So I spent the last few days coming up with a pretty extensive swing calendar for events happening in SLO all the way down to Irvine and a couple big weekend events here and there. I’ll be updating it monthly.
LAlindyhop already has about 80% of this on their site, but I’ve thrown in exchanges and workshops and events happening in Ventura/SB too.
Anyone have any tips on maintaining this monster or notice any events I missed? Anything going on in the Bay or beyond that us southern folk should know about?
Friday is, like, 1930s aviation-ish with JStout and the Rhythm Busters.
Saturday night is Alice in Wonderland inspired with JStout and his orchestra.
Sunday is MAD MEN NIGHT YOU GUYS (!!!!!!!!) with Casey MacGill from Seattle.
And Monday doesn’t have a theme (though Big Sandy is playing so stay).
It’s never too early to start planning outfits people! Go go go!
This is probably one of my favourite things in the world. Dancing starts at 2:54!
This is amazing! I wish the audio was a little higher, though.
(Source: ohyeahswingdance, via ocular-splendor)
(From my much anticipated lesson this past weekend)
Disclaimer: These are notes that he gave me for my dancing so take everything with a grain of salt. That is to say that you may be excelling in some of these areas and to keep in mind that not all of these notes may apply to/be helpful to you.
- Keep your chin up! There’s nothing more aesthetically pleasing than a confident dancer!
- don’t give the lead any extra help (including pushing back too much against the lead) — it’s HIS job to lead YOU!
- this will make your following all the better because then the lead can do more and be creative with the moves he’s leading without feeling like you’re restricting him to a certain line of movement
- OWN THE SWIVELS! Swish that skirt! And if you can’t swivel the way you want without a lead, you won’t be able to do it with a lead
- Think more gradual swivels, not staccato *hits*
- better yet, if you can’t do every move by yourself without the help of a lead — you can’t actually do it. Master doing it by yourself!
- Worry less about the footwork and more about the rhythm. Even if you fuck up the footwork, your lead won’t notice as long as you’re in the beat. Yes, “in” the beat, not on the beat. If you’re doing the footwork and you’re not in the beat, it won’t feel as good as it could feel if you were really in the music.
- We worked a lot on turns and making sure that you STAY LOW and continue pulsing throughout the turns
- BUTT OUT!
- RELAX your arms, I apparently have “too much frame” — this is a thing!?
- keep your belly button facing your lead!
- Never. Stop. Moving. Continue momentum throughout the swingout and through turns and…everything! Don’t stop!
- If you don’t know how to get better at dancing, just make sure you never stop. ’Cause you’re sure as hell never going to get better by quitting. At least by dancing you have something over a 0% chance of getting better.
Never thought I’d have the chance (or desire, even) to polka dance. But I polka danced tonight. And it was absolutely amazing.
Damn, I miss the Chit Chat Club.
Look at Ventura having swing events on weekends and bringing in big acts.
So proud.
I think I’m part of the performances oh dear lord
Jazz Dance Film Fest: Black Coffee - The Careless Lovers (by VintageJazzDance)
