An evening of blues dancing with live music from Abi Budgen and John Anderson, an introductory workshop with Bex Phillips and social dancing.

Most of us have listened to blues music, but how many of us have danced to it? Blues has a rich dance tradition of its own, rooted in the same African American communities that gave us the music. From the slow drag to truckin’, the history of blues is full of dances that reflect the wonderful variety of its rhythms and styles.

Our live music comes from two experienced blues musicians. Abi Budgen is a singer and guitarist steeped in traditional country blues and gospel, who has performed at blues festivals including Upton and Tenby and teaches blues guitar at Euroblues. John Anderson is a singer and multi-instrumentalist known for his work with the Ragtime Jug Orchestra, specialising in early blues, ragtime and jug-band music.

Birmingham blues dancer and teacher Bex Phillips, who has taught with The Swing Era and Rhythm Itch, will introduce the dancing before we open the floor for the evening.

No previous dance experience is necessary, and there’s no need to bring a partner.