REGISTRATION is open!
Early Bird All Access Passes only $199 (this year including fees)!
For 2024 we have secured the 3rd floor of the Curtis Hotel, including the Four Square Ballroom for the main dance venue!
There will be daytime workshops and nighttime dancing into the wee hours. Whether you want to deepen your experience with partnered connection or incorporate crossover influences into your current style, HNFW has it all.
During the day we will offer classes in various fusion topics and dance styles including (but not limited to) blues, tango, latin, contact improv, jazz, contemp, swing, and more!
In the evenings our DJs will play music designed for crossover/fusion dancing, allowing you to play with a variety of dance styles and techniques and creating space for different dance backgrounds to connect on the dance floor. Join us for an unforgettable weekend in the Mile High City this September!
RSVP to our Facebook event for live updates! CLICK HERE
Tickets
Passes are tiered and prices increase as the event approaches. Buy early for the best deal!
2024 INSTRUCTOR APPLICATIONS COMING SOON!
Please see our 2023 event teachers below. You will see some of these again plus some new faces!
Flouer Evelyn
Flouer is a Dance Instructor & Embodiment Coach from New York City, currently based in Turin, Italy. She has been teaching partner dance since 1999 and Fusion since 2011. She spends most of her time Blues Dancing, but has an MFA in dance and a background teaching and performing Contemporary, Latin Ballroom, ballet, and ice skating. She has won plenty of partner dance competitions in various styles, and has performed & taught all over the globe.
Sure, yeah, blah blah! But what’s actually important is that Flouer has a warm, encouraging way of challenging you to grow in your dancing, and if you want, helping you link this growth to the rest of your life. She is known for her values of artistry and emphasis on dance history, complimented by her ability to break down any movement into incredibly specific detail. Coming from an academic background, Flouer loves offering simple yet profound ways to give structure to your Fusion dance. https://flouerdances.com
“The reason to master technique is so the body does not prevent the soul from expressing itself” – la Meri
Mark Carpenter
Mark Carpenter is a dancer, dj, teacher, and organizer, focusing largely on the fusion scene and its emerging forms and conventions. He has organized with, taught at, and dj’d for dozens of events spanning four continents (and two languages). He has been teaching for over 15 years and is at the forefront of shaping what fusion is and what it can become. Mark is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and exploration of fusion and continually strives to make the impossible look easy, and the easy look impossible.
Pomona Lake
Pomona Lake, a product of the west coast of Canada, has been immersed in dance since her early days, sneaking out of her parents' place in high school for blues and fusion parties. A true jack-of-all-dances, she has won Lindy Hop, Blues, and Fusion competitions worldwide as a leader, follower, and soloist. She draws inspiration from unexpected sources such as contact improvisation, clowning, and her experience in the film industry. Her dance style is characterized by its playful, rhythmic, and raw nature, with an emphasis on improvisation and an unwavering dedication to musicality and expression.
Kenya Soul
Kenya Soul, hailing from the Bay Area, draws inspiration from a rich tapestry of hip hop, Lindy Hop, blues, and occasionally anime. His teachings are rooted in improvisation, connection, and musicality, breathing life into stories through movement. He seeks to build bridges between divergent communities through shared artistic language, which is how he found his home in Fusion. His Black-experience-centered philosophy sits at the heart of all of his and Pomona's lessons. Together, they create a clear, play-focused, and light-hearted teaching environment where students are often surprised with their own creative prowess.
Ally Yancey
Ally is a body geek and a movement addict. She's been dancing since she could walk, but discovered the world of partner dancing first in 2004 when she fell in love with Lindy Hop. She found herself obsessed with Blues by 2006, and since then she's gone on to practice several other dance and movement studies including Tango, West Coast Swing, contemporary, hip hop, house, aerial silks, pole dance, and the Alexander Technique. She has taught Blues and Fusion on the West Coast since 2007, internationally for a decade, and is a certified Contemporary Alexander Technique instructor.
Over the years of dance exploration, Ally has developed a keen fascination with the design and mechanics of coordination in the human body, and now enjoys teaching all of her classes through the lens of body discovery. Her classes are full of geekery—to her, curiosity, fascination, and silliness are the bedrock of an effective (and enjoyable) learning environment. Her passion is to not only teach people how to dance technically, but to simultaneously engage with their bodies playfully, creatively, and with deeper understanding.
Rachel Leigh Farley
A globally sought after instructor, Rachel has an impressive teaching record that is ever expanding. Her range and reach show that her experience and ability to connect students is unmatched. She is the founder of the Denver Zouk School, organizes Dirty Dance Camp, and has taught over 5,000 students at festivals and retreats throughout the U.S and Mexico. Rachel has 20 years of cross-training in social dances including Brazilian Zouk, Lindy Hop, West Coast Swing, Blues, Salsa, and Fusion. Rachel invites her students into a classroom where her gentle flow and playful styling will support any dancer in tapping into their own creative expression. Her workshops have impacted classrooms, companies, and dance studios across North America. Learn more at www.RachelLeighDance.com
Hunter Gill
Hunter has spent the last six years fully immersed in the world of dance. With a love for fusion, Hunter has explored a variety of styles, with a main focus on West Coast Swing, Blues, and Brazilian Zouk. Hunter's unique perspective on dance comes from his experience blending Brazilian Zouk with other fusion styles, creating a style that is uniquely his own. His dedication to his craft has taken him around the world, including three months in Brazil where he studied with masters of the art. Hunter's passion for dance goes beyond the physical movements. He is passionate about connecting with people and creating special dances, regardless of his partner's background or skill level. His ability to make anyone feel comfortable on the dance floor has made him a sought-after partner among dancers of all levels. Hunter's love affair with dance continues to drive him forward, as he seeks to push the boundaries of what is possible. His creative energy and dedication to his craft make him a true asset to the dance community.
Tybaldt Ulrich
Tybaldt Ulrich loves partner dancing, and has been dancing most days since the mid 90’s. Most known for competitive Hustle, West Coast Swing, Lambada, and Carolina Shag, he has also studied with many masters of, (and professionally performed)- many other dance styles.
He has been teaching in NYC since 2000, with Emmanuel Pierre Antoine (EPA), Stepping Out, Dancesport, You Should Be Dancing, Salsa Salsa, Starlight, G&J, and ZenZouk.
He has performed as a dancer or musician in numerous shows and competitions and shows on 4 continents, including the touring Swing show Swing Dance America, and most recently singing and dancing the lead role in the original musical Bum Farto.
He began as a musician, with a degree in Ethnomusicology from the University of North Texas, where he began dancing, starting with performing traditional Ewe music and dance, eventually studying in Ghana and Togo, west Africa. He dances full time and has been teaching over a thousand lessons a year for the last two decades, specializing in partnership skills, and kind creativity grounded in music and dance traditions.
Vanessa Stephan
Vanessa fell in love with partner dancing back in 2004 and began pursuing every dance style and avenue available to her from Ballroom, Lindy Hop, and Blues, to Tango, WCS, and Fusion. She taught Ballroom for a number of years in both a studio and university setting, and from the very beginning, she was interested in both the leader and a follower's perspective. The richness of what dance can teach us about an endless range of relational concerns fascinated her: communication, expectation, structure, flexibility, play, limitation. Eventually, Tango subsumed her focus with it's depth of connection and seduced her with it's demanding technical precision, so in 2014, Vanessa moved to Boulder with a firm resolve to learn Tango in a granular, soul consuming way and largely succeeded. She became first a Teaching Assistant and then an Instructor for Gustavo" Naveira and Giselle Anne at their Boulder Tango Studio - a prestigious role which had not previously existed. There she gained a deep understanding of the structure, technique, and responsibility of dancing with another person and broadened her teaching style. Vanessa is now known in the community for her depth of knowledge in the area of Tango technique.
Vanessa's second greatest love has always been teaching. In fact, scant are the times in her life when she wasn't involved in teaching something. Teaching isn't only about conveying information. It's about patience, strategy, creativity, and listening. To understand someone's question is to understand their way of thinking which is a kind of window into their world view. People come to dance for different reasons and with different values, and imparting something valuable to them is the endlessly exciting job of the teacher.
Jamie-Lynn Figure
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, and Blues. Please don't ask her to pick just one, there's something meaningful and unique about each of them! She's been involved with the fusion community since the 2008 Houston Fusion Exchange and joined the FX teaching staff in 2014-15. Across all connected partner dances, she believes connection begins with connection to yourself: your own body, your own movement and balance, your own abilities and edge. She strives to create playful, connected classrooms in all areas of her practice.
Hot Night Fusion Weekend is run in conjunction with Lindy on the Rocks and the Denver Jazz Festival. All Access passes gains you attendance to all events at HNFW, LotR, and DJF.
Safe Spaces Policy:
CMDance aims to ignite a passion for dance and music in our community. To fulfill our mission, we strive to provide a safe place for each of our attendees to learn and enjoy, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, religion, or range of abilities. We work to foster a culture of inclusion that celebrates diversity, promotes the dignity of life and mutual respect, and advances authentic, multi-cultural interactions and collaborations.
CMDance reserves the right to refuse service to, or revoke access to anyone we determine is threatening this safe, inclusive environment. We comply with Colorado laws and work closely with our cultural peers, community partners, and legal counsel to enact best practices.
Additionally, no weapons are allowed at any CMDance events, regardless of carry permits.
Health Guidelines: The CDC and WHO currently have no public health orders in place. If this changes, CMDance will update all events to follow global recommendations.
General Event Info:
For safety and security reasons, due to the fact that there is tiered ticketing prices, and this event sells out, there are no refunds or transfers to other individuals, meaning you can not sell your pass if you are no longer attending. Contact the event organizers to find out options if you are unable to attend.
2024 CLASS INFO WILL BE UPDATED AS IT COMES IN
Check out last year’s exciting class topics below!
Flouer & Mark’s Classes
Buckets / Modes
Conceptual Class - All Levels, prerequisite for Essences
We will combine Flouer and Mark's "foundational fusion frameworks" by looking at dance styles through a broad categorization lens, using the underlying elements to alter our own dancing and giving people choices about how they dance. This is a super important class for fusion dancers, and something we want to see more of in the wider scene.
Essences
Conceptual Class - High Level, requires understanding of "buckets" or "modes" as they relate to fusion dance
An hour of diving deep into high theory in a fun way. We’ll deconstruct partner dances by distilling and isolating different parts of the “essence” of each dance. After exploring the edges of these things, we will reconstruct new fusion dances from the bottom up. Ultimately, this is the most exciting part of fusion dancing (in our humble opinion).
Frame Class
Technique Class - All Levels
A door frame gives structure to a door, an art frame gives structure to a painting— just as our “dance frame” (the quality in which you hold another person) gives structure to our partner dancing. This class will cover the basics of dance frame and explore how different types of frames accomplish different goals and how to apply them in your fusion dancing.
Challenging Combinations
Moves/Technique Class - High Level
Moves are cool. Sequences of moves with interesting transitions are cooler— and harder. Dive into a collection of some of Flouer and Mark’s favorite combinations that pull from a variety of dances including tango, swing, ballet, modern, and blues. A strong ability to lead or follow is required for this fast-paced class, designed for people who have mastered frame, tone matching, and balance. We will be building off of down-the-line turns, single axis (pivot) spinning, and linear/rotational momentum, with the ultimate goal of being able to lead these moves in a sequence, and incorporate them into your fusion.
Pomona & Kenya’s CLasses:
African-American Rhythms in Fusion: from Lindy Hop to Rap flow
Conceptual Class- All Levels
Explore how rhythms and musical traditions from jazz and blues (such as syncopation, call & response, and lead-follow dynamic) flow from early Black American music and dance culture into today's fusion dancefloors.
Show Off
Technique Class- All Levels
How do you extend your connection from your partner to the entire room? How do you express yourself clearly through movement and captivate your audience? Dancers of all levels are invited to consider their dancing from a performance perspective using techniques from Pomona's clowning background, experience with dance competitions, and work as a dancer in the film industry.
Dance Role, Black Culture, and Partnership
Half Lecture/Half Conceptual Class- All Levels
Half philosophy lecture, half dance class where we will seek to understand the cultural values that bring us to our embodied ideas about what "lead" and "follow" can, and should be. We will experiment with different lead-follow dynamics to hone and widen our listening and connection skills.
Contact Improv & Clowning for The Fusion Dancer
All Levels
A fun warm up class exploring movements and techniques from Pomona’s extensive clowning and contact improv background.
Rachel & hunter’s Classes
Boom Chick Chick
All Levels
Together we will explore the "gush" and flow of a few signature Brazilian Zouk moves. You will not only learn rhythm and footwork, but also Zouk's unique approach to energy resolution into the floor. Then we'll show you entry and exit opportunities for weaving these elements into your fusion dance.
Endless Spine
All Levels
Use techniques from Brazilian Zouk to explore movement in the spine and its use in body undulations and head movement. We'll show you the core techniques and safety rules necessary to execute this kind of movement with gentleness and care. Then we'll show you how to suggest and listen to this kind of movement in Fusion settings, as we adapt to our partners and their individual level of body awareness.
Vanessa & Cynthia’s Classes:
How Tango Works
All Levels
In an attempt to demystify how and why Tango works the way it does, we will start at the very beginning by exploring concepts like rotation, twist, and axis in basic Tango moves like el basico (the basic 8), ochos (figure 8's), giros (grapevines), and hamacas (rotating rock steps). The ideas in this class will be useful for all levels as you import them into your fusion dancing.
Was That Tango?
High Level- requires strong understanding of frame and the ability to balance on one leg
Undeniably, Tango has some cool moves. Sometimes you just want to spice up your fusion dance with a few here and there, ya know? Come learn some ganchos, boleos, and cortes. Experience moving with a partner using frame is a necessity for success in this class along with a general sense of balance on one leg.
Tybaldt’s Classes:
Hustle Fundamentals
All Levels
Hustle is well named- it is not a dance of stillness! Explore the fundamental rhythms and shapes of this dance as you build your foundations for the Hustle series this weekend.
Hustle Random Pattern Generator
Hustle Fundamentals Prerequisite Recommended
Learn how to create a look of continuous content & movement just by changing simple variables, plus explore some spins that redirect for more!
Hustle: Drama, Groove, and Play
Hustle Fundamentals Prerequisite Recommended
In this class we will step out of the basic rhythms explored in previous classes to strut and move in new ways. Keep your eye out for Dive Walks- they are coming your way!
Ally’s Class:
Anchor & Gravity (WCS)
All Levels
Dive into the foundations & footwork responsible for that smooth, stretchy, connective magic of West Coast Swing. We will break apart the whip, studying the components separately and in conjunction, as well as explore techniques for grounding your weight and maintaining a steady center. Come to improve balance, control, and gooey communication with your partner.
The Curtis Hotel
1405 Curtis Street Denver, Colorado 80202 USA
The Curtis Hotel is right across the street from the Denver Performing Arts Complex and just two short blocks from the 16th Street Mall, putting Denver’s best shopping, entertainment, and attractions just steps away. Inside, you’ll find cartoons playing in our retro-chic lobby and an amazing art collection.
Parking: There is metered street parking available, as well as a parking garage and lot (available all day) within 2 blocks of the Opera House. Parking garages and lots start at $12/day. Parking meters are free on Sundays.
What’s happening here:
All Fusion Classes
All Fusion Dances
Accommodations for out-of-town attendees
The Studio Loft at Ellie Caulkins Opera House
1400 Curtis Street, Denver, CO 80202
The Studio Loft is an beautiful event space with a cathedral ceiling, exposed brick, warm-colored walls, and a spacious wood dance floor. This venue has vast room, a bar, and plenty of seating.
Parking: There is metered street parking available, as well as a parking garage and lot (available all day) within 2 blocks of the Opera House. Parking garages and lots start at $12/day. Parking meters are free on Sundays. If you are staying at the Curtis, they have discounted overnight parking available to purchase during booking.
What’s happening here:
Denver Jazz Festival Entertainment
Lindy on the Rocks Main Dances
Sunday Late Night Fusion Party
2024 APPLICATIONS FOR DJS WILL BE OPENED SOON!
See our talented DJs from last year below. Maybe you’ll see some familiar faces this year!
DJ Tenae Lew
Tenae has been obsessively dancing in and around Seattle for over a decade and has expanded her focus towards both DJing and organizing events. Historically, dancers have encountered Tenae’s sets at weekend fusion events all over the PNW, as well as regular fusion and micro venues. Never one to play a song she doesn't love to dance to, Tenae's DJ style is rooted in music often found in the wee-hours of the night, with an ear for micro-licious elements, deep, driving beats, and artists whose creations give you goosebumps. While not adhering to a particular genre of music, Tenae's goal is to offer sets whose rising and falling movements are felt within the dancers' connection to each other, in deep, tender darkness.
DJ Rémy baheux
This is Remy and he likes to party. DJing and doing all sorts of stuff for fusion for 12+ years in the PNW, he's excited to bring his experience and his love of partying to Hot Night Fusion.
DJ Kadence
Sharon Koon, aka DJ Kadence, started DJing professionally as well as social dancing 23 years ago. She first discovered east coast swing and salsa, followed by blues, bachata, fusion, and Brazilian zouk. Her diverse DJ career began on-air and led to special events and social dances. Currently, DJ Kadence is best known throughout Colorado for her DJ skills in fusion, blues, and Brazilian zouk. Her trademark style is bass-laden, lush, emotional, and original, often creating her own edits and mashups.
DJ RIngo Sanchez
Ringo’s dancing and musical addiction started over 10 years ago with Ballroom, Latin, Swing and everything else he could find and move his feet to! That is until he found the very rich and amazing fusion scenes in Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay area, and there was no looking back! He curates his sets with hopes of taking you on a journey that will have you both grooving to high energy beats, and melting into ooey gooey micro!
DJ Pomona Lake
Pomona does her best to channel the party gods when she DJs, making offerings of blues, soul, funk, r&b, jazz and hip hop to the floor. Her unbridled hype and wildly varied musical palette create dancefloors that transcend the boundaries of decade and genre.
DJ Adin Van DUyne
1 year into dancing, Adin was given a binder of swing CDs from his cousin and thus unknowingly began his DJ career. His love of music from a young age made learning to DJ engaging and fun. Ever since he has strived to craft engaging sets on the fly that keep the floor packed from start to finish, be it high energy party thumpin' tunes or some late night downtempo flow. He especially enjoys finding and sharing new music, so expect a portion of every set he plays to be music he's never DJed before.
DJ Tony
DJ Ally Yancey
Ally began their love affair with DJing Fusion at house parties in 2007, and has been obsessed ever since. From local weekly venues in PDX to exchanges along the West Coast and throughout Europe, they have found a satisfaction behind the DJ booth that's become quite special to them. They are always seeking to find just the right song that, in a moment, can turn dancers into wild things—roaring their terrible roars and gnashing their terrible teeth and rolling their terrible eyes and showing their terrible claws.
DJ Joie
DJ Kai
DJ Blake
FULL SCHEDULE
All Access Pass holders may also attend any class or dance at the Denver Jazz Festival and Lindy on the Rocks. Find their full schedule HERE
Thursday Night Pre-Party at the Mercury Cafe - collab with Shimmy Shakin’ Blues!
Swing & Blues Band 8-Midnight featuring TBA!
(not included with event passes)
Mercury Cafe 2199 California St. Denver CO 80205
Friday
Curtis Hotel 3rd Floor Ballrooms
9:00-Midnight DJ’d Fusion Social Dance - Four Square Ballroom
12-3am (or later): Fusion Late Night Dances - Schedule below!
Saturday
Curtis Hotel 3rd Floor Ballrooms - Choose Your Own Adventure!
Classes will run 12-5:45pm - Schedule below!
9-Midnight DJ’d Fusion Social Dance - Four Square Ballroom
12-3am (or later): Fusion Late Night Dances - Schedule below!
Sunday
Curtis Hotel 3rd Floor Ballrooms - Choose Your Own Adventure!
Classes will run 12-5:45pm - Schedule below!
9-Midnight: DJ’d Fusion Social Dance - Four Square Ballroom
The Studio Loft
12-3am: Farewell Soul , Blues & Fusion Party
Hot Night Fusion Weekend is thrilled to have out-of-town visitors for the event! Please use the Facebook groups to organize roommates for the hotel or to seek a local host.
We have secured a small block of rooms at The Curtis Hotel for a special rate. These are first come, first served and will run out well before the event so reserve soon! To book a room, click HERE
Roommate Finder Facebook Group: CLICK HERE
Flying Into Denver
The nearest major airport to Denver is the Denver International Airport (DIA). DIA is a stylish, up-to-date facility receiving all popular airlines. You can find deals at respective discount airfare sites or directly from your preferred airline. We suggest checking fares often and signing up for low fare alert services. Research shows that the ideal time to buy your airline tickets is generally about 54 days before travel. After 54 days, prices begin to rise and then shoot up 30 days before the flight. Remember to check out package discounts for hotels and car rentals, if you wish. Here are some sites you can use to find deals and set up price alerts:
www.southwest.com – www.farecast.com – www.orbitz.com –www.kayak.com – www.priceline.com – www.hotwire.com –www.travelocity.com
Getting Around Denver
Rideshare programs like Uber or Lyft are highly active in Denver. We also have Car2GO, a convenient smart-car rental service providing over 400 2-person cars spread throughout Denver; just take it, drive it, and park it, within the designated city area (membership required).
RTD Buses – For public transportation, our RTD buses and light rail system are an effective and inexpensive method of getting around Denver. Check out the RTD website for a helpful Trip Planner and more details on Denver public transit.
Bird Scooters are an efficient/affordable option to get around downtown. App download required.
Lime Scooters are another app based scooter option to get around downtown. App download required.
Getting to Downtown Denver from DIA
The A Line will get you from the DIA airport to Union Station (1.5 miles from the Studio Loft/Curtis Hotel) for only $10.50 in approx 40 minutes. This is by far the most affordable and efficient way to get downtown from the airport. Last train to leave DIA departs at 1:26am. Trains departing Union Station start as early as 3:15am.
Would you like to earn your pass by working the event? We offer shifts towrads full weekend or dance passes. 10 hours for a full weekend, 6 hours for a dances only pass. Fill out THIS FORM to apply! Questions? felicia@cmdance.org
Volunteers at the event will be required to fulfill 10 hours for the all-access pass and 6 hours for the dance pass.
Once the schedule has been finalized, every volunteer is required to cover their shift if they are no longer able to work for a time they signed up for. You are still required to meet the minimum amount of hours, so swapping shifts with another volunteer is acceptable. Any changes must be notified to the volunteer coordinator.
Volunteers are responsible for managing their own schedule. i.e. Make sure you keep up with your schedule and don’t miss your shift.
All volunteers must adhere to the responsibilities provided to the workers prior to the event.
All volunteers are representatives of CMDance, its mission and standards, which means you will conduct yourselves with professional, courteous, and appropriate behavior for a work-place environment.
Failing to show up for a shift, or on time for a shift, will result in paying for your pass or a portion of your pass, as applicable for the amount of shifts missed as deemed appropriate by the event managers. You will also not be allowed to volunteer at any future events and will not be given a positive referral.
CMDance Director
Caryn Carrasco
CMDANCE SPECIAL EVENTS COORDINATOR
Reese Dewey
Event Manager
Melody Flores