The bluesCENTRAL is currently inactive, originally due to the pandemic, then due to a handful of our leaders moving away. We are not currently holding any dances or events. If interested new leaders come forward, the community may resume activities. The bluesCENTRAL Facebook group is a good place to get in touch about that.

Saturday, May 21 at the Rose Bowl Tavern. 6:30 to 10pm. With DJ KamauMau and Painkiller Blues Band.

We are a friendly group of people in Champaign-Urbana who love teaching, learning, and enjoying blues dances, and the history and culture that surrounds them.

We’ve been on a looooong hiatus from classes and dance events while the world grapples with Covid. As of Fall, 2021 we are looking at organizing a leadership team to prepare for what’s next.

Sign up for our emails to be the first to know when we start up again.

The Spurlock Museum in Urbana, Illinois has added a new exhibit to their collection: Blues Dancing and its African American Roots! The exhibit is available to visit in person through May 31st, 2021 or online.

Check out our page on the Blues Dancing Exhibit and learn more from the Spurlock Museum’s website.

The Spurlock Museum in Urbana, Illinois is preparing to add a new exhibit: Blues Dancing and its African American Roots! This new exhibit will highlight the evolution of blues dancing from its origins to the popular dance practice known today. The exhibit will be opening on March 6, from 6:30-9:00pm as the kick off for bluesCENTRAL’s Annual SnowMELT dance weekend.

Holiday Party, December 16th

To celebrate the upcoming holidays, bluesCENTRAL is having a holiday party on Monday, December 16th! Don’t miss the chance to learn from our new instructor, Mindy Watts-Ellis. Mindy has been belly dancing for 13 years and blues dancing for one year. Many of the moves from belly dancing are similar to blues solo dancing, especially isolations. We’ll be able to try out our new moves to some holiday-themed blues music from DJs Mark Aardsma and Jennifer White!

We will also have a gift exchange. If you would like to participate, bring a gift under $10. Those with the most dance partners on their dance card get to pick first!

Guido’s Lesson and Dance Schedule

Since the holidays are a busy time of year for many, we will not be having our usual Guido’s lesson and dance on December 23rd and 30th. Our regular weekly schedule will return to normal after the new year, starting January 6th!

Due to winter weather affecting travel, especially for our guest instructor from Bloomington, we are cancelling Guido’s tonight. Stay warm and safe and see you soon.

Our Fallin’ Into Blues dance festival on October 5th was a great time involving live music, dance lessons, and social dancing. We’d like to thank Wood N’ Hog BBQ and the Painkiller Blues Band for making this event all the more fun! If you’d like to learn more about bluesCENTRAL and our events, check out this video from UPTV!

Each Monday this summer, starting on June 3rd, we’ll teach a different blues idiom dance. Most of these dances fit well with a specific style of blues music. Come learn the dance that fits the music, and expand your repertoire. Each lesson will be independent, so if you miss one you won’t be behind. More details and RSVP on Facebook.

See you on the dance floor.  -Mark

Save the dates! March 6-8, 2020 in Champaign-Urbana.

We are reading feedback, talking to partners, and already starting planning to make SnowMELT Blues even better in 2020 than it was in 2019.

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