Sunday, December 29, 2013

WSDS Weekly 12.29.13


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Wichita Swing Dance Weekly

This Month's Classes:


*Beginning Lindy Hop 6:30-7:30

*Solo Jazz Potpourri  6:30-7:30

Intro to Swing 7:30-8:00

*Students must register by 12/1 to take this class.

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 1/5 to take this class.

This Month at Swingin' Sunday: 

12/1 - Dance Card Sunday with special prizes

12/8 - All Star J&J

12/15 - Christmas Party, Live Bands, Performances

12/22 - DJ Battle

12/29 - Live performance

Travel Opportunities:

The busiest season for dancing in the midwest is at it's end! Things will pick up again in Spring of 2014, and until then, you might be interested in 

Hot Rhythm Holiday in Austin, TX, Jan 23-26, 2014

The Funny Section:

Mark and Shauna Land an Aerial and We're All Like

Solo Jam

Finish 2013 with the Last Swingin' Sunday of the Year!

Hello dancers! I hope you will all join us one LAST time in 2013 for Swingin' Sunday tonight! We have a special WILD performance lined up for you, complete with animal print costumes! Your board members are all restless from having to skip last Sunday, so it's bound to be a hoppin' night tonight! Come join the fun!

Sunflower Swing Update

IT IS TIME! That's right folks, Sunflower Swing preparation is now in full, um, swing, with a special task force of organizers tackling all the details from buying plane tickets for our instructors to lining up contests and special performances. It is going to be a RED LETTER YEAR, and you DON'T want to miss it! So, here's what you need to know:

Sunflower Swing will be happening RIGHT HERE IN WICHITA from Friday, April 25 - Sunday, April 27, 2014.

We will bring in instructors Laura Glaess and Mike Roberts from Texas, and Shauna Marble and Mark Godwin from Colorado.

Registration opens New Year's Day, at sunflowerswing.com. As usual, the early birds will catch all the best worms: The first 14 registrants will get the whole weekend for just $70! That includes THREE dances and TWO FULL DAYS of workshops. It is a steal!

     instructor lineup

Editor's Note: Instructors I Love

In my five years as a Swing dancer, I've had the privilege of studying with some of the most renowned dancers in the world. I've also studied with amazingly gifted instructors that most people, even dancers, haven't heard about. There have been times I've walked into a class with a couple I've adored to watch, only to find myself feeling unsettled and unhappy during the lesson. And then, other times, I walk in to a class with relative strangers that ends up rocking my world.

 It's no surprise to find out that the most gifted performers don't necessarily make the best instructors. But then, who does? In my not so humble opinion, it's the ones who infect their students with joy for dancing. These teachers embody a combination of patience, enthusiasm, and optimism that gives students the feeling they CAN become the dancers they want to be. Their classes host a relaxed, comfy sort of vibe that makes students feel safe taking risks. And, yes, these instructors have a level of sheer skill that inspires students to reach beyond their comfort zone. But that sheer skill alone simply isn't enough to get the job done.
 
I'm thrilled that I can honestly say all four instructors in this years Sunflower lineup are among my favorites. I can't wait to bring them in, and I'm certain you all will love them as much as I do.

Got thoughts? Email me.

    Chelsea Rothschild

Good to know:

Planning for Sunflower Swing is well under way, and registration opens January 1st! Early bird weekend passes are $70, but you can save your hard-earned dollars by volunteering during the event.  Email us for details!

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!

Video of the Week:

SUNFLOWER SWING!

See you next week!



Sunday, December 22, 2013

NO DANCE TONIGHT. And the Weekly News.


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Wichita Swing Dance Weekly

This Month's Classes:


*Beginning Lindy Hop 6:30-7:30

*Solo Jazz Potpourri  6:30-7:30

Intro to Swing 7:30-8:00

*Students must register by 12/1 to take this class.

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 1/5 to take this class.

This Month at Swingin' Sunday: 

12/1 - Dance Card Sunday with special prizes

12/8 - All Star J&J

12/15 - Christmas Party, Live Bands, Performances

12/22 - DJ Battle

12/29 - Live performance

Travel Opportunities:

The busiest season for dancing in the midwest is at it's end! Things will pick up again in Spring of 2014, and until then, you might be interested in 

Hot Rhythm Holiday in Austin, TX, Jan 23-26, 2014

The Funny Section:

When I'm DJing, and I get a request for Neo-Swing

Solo Jam

SWINGIN SUNDAY CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER

The WSDS board has decided to cancel dance tonight, in the interest of everyone's safety. Please Be careful if you're out on those roads!

We will resume next week, and there will be the last performance of the year to look forward to!

Another Happy Christmas Party

Thank you very much to all who attended last week's Christmas party! We has a great time dancing to Branjae and her Swing Sets. Here's a little teaser from the Facebook photo album:

Two Girls for Every Boy
Niks
We also had some great live performances to watch, including Five Moes Named Guy in their debut:


Video

Click for Video

And also the Shiny Stockings:


Video

Click for Video

Hot Rhythm Revival also graced the stage with a new number. If anybody has video of that routine, please let me know!

Sunflower Swing is Coming!

Every year, the WSDS throws a weekend-long extravaganza known as Sunflower Swing. With dances Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights, lessons all day Saturday and Sunday, performances, competitions, and hoards of out-of-town guests, it's by far our biggest event of the year. This year the event will take place April 25th-27th.

Registration opens NEW YEARS DAY, and the first 14 registrants will pay just $70 for the whole weekend. Prices go up after that, so don't miss out!

Flier

Keep and eye on the weekly, your Facebook feed, and this website for updates pertaining to Sunflower Swing.
 

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!

Video of the Week:

Next week's Swingin' Sunday will feature our ast live performance of the year, danced by some of the Shiny Stockings. Check out this video of some of the dancers who inspire our local solo teams.

See you next week!



Sunday, December 15, 2013

WSDS Weekly: 12.15.13


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Wichita Swing Dance Weekly

This Month's Classes:


*Beginning Lindy Hop 6:30-7:30

*Solo Jazz Potpourri  6:30-7:30

Intro to Swing 7:30-8:00

*Students must register by 12/1 to take this class.

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 1/5 to take this class.

This Month at Swingin' Sunday: 

12/1 - Dance Card Sunday with special prizes

12/8 - All Star J&J

12/15 - Christmas Party, Live Bands, Performances

12/22 - DJ Battle

12/29 - Live performance

Travel Opportunities:

The busiest season for dancing in the midwest is at it's end! Things will pick up again in Spring of 2014, and until then, you might be interested in 

Hot Rhythm Holiday in Austin, TX, Jan 23-26, 2014

The Funny Section:

When my Friend and I Both Dress up on a Sunday

Fives

 CHRISTMAS PARTY TONIGHT!

It's finally here!! TONIGHT at 6:30, the WSDS Christmas party begins with an into to Swing lesson to get you into your groove. Then Branjae and the Swing Sets (video preview below) will start playing at 7:00. During the band breaks throughout the night, you'll be treated to performances by THREE local dance teams. The studio is decked out to look its best, and we encourage all of you to dress up too. There is a photo backdrop set up in the studio so you can get your picture taken in your Christmas duds. There will also be refreshments.

Don't forget:  Admission tonight is $10 for everyone - that's members and non-members alike. See you there!

Video

Click for Video

December: 5 Special Sundays

Although the Christmas party is easily the most exciting Sunday of this month, don't forget we have a little more fun planned before the year is over:

Dec 22nd - BATTLE OF THE DJs! Drop your spare change in your favorite DJ's jar to give them the chance to play the next few songs. All proceeds go towards Sunflower Swing 2014.

Dec 29th - A special performance by a few of the Shiny Stockings to help ring in the New Year

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!

Video of the Week:

Here's another video  of Branjae and the Swing Sets. Get excited to see these folks live!

See you next week!



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