Swing dance moves

[MrBern]

I go out swing dancing every saturday night to a live big band and Glen Echo (MD).
A while ago, someone doing an article on Dance for National Geographic took pictures while I was dancing, so I've been keeping me eye out for those.
(I'm one of those terrible people who is very good at Aerials and Charleston, but my Lindy Basic is, well, lacking.)

You must have wings!
MAybe we could convince you to visit when Hemingway comes to town?
-b

 

[MrBern]

the dance police

interesting article on NYC cabaret laws
http://www.newyorkmetro.com/nymetro/news/people/columns/intelligencer/15073/index.html

 

[Zemke Fan]

Reading...

Incidentally, the biggest northeastern airshow culminates in a hangar dance. Tons of reenactors camped out,veterans, vendors selling old gear, fabulous old aircraft & a dance. The only drawback? If it rains, we're screwed. And June can be rainy...

My wife and I made it up for one day last year. It was Saturday (I think) and there was only a brief shower. The place was REALLY fun and I highly recommend it... In fact, I think we need to start planning an event for those of us WWII guys and gals who hang out here. -- ZF

 

[MrBern]

My wife and I made it up for one day last year. It was Saturday (I think) and there was only a brief shower. The place was REALLY fun and I highly recommend it... In fact, I think we need to start planning an event for those of us WWII guys and gals who hang out here. -- ZF

That was lucky. My experience has ranged from idyllic spring weather, to burning hot sun, to steady downpour that turned it all into one ankledeep mudpen.
But its a LOT of fun. Veterans, Pilots, fighters & bombers, livinghistory,vendors, a brief tactical display of a ground battle. And a fine hangar dance.

 

[Deleted member 259]

well, my footwork isn't that bad!

I was in a jam yesterday - it was a blast, I'll post the video as soon as it comes up (on dcswingdancing.com)

I never do aerials when there are groups of people close by, and I only do them with my boyfriend/dance partner. But we are very careful, and if we've got a good empty radius around us, we may do a small aerial (if both feet are off the ground, it's considered an aerial) and often times, a sort of impromptu jam begins because of it.
But we are extaordinarily aware of our surroundings.
Lots of times, when there is a jam going on, we do our own moves on the empty dance floor in the back, no worries because everyone else is watching the action in the front!

There are the few lindy elitists who frown at this sort of thing, but we've gotten more compliments than anything, and like I said before, we are very careful.

 

[MrBern]

Actually, Aerials aside, I dont think most couples really use the space onthe dancefloor well. I see constant minor collisions from dancers who just arent looking around. Its the leads' fault for not looking where he's gonna send her. Thats one thing I like about 'WestCoast' technique, learning how to operate in a tight slot.
Anyway, my sister was in a class & the instructor suddenly tossed her up in an aerial. I had my back to them & totally missed it. She was all smiles afterwards.
-b

 

[Wild Root]

Well carpecaligo, sounds like you're one of them considerate dancers! Sounds like you and your man just have a blast out there!

I know how to lead some one very well! I'll make sure there is the room to send out my partner before I do it. If the floor is so crowded, I'll just keep them in closed position the whole song wile people all around me slam into me and step all over my feet and give me ill looks as if I was doing the slamming! One guy rock-stepped onto my foot, I didn't even give it a second thought because every one was getting killed! Then, I stepped on the same guy who stepped on me well, he just stopped me and told me what I did. So, I said I was sorry and he didn't feel that was enough. SO, I looked DOWN at him (he only came up to my chest) and said: What? Do you want to make something of this? Care to step out side? He backed down and danced to a corner! Yes, for those who know, this was at the Hollywood Derby! That front floor is so small! Try to Lindy or dance anything on a 5x9 wood floor with 50 other dancers! Not fun!

=WR=

 

[Deleted member 259]

I've had to deal with tight spaces before, but not often, because i usually dance here: http://www.glenechopark.org/dancing.htm
(I don't know what the event in the picture is from)

7,500 square feet of dance area
designed to accommodate 1,800 dancers
1933 Mediterranean style Art Deco building
listed on the National Register of Historic Places

 

[Trickeration]

carpecaligo,
It is nice to hear that you and your partner are aware of your surroundings. Here, it seems like there are too few dancers who have learned to share space/be aware of who's next to them or accommidate (sp?) for a crowded dancefloor.

As for ol' WildRoot, just about everybody only comes up to his chest ! But he's a great guy to dance with. He always takes the best of care with his partner. I'm always really impressed when I see him dance with my friend Nikki. I'm 5'2" and she only comes to MY shoulder! Now here's where I stand with Root, and if you can't see the pic, try this link...
http://community.webshots.com/photo/425681238/429808174ZopcPW

 

[Wild Root]

Guy, I look so tall!

I dance small and seem to get hit by every rock-step and careless send out by other dances who swear they?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢re the only ones on the floor! Got to love it!

Dancing with Trix is nice, she?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s a swell dancer and very gracious! Say, when are you guys playing at Alpine again? Is it this Monday or the next?

=WR=

 

[Mojave Jack]

Mrs Mojave and I took ballroom dancing once, and had a section on swing. it was great fun, but I looked like someone was standing behind me trying to kick my feet out from under me! Pretty gruesome! I just have no rhythm!

That having been said, I'd really like to go at it again. Any SoCal folks know of some good places for lessons and dancing in the Palm Springs area?

Hemingway, I'm counting on you and Spielberg to get up to speed to help me out!

 

[MrBern]

Did they teach you Swing or the ballroom version called JIVE?
Cant say I'm a fan of JIVE.

Incidentally, the next installment of DancingwiththeStars was announced for January!

-b

 

[Hemingway Jones]

Hemingway, I'm counting on you and Spielberg to get up to speed to help me out!

Ha! And I'm counting on Mr. Bern to get me up to speed!
We'll get there, my friend.

 

[Trickeration]

Root,
We'll be at Alpine on the 28th, and Memories THIS Friday if you want to dance off some of the Thanksgiving dinner! I can't wait! It's been a while since I was at Memories.


I want to reply regarding jive, but I have to run my daughter to swimming. Later guys! Trix

 

[Wild Root]

Super keen jellybean! I'll be there with my glasses on!

Later gate!

=WR=

 

[Trickeration]

Did they teach you Swing or the ballroom version called JIVE?
Cant say I'm a fan of JIVE.

Incidentally, the next installment of DancingwiththeStars was announced for January!

-b

Hi again.
It's interesting that you brought up Jive. I'm not a fan of it either. I know it's fairly popular in the rockabilly scene, and the only time I've seen it done in a swing club was when a rockabilly band was playing there. However, very few rockabillys dance at all anyway . I've got rockabilly friends that swing dance, and when I was first learing to dance, they said I should stay clear of Jive and that it was better to learn lindy and east coast swing.

Here's the response I got when I wrote to Peter Loggins the other day and asked him how Jive ties into vintage dancing...

"Hey there,
Jive is a European dance. Primarily done in England.
Its roots come from the British learning to dance from the American GI'S during WW2.
Jive to american's is "slang" , which normally translates to Hep talk slang, it also means Marijuana.
There is a dance called Rock-n-Roll which was done in the states. It looks similar to Jive, which is what the New York dancers were doing from the 1950's.
So to answer your question, Jive is just a watered down, Euro version of something they learned without really seeing....lol
Peter "

I thought his response was pretty helpful. When I had watched dancers doing Jive, it looked sort of like some sort of poor translation of swing, but since it was such a part of rockabilly, I thought it was just it's own thing. What Peter wrote reminds me of the movie The Canterville Ghost. In one scene, 2 American GIs are dancing at a party in a small English town. One older townswomen looks at another and says "I think they call it Woogie Boogie."

I'm still wondering how it became part of ballroom, given it's background. And around here, the ballroom folks think the swing crowd doesn't know what they're doing and vice versa. So, I sent Peter that question and I'll post his answer when I hear from.

This aside, it sounds like you guys have some great events coming up. If you go, make sure you post pics. Take care. Trix

 

[Deleted member 259]

For some great examples - check out: www.dcswingdancing.com
I'm up there right now,
[under Cat Gill -Spanish Ballroom Jam - November 19, 2005]
but my last aeriel really flopped - so It's not the best example of what I can do.

Still, these are the places I go and the people I dance with. If you want to see something really impressive, click on Natalie Gomes & Yuval Hod [under assorted clips.]

 

[Trickeration]

Took a while for me to find the right link. Pretty cool. Like I said, I don't have any video or pics of me just yet, but I just found a cool video of mine and Wilr Roots buddy Peter.

http://www.caljazzdance.com/videoscratch.mpg

He's the guy with the dark hair, belt, and sleeve tattoos.

 

[Matt Deckard]

A true jitterbug Peter Loggins.

http://www.myspace.com/peterloggins

 

[MrBern]

Natalie&Yuval are great. I've seen them at irvingPlaza in NYC. They did a couple aerials that were scarey to watch & illicited a few shrieks from th audience. It got a littl too gymnastic for my tastes but its quite somethign to see. They have a dance school in NYC for anyone interested.
http://www.hopswingjump.com/

For some great examples - check out: www.dcswingdancing.com
I'm up there right now,
[under Cat Gill -Spanish Ballroom Jam - November 19, 2005]
but my last aeriel really flopped - so It's not the best example of what I can do.

Still, these are the places I go and the people I dance with. If you want to see something really impressive, click on Natalie Gomes & Yuval Hod [under assorted clips.]