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Powerhouse Blues (PhB) is a weekly blues dance held every Monday in Old City neighborhood of Philadelphia. Preceding the dance, there is an Open Class at 8PM, which is appropriate for any student who has taken at least twelve hours of blues instruction, and an Invitational Class, appropriate for intermediate/advanced students, and by invitation only. Every first Monday, there is a Feedback Class, where students of all levels can receive individual feedback from PhB instructors.

The Power Plant
230 N 2nd Street, 19106
Admission: $8 class and dance/$5 dance only

Every Monday Night:
8:00-9:00PM Invitational Class
8:00-9:00PM Open Class
9:00PM-11:15AM Blues Dance (open to all!)
** Every first Monday: 8:00-9:00PM Feedback Class **

PhB originated out of a passion for blues dancing, and a call from the community for more blues instruction and social dancing. Like all LaB projects, PhB was created to support and encourage dancers of every level, and the folks who run PhB work to create a warm, welcoming environment at all of our classes and dances.

PhB takes place in a gorgeous photography studio in the historic Old City district of Philadelphia. Our DJs (Dan Repsch, Mike Legett, Carsie Blanton and others) play vintage and modern blues of many styles and tempos, suitable for many styles of blues dancing.

If you’re interested in DJing at Powerhouse Blues, or if you have any questions or feedback about the classes or the dance, please contact powerhouse@lindyandblues.com.

PhB classes are taught by local instructors Mike Legett, Jon Darvill, Carsie Blanton, Kerry Genese, Erin Kroll, and Seth Baldwin, with guest instruction from other local and traveling instructors (Reuel Reis, Mihai Banulescu, Abby Kunnecke, Topher Howard, Solomon Douglas and Calico Goodrich have all taught at PhB). PhB lessons come in three different formats (see below), and cover a wide range of topics related to blues vocabulary, connection, musicality and aesthetics.

PhB Open Classes are drop-in (meaning you don’t have to sign up in advance), and cover a new topic each week. Past topics include Intro to Drag Blues, Movement Quality, and Social Dance Etiquette.

Open Classes are appropriate for beginner plus students: those who have taken a minimum of twelve hours of blues instruction. If you are a novice student (have taken fewer than twelve hours of blues instruction), we recommend that you first attend Tuesday night LaB drop-in classes, crash courses, or novice series lessons.

Invitational classes are designed for the committed blues student who has been taking blues classes and social dancing regularly for many months or years. Classes are designed to be fast-paced and challenging, and to cover all aspects of blues dancing with an in-depth, technique-heavy approach. To maintain these qualities, the classes are by invitation only.

PhB instructors and organizers invite students who have demonstrated strong fundamentals (blues connection, movement quality and aesthetic), ability to integrate new instruction, and enthusiasm for improving their blues technique.

Invitational classes run from 8-9pm on the 4th Monday of each month. Past topics include Blues Lifts and Dips, History of Blues Music, and Turn Technique.

If you would like to be invited to the PhB Invitational Classes, we suggest that you attend Open Classes as often as possible, as well as our monthly Feedback Class. In this way, PhB teachers and organizers will be aware of your skill level and commitment to improvement, and will consider whether the invitational classes are right for you. If you have questions about your level or your eligibility for these classes, we request that you ask a PhB instructor in person or via email at powerhouse@lindyandblues.com.

** If you are visiting from out of town and think the PhB invitational classes may be appropriate for you, please write us at powerhouse@lindyandblues.com and we’ll let you know how to proceed.**

Please bring a notebook and writing utensil!

On the first Monday of each month, PhB offers a Feedback Class. This class is appropriate for beginner plus dancers (any student who has had more than 12 hours of blues instruction).

At the Feedback class, several PhB instructors will be in the rotation, and each student will dance with each instructor at least once. When a student dances with an instructor, they will receive one piece of feedback on their dance technique. Feedback may pertain to any fundamental blues dancing technique (connection, movement quality, musicality, vocabulary, etc.); it is at the discretion of the instructor to share the feedback which seems most pertinent and useful to a particular student.

Over the course of the class, students will receive several pieces of feedback on their dancing from multiple instructors, and will have opportunities throughout the class to practice integrating the feedback. Students are encouraged to take notes, and are welcome to request more information or feedback after the class.

Through these classes, we hope to encourage a "do-it-yourself" approach to improving one’s dancing. Our goal is for PhB students of all levels to approach their dance education in an empowered way, by acknowledging how they’d like to improve, and exploring ways to do so, whether through classes and workshops, private lessons, practice at home, and/or social dancing. The PhB feedback classes offer a perfect opportunity to explore these possibilities.

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LaB is always looking for volunteers to teach or assist with lessons, take money at the door, DJ at the Tuesday night dance, and more. If you're interested in helping out, or if you have questions or comments, send us an email at lab(at)lindyandblues(dot)com.