Instructors
Ruby Red (Chicago, IL)
While Ruby's true love is Blues Dance, she started out dancing on ice and later transitioned to Ballroom, Salsa and West Coast Swing for her first foray into social dancing. A child of the San Francisco Swing scene, she later helped foster the early Blues community that sprung up as a result of late night Lindy Hop parties. When she's not traveling the world to teach (and learn) dance, she works as a personal trainer and movement coach in Chicago and pursues her love of solo dance, rock climbing, playing the drums, and enjoying fine whiskeys. A fierce competitor, Ruby brings flair, finesse and fabulous form to the performance arena. As an instructor and judge, she values movement quality, musicality, partnership and risk-taking. With extensive training in body mechanics, Ruby easily diagnoses technique flaws and creates innovative practice regimens both in and out of class to help all her students excel.
Learn more about Ruby here:
dance.ruby-red.com
Jamie-Lynn Figure (Colorado Springs, CO)
Jamie-Lynn has been teaching movement arts including partner dancing, yoga, flexibility, and strength & stability training for the better
part of her lifetime. Her journey began in competitive figure skating, progressed off the ice onto the ballroom floor, and found its way to
Argentine Tango, Lindy Hop, Blues, and ballroom.
Please don't ask her
to pick just one, there's something meaningful and unique about each of them!
Across all these connected partner dances, she believes connection begins with connection to yourself: your own body, your own movement
and balance, your own competence and edge.
She strives to create playful, connected classrooms in all areas of her practice.
Jaesic Wade (Rochester, NY)
Jaesic (they/it) is a HUGE movement nerd and cannot wait to groove with you! Combining their lifelong background in music as a vocalist and instrumentalist with a decade of partner dancing across numerous styles (started with Lindy and Blues), Jaesic has developed a teaching vocabulary that supports dancers to embrace new concepts with ease, be more present in their connection, and get more spirited in their dances in ways that feel safe and accessible to them. With its focus in musicality, mindful but playful connection, and micro fusion, Jaesic has something to offer everyone, so come get nerdy and play! Jaesic is currently living in Rochester, NY, but you’ll see them regularly around the country DJing, teaching, dancing, and being your not-so-average wierdo. Please come say hi and ask them to dance!
Dr. J and The Katydid (State College, PA)
Dr. J and the Katydid are the founders of CSD and the creators of FaeFusion. They’ve taught Fusion, Blues, and Lindy together for more than a decade. More recently their Fusion classes have begun to draw ideas from Tango, West Coast, Zouk, and Hip Hop. Their fusion-as-fusion philosophy grounds their connection in rich technique drawn from a menagerie of styles. This approach allows them to immediately connect to skilled dancers of nearly any background – making CSD a home for homeless dancers, and Penn State a crucial feeder scene for Fusion across the northeast. Join Dr. J & the Katydid as they help you explore yourself!
Gracie Johnson (Greenville, SC)
Gracie is the Co-Coordinator of Greenville Blues and Fusion in Greenville, SC. She dances a wide variety of styles, from West Coast Swing to Latin Dances, and revels in anything that presents an opportunity for the perfect body roll. She believes passionately that the foundation of good social dancing is connection, clear communication, and embracing a sense of playfulness. Her background includes 10+ years in education, which informs the way that she teaches and engages with learning on the dance floor.
Classes
Saturday Classes
12:30 - 1:30: Ribcage and Foot Mechanics For Dancers (Ruby Red)
Your point of contact with your partner and your point of contact with the floor are two of the most important areas of a partner dancer’s body. Learn about how your breathing mechanics affect your dance connection, arm mechanics, core stability, and ultimately, your ability to move your feet as intended. Expand your understanding of the range of movement available to your feet and how to prevent common issues like bunions, plantar fasciitis, and adjust your movement and training to accommodate high arches, flat feet and everything in between.
This won’t just be an anatomy class. You’ll get to integrate new practices into partnership and into your personal movement practice.
You’ll need: Your feet without shoes, socks, and any extra jackets, sweatshirts, or other outer-wear that you travel with. If you have myofascial release tools with you, or yoga mats, you can bring those too, but they aren’t required.
1:45 - 2:15: Finding Common Ground (JAmie-Lynn Figure)
You've watched them dance a couple times, they're fun, quirky, captivating... Any number of awesome adjectives come to mind. You work up the nerve, find your way across the room, ask them to dance. The music starts. As those first notes hit the floor, you realize your background is completely different from theirs. How do you bridge the gap and forge a connection that will stand the test of time (approximately 3-5 minutes)?!
Here, we learn to appreciate commonalities and differences and establish communication among
separate dance styles, no matter what skills you bring to the table as individuals.
3:00 - 4:00: Go With The flow! (Gracie Johnson)
Ever wondered how some people seem to glide through the air and make simple movements have a big impact? In this lesson we will explore a way to do this though utilizing body kinetics and weight change techniques to create more “flowy” movements. Additionally, we will utilize our collective momentum by leveraging body movements to make body rolls more accessible and smooth. This includes both solo movement, as well as how to help a partner leverage this movement to make it more accessible and dynamic.
Knowing Your no (Jaesic Wade)
Because I’m a huge nerd, “Knowing Your No” is the title of this class, for its alliteration of course. BUT what this class really is, is an experiment in finding our embodied YES and no, and knowing how to communicate our boundaries to others both on and off the dance floor. Through a few exercises, we’ll learn to listen to our bodies, and practice only engaging with others when we can sense our “Hell yes!” is fully present, or when we are consciously willing to explore the nuance of a subtle yes. This class will get you grounded into your body, mindful of the relationship between your boundaries and your environment, and provide you ample practice communicating, verbally and nonverbally, your desired interaction with others (whether engaging or disengaging). Embodied consent practice? Yes please!
4:15 - 5:15: Traveling Turn Technique (Ruby Red)
Linear patterns build momentum and create an energy exchange that can feel like an undulating wave that you want to ride again and again. Adding rotation to that momentum is a delight for follows skilled enough to interpret it. For leads, we’ll build precise preparations and turning patterns that you can use to assess what your follow is capable of and lead them at their skill level, creating an enjoyable dance for you both. Follows will work on precise turning mechanics from footwork to hand connection.
You’ll need: shoes with suede or leather soles, or those which are slick enough to spin safely in.
Solo Rhythm (Dr J and Katie)
Solo doesn't have to be hard! Use what you already know to become a more complete dancer. We'll explore pulse, walks, shoulders, and hands.
5:30 - 6:30: The Wild Child: Fusion Holds and Flows (Jaesic Wade)
Through combining the principles of ecstatic dance and spontaneity to partnered dance, people will experiment with what it's like to not know what's coming next, and to not care! The goal is to have fun connecting with oneself, each other, and the music. Our inner child will be so happy 🥹 This class will explore unconventional form (in posture, connection, and leads) to break people out of their molds and see what creativity will come of it. Get ready to PLAY!
Identifying the Window of opportunity (Jamie-lynn figure)
Partner dance begins with your own ability to occupy, organize, and move within the spaces you co-create. Here, we'll play with proprioception and better understand where to be and how to balance in the window provided by the framework of partnership. Be prepared to stack your spine, unfold your legs, and move more confidently solo by the end of class!
Sunday classes
12:30 - 1:30: Frame Switching (Dr. J and katie)*
What are the key connection elements that separate Lindy and West Coast? Blues and Tango? Zouk & West Coast? A few key changes can open entire new ranges of movement for you and your partner!
*This class features advanced material. The instructors request that you have intermediate experience in at least two of the following dance styles: Blues, Lindy Hop, Tango, West Coast Swing, or Zouk.
Sunday “Morning” yoga
Release the tension of a weekend of dancing and unlock the full potential of another day with this gentle mobility practice focused on increasing proprioception, coordination, and range of motion for dancers. No previous yoga experience expected or required.
Please wear clothing that is easy to move in and consider you'll be sitting or reclining for portions of class and bring a mat if you are able.
1:45 - 2:45: Feedback From a Follow (gracie johnson)
Lead techniques for creating more space for follows, and following techniques for filling that space in a more musical way. Additionally, how to signal ideas and/or ask for space as a follow and how to read those signals as a lead.
Rhythm Challenge (Ruby Red)
Dig into the beats that move you and discover why they do. Then dig into the beats that make you feel uncertain, edgy, maybe even insecure. From simplicity to complexity, we’ll explore ways to appreciate and interpret a wider variety of rhythms both with some fun solo and partnered practice tools. Keep an eye out for my DJ set later that evening that will give you a chance to integrate.
You’ll need: your ears.
3:00 - 4:00: Finding, using, and sharing axis (Jamie-lynn figure)
Let's demystify the concept of tango axis and learn how to leverage it in fusion spaces. We'll organize our pieces for comfortable, efficient rotational play both as a building block for creativity and in the context of specific movements.
(Please wear smooth sole shoes that let your feet twist and pivot on the floor.)
Micro Fundamentals (Jaesic Wade)
This class is a beginner intro to micro fusion. We’ll cover how to use tone, breath, and pause to communicate tiny movement and make melty magic happen! Also covered in this class is an introduction to isolations.
4:15 - 5:15: Fusion Family of Ochos (Dr. J and Katie)*
Are the Tango ocho and the Zouk lateral the same move?
Learn how to modify the direction, connection, and rhythm of Tango ochos until it transforms into a Zouk lateral.
*Must have experience with tango ochos or Zouk laterals, or both
Mirrored Conversations: Melty Edition (Jaesic Wade)
What does it look like to be a part of a dance that is completely co-created, with not just one person leading the conversation? Through exercises of switching lead and mirroring, sharing bodyweight, and embodied listening, dancers learn to listen as much as they speak in a partnered micro dance. We may be talking small, but we're saying a lot! By the end of the class, dancers will have a new sense of empowerment when it comes to contributing to their shared connections with others, as well as experience a new level of meltiness (the potency of true collaboration is a powerful thing).
5:30 - 6:30: Dark arts and Ninja skills for follows
Anticipate, Precipitate, Tessellate, Eviscerate and Dissipate. You’re a force of nature, wily and cunning, with the ability to slip in and out of your partner’s embrace, steal their chi, nab some gold, do a jig, and quickly move on to the next victim, ahem, partner.
Which end of the sword do you want to be on?
Leads, learn how to match your opponent and counter with powerful spells that will regain your mana and transform an adversary into an ally, thus assuring the destruction of all who oppose you and ensuring your mutual rule of the universe.
You’ll need: spellbook, super powers, robe and wizard hat.
Music
Allen Strickland
(Greenville, SC)
Allen is the DJ coordinator for Greenville Blues and Fusion in Greenville, SC. With a background in music, his DJing style pulls from a wide range of genres such as jazz, rock, blues, pop, and Latin music in pursuit of those perfect tracks that can bring people together through dance. He's on the hunt for songs that are the perfect combination of rhythmic magic and close embrace vibes.
Cherish Collins
(Atlanta, GA)
Cherish's dance addiction began with ballroom in 2016, but now she primarily dances Fusion, Kizomba, and Blues, which she started dancing in 2018. As a DJ, Cherish likes to pull music from different genres and dance styles, so you can expect to hear a bit of Kizomba, Tango, or Waltz in her sets. She loves playing with fun and unexpected sounds in her sets and sharing music from different genres. Her favorite part of DJing is seeing how dancers from different backgrounds interpret the songs she plays. She also loves experimenting with music, so if you like a song she plays, feel free to let her know.
Dr. J
(State College, PA)
Dr. J has delivered more than 500 sets over nearly 20 years of DJing. Driven to find bangers in every genre, he’s only met his match in smooth jazz and heavy metal.
He recently woke from a years-long fever dream where he hallucinated Virtual CSD, organizing zoom dance parties, and finishing his PhD. As the fog cleared, he realized he had a massive dataset and models providing deep new insights into what motivates us to dance.
Preferential attachment theory draws you like a moth to a familiar flame, setting you up to tackle the challenge of new sounds and rhythms. Set flair – featured songs such as steal dances or called switches – challenge and delight by creating new shared experiences on the dance floor.
Join Dr. J for a feverish new fusion experience!
Jae[sic]
(Rochester, NY)
When it comes to music, Jaesic has had a lifetime of creating and performing as a vocalist and instrumentalist, on which has been a strong foundation for them to build their DJ career.
They started DJing in early 2018, but since participating in an exploratory DJ cohort with Dr. J (State College) and others during the pandemic, Jaesic has had so much fun combining deliciously diverse beats, rhythms, and voices into sonic landscapes that elicit playful spirit and soulful movement. Gooey, sweet, salty, crunchy, bubbly, dark and mysterious, there's no telling what Jaesic's vibe will be, but you can bet it will be tasty!
Jaesic has been quickly making their way around the country—from NY, PA and OH, to MI, CO, TX, and soon to be CA—and they are so excited to add GA to the mix!
Kira McEntire (Charlotte, NC)
Kira has been social dancing (many styles) for 10 years and started DJing fusion in 2016. She has DJed at both monthly and regional dance events from SC to TX. Her favorite thing about DJing is sharing music that leads to fun and emotional connections on the dance floor.
Patrick Gonet (Pittsburgh, PA)
Macon*, Sacramento, San Francisco*, Oakland*, Seattle*, St. Louis, Denver, Portland, New York, Charleston*, Washington DC*, Las Vegas, Bellingham*, Portland (the other one), Columbus (the nearby one), Austin*, Indianapolis*, Orlando, Philadelphia, Vancouver*, Boston*, Paris, Pittsburgh. Patrick has danced (and DJed*) in a lot of places over the past 22 years. But Atlanta will always be the place where his colorful love affair with Fusion first began. As to the music? He’ll make no promises, aside from this one: It’s going to get weird.
Ruby Red (Chicago, IL)
From her days on stage in punk clubs to late night European dance parties, Ruby has been a music enthusiast of all varieties. She doesn’t limit her tastes to any one genre, but seeks out the best tracks from vintage as well as living artists. She keeps up a regular habit of scouring music blogs for new tracks and keeps an informal music blog of her favorite tunes in the realm of pop, soul, new-wave, electro, folk, and rock. The most danceable tracks make it to her DJ playlists where she enjoys pushing the boundaries of what dancers can move to on the dance floor.
Teresa Schubert (New York, NY)
Teresa has been a dancer since preschool and it was love at first sight when she discovered fusion in 2018. Over the years she's dabbled in modern and jazz solo dance, lindy, salsa, blues, and zouk. She founded Boston's Eclipse Fusion in 2019. Now based in NYC, Teresa DJs songs from a range of genres and languages to always give you something new to play with. Keep your ear out for sneaky covers, old fusion classics come back to life, and plenty of gooey goodness.
⚡DJ Volter⚡
(Orlando, FL)
An energetic, silly, music-obsessed dancer; DJ Kyle / DJ Volter / DJ Infrared discovered dancing at the end of 2012 in Orlando, Florida.
Discovering Lindy, then Blues, then deciding to learn as many partner dance styles as possible (now at 30+!) and starting to DJ for Lindy, Blues, and Fusion, Kyle went on to start and co-found the Fusion scene in Orlando, and serves as organizer and Lead DJ for Fusion Orlando!
Kyle tackles fusion with a relentless electric energy, and seeks to further connection in the world through dance and music. Kyle is also known for his The Heat of Fusion project, which involves capturing dance in unique ways such as with infrared thermal cameras and High Speed Cameras.
Pierce Collins (Atlanta, GA)
Pierce has been a regular DJ for Menagerie Fusion's monthly dance since its inception in 2015, and has traveled to play for monthly fusion dances in Tampa, Greenville, and Spartanburg. If you want to hear him before Menagerie: Uncaged, he will also be DJing for the alt room at Orlando Blues and Soul on the first weekend of October!
Pierce strives to bring a wide variety of sounds to dancers. He loves flowing through different energy levels and instrumentations, exploring genres from Glitch to Flamenco to RnB, and nothing makes him happier than people dancing to music they've never heard before and saying “That was awesome! What was that song?”
Elizabeth Coke
(Atlanta, GA)
Dancer, instructor, organizer, photographer, DJ; Elizabeth has filled many roles since she discovered Blues and Fusion back in 2007, but few things make her heart happier than sharing music with a floor full of enthusiastic and experimental dancers. She founded Menagerie Fusion in Atlanta in the spring of 2015 to share her love of Fusion with her home state, and she’s immensely proud of the community that’s coalesced around connection, creativity, collaboration, and consent in dance.
As a DJ, Elizabeth loves to find that song you’ve never heard before but already know you adore. She has played music for Fusion dancers from coast to coast, from places as far away as Seattle Fusion Festival to events closer to home: Holy City Blues and Classic City Swing have both featured her in their alternative rooms. Most recently, she was honored to DJ for the inaugural Dallas Fusion Reaction earlier in 2018. Her sets range from playful to gritty, sensual to raunchy, and invite dancers to experiment and play with new sounds and rhythms. Elizabeth is thrilled to share her take on Fusion at Menagerie: Uncaged, and invites you to dance with her (she leads, follows, and switches!)
Schedule
Schedule
Friday Night (10/13/23): Welcome Dance!
8:00 PM to 2:00 AM: Dancing with Uncaged DJs!
All night long: check-in, registration
Doors open/check-in starting at 7:15 PM
Saturday Afternoon (10/14/23): Classes!
12:30 PM to 6:30 PM: Two rooms of incredible classes! See the class schedule above!
Saturday Night (10/14/23): Dancing!
8:00 PM to 2 AM: Dancing with Uncaged DJs!
See the music schedule for more details!
Sunday Afternoon (10/15/23): Classes!
12:30 PM to 6:30 PM: Two rooms of incredible classes! See the class schedule above!
Sunday Night (10/15/23): Farewell Dance!
8 PM to 2 AM: Dancing with Uncaged DJs
See the music schedule for more details!
SATURDAY CLASSES
12:30 - 1:30
(downstairs)
Your point of contact with your partner and your point of contact with the floor are two of the most important areas of a partner dancer’s body. Learn about how your breathing mechanics affect your dance connection, arm mechanics, core stability, and ultimately, your ability to move your feet as intended. Expand your understanding of the range of movement available to your feet and how to prevent common issues like bunions, plantar fasciitis, and adjust your movement and training to accommodate high arches, flat feet and everything in between.
This won’t just be an anatomy class. You’ll get to integrate new practices into partnership and into your personal movement practice.
You’ll need: Your feet without shoes, socks, and any extra jackets, sweatshirts, or other outer-wear that you travel with. If you have myofascial release tools with you, or yoga mats, you can bring those too, but they aren’t required.
1:45 - 2:15
(downstairs)
You've watched them dance a couple times, they're fun, quirky, captivating... Any number of awesome adjectives come to mind. You work up the nerve, find your way across the room, ask them to dance. The music starts. As those first notes hit the floor, you realize your background is completely different from theirs. How do you bridge the gap and forge a connection that will stand the test of time (approximately 3-5 minutes)?!
Here, we learn to appreciate commonalities and differences and establish communication among separate dance styles, no matter what skills you bring to the table as individuals.
3:00 - 4:00
(downstairs)
Ever wondered how some people seem to glide through the air and make simple movements have a big impact? In this lesson we will explore a way to do this though utilizing body kinetics and weight change techniques to create more “flowy” movements. Additionally, we will utilize our collective momentum by leveraging body movements to make body rolls more accessible and smooth. This includes both solo movement, as well as how to help a partner leverage this movement to make it more accessible and dynamic.
(upstairs)
Because I’m a huge nerd, “Knowing Your No” is the title of this class, for its alliteration of course. BUT what this class really is, is an experiment in finding our embodied YES and no, and knowing how to communicate our boundaries to others both on and off the dance floor. Through a few exercises, we’ll learn to listen to our bodies, and practice only engaging with others when we can sense our “Hell yes!” is fully present, or when we are consciously willing to explore the nuance of a subtle yes. This class will get you grounded into your body, mindful of the relationship between your boundaries and your environment, and provide you ample practice communicating, verbally and nonverbally, your desired interaction with others (whether engaging or disengaging). Embodied consent practice? Yes please!
4:15 - 5:15
(downstairs)
Linear patterns build momentum and create an energy exchange that can feel like an undulating wave that you want to ride again and again. Adding rotation to that momentum is a delight for follows skilled enough to interpret it. For leads, we’ll build precise preparations and turning patterns that you can use to assess what your follow is capable of and lead them at their skill level, creating an enjoyable dance for you both. Follows will work on precise turning mechanics from footwork to hand connection.
You’ll need: shoes with suede or leather soles, or those which are slick enough to spin safely in.
(upstairs)
Solo doesn't have to be hard! Use what you already know to become a more complete dancer. We'll explore pulse, walks, shoulders, and hands.
5:30 - 6:30
(downstairs)
Through combining the principles of ecstatic dance and spontaneity to partnered dance, people will experiment with what it's like to not know what's coming next, and to not care! The goal is to have fun connecting with oneself, each other, and the music. Our inner child will be so happy 🥹 This class will explore unconventional form (in posture, connection, and leads) to break people out of their molds and see what creativity will come of it. Get ready to PLAY!
(upstairs)
Partner dance begins with your own ability to occupy, organize, and move within the spaces you co-create. Here, we'll play with proprioception and better understand where to be and how to balance in the window provided by the framework of partnership. Be prepared to stack your spine, unfold your legs, and move more confidently solo by the end of class!
SUNDAY CLASSES
12:30 - 1:30
(downstairs)
What are the key connection elements that separate Lindy and West Coast? Blues and Tango? Zouk & West Coast? A few key changes can open entire new ranges of movement for you and your partner!
*This class features advanced material. The instructors request that you have intermediate experience in at least two of the following dance styles: Blues, Lindy Hop, Tango, West Coast Swing, or Zouk.
(upstairs)
Release the tension of a weekend of dancing and unlock the full potential of another day with this gentle mobility practice focused on increasing proprioception, coordination, and range of motion for dancers. No previous yoga experience expected or required. Please wear clothing that is easy to move in and consider you'll be sitting or reclining for portions of class and bring a mat if you are able.
1:45 - 2:45
(downstairs)
Lead techniques for creating more space for follows, and following techniques for filling that space in a more musical way. Additionally, how to signal ideas and/or ask for space as a follow and how to read those signals as a lead.
(upstairs)
Dig into the beats that move you and discover why they do. Then dig into the beats that make you feel uncertain, edgy, maybe even insecure. From simplicity to complexity, we’ll explore ways to appreciate and interpret a wider variety of rhythms both with some fun solo and partnered practice tools. Keep an eye out for my DJ set later that evening that will give you a chance to integrate. You’ll need: your ears.
3:00 - 4:00
(downstairs)
Let's demystify the concept of tango axis and learn how to leverage it in fusion spaces. We'll organize our pieces for comfortable, efficient rotational play both as a building block for creativity and in the context of specific movements.
(Please wear smooth sole shoes that let your feet twist and pivot on the floor.)
(upstairs)
This class is a beginner intro to micro fusion. We’ll cover how to use tone, breath, and pause to communicate tiny movement and make melty magic happen! Also covered in this class is an introduction to isolations.
4:15 - 5:15
(downstairs)
Are the Tango ocho and the Zouk lateral the same move? Learn how to modify the direction, connection, and rhythm of Tango ochos until it transforms into a Zouk lateral. *Must have experience with tango ochos or Zouk laterals, or both
(upstairs)
What does it look like to be a part of a dance that is completely co-created, with not just one person leading the conversation? Through exercises of switching lead and mirroring, sharing bodyweight, and embodied listening, dancers learn to listen as much as they speak in a partnered micro dance. We may be talking small, but we're saying a lot! By the end of the class, dancers will have a new sense of empowerment when it comes to contributing to their shared connections with others, as well as experience a new level of meltiness (the potency of true collaboration is a powerful thing).
5:30 - 6:30
(downstairs)
Anticipate, Precipitate, Tessellate, Eviscerate and Dissipate. You’re a force of nature, wily and cunning, with the ability to slip in and out of your partner’s embrace, steal their chi, nab some gold, do a jig, and quickly move on to the next victim, ahem, partner.
Which end of the sword do you want to be on?
Leads, learn how to match your opponent and counter with powerful spells that will regain your mana and transform an adversary into an ally, thus assuring the destruction of all who oppose you and ensuring your mutual rule of the universe.
You’ll need: spellbook, super powers, robe and wizard hat.
