Performance Archive

Jeep’s Blues

The BSides: Julie Brown, Ruth Evelyn, Mike Sonder, Dan Legenthal, Mike Legenthal, Forrest Rogers Marcovitz, with special guests Flouer Evelyn and Shawn Hershey

Song: "Jeeps Blues" by Duke Ellington Orchestra

This piece centers on the jazz-blues of New York, inspired by many New York dancers & dances, ranging from the social to the showy. Through this piece, we seek to embody the value of individual style so inherent to black dance, as well as honor the rich history of queer culture in Harlem that intertwined with blues and jazz culture. Growing out of last year's choreography that explored the joys of subtlety in social blues dancing, this year The B-Sides challenge ourselves and the community to also explore the performative end of blues dance.

Selected References and Inspirations:

• “Blues Legacies and Black Feminism” by Angela Davis
• "The Wiz" 1978 Musical by Universal Pictures and Motown Productions
• "The Spirit Moves" Documentary
• "A Brief Introduction to Savoy Walk" by Damon Stone for Blues and Jazz Dance Book Club
• Bobby Green
• Al Minns
• Sandra Gibson
• Josephine Baker
• The Berry Brothers

Rattlin’ Bones

Dawa Jung, Youngdon Kwon

Song by Preservation Hall Jazz Band

Youngdon and Dawa are presenting a piece that reflects the complexity of emotion surrounding death and also the past. Often, you can find humor in the darkness, and humor is an important way of processing grief and loss. This piece seeks to uplift our spirits through heavy times as the past rises up to shout out.

Porchfront Blues

Laney Barhaugh, Julie Brown, Gerry Hundt, Ronnie Shellist, Damon Stone

This unpretentious routine is Americana at its best. In the American South, the front porch was (and still is) a place to spend time with friends and family. If you were lucky, someone brought a guitar, banjo, or harmonica and folks could enjoy music and dance. Come on over and join us for a spontaneous and casual jam with some of our best dancers and our favorite musicians.

Never Make a Move Too Soon

Ross Blythe, Cortnie Cook, Andi Hansen, Sarah Lokay

Song by BB King

This piece is about friendship, camaraderie, and having fun together - there is joy, friendly competition, and community. The song, Never Make a Move Too Soon by BB King, starts out on a down-note, but quickly turns around, becoming about being happy despite a bad situation and prospering afterwards. We felt that was an apt reference to what we often love about blues dancing- finding joy and community, finding the silver lining in the midst of all the shit.

I'm a Woman

Andi Hansen and Sarah Lokay

Song by Koko Taylor

This piece is about Sarah and Andi's individual dance journeys, finding strength and inspiration in each other, and bringing their all to the dance.

The Blues in C Sharp Minor

The Blues by Youngdon and Dawa

Song by the Fats Jazz Band

What is Blues? To seek hope and love through the journey of life.

Rocksteady

Flouer Evelyn

Song: "Raggedy & Dirty" by Luther Allison

This is a piece exploring the range of the blues idiom dance "Rocksteady". The origin of the Rocksteady is a music genre coming from Jamaica around 1966, between the ska & reggae movements.  It is characterized by its "offbeat rhythm" that accents the "&'s" instead of the 1, 2, 3, 4's.  The dancing that developed from it had movements that angularly swung the hips forward and back, and side to side (softer & more varied than ska). The movement was popularized and incorporated into blues during the late 60s & 70s, notably by the funk scene, & later into hip hop during the 80s. Check out this Youtube Playlist for more references. 

Rock Me Mama

The B Sides: Mike Legenthal, Ruth Evelyn, Forrest Rogers-Marcovitz, Julie Brown, Dan Legenthal, Mike Sonder, Vicci Moore, Adamo Ciarallo

Song by Lightnin’ Slim

This piece meditates on the question 'What is blues?' by exploring the social, subtle, and non-performative aspects of the genre. Rather than the dancers performing for a large audience, the audience is drawn into the world of the dancers, who dance for themselves or to/with their partner. Other themes explored in this piece are personal style, local variations, divergent styles in separate locations, and cross-pollination of ideas from dancer to dancer.

Come Back Baby

Grey Armstrong Ruffin

Song by Eric Bibb

Grey is known for be a quirky, musical, and emotional dancer. As a child, he was never able to stop moving and became obsessed with Blues dancing after discovering it. His love of blues comes from his relationship with his grandfather, and the reconnection Grey feels to his heritage while dancing the blues. This piece is dedicated to his grandfather, and is a piece of mourning for him.

Tobacco Road

Jenn Martinez

Song by Lou Rawls

Inspiration struck from live words from Lou Rawls himself: "I speak about this place because I'm quite familiar with it. Everyone is in some sense or other."

Using this and her movement, Jenn ponders the nature of the blues by reflecting on why she's so drawn to it in the first place.

Tell Me More and Then Some

Dexter Santos and Noemi Blue

Song by Nina Simone

An interpretation of desires between two lovers as expressed in dance, one wanting more and the other only able to give so much.

Pink Champagne

Julie Brown, Sarah Elise, Ruth Evelyn

Song by Joe Liggins and His Honeydrippers

This piece plays with themes and imagery of champagne--imagery of bubbles, liquid, and flutes. We explore champagne's dual personality: on one side refined and elegant, on the other nasty, not giving a damn. As a part of that, the choreography plays with the trope of sexy chorus-girl routines, but instead celebrates personal delight in one's own sensuality, challenging the idea of the objectifying gaze. 

Tough Truckin'

The B-Sides: Julie Brown, Ruth Evelyn, Mike Sonder, Dan Legenthal, Mike Legenthal, Forrest Rogers-Marcovitz

Song by Duke Ellington

The B-Sides are back with another amazing group routine!

Come To Me Baby

Mike Sonder

Song by Howlin' Wolf

This piece is about struttin' your  stuff and shakin' what you got because it feels good and because a desirable person is watching.

Black Rattler

Jinho Hwang, Young Gene Park, SulHee Yi, Tae Hyeon Kim, Jung-im Park

Song by Carl Sonny Leyland Trio Meets Nathan James and Ben Hernandez.

We are excited to welcome The Mustangs from Seoul, Korea!

My Daddy Rocks Me

Mike and Dan Legenthal

Song by Sidney Bechet

This routine is a refreshing exploration of jazz-blues, blending classic ballroomin' with a hearty dash of contemporary creativity.

100 Days, 100 Nights

Flouer Evelyn & Sidney Schiff

Song by Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings

Just like the song itself, this piece has influences of Latin, Gospel & Soul Blues. We are incredibly inspired by the strong spirit & movements of Tina Turner (of Ike & Tina Turner in the 60s).

Shake Your Money Maker

Ruth Evelyn & Mike Sonder

Song by by Elmore James

This piece draws from a few different blues styles to create a fast and energetic party vibe.

I'm Ready

The B Sides: Dan Legenthal, Forrest Rogers-Marcovitz, Julie Brown, Mike Sonder, Mike Legenthal, Ruth Evelyn

Song by by Muddy Waters

Choreographed by Julie Brown, Ruth Evelyn & Mike Sonder

This piece is choreographed in the style of Jukin' Blues, which was danced in tight spaces--often a crowded bar or club. We highlight the individual styles of the performers to showcase the many ways dancers can interpret music and movement within the blues vernacular. We all live and dance in Boston, often traveling around the US and abroad to teach and share our love of blues.

Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground

Jenn Martinez & Julie Brown

Song by Blind Willie Johnson

This piece, to a famously haunting yet comforting song, is an exploration of dark and light--the lightness and darkness in the song, in the world, and as exists within each of us.

Am I Wrong

John Vigil

Song by Keb' Mo'

Through his movement, John works through the timeless emotional scale of loving an unavailable woman.

Go Down Hannah

Katrina Rogers

Song by the Heritage Blues Orchestra.

Choreographed by Joe DeMers.

Go Down Hannah, performed by Katrina Rogers, is an interpretation of a women's experience being forced into slavery, bondage, and back breaking labor. Originally recorded by Alan Lomax, Go Down Old Hannah is a negro work song sung by the inmates of a South Texas Prison camp in 1908. Old Hannah (the sun) represents the improbable hope for a better life and the reality of that day never coming.