Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenn Martinez.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Dancing has been a huge part of my life for a good long time. I’ve learned a number of partner dances over the years, and that still continues. But there’s just something special about the blues to me.
I know blues dance is something most people haven’t heard about. I certainly hadn’t until a DJ friend introduced me to it about 14 years ago. As I learned more about the music and the dances that grew alongside it, I just fell more and more in love. But there wasn’t anywhere to dance it in Boston.
It became a “if you want something done you’ve got to do it yourself” kind of moment. I could be sad and lazy and hope someone else stepped up, but where’s the fun in that? It’s been a lot of work, but it’s allowed me to build and shape the kind of community that I wanted to see.
That also fostered a sense of personal growth. I was able to identify what I wanted for my own dance journey, and why. I’ve become a notable choreographer and performer on a more national level. I love having the opportunity to entertain and inspire others in as many ways as I can.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Not always. Building a community means there’s going to be some growing pains. Needs and interest can stagnate, or can grow at a rate that can’t be kept up with immediately. But really, the biggest challenge is that blues dance isn’t something that’s known by the general public. This has always been an evangelical movement, where word has to be spread pretty actively through social networks in order to convince friends to come out and give it a try.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Blues Union – what should we know?
Blues Union is Boston’s longest running blues dance. Every Thursday we have lessons for both novice and experienced blues dancers, along with a social dance. Our mission has always been to encourage, teach, and promote blues dancing and blues music. Boston is fortunate enough to have some of the most talented and sought after instructors in the country.
This has really helped us to grow and adjust to the needs of the community over time. To keep people engaged and interested, things can’t get too stale. I’ve never been afraid to reevaluate and seek feedback. Class structure and content has evolved over the years. We’ve been able to foster growth by creating training programs for those interested in teaching or DJing,
But most importantly, I’m proud of the atmosphere we’ve created. We care about the history and the context of this dance and music we love, and actively promote knowledge and social awareness. Part of the beauty of blues dance is that it values active conversation between dancers and holds a lot of space for personal expression. Blues Union is a warm, inclusive place. We want everyone that comes here to feel welcome and free to be themselves.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
A thing like this is nigh on impossible to do alone, so there are many people that deserve credit. I wouldn’t have the skill set I do today if it weren’t for my teachers, and I’ve been fortunate to have a number of them. And Blues Union wouldn’t run the way it does without our corps of teachers, DJs, and volunteers.
But most importantly, I couldn’t haven’t done it without my coordinators. They’ve consistently done the legwork to make sure we have everyone we need to make the night run. Two have been with me from the beginning. Julie Brown handles the teaching schedule and has been absolutely essential to evolving our level of instruction. She also managed our DJs for years. Steve York has always been the fearless leader of volunteers and food. And our DJ coordinator, Amy Blank, has a lot of energy and ideas of ways to generate interest and skill.
Pricing:
- The lesson (either level) – $5
- The social dance – $5
- Special events with live music start at $10
Contact Info:
- Address: 16 Bow St
Somerville, MA 02143 - Website: http://www.bluesunionboston.com
- Email: info@bluesunionboston.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bluesunion
Image Credit:
Devon Rowland Photography, American Vernacular
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