Thursday, August 22, 2013

WSDS Weekly 8/22/13


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Wichita Swing Dance Weekly

This Month's Classes:

Beginning Lindy Hop* 6:30-7:30

Smooth Moves, THIS SUNDAY ONLY** 6:30-7:30

Intro to Swing 7:30-8:00

*Students must register by 8/1 to take this class.

**A special drop-in class for leads to learn some super cool moves. Follows get in free!

Next Month's Classes:

*Beginning Lindy Hop 6:30-7:30

*Intermediate Lindy Hop 6:30-7:30

Intro to Swing 7:30-8:00

*Students must register by 9/1 to take this class.

This Month at Swingin' Sunday:

We will have our monthly Birthday Jam THIS SUNDAY! If you have a birthday this month, you don't miss it! (Read more about the Birthday Jam in this week's "Good to Know" section.)

Travel Opportunities:

If you're looking to meet more dancers and skyrocket your skills, there's no better way to do it than by traveling to some regional events! 'Tis the season for dancing in the Midwest. Check it out:

Cowtown Jamborama in Omaha, NE September 19-22

Southern Fried Swing in Greenwood, AK, September 27-29

Sweepin Swing in Tulsa, OK, October 11-13

All Follow's Eve in Fort Worth, TX November 1-3

Nevermore Jazz Ball in St. Louis, Missouri November 7-10

The Funny Section:

When You're Sweaty From Dancing and Walk Under an A/C Vent:

YES TASTY

Smooth Moves: This Sunday Only!

Attention LEADS! This Sunday only, WSDS Instructor Extraordinaire Evan Borst will be offering up a portion of his extensive moves vocabulary for the low low price of $5 ($7 for non-members). Class will start at 6:30, and the cost covers your admission to Swingin' Sunday as well.

Attention FOLLOWS! You can take the class for the even LOWER price of NOTHING! We need plenty of you for the leads to practice with, so come out for the fun!

Who wouldn't want to learn smooth moves from this guy?
Evan

Local Dancers Put on a Show at Senior Community

On Saturday the 17th, over a dozen local dancers put on The 8 Count Swing Show for residents of the senior living community at Avita Health & Rehab. The selection of performance pieces ranged from classic routines like the Shim Sham to brand-spankin' new pieces, choreographed right here in Wichita this very summer.

An audience of approximately 20 seniors and family members proved to be warm and appreciative. Special thanks to WSDS Vice President Megan Pfieffer for coordinating with the staff at Avita, and Treasurer Evan Borst for MCing. And of course, thanks to all the performers!  

If you missed the show, don't fret! Most of it was captured on video (thank you, Jordan and Cassie Langhofer!):
Video
Video

Dancers: Evan Borst, Chelsea Rothschild, Elaine Pischnotte, Cassie Langhofer, Austin Freeman, Amanda Elder, Lexi Jernigan, Nick Meyer, John Colquitt, Isaiah Johnson, Sonya Atencio, Amy Mears
If you know of a community or upcoming event that could benefit from a show like this, email the board! We'd be excited to do it again!
Good to know:

A "Birthday Jam" is how we swing dancers celebrate birthdays. Anyone whose birthday is in the current month is invited to come to the center of the dance floor, while everyone forms a large circle around the birthday boys and girls. A few volunteers step up to partner the guests of honor, and we play a song. Throughout the song, new partners from around the circle cut in, so that each birthday boy and girl gets "stolen" by as many partners as possible before the song is done. It's our way of saying happy birthday! Also, the birthday folks get snazzy glow in the dark bracelets! 

Steals and Deals:

WSDS members get discounted prices for monthly classes and admission. Check out our website for details!

More Swing Dancing in Wichita:

Want more swing dancing in your life? The Lindy Bombers meet every Monday night for a lesson at 7:30pm. Head to their website for details!

Video of the Week:

Ever seen a jam circle before? It's similar to a birthday jam, but snazzier! Check out this video from Lindy on the Rocks earlier this month.

Editor's Note: How to be an Awesome Social Dance Partner

This week, I'd like to share some of my absolute favorite characteristics to encounter on the social dance floor. For what it's worth, these are the things that make a dance fun for me!

1) Be at ease with your skills. Nothing saps the fun out of a dance like one partner constantly apologizing to the other, and beating him/herself up for every perceived mistake they make. If you goof up, laugh it off and don't worry about it! You'll have more fun, and your partner will too. 

2) Keep your moves appropriate for the social floor. I'm not talking about keeping your dance G-rated, although that's also a good idea, I'm talking about respecting the other dancers on the floor. If it's crowded out there, it isn't the time for spirited kicks and mile-wide swingouts. Also, assume the social floor is never the right place for aerials. (I'll write a whole editor's note on aerials another time.)

3) Dance with a partner by choice, not by default. If you love a song and you want to rock all your favorite moves, and it doesn't matter WHO you rock them with, maybe you should solo dance instead. Nobody likes to feel like they're just a prop for their partner to show off around. A good social dance is like a good conversation: you should both get to talk AND listen.

Above all, cliche as it may sound, have fun on the dance floor. That's what it's there for.

Got thoughts? Email me.

   Chelsea Rothschild 


See you next week!


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