The Blues Joint

The Blues Joint is a community-driven blues dance organization active in Amsterdam and Amersfoort. They teach blues dance, an African American vernacular dance that developed alongside blues music in the Deep South of the USA in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and is still evolving today. The organization offers monthly crash courses for absolute beginners, weekly community practice sessions, private lessons, and regular social dance nights with live music. They also organize international festivals including Trippin' Blues Amsterdam and The Blues Retreat.

In Amsterdam, classes are held at Studio Borgerstraat (Borgerstraat 112, 1053 PX Amsterdam) and at De Nieuwe Anita (Frederik Hendrikstraat 111, in the basement). In Amersfoort, classes take place at De Bik (De Bik 1, 3828 AM Hoogland, Amersfoort). The monthly beginner crash course runs each first Tuesday of the month from 19:00 until 21:00, covering all the fundamentals needed to get on the dance floor or join a practice session.

After completing a crash course, beginners can join the weekly Community Practice Sessions, which are donation-based (suggested donation €5) and cover everything from fundamentals to advanced moves. These sessions emphasize learning, practicing and exploring together in a less formal setting than lessons, with new material each week chosen by experienced dancers. The community is very active on social media via Facebook and Instagram.

Every Tuesday evening, Backroom Blues runs from 21:00 to 23:00 as a donation-based social where you can dance what you've learned or simply drop by to join the vibrant blues social. The Blues Joint also hosts one-off tasters, in-depth workshops, and festivals throughout the year. The organization is run by volunteers including board members Frank Lyaruu (chairman), Richard van Os (secretary), Paul van Meelis (treasurer), and Federica Parisi (board member), with teachers Emma and Federica Parisi leading classes.

The Blues Joint emphasizes that blues dance is for every body and no partner or prior experience is required. They recommend taking beginner classes for a year or joining several crash courses to deepen the groove and skills involved.

Arrive for the monthly crash course (first Tuesday of the month, 19:00–21:00) and spend two hours learning the fundamentals: grooving, turning, walking. By the end you'll have the foundation to join the weekly Backroom Blues social that follows, or continue with community practice sessions. No partner needed, just comfortable shoes and a smile.

Emma teaches and coordinates socials. Federica Parisi teaches and helps organize festivals. The source names these instructors and notes that teachers are "passionate about Blues and eager to share their knowledge with dancers of all skill levels", but does not provide their full credentials or background.

Specifically designed for absolute beginners; monthly crash courses teach fundamentals in two hours, and you need no prior experience or partner.