Martin Beally - Man Behind the Curtain

Call it good karma, energy or whatever you like, but there's something magical about seeing all of you come together and revel in our community, our dance. When you come to Seattle, you want to experience the best event that our entire community has to offer.

That's why a list of what events I've run, where I've DJed or my other dance-related accomplishments don't really matter that much.  All that really matters is the fact that I want to make sure that ECBF is the best event you could ever want to attend.  Each year we strive to bring you the best of the vernacular blues community and I can't express how proud I am of this year's event.  A new progressive track.  Incredible DJs and your favorites as well.  New competiitions.  And Kim Massie and Solomon Douglas performing together for two nights (and recording a live CD to boot!)

I'm already wondering how we're going raise the bar next year.  But that's a small worry ... all you have to do is sit back get up and dance all weekend come November 12th.  I expect to see you there.

-topher Howard - Head Troublemaker

I believe in the power dance has to transform our lives.  When we create the artistic expression of blues dance, we contribute to a vast human tapestry, connected to our immediate partner, the musicians, the heritage of dancers and the diverse cultures which have produced blues dance and music, and to the dancers who will follow us.  In doing so we create art of ourselves, our lives, and our connections to the world and those around us.  In my contributions to Emerald City Blues Festival I strive to create the best possible environment for you to do this work.  If you have been to Emerald City Blues Festival, or you intend to come to this year, thank you, and I look forward to seeing you on the dance floor.

Emily Smith - Marketing Diva

Full-time mother, part-time nurse and student; I try my best to balance every passion, including dance. That's why I'm here, my husband is here, and probably why you'll see my 16-month-old tearing up the dance floor as well. This is my community, this is what I love.

Barry Douglas - Instructor Track Leader

Barry Douglas is a renaissance man of dance with 41 years of training and over 30 years of teaching and performing to his credit. His experience spans the funk and rhythm of urban American streets to the finest ballrooms in the US and Europe – 17 countries!! His training background includes ballet, tap, and jazz, Swing, Hustle, adagio, ballroom and choreography, all from some of the best dancers and choreographers in the world. He is a master technician that challenges his students on all levels and transforms their inefficiencies into graceful motion. He lives in Detroit, Michigan, and travels extensively throughout the U.S. and internationally. Barry is certified by 6 different agencies to teach 18 different dance styles, received a Masters in Jazz Choreography from the National Jazz Dance Congress and he is also a certified dance judge. In 1995, Barry won the US Hustle Championship to add to his many state and regional championships. 26 titles in all!!!

Brenda Russell - Instructor Track Leader

Brenda is fulfilling her childhood dream as a professional dancer and instructor. She studies African American street dances from the turn of the century to the present. Brenda travels around the world teaching and training with various coaches and historians. Her strength is breaking down the dances in a way that is accessible for anyone, even if they don’t have a dance background. She strives to help her students find the dancer with-in themselves, taking inspiration from dancers of the past. Brenda is working with the Blues dance community during this time of growth to develop curriculum and events that raise the community’s level of dancing. Her hope is to provide structure for duplicable material, while keeping the inherent character and nature of the dance.