Doors at 12:00pm • Lesson at 12:30pm • Tickets on Eventbrite
No partner necessary. Beginners very welcome!
Have you ever wanted to dance with a partner, with confidence and style, to rock & roll, rockabilly, blues, Austin-style honky-tonk, and other roots music?
Roadhouse Dancing will make it happen.
Workshops 12:30PM-5 PM. Includes three one-hour sessions, with half-hour practices following each. Sign up now. Space is very limited.
$60 per person includes admission to the 6pm show
$40 per person includes the dance workshops only
This is the dancing you dreamed about for all your favorite DC roots bands that we all know and love. Also perfect for the music of bands like the early Beatles, Sam Cooke, George Jones, Elvis, and countless other rock, soul, blues, rockabilly, and roots-country artists of yesterday and today. After this workshop you will be able to dance to almost all of the roots and rock & roll music out there. We know that your time is precious. So Hank Dietle’s Tavern is offering a one-day event of progressive dance immersion instruction, followed by the amazing Rock-a-sonics who will be playing that evening! An immediate chance to show your stuff!
Starts with fundamentals of partnering, then progresses to swing, honky-tonk 2-step, waltz, and topping it off with the Chalypso (the Swiss army knife of roots dancing!).
Instructors: Ben Pagac & Debbie Shaw
Ben & Debbie have been teaching American roots partner dancing in the DC area, and beyond, for over 30 years. They became the house instructors at the legendary Tornado Alley and Twist & Shout clubs, where their lessons were regularly featured before all shows spotlighting Louisiana bands playing Cajun and zydeco music. They also held their popular dance “immersions”, devoting a whole day to progressive lessons and practices. Additionally they continue to be in demand to teach at music festivals, cruises, and dance camps throughout the US and abroad. They frequently travel to dance halls, roadhouses, and honky tonks, especially in the gulf coast states, to observe, dance, and most importantly to share with others authentic steps as well as the joy and spirit of partner dancing. Their method is relaxed and easy-to-follow, with a big dose of fun!