DanceMode Productions presents “A Dance Journey Through Blues,” featuring musicians Shelly Rudolph, Chance Hayden, Edwin Coleman III, and Tim Gilson.

Join us on a journey through time and space as we explore the evolution and intersection of music and dance, specifically blues and jazz, in both urban and rural settings. Music and dance are inseparable art forms, as one cannot exist without the other. As blues music changes over time, the dance evolves in parallel. This show covers 100 years of blues music, highlighting major styles and trends significant to blues dance.

The DanceMode Productions company members come from social dance communities that include African Diaspora dances such as blues, jazz, Funk, R&B, Afro-Latin, Afro-Caribbean, Semba, and West African dance. Directed by Brenda Russell, this group demonstrates historical dances to educate and inspire, primarily for their own development and enjoyment.

Accomplished or native dancers of blues and jazz from the Portland area and beyond will showcase the movements and connections inspired by the music that we all love. Featuring guest musicians Shelly Rudolph, Chance Hayden, Edwin Coleman III, and Tim Gilson, this show promises to be an unforgettable experience.

DanceMode Productions is Portland’s premier blues and jazz dance company. Brenda, who has been a part of various dance troupes such as pop, street jazz, ballet, swing, blues, Latin, hip hop, and belly dance, later became a choreographer and creative director. She then started her own dance company which includes troupes such as The Rose City Sweets, Rose City Rogues, Silver Slipper Sisters, and DanceMode Dancers.

DanceMode Productions incorporates the study of past dances to develop an authentic representation of native cultural dances while also keeping up with current music and dance trends. They offer dance education, training, and performance in a variety of jazz, blues, Latin, swing, and fusion dances.