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Anyone swing dance?

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Started 3 years ago by gramarye
Latest reply from jazzypants

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gramarye
In Exile
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The Silky Ray Band will be performing tomorrow night at the Worst Bar in Columbus. According to its Google Calendar entry, it's from 9 p.m.-1 a.m.; according to its Columbus Alive calendar entry, it's from 8-11 p.m. (I assume that, because it's New Year's Eve, they have to go at least until midnight, though ...)
It's been years since I've gone swing dancing at all, and I've never been to the Worst Bar, but I was thinking it could be worth a shot. Two of my friends from high school and I will probably show up at least to check it out. Cover is apparently only $5, which isn't bad at all for a New Year's Eve event with live music.
(Even aside from whether anyone's interested in going to this, are there swing dancers lurking out there on these boards? Any regular events that novices should know about?)

Posted 3 years ago #
lifeliberty
Here
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I thought i read a thread around here that worst bar closed. you might find out before going.
here about the closing http://www.columbusunderground.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=214155&highlight=#214155
here about the dancing
http://www.columbusunderground.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=13729&highlight=swing+bar

Posted 3 years ago #
chrisgillespie
Short North/Victorian Village
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Carl and I won't be going to this. Actually, as bad as our colds are, we will probably end up staying home tomorrow. However....
We do swing dance - a little. I love all sorts of dancing, and we've taken ballroom dancing at Dance Plus in Grandview a few times (beginner class each time - each a year or so apart, but we're going to go ahead and take intermediate next time...or maybe focus on salsa). I think we might start going to La Fogata for the salsa dancing. I LOVE cha-cha. I pretty much dance to anything, tho (AC/DC has a serious effect on me)...

Posted 3 years ago #
Anne
King Lincoln
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Walker and I swing dance. It is really fun. We took lessons at Rawlins Dance Studio for about a year before we got married. It would be fun to go out sometime where you can specifically swing dance. :)
Have fun if you go!

Posted 3 years ago #
enzo

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I so want to learn but have no viable partner options.

Posted 3 years ago #
gramarye
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lifeliberty wrote I thought i read a thread around here that worst bar closed. you might find out before going.
I think that the deal to sell the bar has at least temporarily fallen through, so they should still be there today. At the very least, when I called them, someone answered the phone as "Worst Bar in Columbus" (which was kind of funny).

Posted 3 years ago #
Anne
King Lincoln
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enzo wrote I so want to learn but have no viable partner options.
You do not need a partner to learn at Mary Rawlin's. They have several people that are just there to be extras and to help you out. :)

Posted 3 years ago #
Rockmastermike
CORNspiracy HQ
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gramarye wrote
(Even aside from whether anyone's interested in going to this, are there swing dancers lurking out there on these boards? Any regular events that novices should know about?)
I don't dance, but this band looks like fun.

Posted 3 years ago #
gramarye
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Rockmastermike wrote
gramarye wrote
(Even aside from whether anyone's interested in going to this, are there swing dancers lurking out there on these boards? Any regular events that novices should know about?)
I don't dance, but this band looks like fun.
You could always just come out and watch & listen! I do that at the jazz & blues bar in Canton every so often.
Justa thout.

Posted 3 years ago #
Rockmastermike
CORNspiracy HQ
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gramarye wrote
Rockmastermike wrote
gramarye wrote
(Even aside from whether anyone's interested in going to this, are there swing dancers lurking out there on these boards? Any regular events that novices should know about?)
I don't dance, but this band looks like fun.
You could always just come out and watch & listen! I do that at the jazz & blues bar in Canton every so often.
Justa thout.
That's what I'm thinking. I'll check with the boss and see if she likes the idea.

Posted 3 years ago #
swan
London
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i love swing dancing... i did it all through high school and three years of college... i havent been in awhile though but i'm sure i'd pick it back up.
...but i'll be in chicago tomorrow. If you go, let us know if it's any good!

Posted 3 years ago #
catnfiddle
Giant Corncob District
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Rockmastermike wrote
gramarye wrote
Rockmastermike wrote
gramarye wrote
(Even aside from whether anyone's interested in going to this, are there swing dancers lurking out there on these boards? Any regular events that novices should know about?)
I don't dance, but this band looks like fun.
You could always just come out and watch & listen! I do that at the jazz & blues bar in Canton every so often.
Justa thout.
That's what I'm thinking. I'll check with the boss and see if she likes the idea.
If he means me, first of all, I'm up for it as long as I don't have to jump around like a madwoman. Second, I don't EVER remember being the boss here...

Posted 3 years ago #
gramarye
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catnfiddle wrote
Rockmastermike wrote
gramarye wrote
Rockmastermike wrote
gramarye wrote
(Even aside from whether anyone's interested in going to this, are there swing dancers lurking out there on these boards? Any regular events that novices should know about?)
I don't dance, but this band looks like fun.
You could always just come out and watch & listen! I do that at the jazz & blues bar in Canton every so often.
Justa thout.
That's what I'm thinking. I'll check with the boss and see if she likes the idea.
If he means me, first of all, I'm up for it as long as I don't have to jump around like a madwoman. Second, I don't EVER remember being the boss here...
Such traditionalists ... :wink: :P

Posted 3 years ago #
steven_h

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My brother-in-law and his wife are active in Swing Columbus: http://www.swingcolumbus.com/
They're a fun group of people.

Posted 3 years ago #
jazzypants
Eastmoor
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Hi all you swing dancers! The Worst Bar is indeed still open and they're having a New Year's event tonight. It's $5 and there will be a couple bands. I'm not sure how many of our regular dancers will be there since a lot went out of town to see family. The bands will be fun, though.

And for those who can't make it tonight, SwingColumbus promotes the Wednesday night regular event- lesson 7:30-8 and live music 8-11PM or later. All FREE!
We also have a dance on the 3rd Saturday of every month at the YWCA downtown on 4th Street- the next one is January 17th. We usually have a lesson before the dance.
We also pick random events to crash and coordinate this on our forums. You'll often see a handful of us when The Randys play :)

Posted 3 years ago #
jazzypants
Eastmoor
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If anyone is interested in lessons, you absolutely do NOT need a partner! I myself have been learning for the last 7 years without a regular partner. Lessons rotate partners so you'll get to dance with everyone in the circle. SwingColumbus is a really casual group and we mostly dance in jeans and t-shirts and instead of ballroom shoes we wear comfy shoes with leather glued to the soles to make them slide. One guy wears bowling shoes. To get started, any lightweight shoes that don't grip the floor too much will work.
The OSU Swing Club is open to you even if you aren't a student. They meet for two 45-minute lessons and open DJ'd dancing every week during the quarter (the next meeting won't be until the 2nd week in January). I'm not sure when or where they're meeting winter quarter but I'll check and post back here. Also, Mark Calkins and Shannon Varner - AKA The Lindyroos - should be starting up a new series of Lindy Hop classes soon. You can contact them and get on their mailing list.

Posted 3 years ago #
catnfiddle
Giant Corncob District
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I'll be there tonight but am a HORRIBLE dancer. Anyone who tries to drag me out on the floor risks some seriously damaged phalanges.

Posted 3 years ago #
jazzypants
Eastmoor
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And just so you know what our brand of dancing looks like, here's video!
Team SwingColumbus performing at the December 17 OSU Men's Basketball Game
(the goofy first part is our rendition of a dance from the 30s/40s called "The Big Apple")

Get the Flash Video

Shannon Varner competing in Boston (all improvised)

Get the Flash Video

And these are my heros Skye and Frida!

Get the Flash Video

(all improvised, if you can believe it) She's from Sweden, he's from DC, and they're in Korea dancing to a recording of the Boilermakers of Pittsburgh, PA! loves it. :)

Posted 3 years ago #
davidjay
Eastmoor
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The SwingColumbus events are a great place to learn, even if you don't have a partner. Everyone's super relaxed and just has fun. You can also find SwingColumbus info through their Facebook group.

Here's a video of some incredibly fast lindy hop from The Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown in St Paul, MN.

Get the Flash Video

And here's a classic routine that is a blast to watch.

Get the Flash Video

Of course, as posted above you can find all the swing dancing events in Columbus and regionally at http://www.swingcolumbus.com

Posted 3 years ago #
jazzypants
Eastmoor
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Sure enough, here is the next series of swing dance lessons available from the Lindyroos-

Happy New Year! Here are the classes we are offering this month.

Class Schedule for January 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th

Swing/Charleston I (8:00-9:00)
Welcome to the Roaring 20's! What does the Roaring 20's have to do with swing dancing? EVERYTHING! We will be teaching 20's Charleston, the dance that evolved into the Lindy Hop and Jitterbug.

In this class you will learn the basic footwork, variations, and rhythms in 20's Charleston as well as the concepts of leading and following. You will also learn the transition steps in and out of 6-Count Swing to make you more versatile on the social dance floor.

If you've never taken a dance class before, this is a great place to start!

Lindy Hop/Charleston II (9:00-10:00)
We will be moving forward with MORE 1930's Charleston variations in this class! You'll learn creative transitions and unique variations in the many modes of Charleston you already know: Hand-to-hand, Side-by-side, Skaters, and a crowd favorite; Tandem Charleston. You will learn how to incorporate these moves into your Lindy Hop as well as working on your leading and following technique. As usual we will review and refine the most important core fundamental: The Swing Out.

To Register: http://www.lindyroos.eventbrite.com

Location: Lessons are located Galbreath Pavilion, 39 E. State Street Columbus, Ohio 43215 (Map) (under/behind the Ohio Theatre)

Between 3rd and High Streets. The entrance to the Galbreath Pavilion is located in the alleyway to the left of the Ohio Theatre as you are facing the front of the building. When you enter there will be a bank of elevators on your left--take it to B Level for our classes

Hope see you on the dance floor soon!

Posted 3 years ago #