids :D )
Come On In My Kitchen by Rory Block
Blood On the Ground by Richi Sambora
One Meat Ball by Annie Ross
Come On Baby by Jimmy Reed
The Walk by Big Bones

comp break. Then:
Round & Round by Bonnie Raitt
I Prefer You by Etta James
Step Into the Light by Mavis Staples

Competition songs:
Swamp Dream by Roy Rogers
Gospel Groove by Shuggie Otis (sorry I let this one play too long :(
As I Am by Alicia Keys (Contemplating over this one, I should have let the beginning of the song play, but I didn't because it doesn't have a dance beat.)
Death Letter (organized Noize Remix) by Johnny Farmer
Baby, Don't You Tear My Clothes by Louise Hoffsten
I Don't WAnt You On My Mind by Janiva Magness (definitely should not have played these 2 back to back for a comp, but didn't have time to find something else)
Sweet Thang by Shuggie Otis
Money by The Lovin' Spoonful
Wade in the Water by Mavis Staples
Long Way to Go by Little Axe

Next time I DJ a "fusion" comp, I'll be a bit more prepared.

With Evelyn, we brought her to the Friday dance and traded off for the Saturday dance. We skipped the workshops. This was not an event for kids, at all, and it sent me home with fantasies about having a family-friendly dance event. . .

Boston Fusion Exchange 2011

I’ve taken some time to think about how to describe the fusion exchange this year and I can’t seem to find the right words. It was more than amazing, more than phenomenal. How do you describe an indescribable event?

The venue, SpringStep, was made for an event like this. 3 different rooms, 1 being the main large room, a medium-sized room, and a room perfect for what a friend calls “kitchen blues.” There was so much variety that you were sure to find something that made you happy. With an eclectic collection of different DJs and a schedule that gave people great dancing, great performances, and time to celebrate the amazing-ness of the weekend, you couldn’t help but feel the energy in the entire building. If you didn’t like one room, you had 2 others to try out. If you wanted to just relax, there was a comfortable mezzanine with comfy chairs and food at almost all times, day and night. Like I said, the perfect venue!

A learning experience for me: Ivy hired me on as the DJ coordinator, originally as the assistant, than getting promoted when the main coordinator had life priorities to attend to. I loved it and I learned so much. I enjoyed being a part of the event enough that I’m going to do it again next year and I couldn’t be more excited!

Unfortunately, I did not have an opportunity to attend the workshops, so I have no opinion about them. I had family responsibilities to attend to during the day time. But I will say that the class that seemed to get the most buss was Orville and Kelly’s acro class, regardless of if you can apply those moves to dancing or not J

I had 3 sets, but one was at the very beginning of the last night. Since attendance was so low, I am not posting that set list. But, here is my set list for the other 2 sets, both blues:

Friday evening in the main room:

Rising Appalachia – Nobody’s Fault

Mavis Staples – Down in Mississippi

Steve Guyger – Walkin’ Blues

Christ Thomas King – Cheatin’ Women Blues

ZZ Top – A Fool For Your Stockings

Robben Ford – Good to Love

John Lee Hooker – I’m in the Mood

The Insomniacs – Hoodoo Man Blues

Sonny boy Williamson – Unseen Eye

Betty LaVette – Joy

Louis Hoffsten – Komposten

Mikel Lander and Merideth Moore – Ramblin’ Man

Janiva Magness – I Don’t Want you on my Mind

Koko Taylor and Willie Dixon – Insane Asylum

James Cotton Blues Band – The Blues Keep Falling

B.B. King – My Own Fault

Kim Massie – Good to me as I am to You

Little Walter – Mean Old World

Deborah Coleman – Roll With Me

Tom Waits – Chocolate Jesus

Taj Mahal – Leaving Thrunk

Saturday late night set in the middle room:

Robert Lockwood, Jr. – Take a Little Walk With Me

Junior Parker – Drivin’ Wheel

Lady Bianca – Ooh, His Love is So Good

Nathan James & Ben Hernandez – Run Me Ragged

Bonnie Raitt – I Feel the Same

Set Walker – Since I Fell for You

Janiva Magness – Everything’s Gonna Be Alright

Scrapomatic – Louisiana Anna

Muddy Waters – Rollin’ Stone

Blue Harlem – Drown in My Own Tears

Lowell Fulson – Sleeper

Taj Mahal – Cakewalk Into Town

Nick Moss & the Flip tops – Night Has Fallen

Muddy Waters – Mannish Boy (live)

Rufus and Carla Thomas – Sixty Minute Man

Norah Jones – All Your Love

Atlantic Jazz – Evenin’

Hank Ballard & theMidnighters – Dr. Lover

Shuggie Otis – Gospel Groove

Nina Simone – In the Dark

Peggy Lee – You Don’t Know

Louise Hoffsten – The Seduction of Sweet Louise

Roy Rogers – Swamp Dream

Gordon Webster – Mo’ Better Blues

Elvis Presley - Relax

Gem songs I took away from this event? It was hard to keep track of all the new, amazing songs I heard, but there were a couple that stood out. Allyson Rice (LA) played a song by Yuri Lane called harmonica beatbox that was really fun to dance to! It's only misfortune is that the song was played while most people were upstairs in the main room watching the instructor performances. Kayce Spear (Portland) played 2 amazing songs in a row whose title I didn't get, but the artists were Beth Rowley and Dana Parish. The 2 songs were fusion-y, not blues but had a great, slow, bluesy beat. I loved it!

What'd we do with Evelyn? Well, that's essentially why I missed the workshops. On Saturday night we left her with Micahel's brother, who, conveniently, lives in Boston. Unfortunately, when we walked in the door at 6am, she woke up and was ready for the day, while we wanted to go to bed. We made it work though, trading off hours. On Sunday, we brought her to Springstep to run around the big room and get some dancing in for her :) It was fun!

Emerald City Blues Festival 2010

ECBF, an infamous event, happens in MY city every year. I get to host new people in my home, which is a different experience every time. I get to feel the pride of knowing that one of the year's top blues events happens 10 minutes from my home. That pretty much rocks.

This year was a little different for a couple reasons. First off, there were no tracks. All of the classes were aimed at all levels. This got rid of the stresses of doing a "placement" dance early Saturday morning. Instead, they did the prelims early Saturday morning.
It was also different because there was only one band that played twice as they created a live album of their songs. Solomon Douglas played for Kim Massie, and just about every song they did together was incredible. That woman can sing!

The energy level, just like every year, is so amazing I can't describe it. People come to this event from everywhere, and everyone's so excited to be there. Every person that comes contributes to the atmosphere, and I couldn't help but stop a couple times just to look out over the dance floor and watch as the music was interpreted differently for every person, for every dance.
I did not get to DJ this event, as this year, Martin did not hire local DJs. ECBF is a national event, not a local event, and is not made to reflect the local dance scene. The Seattlites that did work the event - Solomon Douglas, -topher and Karissa - travel nationally in their roles. As a DJ, I have not been able to travel as much as I'd like, but I was happy with my role as a venue coordinator for ECBF. I enjoy being part of the staff, regardless of whether or not I get to DJ.

The food, made by Matthew Blair, was great! The unique recipes are made with local food, designed to be much more than a snack. He had barrels full of different kinds of soups (one with kelp, another with squash, and others that I didn't get to see). He made pasta. There were snacks, but it was more than that. The food at this event is unlike late night food that I've seen anywhere else, ever. There was also the infamous espresso bar this year, since it was so successful last year.

The cabaret was not what I expected it to be. There were some really great performances in it, but it wasn't exactly the show that I was expecting. I can't individually point out the ones I like the best (okay, it was the fan dance), but I will say that Evelyn enjoyed it very much, despite the fact that she was awake until 1am.
The DJs were great. There were always 2 at the booth, so I never really knew who was DJ'ing when, but I enjoyed most of it (I'm not really one for funky-blues, which one DJ seemed to really like). For the most part, the songs were so great that I couldn't sit down.
I didn't actually get to experience the workshops since I was the venue coordinator, and I had Evelyn with me the whole time, so if you want insight on that, you'll have to ask someone else. :)

Hosting was a different experience this year as well. ALL 20+ of my guests were incredibly self-sufficient! I think they figured I had enough going that I couldn't do much for them. It was great having so many people in my house, and fun to see them interact with both Evelyn and the puppy. Thanks, everyone, for being such great guests!

I'm excited to see what next year will bring!

For those interested in what we did with our baby:
We've accepted the Eva will be awake at dances when we're rather she be sleeping. Going to dances with her means I don't really get to dance with other people, but I do get to dance with her, which is getting more fun every time we take her to a dance. I took her to the Cabaret with me, where she finally fell asleep at 1:45am. I skipped the late night and took her home. Michael went to the Friday late night. Saturday we got a babysitter (thanks, Nicole). Sunday we brought her again, but it was Michael's turn to entertain her. He missed Sunday's late night and I got to dance. Eva came with me to the workshop venues, since I was the main organizer for one of the workshop venues both days. She saw those buildings as big jungle gyms. Fortunately, the volunteer schedule was set up to have my best friend as my one volunteer. She took Evelyn for rides during lunch to get her to take naps in the car. All in all, it worked out. We finally got caught up on our sleep the Thursday after :)

Burn Blue has a blog

This blog defines my life! I'm so happy they started with a history of blues. This post totally resignates with me, especially Dan's comment about how big band is frozen in time, but blues is ever-evolving and continues to amaze it's followers (me). And I love the information about solo blues. It inspires me to let myself give in to the music more when I don't have someone to dance with. So many times I think "no one asked me, there isn't anyone for me to ask, so I'll just sit this one out even though I love this song." Of course, I've started to do more social solo dancing, because if Karissa and Brecca can solo dance like that, I can too. But today I learned that there's a history to it and it makes me want to solo dance all the more.
My blues community ROCKS. Thanks, Burn Blue, for putting this together. I LOVE it!

BURN BLUE BLOG

San Fransisco Lindy Exchange

We left Evelyn with her cousins in Port Townsend and set off to San Fran by ourselves! I almost wanted to drive down just for old times’ sake (Michael and I used to drive to events all over when we lived in Salt Lake City). But since we already had our plane tickets . . we flew in Thursday evening and spent all day Friday being together. A much needed sabbatical day in a nostalgic city.

The exchange itself was so much fun! I’ve clearly forgotten how much fun I can have at a Lindy exchange. The feeling of watching the dancers and pointing out who I wanted to ask to dance next, getting to the middle of the dance floor, and staying there song after song after song as different people stopped me from leaving the dance floor . . exhilerating! I was surrounded by a few old friends, and got an avalanche of new friends that made the whole weekend eventful.

The blues room at THIS event ROCKED. Full and energized, I was able to play songs that are a little different to experiment with the crowd. I got to see how my somewhat different blues made the crowd react, and I got great feedback from everyone, which makes me feel really really happy. I got to dance and DJ responsible-free. I got to be just me for those few nights and I’m so grateful to the SFLX staff! As promised, I've listed most of my set list from the 5 hours that I got to play:

Louise Hoffsten: The Seduction of Sweet Louise

Bonnie Raitt: Love Me Like a Man

Ray Charles & B.B. King: Sinner's Prayer

John Lee Hooker: Every Night

Little Milton: Little Bluebird

B.B. Kind: My Own Fault

Janiva Magness: That's What Love Will Make You Do

Etta James: Hawg For Ya

Jimmy Reed: Odds and Ends

Booker T. Laury: Blues With a Feeling

Johnny Walker: The Sky Is Crying

Brother Yusef: Blues Is My Story

Susan Tedeschi:'TAn't Nobody's Business

Christ Thomas King: Come On In My Kitchen

Ruth Brown: Good Day For the Blues

Sonny Boy Williamson: Cool Disposition

The Robins: Smokey Joe's Cafe

Fiona Boyes: Red Hot Kisses

Koko Taylor: I'm A Woman

Janiva Magness: I Don't Want You on My Mind

Pinetop Perkins and Elvin Bishop: How Long

Jimmy Reed: When Girls Do It

Fiona Boyes: Canned Heat

Ray Charles: It Makes No Difference Now

The Fabulous Thunderbirds: She's Tuff

Keb' Mo': Keep It Simple

Blue Harlem: Drown in my own Tears

Earl Hooker: Drivin' Wheel

The Insomniacs: Maybe Sometime Later

Louise Hoffsten: Baby Don't You Tear My Clothes

Nathan James & Ben Hernandez: Black Rattler

Norah Jones: All Your Love

Katie Webster: Pussycat Moan

Elmore James: It Hurts Me Too

Etta James: Son of a Preacher Man

Solomon Burke: Cry To Me

Muddy Waters: She Moves Me

Bar Scott: Everyday People

Kim Massie: Come On Into My Kitchen

John Hammond, Jr.: Heartache Blues

Gordon Webster: Mo' Better Blues

Janiva Magness: Lost and Lookin'

The Staple Singers: Sit Down Servant

B.B. King: Rock Me Baby

John Lee Hooker and Bonnie Raitt: I'm in the Mood

Stevie Ray Vaughan: The Things I Used to Do

Elvis Presley: Relax

Katie Webster: I'm Bad

Bobby Jones ft The Mannish boys: How Long Will It Last

James Cottonm Blues Band: Cotton Crop Blues

Ray Charles: Busted

Melissa Pace: Am I blue?

Albert King: Cold Feet

Ronin Rogers: Can You Hear Me Now

Martin Sexton: Can't Stop Thinking 'bout You

Charles Brown: I Lost Everything

Susan Tedeschi: Little by Little

Doug MacLeod: Sweet Ride

Mark Hummel: City Livin

Seth Walker: Sun down

Nora Michaels: Black Coffee

I say MOST of my set, and looking at it now, it's not my best work, because I usually try and switch up my artists more and avoid overplayed songs, but I have 2 excuses for that: 1)My second sound card was not working so I had a much more difficult time trying to re-listen to songs on my iPod and determine the transition quality and 2)they fit really well. My favorite complement about any set of mine ever was give after my Friday night set: "It's like you told a story with your music." Right on, that makes me feel awesome.

My music nugget is most definitely the Saturday night blues and Big Bones. That was the night that I was too exhausted to move but somehow found the energy when he started playing. Dave Madison told me all about how Big Bones used to play on the streets. Kent then filled in the details of getting the tip to go hear him at a nearby venue. Inspiring and amazing. I absolutely loved every minute.

Thank you Ben for hosting, and everyone else for the amazing weekend!

Blues in the Star Shower and Seattle Lindy Exchange

It’s always interesting to me that I will go completely out of my way for an event that’s far away, but not alter my schedule at all when the event is in my own town.

Blues Dancing in the Star Shower, an event thrown together last minute by an organizer who made a lot of promises to teachers, DJs, and registered dancers that he didn’t keep, was also local. I attended one night. I wasn’t too sad to miss most of that event given that it was a camp site that we danced at, which I’m not really into because there’s no shower. And, a lot of people showed up, saw that many of the teachers canceled after they were told they couldn’t be paid, and went home right away. BUT the people that did stay made the most of it and had a great time. I salute them. They were fun to play with on the one night I did go.

Seattle Lindy Exchange came and went quickly, and I attended one night of the three, and that’s because I was schedule to DJ the late night. The Seattle scene feels so different from other scenes in that the blues and Lindy-Hop social scenes are completely different. On the night that I was there, the blues room had maybe 4 couples MAX at any given time. No one wanted to blues, they were there to Lindy with the Seattle Lindy-hoppers, who have a very good reputation to be awesome, which is a reputation they’ve earned. Seattle has an incredible Lindy scene, Incredible. There are a few national and international teachers that come from this Lindy scene, so you can bet that many of the dancers in the area have taken their classes and are on their way to becoming equally as incredible. Hence, the blues at this exchange were severly lacking. The blues DJs were all local, and all had only one set the entire weekend. That was fine with me, considering it compt me into the event, which rocks. It just created a different feel towards the blues in general. I suppose that’s why it’s taken me 2 months to write about, and why I didn’t save my set list. Sorry.

On the plus side, the Lindy a the SLX was AWESOME. I went to the Friday night dance and thoroughly enjoyed my time there.