They Were Jumping: Jukin' to the West Georgia Blues with Jontavious Willis and Band

Pure Life House of Music and Terminus, Blues Dance Atlanta, are teaming up to host a day of music and social dancing. The event will feature Grammy-nominated bluesman Jontavious Willis and his band, a blues dance workshop, and a beginner lesson led by Damon and Kelsy Stone on December 2nd. The day starts 2:30 PM and ends by 11 PM. A full explanation, tickets, and pricing can be found at https://www.purelifelagrange.com/tickets-1

• 2:30 PM - 5:30 PM Jukin’ Blues Workshops + Social Dancing Entry (Social dancing begins at 8 PM.)
• Jukin' I: Dance like no one is watching
  This session will explore the fundamental dance movements that form the basis of blues dances at rent parties and juke joints, known as the "down home" dances, where people can relax and have fun without worrying about being judged.
• Jukin' II: Electric Boogaloo
  This session is more of a funky blues dance style and will concentrate on what in the music spurs our movement. Newer dancers will increase their juke joint style-of-dance while more experienced dancers will gain new musicality and improvisation skills.
• 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM Dinner from Christeen Taylor - Blues theme inspired. Tickets must be purchased by Thursday, November 30th.
• 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM - Drop-In Class: A Taste of Blues Beginner Lesson + Social Dancing Entry. Damon and Kelsy will introduce various Blues dances, giving you diverse moves and styles to explore. This will make you feel comfortable on the dance floor, no matter what Blues music is playing.
• 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM Social Dancing to Jontavious Willis and Band

“We are excited to be partnering with Terminus Blues Dance Atlanta,” says Maggie McDonald owner/operator of Pure Life House of Music. “Greg and Erica Mann, owner of Terminus Blues Dance Atlanta, run a monthly blues dance held on the last Saturday of every month in a dance studio in North East Atlanta; they connected us with two world renowned blues idiom dance instructors, Damon and Kelsy Stone. Between Jontavious Willis, Christeen Taylor (catering dinner), and Greg and Erica Mann this event will be one heck of a an experience and the first of its kind in LaGrange.”

Blues Idiom Dance has three distinct categories, each with its unique flavor: Solo, Juke Joint, and Ballroom. The Solo Blues category is perfect for those who prefer dancing solo, while Juke Joint Blues is for those who like to let loose and dance to bluesy vibes as inspired by juke joints. For those who want to maintain an air of elegance, Ballroom Blues combines the sophistication of ballrooms with the soulful rhythms of blues music. Regardless of your category, you can expect a grounded posture, funky rhythms, and a sense of fluidity as you move through the steps. Each dance style boasts its own distinct flair.

Instructor Damon Stone has been dancing his entire life, starting with vernacular Jazz/Blues. He has studied several different dance forms, but since 1995, he has focused primarily on the history and styles of swing and blues, particularly the Southern styles from the Mississippi Delta region. He is one of the foremost authorities on Blues idiom dance and has been interviewed as a dance historian in documentary, radio, and newspaper. Damon has been a featured instructor in camps, festivals, and workshops around the world.

Instructor Kelsy Stone is a passionate dance instructor with a lifetime of dance training and a love for vernacular dance. She specializes in blues idiom dances and has taught and judged at prestigious events in the US and abroad. Kelsy values deep technique but embraces humor and gets lost in the music. She respects the history of blues idiom dance and believes in learning from mistakes and challenging oneself.

Jontavious Willis is a Grammy-nominated musician and songwriter from rural Georgia who seeks to revitalize traditional Blues music. His unique sound, influenced by his background and love of Blues, blends Delta, Piedmont, Texas, and Gospel Blues styles. Jontavious began singing Gospel music with his grandfather as a child and discovered his passion for the Blues at age 14. He gained national recognition when Taj Mahal invited him to perform with him on stage and has since opened for Taj Mahal and Keb' Mo' during their joint tour. His acoustic debut album Blue Metamorphosis won the Blues Foundation's International Blues Challenge 2018 Award for Best Self-Produced CD, and his second album Spectacular Class was Grammy-nominated. Jontavious continues to perform solo and at festivals worldwide, sharing his modern yet traditional, danceable, and intellectual take on Blues music.