All Discussions - WindyHop forum

Swingersball #17-The Red Carpet Event -Saturday March 29, 2014

asmooveone — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 08:47:56 -0500

The event takes place at The Willowbrook Ballroom and goes from 7:00 PM until 1 AM

www.swingersballinfo.com

Midwest Lindy Fest 2014

Azeroth — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 10:25:13 -0500

DANCE WITH US at the 2014 Midwest Lindy Festival, in Minneapolis, MN, May 8-11!

Whether you dance down the Mississippi River on the Paddleford Riverboat kick-off dance, take in the amazing performances at The Show, or expand your dancing skills with the workshops, we invite you to join us in Minneapolis for an amazing Lindy Hop weekend!

INSTRUCTORS:
Thomas Blacharz and Alice Mei join us from New York City and Montpelier, France;
Sylvia Sykes and Nick Williams, from Los Angeles and Santa Barbara; and
Peter Strom and Naomi Uyama from right here in Minneapolis!

LIVE MUSIC:
Gordon Webster and his orchestra - featuring Naomi Uyama - play on Friday and Saturday night!
Our local favorites Patty and the Buttons and the Twin Cities Hot Club bookend the weekend.

Four nights of live music, two days of classes, an amazing showcase event, and one riverboat cruise down the Mississippi River. This is Lindy in the Midwest!

Join the event: www.facebook.com/events/546118068815285/
Like our page: www.facebook.com/MidwestLindyFest
Visit the website: www.midwestslindyfest.com

Or just REGISTER NOW:
http://midwestlindyfest2014.dancecamps.org/

With love!
Midwest Lindy Fest
Shawn Lavelle
Kendra Strode
Stacia Martin

(In case you're not going to BluesSHOUT!)

Will be in town Dec 17-20

TexasLdy — Sat, 14 Dec 2013 16:42:20 -0500

I know it's not a lot of time, but I want to take my brother swing or blues dancing while we're in Chicago. Any recommendations? If it helps, I've done both in Texas, but he has done neither, so lessons are a plus, but not necessary. Thanks! :)

Rhythm Rockets @ Reggie's Music Joint Nov 30

rocketcommander — Mon, 25 Nov 2013 20:39:24 -0500

The Rhythm Rockets are performing at Reggie's Music joint this Saturday Nov 30. Third Coast Kings from Detroit are opening the show up at 9PM

You might want to read this if you plan on coming out to Reggie's this weekend to see the Rhythm Rockets…

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?ca=1db7c4d9-254e-43a3-8359-9ab0e761647a&c=&ch=

San Francisco Lindy Exchange 2013!

Swinginsugar — Thu, 25 Jul 2013 15:43:14 -0400

The world’s oldest and biggest Lindy Exchange is back!! The San Francisco Lindy Exchange!

Join us Sept 12-15 for the 2013 edition of SFLX!!

Come dance with us to awesome djed and live music! We’ll be presenting the best lineup of live music we’ve ever heard at a lindy exchange! Gordon Webster, Careless Lovers, and Fli Lorenz’s Little Big Band!

We have some fun daytime events planned and we’re excited to bring back a separate room for Blues at the late night on Saturday and possibly on Sunday as well!

Join us for this exciting, high energy, groovy, Lindy Hop event!!
Register for SFLX today at www.sflindyexchange.com/2013/Registration/

See you on the dance floor and save me a swingout!

May 9-12, 2013: Midwest Lindy Fest 2013

Azeroth — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 01:21:20 -0400

Hello Chicago!

MWLF is coming up very soon. Hosted in Minneapolis (re: St Paul) every year, we're looking forward to seeing you join us once again for great music, awesome classes, and fantastic dancing.

This year our musical feature is none other than Gordon Webster and his orchestra. A rare treat in the upper Midwest and playing his first dancer gig in Minnesota, we are very excited to have him continue our musical excellence. Robert Bell and the Twin Cities Hot Club will play Sunday's dance and the ever popular Invitational Jack and Jill.

Want to try your hand at competing? We offer an open Jack and Jill and Strictly Lindy Hop competitions with cash prizes and event passes for the victors.

Our featured instructors are Nikki Marvin and Nick Williams. Do they need introduction? Teaching with them are Laura Glaess and Mike Roberts and Todd Yannacone and Lithuanian phenom Pamela Gaizutyte. We're rounding out our instructional offerings with Jon Tigert, Heather Ballew, Alain Wong, and Gen St. Lo.

We have four tracks to offer. For the new traveler/dancer, Level 1 Crash Course will focus on the basics to get you dancing as fast as possible. Following that Level 2 is not auditioned while levels 3 and 4 are the most competitive. There are a selection of electives to attend as well.

Returning are two of the most unique events in the Midwest Lindy Hop scene: The Riverboat Jazz Cruise and the Midwest Lindy Fest Show. The Cruise is available for $30 and sets sail at 7pm on the Anson Northrup, a recreated Mississippi River Steamer. Playing for your happy feet will be Patty and the Buttons! The MWLF Show is a 60 minute Lindy Hop Revue with performances our instructors and invited guests. Just $15 for some of the best dancers in the land.

You can find all this and more under 7 hours north on I94. Sign up today for just $159 for a workshop pass. Not interested in classes, but love the music? There's a Dance Pass available for just $89. Want in on that Crash Course? It's just $119!

See you soon! Let us know if you have any questions. (Housing is closing soon, but still open! Appointments first come, first served, sign up soon!)

Shawn M Lavelle and the MWLF Team
(Stacia Martin, Biz Mills, and Justin Dux)

PS Congratulations on maintaining a forum in this day and age of Facebook!

PPS Yes, we will have tickets available at the door - our dance hall is 5400 square feet with dual industrial-strength air conditioners.

PPS Relevant Links:
http://www.midwestlindyfest.com

Straight to buying tickets:
http://midwestlindyfest.com/buy-tickets/

Crash Course Tickets:
http://midwestlindyfest.com/buy-tickets/mwlf-level-1/

In Chicago for 3 weeks

Viperfrag — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 09:32:37 -0500

I'm a Lindy Hop dancer / teacher from Montreal, and I'll be in Chicago for the next 3 weeks (Monday to Thursday).
What are the best Lindy Hop venues coming up on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday nights?

Thanks,
Alain Fragman.

Electro-Swing Bands

Nathan — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:32:27 -0500

So we started talking about bands like Caravan Palace this weekend, and I thought I'd pull together a quick list and let you guys add on.

* Belleruche is actually one of my favorites - http://open.spotify.com/track/0ReFFw8QINJJKhuoJmCGam
* Caravan Palace - http://open.spotify.com/track/1oHJwg8i39oarJlVfeCsvB
* All of the Verve Remixed compilation - http://open.spotify.com/track/4o4jcecSR0VyLhGeLZAFyE

That's all off the top of my head, I'll try to remember more.

Savoy Ballroom To Blues Dance Theater's, "A Look into Social Dancing - Slow Drag Pt.1 "

FrontlineMediaGroup — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 22:21:19 -0400

Hope you all like this video, and subscribe... more video soon on other topics soon!!
From your friends at XtremeLink Productions

http://youtu.be/xOj729yToZE?hd=1

Windy Hop Collective Meeting

WindyHop — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 23:41:05 -0400

Oct 28th 7pm-9pm

Come Chat with us about Swing dancing in Chicago and lend a helping voice or hand to make our scene great!

Check out our notes from last meeting:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1S-AVEmUCnWflGCJsjfFwGC_LC3CsQtgJ1jOt3pVPxaE/edit

in Chicago today 10/9

mermae12 — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 18:03:27 -0400

Is there dancing tonight? And what's the best way to get there from Elk Grove Village?

Reason #4 to Swing Out in Catalina CA

2plyswing — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 00:44:33 -0400

http://www.catalinaswingdancefestival.com/

Reason 4. Swing Era History
Why do we do this dance? There is a rich history for all the Swing Era dances. The more you know, the better you can embrace the full spirit of the dance. We are proud to have one of the nation's premier dance historians sharing his vast knowledge at CSDF:
RICHARD POWERS

Last year his early morning lectures were surprisingly packed. He provided us with vintage dance clips, incredible historical facts about the dances we love and left us wanting more! We know you'll all be dancing at Late Night into the wee hours of the morning so we have Richard's lectures scheduled at lunch time on both Saturday and Sunday.

Read below to learn more about Richard Powers...

Richard Powers is an expert in American social dance, noted for his choreographies for dozens of stage productions and films, and his workshops in Paris, Rome, Prague, London, Venice, Geneva, St. Petersburg and Tokyo as well as across the U.S. and Canada. He has been researching and reconstructing historic social dances for twenty-five years and is currently a full-time instructor at Stanford University Dance Division. He teaches a variety of social dance history and practicum classes for the dance division of the Stanford University Drama Department. He joined the Dance Faculty in 1992 and serves as a faculty liaison to the Friends of Dance at Stanford organization.

Richard founded the Flying Cloud Academy of Vintage Dance (1981) to produce large-scale monthly recreations of Victorian and Ragtime Balls. Formed the Flying Cloud Troupe, a 30-member performing company (1982) and co-founded the supporting Fleeting Moments Waltz & Quickstep Orchestra.
Richard started and directed the Stanford Vintage Dance Ensemble (1992) and serves as an advisor and choreographer for the Swingtime Dance Troupe.

Richard was selected by the Centennial Issue of Stanford Magazine as one of Stanford University's most notable graduates of its first century and was awarded the Lloyd W. Dinkelspiel Award for distinctive and exceptional contributions to education at Stanford University (1999). Recipient of the Post-Corbett Award, Cincinnati's foremost arts recognition (1992).

The Boilermakers (Getting Around Chicago) Are Back For A Classic Night minus The White

asmooveone — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 21:34:37 -0400

event website www.aclassicnight.com

When: Sunday October 7, 2012 A Classic Night For Dance

Where: Fort Knox Studios 4255 N. Knox Sreet, Chicago, Illinois

What Time: 6:30-11:00 PM

Beginning Dance Lesson 6:30 PM

Band hits at 7:15 PM

Price: $16 at the door -

Coming to Chicago Sept-9-13th/2012. Anything going on?

rmh1111 — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 00:45:15 -0400

Hey, I am flying in for a seminar in September and want to know what the swing scene in Chicago! I learnt how to do 6 and 8 beat dancing, lindy hop, and charleston whilst living in Melbourne, Australia last year. I have a year of dance practice under my belt and love it! Saskatoon does not have a very good scene at all believe it or not! Let me kniw!

Big City Blues is Live!

snagglepuddlian — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 13:35:11 -0400

Hi all!

As most of you know, Big City Blues was recently born as its own entity from the blues program at Big City Swing. Check out our gorgeous new website at bigcityblues.net!

We've got a Ladies Solo Workshop coming up on July 7th, and Blues 1 starting July 9th!

See you soon!

Sara

Windyhop Collective Meeting

WindyHop — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 09:51:35 -0400

Like dancing, awesome people, and making the Chicago dance scene even more amazing? Then be sure to join us at our next meeting at

Next Door
659 W. Diversey
June 3rd 11am - 1pm

Are you thinking about sponsoring a class, workshop or dance events? Do you need help promoting your performing dance company? Would you like to create or help create partnerships with local schools, libraries, and non-profits to raise awareness about Lindy Hop and the Swing Dance Era? How can you help our local community make a significant contribution on a national scale in raising public awareness and participation in this cultural and historical pastime?

The Windyhop Collective is an organization of dedicated individuals who have a common appreciation and love of the music & dances of the Swing Dance Era. We are proud to be a part of the local arts community that makes Chicago a richer place to live and visit.

Previous meeting minutes can be found here:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xOM0rd1c9WD3qkMm8ziHs_DOIVMTFJrbmwlKctTVhWk/edit

Please come to the meeting & please share this invite with anyone who might be interested! Hope to see you there! :)

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/322402564498886/

Lucky's Savoy Stomp

stockdancer — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 09:26:11 -0400

Don't miss Lucky's this month! We're having the Barehand Dixieland band playing for us and it is sure to bring the house down!!!

Hope we'll see you!
Beginner lesson at 9
Band starts playing at 10
the Bar is at the corner of Milwaukee and Western (right by the blue line stop)

ALHC - Swinging into Chicago!

muy_mal — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:17:42 -0500

Hey all - if you haven't already, register for ALHC!

ALHC (American Lindy Hop Championships) is coming to Chicago May 11-13 at the Crowne Plaza O'Hare. Get ready for a weekend of hot music, inspiring classes, amazing competitions and dancing the nights away.

Registration is up over at http://artspectrum.org/alhcregistration.htm, and while you're there, why not get yourself an ALHC t-shirt? Everyone loves t-shirts!

Windyhop Collective Meeting!

WindyHop — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:05:51 -0400

A few days ago, this not too recent video made the rounds of lindy hop blogs, tweets and fb walls alike -

My life has changed completely & positively from learning & dancing lindy hop & this too short video resonates deeply for me. I can\'t express in words my thanks for the vision, diligent work & determination of local organizers, teachers, fellow dancers & musicians for encouraging and growing this community.

Though I may be at a loss for words, I (and YOU!) can help the community grow & flourish by getting involved (with your time, your creative ideas, your experience & contacts) and volunteering!

Maybe you\'re thinking about sponsoring a class, workshop or dance events and need some help? Do you need ideas on promoting/finding rehearsal space for your performing dance company? Would you like to create or help create partnerships with local schools, libraries, and non-profits to raise awareness about Lindy Hop and the Swing Dance Era? How can you help our local community make a significant contribution on a national scale in raising public awareness and participation in this cultural and historical pastime? Let\'s help each other!

The Windyhop Collective is an organization of dedicated individuals who have a common appreciation and love of the music & dances of the Swing Dance Era. We are proud to be a part of the local arts community that makes Chicago a richer place to live and visit.

Please join us at our next meeting at

Next Door
659 W. Diversey
April 29 11am - 1pm

Previous meeting minutes can be found here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1czBy2XEguvqQzGT0fCO6obD36WExohnueA0RNrzE71U/edit

Please come to the meeting & please share this invite with anyone who might be interested! Hope to see you there! :)

Windyhop Collective Meeting!

WindyHop — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:02:42 -0400

A few days ago, this not too recent video made the rounds of lindy hop blogs, tweets and fb walls alike:

My life has changed completely & positively from learning & dancing lindy hop & this too short video resonates deeply for me. I can\'t express in words my thanks for the vision, diligent work & determination of local organizers, teachers, fellow dancers & musicians for encouraging and growing this community.

Though I may be at a loss for words, I (and YOU!) can help the community grow & flourish by getting involved (with your time, your creative ideas, your experience & contacts) and volunteering!

Maybe you\'re thinking about sponsoring a class, workshop or dance events and need some help? Do you need ideas on promoting/finding rehearsal space for your performing dance company? Would you like to create or help create partnerships with local schools, libraries, and non-profits to raise awareness about Lindy Hop and the Swing Dance Era? How can you help our local community make a significant contribution on a national scale in raising public awareness and participation in this cultural and historical pastime? Let\'s help each other!

The Windyhop Collective is an organization of dedicated individuals who have a common appreciation and love of the music & dances of the Swing Dance Era. We are proud to be a part of the local arts community that makes Chicago a richer place to live and visit.

Please join us at our next meeting at

Next Door
659 W. Diversey
April 29 11am - 1pm

Previous meeting minutes can be found here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1czBy2XEguvqQzGT0fCO6obD36WExohnueA0RNrzE71U/edit

Please come to the meeting & please share this invite with anyone who might be interested! Hope to see you there! :)

Aerials on the Social Dance Floor.

nuprinz — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 18:08:15 -0400

I originally posted this on the Swing Dancing at Fizz FB page but I think it applies to most dance floors in the city:

"While I'm still thinking about it and because it was so horrifying to me...

Tonight, we had a few new couples on the dance floor that were attempting some seriously dangerous aerials. Like over the shoulder and upside down dangerous. I quickly sprinted over and had them stop and explained the potential DANGER WILL ROBINSONS to them and the other dancers.
Thankfully, I believe they understood me and will be coming back again too.

I think what might worry me more is the number of Fizz regulars that came up to me to thank me for talking to them. I understand how people may feel uncomfortable telling some kids off for being ignorant about floor etiquette BUT here's the thing, and it's very VERY important: It is YOUR dance floor too. Tell them to cut it out. Keep you and your dance partners safe. It takes a village everyone!

If you're not up to being the asshole telling the kids to stop, come find me. I will gladly be that asshole. I rather yell at someone than be giving CPR to them.

I hope you understand. [this is where you smile, nod, and click on 'like'] good. See you all next week. Meanwhile take care of each other!"

Do you think I was making a blanket statement about aerials? Is there other floor etiquette that should be the responsibility of the dancer or the venue owner to enforce?

Swinger's Ball 15

WindyHop — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 08:37:14 -0400

Come One, Come All to the 15th Annual Swinger's Ball!!!

The Swinger's Ball is an event that is broader than the scope of just dancing. It is about styling ,attitude, sipping wine, cosmos, martinis and things. It is about conversation, hanging out, and being social. It is about being with that someone special or treating yourselves especially nice. A date is not necessary. This event has traditionally had a lot of singles in attendance. It might be a good place to find a dinner date for the following weekend! There will be a King and Queen of the Ball, which is a very random choice by the promoters. They do not know what they are looking for until they see it! It is a dressy affair with great-looking folks. Once the live music gets underway it will not stop until the event ends. There will always be a live band playing somewhere in the building from 8:15 until 1 AM

Willowbrook Ballroom
8900 S Archer Ave
Willow Springs, IL

The price of the event is $25.00. All tickets will be purchased at the door.

Doors open at 7 PM
Dance Lesson 7:15-8:00 PM Main Ballroom

Tentative and Subject To Change

7 PM-Doors Open

7:15-Dance Lesson Begins (main ballroom)

8:15-The Fat Babies-Main Floor

9:15-The Rhythm Rockets-The Bunkeris
Performances, other highlights-Main Floor

9:45-The Fat Babies-Main Room

10:15 -DJ\'d music in Bunkeris

10:45-The Rhythm Rockets-The Bunkeris
Performances, Other Highlights-Main Floor

11:15 -The Fat Babies-Main Floor

12:15-DJ\'d music and wrap-up-Main Floor
The Rhythm Rockets -Bunkeris

1:00 AM-Event Ends-Thank You! Drive Carefully!

Concordia University needs some help from experienced dancers!

Geraly — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 12:11:21 -0400

just saw this on yehoodi:

My friend has transferred to Concordia University in Chicago (River Forest) and has become involved in their swing scene.

Since the Concordia is a very green club, they are running out of East Coast. I believe they have learned inside turn, outside, and the dreaded pretzel.

Caity McQueen would love to have some more experienced dancers help out. If I were closer I'd totally help out but I'm leaving it up to the good-hearted swing dance lovers that you all are.

I'm the middle man so please direct any interest/helpful tips to her via email or Facebook.

The map to the school is here: http://g.co/maps/w4e2p

Email: caity.mcqueen@gmail.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/caity.mcqueen

Adding content to Windyhop

rocketcommander — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 12:49:23 -0500

Hey Folks, are we able to add content (shows) to the calendar on our own?
Who do we submit our info to for local band listings?

NEW Windyhop looks awesome - may want to list Drake

sidneyhop — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 03:44:20 -0500

Hey, kudos to the designers/programmers/administrators of the NEW and IMPROVED Windyhop! It looks great and navigates great. ... One suggestion: I don't see any mention of dancing at the Drake on Saturdays. Flat Cats play there on two Saturdays each month. You may want to contact them for the specific calendar.

Swinger's Ball #15-The Details-Saturday March 31 at The Willowbrook Ballroom

asmooveone — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 15:26:41 -0500

www.swingersballinfo.com

Saturday March 31@The Willowbrook Ballroom

Two Bands-The Fat Babies (Main Ballroom)-Rhythm Rockets (The Bunkeris), Dj Doug spinning Blues and Groove between the breaks.

Doors Open At 7:00 PM

King and Queen of The Ball

Special Presentation to some special people

Dance performances by The Scooter Club from The Galaxie, Big City Swing and The Swing Dings from U of I

and plenty more!

In from California (Jan 30)

Farmer_A — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 23:51:21 -0500

Hello Hello!
I found out that I will be arriving on Jan 30th at 8pm into Chicago. I would love for a couple leads and follows to come hang out with me at the Honky Tonk. An old friend said I could find live music and and possibly some dancing :)

I've been dancing Lindy and since 2001, lived in San Diego for many years and now live in Northern California. Though my shoes might be dusty, my dancing never is! I can even bust out country, west coast, and salsa as the music calls for it :)

Cheers!
Amy

Windyhop Collective

WindyHop — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 23:02:11 -0500

Hey Folks, Check out the Windyhop Collective\'s (formerly known as the Chicago Dance Collective) latest meeting notes!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yZ6Fb3V6L03i7dIju1CjjW1rHIU6vhuA0my1YI4iSc8/edit

Like dancing, awesome people, and making the Chicago dance scene even more amazing? Then be sure to join us at our next meeting on March 24th, 2012, 3-5 pm at Next Door 659 W. Diversey

Also, great job to the folks representing Chicago for Project Q

www.youtube.com/watch?v=XycUtttrSHU&feature=youtu.be

input needed: favorite dance tempos

Helen — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:32:06 -0500

Hey dancers of various swing-genres, what are your preferred (or standard) tempos for Lindy? For Bal? For Charleston? For Blues? Also, are you a beginner, intermediate, or advanced dancer?

Join the Squad!

muy_mal — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 09:44:11 -0500

Hey Friends - Stockholm Dance's Squad Class starts again on March 8!

The Squad Class is a weekly special topics session dedicated to examining all the nooks and crannies of this thing we call swing, getting your hands dirty, getting to the meat of the matter and above all - getting down.

We are looking for a few good dancers to join our band of intrepid explorers, as well as teachers to guide us.

Interested? Knew you were. Contact mal@stockholmdances.com for details.