What is Blues Dancing?

Blues dancing is a family of historical dances that developed alongside and were danced to blues music, or the contemporary dances that are danced in that aesthetic. Wikipedia gives a good explanation. 

Jacqui Malone, in 'Steppin' on the Blues', defines the six definitive characteristics of African American vernacular dance as rhythm, improvisation, control, angularity, asymmetry, and dynamism. 

Check out the Media page for dance examples.

Where to dance Blues in Pittsburgh:

Hot Metal Blues is a community run group promoting Blues idiom dances, along with the music that inspires the dance. We offer quality lessons to excite new dancers and continuously improve the technique of more advanced dancers. We focus mostly on social dancing in an open and friendly environment. There is a free lesson and dance every Tuesday at Peter's Pub in Oakland.

Tartan (Chicken) Swing is Carnegie Mellon University's swing dance club, open to the whole community with Blues, Lindy, Charleston, and more.

Steel City Blues Festival - March 14-16, 2014
Pittsburgh's annual celebration of blues dance. Going into its 8th year, the weekend features 3 tracks of workshops taught by nationally-renowned instructors, social dancing until 5am, live music, competitions, a dance clinic, and more.

PittStop Lindy Hop - November 22-24, 2013
Pittsburgh's annual Lindy Hop Exchange. Now in its 13th year, with blues sets by Gordon Webster and Solomon Douglas Sextet during the late nights.

There are numerous other dance venues around Pittsburgh. Check out the full list at pghSwing.com