Rags 2 Rhythm Presents

Swingin’ 2 Spring

Soul Lindy and Blues Workshop, Dance, and Competition

March 29, 2025

Sacramento, California

Registration open! Next price increase March 20!

Registration open! Next price increase March 20!

Meet the Instructors

  • Kelli Wilkerson

    Kelli Wilkerson has been dancing lindy hop for 26 years and has spent much of that time teaching and competing worldwide. She has placed in top pro-level competitions, including the Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown, US Open, and American Lindy Hop Championships, and has taught in major swing scenes across the U.S. and internationally. Kelli’s teaching combines fun with a focus on technique, timing, and partner teamwork. A skilled dancer in both fast and slow tempos, she brings musicality and creativity to every move. Her passion lies in teaching, and she strives to leave her students excited and inspired, always ready to try something new and push their dancing further.

  • Stephen Sayer

    Meet Steve, a passionate dancer and instructor dedicated to preserving the swing-era jazz dances of the 1920s-1950s. From Dayton, Ohio, Steve fell in love with Lindy Hop at 16 and traveled across the U.S. to master different swing styles. After moving to Los Angeles in 2005, he won multiple contests, including the Bayside Lindy Battle and the Paladino’s Jitterbug contest in 2009. He went on to win several National Jitterbug Championships, including 1st place in Collegiate Shag in 2010-2012. In 2012, he was inducted into the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame.

    Now teaching at Madilyn Clark Studios and leading the California Jubilee performance teams, Steve continues to push the boundaries of his dancing and teaching. His unique focus on partner connection and musicality makes him a standout in the swing dance world.

  • Laura Evans

    Laura's passion for dance began at age nine, when her stepmother, a professional ballroom instructor, introduced her to the art. In college, she discovered Lindy Hop through the University of Redlands Ballroom Dance Club and was instantly hooked. Her journey took flight in 2016 at the Phoenix Lindy Exchange, and since 2017, she has competed and excelled at events like Camp Hollywood, Lindy Focus, Camp Jitterbug, and more. Now a fixture in Southern California’s dance scene, Laura teaches at Lindygroove and other local venues. A professional violinist and music teacher, her deep musicality infuses both her dancing and teaching, where she emphasizes creative expression and playful connection with her partner. Above all, she seeks to inspire her students and share the joy of Lindy Hop with anyone willing to take the leap.

  • Paul Riding

    Paul has been dancing in Southern California since 2004 and is passionate about sharing the joy of dance through social dancing, teaching, competing, content creation, and DJing. He has received several awards, including the “Inspiration Award” at Inspiration Weekend, the “Golden Budgie” at Camp Hollywood, and the “Spirit of Lindy Hop” at Camp Jitterbug for his dedication to the dance community. Now based in Sacramento, Paul teaches regularly at Midtown Stomp, where he focuses on helping students embrace mistakes, groove with confidence, and listen to their partners.

Soul Lindy and Blues Musicality Track

With

Kelli Wilkerson and Stephen Sayer

  • Getting your body in sync to soul and blues music. This class is all about connection. Feeling the music, hearing the rhythms and letting them move you and your partner. This fun and entertaining class will set you up for success for the entire day!

  • Using momentum in moves and movements. This class we will be working on Adding and subtracting speed and momentum to new moves and movements. Working this angle will not only get us feeling out soul and blues music, but also is a tool to express the energy in the rhythms and melodies you and your partner are dancing to.

  • Incorporating spins and turns into your soul and blues dancing. Time to work your spin and turn technique because this class is all about using moves with spins and turns to accentuate what is happening in the music in cool and unique ways.

  • Moves and movement's that always work. Have you ever watched a couple dance and wonder how they know what to do and when to do it? As if no matter what they do it " always seems to work"? If so, come to this class because the secrets out.... but you will have to show up to understand.

Time: 10:00am - 4:00pm

Venue: CLARA Auditorium

1425 24th Street, Sacramento, California 95816

Track Pricing (includes Social Dance):

$90 Early Bird thru February 21 (or until sold out)

$100 Regular thru March 19 (or until sold out)

$110 Late thru March 29 (or until sold out)

NOTE, Workshops limited to 20 leads and 20 follows per track

Soul Lindy and Groove

Vocabulary and Technique Track

With

Laura Evans and Paul Riding

  • Technique to sync up with your partners and the music. “Whoa, bro… get out my pocket”

  • Playful follow stylings and hijacks

  • Cool moves on one foot

  • Contrasting comfy moves and flash and trash

Time: 10:00am to 4:00pm

Venue: CLARA Annex

2420 N Street #180, Sacramento, California 95816

Track Pricing (includes Social Dance):

$75 Early Bird thru February 21 (or until sold out)

$80 Regular thru March 19 (or until sold out)

$90 Late thru March 29 (or until sold out)

NOTE, Workshops limited to 20 leads and 20 follows per track

Mix and Match Competition

Prelims 6:00pm - 7:00pm

Finals 9:15pm

$10 entry fee (must also have purchased workshop or dance pass)

Venue: CLARA Auditorium

1425 24th Street, Sacramento, California 95816

Free parking on site and street parking.

Soul Lindy and Blues Mix and Match Rules and Information:

Prelims

The Prelims will consist of 3-song heats, one song from each category (Soul, Lindy and Blues), ranging in tempos from 120bpm to 150bpm for a length of about 2:00 minutes per song. Partners will be randomly selected for each song in the heat.

Finals

Finals will consist of warm-up all skate, followed by spotlights to a DJ’d song from one of the three categories Soul, Lindy, and Blues. Tempos will range from 120bpm to 150 bpm. Partners will be judged as a couple.

Amber Kaufman began dancing at age 5 and fell in love with Swing and Lindy Hop in 2008. Over the past 17 years, she has taught, performed, and competed, earning multiple awards, including back-to-back first place finishes at the National Jitterbug Competition with the Midtown Stompers. Her greatest joy comes from helping beginners discover the love of dance and witnessing experienced dancers have breakthrough moments.

Harrison Furmidge discovered his passion for lindy hop and swing dance in 2017 and has been fully immersed ever since, competing in pro-level events at national workshops like Camp Hollywood, Lindy on the Rocks, and Camp Jitterbug. With 15 years of teaching experience and a background in martial arts and body mechanics, Harrison offers a unique approach to connection, movement, and momentum. He enjoys teaching all levels in a fun yet technical way and is committed to contributing to the growth of the local and national dance communities.

Movin’ and a Groovin’ Lesson, 7:00pm - 8:00pm

Pricing (includes Social Dance):

$15 Early Bird thru February 21 (or until sold out)

$20 Regular thru March 19 (or until sold out)

$25 Late thru March 29 (or until sold out)

Social Dance with DJ Gary Sharpe, 8:00 - 11:00pm

Mix n’ Match Finals ~ 9:15pm (cash prizes!)

Social Dance Pass = $20