Happening today/tonight: 2 chances to dance

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FIRST CHANCE: The second of two Nia classes to raise $ for earthquake relief in China is this morning at Youngstown Arts Center, 10 am. Jill Pagano from NiaDivas says the first one on Saturday brought in more than $200!

SECOND CHANCE:

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That video shows the Seattle Swing Dance Club in action when we checked them out a couple weeks back at the Masonic Hall in The Junction. That’s where they dance the first and third Sunday of each month — and that means today. As explained on the SSDC website, there’s lots going on when they get together on those Sunday afternoons/evenings — workshops, social dancing, and competition. Beginners are just as welcome as experts. This weekend they’re hosting a renowned guest instructor, Mary Ann Nunez (more on her workshops here). If you watched the video but are still trying to figure out this dance style, it’s explained here.

d June 1, 2008 (9:43 am)

I’m thrilled to see this video showing “West Coast Swing” style dance on WSB!!!! Prepare yourself for a bit of passionate enthusiasm….and I don’t even dance that well. That’s how fun and convenient this is.

I think this Club has been a hidden cultural treasure right here in our own backyard and I’m so glad to see it brought in to the light of day for all the West Seattle folks who enjoy dance or have ever desired to learn to dance. This is your chance!!!!

Do you remember Benji Schwimmer and Heidi Groskruetz? Yes? Great. No? Read on anyway…

I encourage you to look at the http://www.seattlesdc.com website and check this incredible partner dance out. Also, do yourself a favor and take a minute to youtube “west coast swing” to see how this versatile dance can be expressed in different musical flavors – classic blues that is down and dirty is VERY big in WCS. Prefer funky funktown grooves? No worries – plenty of that too. Got the hip-hop thang in your blood – where have you BEEN? Get on this!

This is an incredible recreational, cultural and entertainment value available to WS people of ALL AGES!!! Yes!!! All ages.

Get your teenagers down there….preserve the cultural heritage of this American dance derived from Lindy Hop. Tell your mom and dad who want to age gracefully while staying active in a most rewarding way. By the way, other styles of dance are also done at the two dances held each month. You will see waltz, tango, cha-cha, country two-step, salsa, nightclub two-step….they’ve got the whole enchilada going on!

If you are creative or have rhythm or want to expand an existing dancing vernacular, or if you have never, ever danced in your life but love music;

If you seek new recreational avenues closer to home to reduce your carbon footprint and which are not high impact yet completely aerobic;

If you seek socialization without alcohol with a wonderful, intergenerational group of friendly, fun-loving folks;

If you just want to hang with people who know how to have fun that is wholesome and creative —at the same time;

Then, go visit the websites and mark your calendar for this date: AUGUST 2nd & 3rd – the Club is opening it doors for the NEWCOMER’S EVENT. I did this a few years ago. There is NOT a better dance entertainment value in the City. There just isn’t.

Well, enough of my rave. I’m off for the final day of Mary Ann Nunez workshops mentioned above. If you would be a beginner dancer and have only thought about dancing…take that very first step toward a wonderful local activity. You will not regret it. It is just too much fun.

Hope to see you on the dance floor soon!

TheVelvetBulldog June 1, 2008 (6:06 pm)

OMG – my dad was a WCS instructor for years, and it was the first kind of dancing I learned to do when I was like, six. However, it was always to big band music which I never got the hang of enjoying so I always thought of it as “old people’s dancing.” This video flips the script on that theory. And some of those guys were looking pretty damn good…Ahem. Might be time to re-learn some of those steps!

d June 2, 2008 (6:24 am)

Yeah – definitely flips the ole’ scripts on many levels TheVelvetBulldog.

And, since you brought it up, YES! That “ahem” factor is part of the whole fun…this can be a very “playful” dance.

It is very cool your dad was a WCS instructor! You definitely need to check out the dance – just stop into one of the club dances at the Alki Masonic Hall some Sunday evening. There is always a beginner’s level lesson for one hour before the regular dances from 5-9.

Again, for anyone who might be curious, youtube “west coast swing” and enjoy! And then, go to any of the dances, or better yet get instruction at the Newcomers Event Aug. 2nd & 3rd.

Be green: dance locally. Fun is to be had. BIG fun. This ain’t no hyperbole peeps.

Candy McCullough June 4, 2008 (6:41 am)

Awesome video and article about Seattle Swing Dance Club. As the President of SSDC, I highly recommend signing up for the New Comers weekend, August 2 & 3, 2008. For a mere $90, SSDC will provide eight hours of beginner lessons in west coast swing dancing, variety of music, comaraderie, a special NCE dance on Saturday night and Sunday night dinner and a welcoming into the club at our regular monthly dance. A steal of a deal and a great time too! If you already know wcs and the NCE is not for you, but would like to check out SSDC, contact any of the executive board members for a complimentary pass to one of our regular Sunday dances and the 4 PM free beginner lesson. (www.seattlewcswing.org) Thanks for your article, enthusiasm and I look forward to seeing you on the dance floor soon! Take care, Candy McCullough

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