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Jeni Legon and Chester Whitmore in Vancouver BC!

Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2004 12:12 am
by Soma-Guy
J & L Productions proudly presents:

An Amazing Weekend of
American Vernacular Jazz Dance

Featuring dance legends:
Dr. Jeni LeGon and Chester Whitmore

Don’t miss this rare and very special opportunity to take classes from two legendary dancers who will come together on...

November 12, 13 & 14, 2004 in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada


INSTRUCTORS

Dr. Jeni LeGon broke into show business at the age of 14 as one of the chorus girls in a Count Basie show performing at Chicago’s Uptown Theatre. She started dancing solo when a costume for a special chorus job didn’t fit her young boyish figure and she took to dancing in pants, which was to be her trademark. Performing in pants instead of dresses and short skirts meant that she could show off her acrobatic tap abilities, doing “flash” moves such as flips, toe stands, and knee drops like the Nicholas Brothers. Still at age 14, she auditioned for the Whitman Sisters troupe, and was accepted, consequently learning how to perform and how to perfect an act. Jeni was one of the first black entertainers to be signed to a movie contract, as well as being one of the only solo female performers. She shared the screen with Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, the Nicholas Brothers and Fats Waller, among others. Since that time, Jeni has been performing in film, nightclubs and theatre throughout North America and Europe. While on tour she landed in Vancouver, Canada, which is where she decided to stay. She continued teaching, touring, and choreographing shows and making movies. Jeni has been, and continues to be recognized throughout North America for her many accomplishments. In July 2002 she was inducted into the Tap Dance Hall of Fame during the New York City Tap Festival and in March 2003 she was honoured by the Smithsonian Institution. We are very privileged to have Dr. Jeni LeGon sharing with us her firsthand knowledge of American vernacular jazz dance.

Dancing since 1974, Chester Whitmore originally studied to be a cinematographer. An encounter with famed tap dancer Fayard Nicholas changed his life. Eventually, Mr. Nicholas became his teacher and mentor. Chester has been jumping ever since. Lately, he has been traveling around the world on tour as dancer, teacher, choreographer, director and entertainer. His teaching and performance assignments include visits to Herräng (Sweden) and Salzburg (Austria). He and his dance company, Black Ballet Jazz, have performed with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra, the Duke Ellington Orchestra, and the Count Basie Orchestra. Chester's choreography can be seen in music videos by Weird Al Yankovic, Tina Marie, Boys 2 Men, and most recently, Sugar Ray. Chester Whitmore has taught all over the world and we are very privileged that he is joining Jeni LeGon in Vancouver to share with us his love of dancing.


WORKSHOPS

Saturday, November 13th, 2004
2:00 – 2:30 pm Registration and Warm Up
2:30 – 3:30 pm Charleston *
3:45 – 4:45 pm Time Steps *
5:15 – 6:15 pm Central Avenue Lindy Hop **

Sunday, November 14th, 2004
1:00 – 1:30 pm Registration and Warm Up
1:30 – 2:30 pm Shim Sham Shimmy *
2:45 – 3:45 pm Snake Hips *
4:15 – 5:15 pm Black Bottom **

* Jeni and Chester will be teaching together.
** Chester will be teaching alone.


DANCES

Friday Night Dance
Band: The Louisiana Joymakers
The Hot Jazz Club, 2120 Main Street (at E. 5th Ave.)
Dance: 9 pm - 1:30 am
$10
0r
$8 for Hot Jazz Club members

Saturday Night Dance
Band: 51st Eight
The Legion Hall, 2205 Commercial Drive (at E. 6th Ave.)
Doors: 7:45 pm - 1 am
Drop-in lesson: 8 - 9 pm
$15 / $13 for students All ages!

Sunday Night Dance
A special Savage Ball at:
The Hot Jazz Club, 2120 Main Street (at E. 5th Ave.)
Doors: 7:45 pm - 11:30 pm
Drop-in lesson: 8 - 9 pm
$5 All ages!


Register today for the Dr. Jeni LeGon and Chester Whitmore weekend of
American Vernacular Jazz Dance!

Full Weekend Pass (workshops only)
$80 if registered by October 1st
$95 if registered by October 22nd
$115 after October 22nd

Individual Classes
$15 per class if registered by October 1st
$20 per class if registered by October 22nd
$25 per class if registered after October 22nd

All workshops will be held at the Hastings Dance Studio:
828 E. Hastings Street, Vancouver BC

Please make cheque payable to:

Louise Kurth
#309 – 7425 18th Avenue
Burnaby, BC V3N 1H6
Canada

To register for the weekend...

E-mail J & L Productions: vernacularjazzdance@hotmail.com

OR print off the rest of this message and mail form and cheque to the address shown above:


Register me for ALL classes ____

*Check boxes below for individual classes only
Saturday, November 13th
___ Charleston ___ Time Steps
___ Central Avenue Lindy Hop

Sunday, November 14th
___ Shim Sham Shimmy ___ Snake Hips
___ Black Bottom

Name: ____________________________________

Address: __________________________________

__________________________________________

Phone: _________________ E-mail: ____________________

I would like to order a review tape for $20 _______

TOTAL: $ ____________

Personal Responsibility: I release Joel Schwarz, Louise Kurth and instructors from any responsibility regarding any injury, as I have the choice to refrain or stop at any time. Payment for the above services serves as signature of understanding.

Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2004 12:56 am
by kitkat
ARRRRGH.

I wish I didn't have too much to do in school in mid-November. Or that it weren't so expensive to get from Minneapolis to anywhere on the West coast except LA.

If you see a flight for less than $200 (US), which is my absolute max for anything but Herräng, let me know.

I might risk letting all my grades drop by half a letter for this workshop.

Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2004 9:27 am
by Soma-Guy
Just wanted to send out one more reminder to our friends and fellow dancers about this unique weekend! It's going to be lots of fun with amazing instructors, great live bands, excellent D.J's and cool venues. If you've been looking for a great chance to visit Vancouver then this is it!

Joel