Thursday, October 17, 2013

WSDS Weekly 10/17/13


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Wichita Swing Dance Weekly

This Month's Classes:


*Beginning Lindy Hop 6:30-7:30

*Partner Charleston  6:30-7:30

Intro to Swing 7:30-8:00

*Students must register by 10/6 to take this class.

Next Month's Classes:

*Beginning Lindy Hop 6:30-7:30

*Blues 6:30-7:30

Intro to Swing 7:30-8:00

*Students must register by 11/3 to take this class.

This Month at Swingin' Sunday: 

10/6 - Nouveau Quintette with Robin Macy

10/27 - HALLOWEEN PARTY

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! The busy season for travel is winding down, but there is still time to check out these opportunities:

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 the Local Dance Photog Posts FB Photos But You're Not in Any of Them:

YES TASTY

WEDNESDAY: Dancing at the Wright Brothers 

If you're 21 or older, please join the WSDS for some FREE dancing on Wednesday, October 23rd! We will be at the Wright Brothers Bar starting at 6pm, with DJ Evan Borst spinning tunes until 9 or whenever he gets sick of it, whichever is later. Please purchase a drink to help support the venue, and enjoy yourself at this casual dance event!

FRIDAY: Dancing Downtown

This Friday from 5:00-7:00pm, join is in the square in front of the downtown Warren theater for social dancing and showing off! We'd like to make this a regular thing, to give dancers of all ages the chance to dance in a different venue, and also to show the patrons of Old Town how awesome Swing dancing is! Join is for an evening of DJed music, dancing, and laughs.

Wichita Represents at Sweepin' Swing in Tulsa

Swing Dancers of Wichita, you may rest assured that you were well represented in Tulsa last weekend! A crowd of at least 8 Wichita dancers made the trip to the first annual Sweepin' Swing weekend, including 4 performers who put on a great show:
stillshot
If you'd like to see the video, check it out!
Video

Hot Rhythm Revival at Sweepin' Swing - Click for Video

Want to learn to dance like that? Take a look at "More Swing Dancing in Wichita" in the right-hand column of this newsletter.

WSDS Halloween Party October 27th

It's getting CLOSER. . . Sunday the 27th with be our annual Halloween party! Come to Swingin' Sunday in your favorite costume and compete for silly prizes and the admiration of your fellow dancers. We'll have a traditional costume contest (winners determined by audience applause) and a ZOMBIE DANCE CONTEST as well. You won't want to miss that!

Editor's Note: Use it or Lose it - Your Dancing, and Your Scene

I consider myself very lucky to be a part of the Wichita Swing Dance scene. We have so many different opportunities to dance here: 2 lessons nights a week, at least 1 dance opportunity a week, 3 competitive teams, several small workshops each year, and Sunflower Swing each year. Beneath that, we have a very close-knit community of dancers that support each other and give the scene it's signature vibe. I use the phrase "dance family" more often than "dance friends," and that's because of the special chemistry of our scene.

The thing is, with so many opportunities to dance, with so many avenues to improve, and with so much social interaction, sometimes the mainstay of our scene can get lost in the shuffle. I'm talking about good old reliable Swingin' Sundays. The single place where lessons and social dancing time both happen on the same night, the most dependable spot on the calendar for social dancing, and the place where many of us first came to dance in Wichita.

It may not seem like it, but Sunday nights are what support alllllll those other opportunities, not to mention the sustenance of the close community we have created. If our attendance on Sundays dwindles, it threatens our ability to pay the studio, to keep the organization running, to bring in bands and out-of-town instructors, and fundamentally to keep going. It was wonderful to see so many people come out when we had the band a couple of weeks ago, now let's keep the momentum rolling! Please, if you enjoy things like dancing at the Wright Brothers or in Old Town, Monday night lessons, and Sunflower Swing, remember what makes it all possible, and come see us on Sundays.

Got thoughts? Email me.

Chelsea Rothschild
Good to know:

Your board of directors is already planning for Sunflower Swing 2014. As we begin to define the details of the event, we want to hear from you! Do you know of a venue that we could use for classes or dances? We're open to any suggestions you might have!  Email us and let us know where you'd like to dance this year!

We Need YOU:

The WSDS is looking for volunteers to help us manage Sunday nights! If you've been dancing with us for a while, and would like a chance to give something back to the scene, please email us and let us know! We will really appreciate your help. There might even be a hug in it for you.

More Swing Dancing in Wichita:

If you want to take your swing dancing to the next level, check out the Lindy Bombers! This local dance club has been meeting every Monday evening for years, working on swing dance vocabulary, technique, and musicality. The Lindy Bombers can also put you in touch with the Shiny Stockings and Five Moes Named Guy, Wichita's solo-jazz troupes. And, if you're REALLY motivated, the Lindy Bombers are also your gateway to Hot Rhythm Revival*, Wichita's competitive swing dancing team. There are lots of options out there, come check them out!

*Auditions for Hot Rhythm Revival wil take place Monday, October 21st, at 8:30pm at the Morningstar Community Church at Greenwich and Kellogg. For more information, contact Evan Borst,

Video of the Week:

Here's a  video of a kick-ass Jack'n'Jill competition. Enjoy.

See you next week!


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