District Zouk April Weekender w/ Julissa & Felipe, Christina & Alisson, and Elena

This weekender is about leveling up your dance, from head to toe. We have three days of workshops with local and visiting instructors: Felipe Nascimento (from Brazil) with Julissa, Christina Montoyo (from LA) with Alisson Sandi and Elena Rovito.

Start the weekend Friday evening by drilling followers’ techniques to build body awareness and control, from visiting international dance champion Christina Montoya and BZDC competition judge and DZ instructor Elena Rovito. Afterwards, learn how to better express yourself to the music, take advantage of the space you’re given in a dance, and increase your confidence as a dancer – with a follower’s musicality workshop! Leaders can take the followers’ bootcamp, too – DZ encourages dancers to learn their opposite role and this bootcamp will help primary leads improve their dance technique, understanding of their partner and musicality as well.

On Saturday, don’t miss the opportunity to learn from the couple that has won national level championships in Brazilian Zouk multiple times over. DC is very lucky to have our own instructor, BZDC head competition judge and Zouk Nerds founder Alisson Sandi and his partner and international dance champion Christina Montoya in the same city this weekend – to share elements of their dance that have contributed to their excellence and worldwide reputation in teaching, competitions, choreography and showmanship.

Then on Saturday evening and Sunday, learn from visiting instructor from Brazil, Felipe Nascimento and DC Native Julissa. Felipe is known for his urban zouk aesthetic, musicality and deep knowledge of biomechanics and anatomy. With this knowledge he’s able to explain how to improve creativity and execute complex dance movements without compromising on comfort. Julissa is well-known for her flow, fluidity and beautiful footwork.

FRIDAY

7:45 – 9:15p: Followers Technique Bootcamp – Christina, Elena

This bootcamp will take you through a variety of drills to build body awareness and control. Take your technique to the next level, to improve your balance, axis and footwork.

9:30 – 11:00p: Followers Musicality – Christina, Elena

Improve your confidence as a dancer with solo movement tips and tricks from this musicality class. Come away with some new ideas and discoveries for how to use the space you’re given by leads on the social dance floor.

* Friday’s workshops are open to dancers of any gender/role who are familiar with zouk followers fundamental steps.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON:

1:30p – 3:30p: Creative Combinations of Fundamentals – Alisson, Christina

In this workshop, you’ll learn a variety of ways to transition between fundamentals, adding more options to your dance. Then we’ll add on ways to play with these fundamentals adding your own flavor and enjoying your connection with your partners.

4:00p – 6:00p: WiFi Soltinho – Alisson, Christina

Soltinho is one of the “games” in our dance – offering ways for the leader and follower to have a conversation through their movement. We’ll explore ways to use soltinho with WiFi (visual contact), including different ways of traveling and different options for arms, footwork and styling for leaders and followers.

* Afternoon workshops on Saturday are open to students taking District Zouk’s Basics 2 or above, or equivalent experience.

SATURDAY EVENING

8:00-9:30pm Urban Zouk All Levels Class – Felipe, Julissa

Explore different options for dancing to RnB music or adding that flavor to your dancing.

9:30pm-2:00am Zouk Party w/ DJ Rhinestone & DJ Chuky

SUNDAY

1:00 – 2:30p: Fundamentals of Head Movement – Biomechanics – Felipe, Julissa

Come learn the fundamentals of head movement from a biomechanics perspective. Learn how to naturally make head movement clearer and more comfortable using knowledge of anatomy.

3:00p – 4:30p: Intermediate Head Movement Techniques – Felipe, Julissa

Build on the previous class to work on intermediate head movement techniques!

4:30p – 6:00p: Practica

* All workshops on Sunday are open to students taking District Zouk’s Foundations 2a or above, which is the equivalent to 6 months of continuous zouk learning and experience. If you’re not a District Zouk student and are interested in these workshops, contact us to see if you can participate.

SAFETY PROTOCOLS
– Participants must be fully vaccinated and up to date, which means you must have an mRNA booster shot if you are eligible for one. If you haven’t already verified your vaccination status at one of our events, you can upload your vaccine details on our Danceplace ticketing site or we’ll ask you to show your vaccine card or a photo at the door.
– Masks required.
– Symptom screener via Danceplace should be taken each day and shown upon entry: https://www.danceplace.com/covid/screening

TICKETS

Full Weekend Pass (includes all workshops and Saturday social):
– $130 until 3/28
– $145 after 3/29

Saturday Pass (includes workshops and Saturday social):
– $75 until 3/28
– $85 after 3/29

Sunday Pass (includes workshops and practica):
– $45 until 3/28
– $55 after 3/29

Friday Followers Workshops:
– $40 until 3/28
– $55 from 3/29

Saturday Evening Class & Social:
– $20 until 3/28
– $25 from 3/29

Saturday Evening Social Only:
– $15 until 3/28
– $20 from 3/29

Get your tickets at:
https://www.danceplace.com/index/no/10395/April+Weekender-April+2022-Washington_+DC-United+States-Brazilian+Zouk+Dance+event

LOCATION

Glen Echo Spanish Ballroom Back Room
At Glen Echo Park (U.S. National Park Service)
7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo, MD 20812

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS:

Felipe Nascimento
Felipe Nascimento has a degree in physical education from the University of Brasília and specializes in biomechanics, kinesiology and anatomy in a didactic way, teaching technique for leaders and followers. He also works with Urban Zouk – R&B style, with a unique way of interpreting what he listens to, with the body. He’s well known for his detailed explanations, musicality and coaching and has given classes at the most prestigious events in the world, with 7 years of experience in teaching.

Julissa
Julissa, a Washington DC native, began dancing Brazillian Zouk in 2016 after discovering the artform during her travels in Brazil. Prior to Zouk, she was formally trained for over a decade in classical ballet, and for several years in modern dance (Alexander Horton Technique). She developed her teaching skills with District Zouk, and taught nationally and internationally with Kuna, Gui, and her current partner, Kakah. Julissa’s teaching style prioritizes empowering followers to find their voice, unique style, and expression in the dance. Her own movement focuses on clean footwork, grounded technique, and fluidity and flow.

Christina Montoya
Christina Montoya is an international Brazilian Zouk instructor based out of Los Angeles, CA. Once Christina found Brazilian Zouk she furthered her training with Igor Fraga, who partnered her to compete at the US Zouk Open in 2015 where they received 1st place in the Semi-Pro division. She holds 1st place in various BZDC Intermediate and Advanced Jack & Jill competitions and has taught Brazilian Zouk all over the US, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Brazil, and Australia. Christina is known for her franchise teams, “Zouk Babes” established in 2017, which emphasize the importance of follower’s technique. Since then Zouk Babes has teams and performers throughout the US and internationally with 50 current members. Zouk Babes was created with the intention to unite and empower followers through dance performances and training technique. Christina’s goal is to spread her passion for Zouk to the dancer inside everyone.