Join your favorite hosts for a WEEKEND full of good vibrations...
Night Fall II
October 28 - 30th
Akron Ohio
Musical Hosts for the Weekend
for the Meet & Greet in yo' jeans & tees
DJ Shorty Smooth aka Mr. Make the Floor Move
for the Main Event - Night Fall II
DJ Myron R(you already know)
for the Farewell Brunch
a Southern SpecialDJ Pony Mack
Special Guests for the Weekend
Everybody's favorites
of
Sherry Gordon
&
Ed Donaldson
hosting your Steppin' Workshop
Saturday Afternoon
Followed by an Afternoon Mingle w/ Jenny Bradley Westside Mike Maurice Thomas
Get your weekend package
$65 gets you all three parties
the workshop
the mingle
Need hotel accomodations??? Staybridge Suites will get you together Click here $99/night for a Studio Suite Use code: RRN
Friday, May 1, 2015
Ryder Picks
Music is such an important element in the lives of dancers, people period. It transports us to memories of days past, good times had, it stirs our emotions and pulls at our heartstrings, allows us to connect with ourselves and each other on unspoken levels. So many that I've spoken to over the years, when asked "what attracted you to the dance", the answer by and far... "THE MUSIC". Steppin music has expanded the libraries of every person on the scene, we spend (okay I've spent) hours upon hours and hundreds of dollars seeking out our favorite cuts and new tunes that make us say "that's my JAM", throwing that "1" finger up in the air. When we hear them at the set it's a mad scramble to find just the right partner to express ourselves with...always a pleasure. For that reason (and a few more), every month we're featuring a selections of our favorite Rhythms to Ryde, chosen by our very own Ryders - giving you a little more insight what inspires them to move...
RHYTHM RYDERS!!!!! Simply Chique Affair WHAT! We thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience. Main event Saturday night OMG Raphae'l!!!! Stop it!! Feet hurtin, tryin to get off the floor, cain't cause Raphae'l was ON FYRA! First off all, thank GOD for the favor, especially regarding the weather (ya'll know it's snowing now right)...
Secondly, thank you for putting in WORK Ryders to get this all done. Who could have asked for a better group of opinionated, strong willed, no nonsense folk to work with...everyone's traits and skill sets were such an asset, it was truly an honor.
Thirdly, our volunteers... WOW! We could not have gotten this done without the help of all those happy to lend a hand: Carolyn, Robert, Errol, Jesse, Diettra, Kay, Janie, Evelyn, Brittany, David, Damond, Kisha, Erika, Bobby, Lashawna, Chris, Kevin, Bonnie, Hasib, Criston, Shartay, Sonya...Thank you SOOOOOOOOOO much.
Gotta send a shout out to our sponsors: The Connection, WWH - the idea never would have come to fruition without your support and belief in what could be... If you need us you got us, period.
Thank you Errol and Robert for the use of your sound equipment all weekend...Robert for setting up the DJs - you know I love you! Crystal Ball - Feb. 6th... Urban Spring Fling - April 17th - we'll be there in full effect! Our vendors - Jeff, Lynne, Mary, EX Touch (we still have tshirts/bags/towels y'all, $10 Ohio Stepper, $12 Steppin Divas, $15 Super Steppers). Marc, thanks for taking a zillion pictures. Tabaka, thank you for hosting our instructors and Michelle, thank you for speaking on it at the close of the weekend.
Our venues - the Bistro - thank you for extending your hours for us to party Thursday night, the food was good, the place was beautiful, the vibe was just right to kick off the weekend. The Greystone set the tone for "Simply Chique" indeed. Everyone loved it, Stacey you laid it out for us and we really appreciate it! Quaker Square - thank you for treating our guests so well, accommodating all those late check outs. Country Kitchen for not kicking us out in the wee hours. The Sky - thank you for letting us run the joint for the day, we were able to make everyone feel at home for the workshops/privates. Fatz - perfect ending to a perfect weekend..I just LOVE those cajun wings!!!
Next up, our instructors for the weekend.. you gave us exactly what we asked for and I just love that. Maxx, Swan, Niecy, Tyk - everybody loved you and the Ryders truly appreciate both your expertise and generosity. Can't wait to see you again. Our Djs - Errol, Rodney, Raphae'l, Jermaine - you can't have a party without some music so thank you for holding it down as only you can.
Our special guests - Keith & Rick & Erika & Feo & Tyk & Niecy thank you for supporting our step out on faith in the heart of winter in little ole Akron. You really helped us show the city "what for" and we can't thank you enough.
Finally, to you... all the people who came out into the cold to support our inaugural event: Akron, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Toledo, Cincinnati, Youngstown, Chicago, Raleigh, Flint, Detroit, New York, Indiana... y'all sure know how to party so thank you for choosing to party with the Ryders!!!!
If we forgot anyone, please count it to our heads and not our hearts. Everyone who helped to make this weekend a success was truly a blessing and we shall not soon forget.
Guess what folk... the Simply Chique Weekend is NEXT weekend!!!!! Are you as excited as we are????
For all of you who arrive early... we're kicking off the weekend on Thursday with
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Rhythm Ryding
@
Akron City Club Bistro & Bar
7PM - 10PM
No cover
The Ryders along with Tykmyn, maybe a few other special guests will be in the house gettin' our party on... who knows, we might have a few additional tricks up our sleeves....
The hospitality suite will be open at the host hotel on Friday from 3pm - 7pm so stop in, grab a snack, pick up all your particulars for the weekend
Friday night, the doors open at 7PM over at the Greystone for the Meet & Greet
Saturday morning, the hospitality suite will be back open from 10AM - 4PM to replenish yourselves once you get your workout on in the workshops....
Maps, Parking info, itineraries, where to go - will all be available at the front desk of the host hotel, in the hospitality suite, and at the Greystone. But feel free to use the following links: Venue Map Parking Map Weekend Itinerary Where to go
Contact information incase you need to talk to someone
Ivy: 330.701.3439
Jennifer: 330.608.8552
Valerie: 330.907.7277
Just to reiterate: the weekend itinerary
Thursday
Rhythm Ryding
7PM - 10PM
Akron City Club Bistro & Bar
20 W. Mill St
No cover
Free parking after 6 in the hotel garage... follow the signs
After partying
10PM until
Fatz
271 S Main S
No cover
Free parking on the street or in the lot just south of the venue
Friday
Hospitality Suite/Registration
3PM - 7PM
Quaker Square Inn
135 S. Broadway St
Free parking in the lot for hotel guests
Meet & Greet
8PM - 2AM
Doors open at 7PM
Food served 9:30 - 11:30
Greystone Hall
103 S. High St
Free parking in the garage across the street
Saturday
Workshops
10:00 - 12:30 Trainers Workshop with Dave Maxx $40
10:00 - 11:30 Fundamentals Workshop with Maurice Turner & Swan $20
1:00 - 2:30 The Art of Walkin with Dave Maxx $25
2:30 - 4:00 A Higher Level (Int/Adv) Workshop with Maurice Turner & Swan $25
Greystone Hall
103 S. High St
Free parking in the garage across the street
Hospitality Suite open at the hotel for food and beverage
Quaker Square Inn
135 S. Broadway
Main Event
8PM - 2AM Food served 9:30 - 11:30
Greystone Hall
103 S. High St
Free parking in the garage across the street Sunday
Farewell Bruch
12PM - 5PM
Fatz
271 S. Main St
Free parking on the street or in the lot just south of the venue
$50 gets you in all Weekend - Friday, Saturday, and Sunday!
Can't swing the whole weekend?
Well then you pick your night - Friday or Saturday - $25 IN ADVANCE gets you fed and in the door. At the door there will be inflation, we gotta wait and react (get the cooks fired back up, etc), you gotta pay. So help us plan and save yourself $10 by getting your ticket now.
Email us rhythm_ryders@yahoo.com to sign up for the workshops or to schedule your private lessons...
On to the 411 (from Jennifer's perspective)
So to know me is to know that I'm real meticulous about my dance instruction, I'm all about knowing who to go to see to fulfill my needs. For the Simply Chique weekend we have a lot of top notch folk in the place to be who may or may not be doing workshops but if you have opportunity to get some of their insight you'll be better for it. To assist that end I thought I'd offer a break down of "what for" for all who don't know, based on what I've experienced... Here goes it. Stepper Profiles:
Dave Maxx
If you want to learn how to teach this dance, especially the lead, you need to come see Maxx. Period. Which is why I sold an arm to talk him into offering the Art of Teaching - A Trainer's Workshop. Across the country, the Mak3 Leader has been the most consistent product I've encountered - which tells me he has a system, a framework, conducive to building a foundation in someone. So as an instructor...a torch bearer for this dance, you owe to it yourself, you owe it to your students to get to this workshop. I know some of us think we got it but...come see, there's always room to grow and this is a prime opportunity. Like I said, I really had to sell him the idea, this is not information he presents to anyone outside of his team so DON'T SLEEP. You might not get another chance.
...bring your questions, pen, paper and be ready to STRETCH...your mind that is
Maurice Turner
Whew! This is an intense dance. First of all he is FINE and then he gets to singing in your ear, shit. It's difficult to allow yourself to go there with him and come back straight (lol) but not because of the aforementioned...let's talk about flow. Maaaaaaaan, Maurice will have you on a ride for real, one that just rolls. I know a lot of steppers skate but Maurice's dance feels like you're on wheels. So it you want to learn how to roll come see about Unique Maurice. He's got a nice framework too so, hint hint. Ask questions...
Who's next Malik Emir El aka Swan
You want to learn how to groove? Swan brings the funk out of you. He'll teach you how to listen to and express the music. If you're out here looking like everyone else, Swan will break that. He'll teach you how to transition yourself, in all that the word means - regarding style, regarding space, regarding movement. And finessing the lady? Pssht...Ladies get a dance, you'll feel like a lady, a queen, loved and adored. Fellas get a lesson, if any one are you are out here giving (or trying to give) every lady the SAME dance, there is a problem. Make your appointment now, lol.
Tykmyn
Hmmmmmmm. How to dance to the music... How to hear the music in different ways... Handles - pressure, torque, positions, points of contact. I've never met, danced with ANYONE so adept at manipulating movement with ease. Another seamless experience if you're willing to submit to it. And don't come over asking for a "move"... sure he can teach you a "move" but you'll get more out of it if you ask him to teach you a concept "how to manipulate movement", "how to travel", "how to trio". Moving on...
Ms. Erika Little
Ya'll know this is my girl but biases aside she is COLD at taking whatever you are working with and ironing it out. If you're struggling with something or just can't get the mechanics right, Erika will get you together. She is excellent at getting people moving. Especially for end level beginners who want to transition to that "next" - holla atcha girl!
Let's see....
Charnice, Melanie, Tisa, Deon, Cheryl, Monique SharonSistas in Sync
A "Ryder" in its truest form, Charnice floats on top of the music. So if you want to learn how to carry yourself throughout the dance, soft landings, rhythmic movement, fluidity, fierce feet - SiS will get you going. Secondly, if you lack authority in your dance... come holla. Following is our first priority as followers (duh) so there's a lot of submission but at the same time we need to make a contribution to the moment. A good dance requires feedback. SiS will learn you some following, then learn you some authority.... Unless your base isn't up to par, then its back to the basics. Can't build on sand around here (better get to work now) Gentleman, I recommend you see Niecy on some Walkin' too...
The Farr's
Deon & Mykel
Makin' it work. Need someone to articulate some things for you? Breaking things down? I don't care what it is, they'll get you together on it.... They've got drills for days to assist you in developing in ANY area and they come with the details, details, details, to make it work for you.
Keith Hubbard Romancing the Dance
What can I say... this is another of those intense experiences that you need to prepare for...lol. Seriously though, if you're really interested in getting schooled on this thing called steppin', understanding this dance, this culture, the romance of it, you need to holla at Keith. For real.
Candace Hinton & Feo Duncan Flint's Finest
Well, the obvious answer is PARTNERING, lol. Knowing where your partner is and moving accordingly, sharing space, trust, feedback, transferring energy... Candace moves and feels like butter so ladies if you're heavy... come see about her.... Feo's timing is fierce and so are his handles... Worth putting some time in with these two!
The only question that remains is "Are you ready to Ryde?" See you sson
Join the Rhythm Ryders for a weekend of groovin', partyin', learnin', networkin', and all around good time...
A "Simply Chique" Weekend Affair
January 22 - 24, 2010
@ the historical
Greystone Hall
103 S. High Street
Downtown Akron, OH 44308
Friday night,
meet us for cocktail registration 5PM - 8PM
followed by the Meet & Greet 8PM - 2AM
Attire: Casual Chique
Saturday morning, it's all about dance...
Steppers Workshops:
Dave Maxx,founder & CEO of MAK 3 Dance Club, is gracing us with a trainer's workshop strictly for instructors. One of the best in the game re: producing consistent and effective leaders is doing his/the first ever PUBLIC workshop for dance teachers. That's right, Maxx will be educating instructors on the (seemingly) most elusive and unformatted area of the dance - HOW TO TEACH THE LEAD! Wow!!! Finally, a formal structure, rich in integrity, for delivering the most crucial piece in growing this dance. Every teaching organization owes it to their students to participate and soak up the learnings presented in this session. To MAXXimize the learning experience, space will be limited so sign up early.
The "Art of Teaching": $40
Join us for The "Art of Walkin'": $25
Chicago Style Steppin' is relatively new to the masses in the Akron area so "Unique Maurice" Turner & Malik Emir El (aka Swan) will be bringing something for those new to the game. These two will be setting attendees up with a solid foundation and baseline framework on which to build their dance. What participants learn in this session can be taken to any of their local classes (or national workshops) to become strong in this thang we call Chicago Style Steppin'.
Join us for "The Fundamentals" - Building A Solid Foundation: $20
Join us for "A Higher Level" - Beyond The Numbers: $25
Travel:
If your city would like to put together a bus trip for the weekend the Ryders are happy to assist with the arrangements. We have a relationship with a fine coach and travel company providing affordable charter packages for the weekend. Once you arrive, we've partnered with a local transportation company to get you around the city for as low as $2.50/person/ride!!!
Well we've said a lot, and there are more details to come, so we'll wrap it up for now. We hope to see you in January!
