Blues/Fusion
and Bluesy Waltz



Blues/Fusion

Variations

Closed Position

Basics
» Basic
      » with Shoulder Lead
      » with Hip Lead
» Turning Basic
» Forward Basic
» Zig Zag Basic

Walking Steps (Fours)
» Promenade
» Promenade (Half Closed)
» Promenade (Follow Backing)
» Promenade (Lead Backing)
» Molinete
» Double Hesitation
» Grapevine
» Pivots (in Place)

Walking Steps (Threes)
» Three Step Promenade
» Three Step Grapevine
» Pas Titubé
» Three Step Pivots

Cradle Position
» Inside Turn to Cradle
» Continuous Cradle




Open Position

Releases
» Cross-Body Lead to Open
» Pivots, Outside Turn to Open
» Cross-Body Inside Turn to Open

Grooving
» Grooving in Open Position

Swing Moves
» Inside Turn
      » with Triples
» Outside Turn
      » with Triples
» Sugar Push
» Sugar Push to Goofy Hands
» Goofy Hand Free Spin
» Goofy Hand Free Spin with Hand Catch

Returns
» Sugar Pull to Closed
» Inside Turn to Closed










Dips & Tricks

Dips
» Side Step Dip
» Promenade Dip
» Inside Turn Dip
» Inside Turn Face Loop Dip
» Face Loop Dip
» Free Spin Dip

Side Dips
» Face to Face Side Dip

Lunges
» Lunge
» Walkback Lunge
» Break Step Lunge

Monkey Bars
» Monkey Bars

Musicality

Mood
» "Bloodstream" - Smooth
» "Thrift Shop" - Funky

Moments
» "Talk Dirty" - Side Sways

Micro-Blues
» Levels

For more variations, check out the Bluesy Waltz section below. Most variations can be adapted into Blues/Fusion, and vice versa.


Music

A few of our favorite Blues/Fusion tunes, arranged by tempo.



Bluesy Waltz

Description

Bluesy Waltz is the adaptation of Blues/Fusion dancing to music in 3/4 time.

Nick learned this style from Campbell Miller & Chris Mayer at Santa Clara Waltz Weekend 2011, and Nick & Melissa have continued to develop their own variations since then.


Variations

Closed Position

Basics
» Basic

Waltz
» Waltz
» Hesitating Waltz

Zooming (Sixes)
» Promenade
» Grapevine
» Pivots

Hesitating (Fours)
» Promenade
» Peabody Position (Yale Position)
» Grapevine
      » to Inside Turn
      » to Cradle Position
» Pivots

Cradle Position
» Outside Turn to Open Position
» Double Outside Turn to Open Position
» Double Unwind to Open Position
» Deney Terrio's Double Unwind to Open Position

Ochos
» Cross-Step Waltz (Ochos)
» Follow's Solo
      » Touches
      » Kicks
      » Sweeps
      » Feather Stitch
      » Fast Swivels
» Counter Crossing
      » Touches
      » Sweeps

Mazurka Clandestina (1-2, 4-5-6)
» Basic
» Pivots


Open Position

Swing Moves
» Waist Slide

Returns
» Waist Slide to Closed


Dips & Tricks

Sit Dips
» Sit Dip
» Genuflection Sit Dip
» Counterbalanced Sit Dip
» Weathervane Dip
» Weathervane Dip (with a Change in the Weather)

Side Dips
» Cradle Side Dip

Leg Flare
» Leg Flare

Faster Music

Basic Timing (1, 4)
» Basics (1, 4)

Canter Timing (1, 3)
» Four Step Grapevine (1-3, 4-6)
» Three Step Grapevine (1-3, 4)



For more variations, check out the Blues/Fusion section above. Most variations can be adapted into Bluesy Waltz, and vice versa.


Music

Here are a few of our favorite Bluesy Waltz tunes, arranged by tempo.


© 2016 Nick Enge


If you or your community is interested in learning Blues, .


For more dance descriptions, see our three books on dancing:
The Book of Mixers: 100 Easy-Teach Dances for Getting Acquainted (2022) by Richard Powers and Nick & Melissa Enge,
Cross-Step Waltz: A Dancer's Guide (2019) by Richard Powers and Nick & Melissa Enge, and
Waltzing: A Manual for Dancing and Living (2013) by Richard Powers and Nick Enge.


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