The Power of Partner Dance | Joe DeMers | TEDxYouth@MileHigh

In this ingenious talk, the creator of drag blues partner dance explores the power of partner dance to create community.
Joe DeMers is a champion blues and lindy hop dance instructor from Denver. He has toured the world teaching and performing. In 2008, he was awarded the Spirit of Lindy Hop award and, in 2013 and 2014, awarded the title of International Blues Dance Champion. Also a dance teacher for Denver Public Schools, he earned the title of 2014 Colorado Dance Teacher of the Year, 2015
Midwest Dance Teacher of the Year, and is the 2015 National Dance Teacher of the Year. For more information, check out his website at joeandnelle.com.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@andidance]

This is a great example of a great teacher! Dancing is more than steps, it's connection, communication, & most of all...SO FRIGGIN FUN!!!

[@emilytopham5069]

"May I lead?" Mr. DeMers, you just shot up in my estimation by asking that question! So excited to see you at the ambi track of Pirate Swing this year!

[@serenity0324]

Dancing has really helped strengthen my connection with my male best friends. It's a really fun way to connect though sometimes I step on his toes but we still find it funny :D

[@shubhraagarwal9250]

"May I Lead?" 😍😍😍😍 thank you !!

[@kosmatifizik]

Beautiful 🎉

[@DrSRanjanMBBSAcupuncturist]

4:44 Building the Dance Steps

[@hadamerryweather577]

west coast swing is made for the Blues

[@DowDuer]

Yes but: Blues dance is done to a much older style of blues and predates Jazz and Swing.

[@DowDuer]

They both work. There isn't a wrong answer here @Ben G

[@RafaelSantos-xl1ut]

YAAAAS.... yes, yes and yes. Loved the talk!

[@rhondaking2695]

🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@mansukong]

thank you, Joe DeMers Suna Choi JY Kang

[@Flowergurl2000]

I found community in the Latin Dance community. As a white, older woman, I am surprisingly good.

[@jasonofaolain]

Message is excellent. Just not while he nearly yanks her arm out of its socket. Also, again, I've no problem with role reversal or same-sex dancing, but the default roles are established and should be accepted unless one or either party wishes to change the dynamic.

[@cibomatto47]

Jason Whelan At what point did that happen? Also, I'd like to invite you to spend some time to think about why it might be beneficial to challenge gender norms.

[@jasonofaolain]

He does it when he initially pulls her towards him at around the 4.40 mark and he doesn't ask her for the role assignment for the second dance. As I said, I have no problem breaking with the traditional done thing. I've danced kizomba following men and women and salsa leading another man and have danced bachata as a lead and as a follow, so I get the premise. I just think that he had a great message but didn't execute it as well as he might have done.

[@LizaLavolta]

Yank her arm out of socket is a very dramatic statement on what happened. He pulled her over for the example. She had the appropriate tension in her arm and her shoulder was in front of her hip. He couldn't yank her arm out if he wanted to...