The Galaxie has a communal studio space available in a creative and inspiring environment!
Work side by side with other local artists, including painters, sculptors, glassblowers and more.
FIRST MONTH FREE with security deposit
$175 /month gets you:
-15 x 10 wide space in a communal art studio
-complete use of shop area available
-on-site kitchen available for use
-meeting space available
-lounge areas
-easy, plentiful parking
-lockers available for additional storage
Please reply by e-mail if interested in coming by to see the space to Chelsea@galaxiechicago.com.
Security deposit required.
3 month or 6 month contracts available
The Galaxie’s goal includes creating opportunities for working artists to have a creative, legal and safe environment to work, meet with other artists, gain inspiration and continue to create a strong and vital community in the Chicago art scene.
Please visit our web site to learn more: http://www.galaxiechicago.com.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Latin dance makes your swing dancing historically accurate
It has probably happened to you- you’re out on the dance floor, swinging out and rock steppin’ it, and you hear someone yell out “Let’s see some Cha Cha!”
Wha…??
The Galaxie’s Salsa and Tango workshops, as well as the 4 week Cha Cha class, are offered because Latin music and dance historically relate to swing and jazz.
You didn’t think we were turning to ballroom, did you?
You no longer have to leave the floor to wait for your standard swing to come back, or worse yet, just rock step through it- the Galaxie’s upcoming Latin dance workshops and class will give you enough of the basics of Salsa, Tango and Cha Cha to stay in your groove on the floor, even when the congas come in.
Which is exactly what they did in the 1930s and ‘40s. If we’re going to embrace American vintage dancing and music, we might as well embrace the whole spectrum.
By the 1930s, the Cuban music that had migrated north to America had taken a strong hold in New York City, where Latin music spread through not only Spanish Harlem but in clubs and hotel ballrooms throughout the city. Establishments that were more Latin oriented would hire Cuban bands to alternate sets with the swing bands. The Latin rhythms of Cuban bands blended with the sounds of big band and swing, and soon people of all races were dancing together to Afro-Cuban and Afro-Caribbean influenced big bands in large ballrooms like the Palladium, the “Home of the of the Mambo.” “Everyone was equal under one roof because everyone was there to dig the music and to dance,” (in Sonobria and Socolov 1990, 6).
During World War II, Hollywood began to take advantage of this cultural transition, portraying Latin music in the movies and making celebrities out of Latino actors. Latino soldiers became war heroes in Europe and the South Pacific, giving a social boost to Latino culture. With the increased Latin influences in American society, people were soon dancing the mambo and cha cha along with the dances of the swing era.
The Galaxie aims to help continue that today.
Intro to Salsa and Intro to Tango are both one-time “Getting Schooled” workshops offered August 3rd and 5th. Cha Cha for Swing Dancers is a 4 week class beginning August 12. See below for details, and for full class descriptions, visit the web site at http://www.galaxiechicago.com.
Latin and swing music, as you probably know, have many similarities but feel very different- you could Lindy to a cha cha rhythm, but you probably wouldn’t feel it like you would with the steps of the Cha Cha.
So when that Latin groove starts playing, don’t find yourself in confusion on the dance floor- let the Galaxie teach you some basics that will allow you to go from swing to salsa and back again- much like they did in the dance halls of the 1930s and ‘40s.
Because, after all, the Galaxie is here to help you to “dig the music and to dance.”
Workshops:
Intro to Salsa
Monday, August 3
8-10pm
$25
Intro to Tango
Wednesday, August 5
8-10pm
$25
Cha Cha for Swing Dancers
Beginning Wednesday, August 12
4 weeks
$60
See http://www.galaxiechicago.com for details, info on other workshops and classes, and to sign up.
Wha…??
The Galaxie’s Salsa and Tango workshops, as well as the 4 week Cha Cha class, are offered because Latin music and dance historically relate to swing and jazz.
You didn’t think we were turning to ballroom, did you?
You no longer have to leave the floor to wait for your standard swing to come back, or worse yet, just rock step through it- the Galaxie’s upcoming Latin dance workshops and class will give you enough of the basics of Salsa, Tango and Cha Cha to stay in your groove on the floor, even when the congas come in.
Which is exactly what they did in the 1930s and ‘40s. If we’re going to embrace American vintage dancing and music, we might as well embrace the whole spectrum.
By the 1930s, the Cuban music that had migrated north to America had taken a strong hold in New York City, where Latin music spread through not only Spanish Harlem but in clubs and hotel ballrooms throughout the city. Establishments that were more Latin oriented would hire Cuban bands to alternate sets with the swing bands. The Latin rhythms of Cuban bands blended with the sounds of big band and swing, and soon people of all races were dancing together to Afro-Cuban and Afro-Caribbean influenced big bands in large ballrooms like the Palladium, the “Home of the of the Mambo.” “Everyone was equal under one roof because everyone was there to dig the music and to dance,” (in Sonobria and Socolov 1990, 6).
During World War II, Hollywood began to take advantage of this cultural transition, portraying Latin music in the movies and making celebrities out of Latino actors. Latino soldiers became war heroes in Europe and the South Pacific, giving a social boost to Latino culture. With the increased Latin influences in American society, people were soon dancing the mambo and cha cha along with the dances of the swing era.
The Galaxie aims to help continue that today.
Intro to Salsa and Intro to Tango are both one-time “Getting Schooled” workshops offered August 3rd and 5th. Cha Cha for Swing Dancers is a 4 week class beginning August 12. See below for details, and for full class descriptions, visit the web site at http://www.galaxiechicago.com.
Latin and swing music, as you probably know, have many similarities but feel very different- you could Lindy to a cha cha rhythm, but you probably wouldn’t feel it like you would with the steps of the Cha Cha.
So when that Latin groove starts playing, don’t find yourself in confusion on the dance floor- let the Galaxie teach you some basics that will allow you to go from swing to salsa and back again- much like they did in the dance halls of the 1930s and ‘40s.
Because, after all, the Galaxie is here to help you to “dig the music and to dance.”
Workshops:
Intro to Salsa
Monday, August 3
8-10pm
$25
Intro to Tango
Wednesday, August 5
8-10pm
$25
Cha Cha for Swing Dancers
Beginning Wednesday, August 12
4 weeks
$60
See http://www.galaxiechicago.com for details, info on other workshops and classes, and to sign up.
Monday, July 27, 2009
The Galaxie Swing Dance Classes
The Galaxie- your favorite movement, music and fine art venue- is swingin' it again. With 4 week classes and one-time workshops in August, you're sure to find something you (and your friends!) will enjoy learning!
*NO PARTNER REQUIRED FOR MOST CLASSES
The week of August 3 brings social dance workshops in salsa, tango, aerials and Lindy Hop showmanship. Below are the details, and full class descriptions and sign-up can be found on the Galaxie web site at http://www.galaxiechicago.com:
Intro to Salsa
Monday, August 3
8-10pm, $25
Aerials (partner required)
Tuesday, August 4
7-10pm, $25
Intro to Tango
Wednesday, August 5
8-10pm, $25
Showmanship for Lindy Hoppers
Thursday, August 6
8-10pm, $25
Ever go dancing at a club or a wedding and wish you knew some sweet moves? Well, that's why you learn to social dance! The Galaxie offers a short 4 week session in social dancing in forms such as Swing, Lindy Hop, Charleston, Zydeco, Honky Tonk 2-Step, and Cha-Cha. The details are below, and full class descriptions and sign-up can be found on the Galaxie web site at http://www.galaxiechicago.com.
Beginning Swing Dance
Mondays, beginning August 10
7-8:30pm
$90, $70 with valid student ID
OR
Saturdays, beginning August 15
11am-12:30pm
$90, $70 with valid student ID
Honky Tonk 2-Step
Mondays, beginning August 10
8:30-9:30pm
$60, $45 with valid student ID
Intermediate Lindy Hop
Tuesdays, beginning August 11
7-8pm
$60, $45 with valid student ID
Intermediate Swing Dance
Tuesdays, beginning August 11
8-9pm
8-9pm
$60, $45 with valid student ID
Cha-Cha for Swing Dancers
Wednesdays, beginning August 12
7-8pm
$60, $45 with valid student ID
West Coast Swing
Wednesdays, beginning August 12
8-9pm
$60, $45 with valid student ID
Beginning Zydeco Dance
Thursdays, beginning August 13
7-8pm
$60, $45 with valid student ID
(Lindy Hop) Tricks, Splits and Flash
Thursdays, beginning August 13
8-9pm
$60, $45 with valid student ID
Solo Twenties Charleston
Saturdays, beginning August 15
12:30pm
$60, $45 with valid student ID
If you have any questions about schedules, pricing, or dancing in general, please call us at (773) 267-6010 or e-mail chelsea@galaxiechicago.com.
See you on the dance floor!
The Galaxie
2603 W. Barry Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618
*NO PARTNER REQUIRED FOR MOST CLASSES
The week of August 3 brings social dance workshops in salsa, tango, aerials and Lindy Hop showmanship. Below are the details, and full class descriptions and sign-up can be found on the Galaxie web site at http://www.galaxiechicago.com:
Intro to Salsa
Monday, August 3
8-10pm, $25
Aerials (partner required)
Tuesday, August 4
7-10pm, $25
Intro to Tango
Wednesday, August 5
8-10pm, $25
Showmanship for Lindy Hoppers
Thursday, August 6
8-10pm, $25
Ever go dancing at a club or a wedding and wish you knew some sweet moves? Well, that's why you learn to social dance! The Galaxie offers a short 4 week session in social dancing in forms such as Swing, Lindy Hop, Charleston, Zydeco, Honky Tonk 2-Step, and Cha-Cha. The details are below, and full class descriptions and sign-up can be found on the Galaxie web site at http://www.galaxiechicago.com.
Beginning Swing Dance
Mondays, beginning August 10
7-8:30pm
$90, $70 with valid student ID
OR
Saturdays, beginning August 15
11am-12:30pm
$90, $70 with valid student ID
Honky Tonk 2-Step
Mondays, beginning August 10
8:30-9:30pm
$60, $45 with valid student ID
Intermediate Lindy Hop
Tuesdays, beginning August 11
7-8pm
$60, $45 with valid student ID
Intermediate Swing Dance
Tuesdays, beginning August 11
8-9pm
8-9pm
$60, $45 with valid student ID
Cha-Cha for Swing Dancers
Wednesdays, beginning August 12
7-8pm
$60, $45 with valid student ID
West Coast Swing
Wednesdays, beginning August 12
8-9pm
$60, $45 with valid student ID
Beginning Zydeco Dance
Thursdays, beginning August 13
7-8pm
$60, $45 with valid student ID
(Lindy Hop) Tricks, Splits and Flash
Thursdays, beginning August 13
8-9pm
$60, $45 with valid student ID
Solo Twenties Charleston
Saturdays, beginning August 15
12:30pm
$60, $45 with valid student ID
If you have any questions about schedules, pricing, or dancing in general, please call us at (773) 267-6010 or e-mail chelsea@galaxiechicago.com.
See you on the dance floor!
The Galaxie
2603 W. Barry Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618
Thursday, April 9, 2009
A lesson from LAFLX
Every time I return to Purdue to dance, I am blown away by the same thing every time:
Their energy.
Something swing dancers everywhere, including Chicago, could instill in their own dancing and their own scene.
The Purdue Night Train has, over the past few years, exploded in size and activity. This is largely due to, through all the changes in membership, instructors, events and music, one common thread that has persisted: the energy and enthusiasm of its members and their eagerness to spread their joy in the dance.
And isn’t that what us Lindy Hoppers are all about? Sometimes I think we need a reminder.
Walk into the first dance of LAFLX, Purdue’s annual Lindy exchange (which has exploded in attendance as well) and you’ll see what I mean. The ballroom in the campus union is filled, and I mean FILLED, with swing dancers from all over the Midwest, as well as several alumni, a few of whom fly back to West Lafayette, Indiana just for this event. The reported number of people pre-registered, not including those who paid at the door or came for just one night, was 280.
Awesome.
Just the sight of them all doing the Shim Sham, spread all the way across the ballroom, made me beam with pride in what I had helped to build.
Now it’s time for my new scene to do the same. That’s you, Chicago.
We actually can learn something fundamental from a bunch of college kids- love what you do, share it with others, and you’ll reap the rewards. Well, we already know that we love the Lindy Hop- now it’s time to build our energy, spread our enthusiasm, and set aside our egos to build our swing community not just in numbers, but in the electricity that flows through our scene.
That sounds fantastic- right? But HOW?
The Galaxie is answering that question for you. With the initiation of a social group of swing dancers (sounds redundant, right?) we are getting the dancers out into the community and pulling the community into the scene.
I won’t give away all the details here- stop by the Galaxie to find out how you can get involved in the effort to get Chicago dancing.
Let’s follow the steps of Night Train and get out there and dance, Chicago!
Their energy.
Something swing dancers everywhere, including Chicago, could instill in their own dancing and their own scene.
The Purdue Night Train has, over the past few years, exploded in size and activity. This is largely due to, through all the changes in membership, instructors, events and music, one common thread that has persisted: the energy and enthusiasm of its members and their eagerness to spread their joy in the dance.
And isn’t that what us Lindy Hoppers are all about? Sometimes I think we need a reminder.
Walk into the first dance of LAFLX, Purdue’s annual Lindy exchange (which has exploded in attendance as well) and you’ll see what I mean. The ballroom in the campus union is filled, and I mean FILLED, with swing dancers from all over the Midwest, as well as several alumni, a few of whom fly back to West Lafayette, Indiana just for this event. The reported number of people pre-registered, not including those who paid at the door or came for just one night, was 280.
Awesome.
Just the sight of them all doing the Shim Sham, spread all the way across the ballroom, made me beam with pride in what I had helped to build.
Now it’s time for my new scene to do the same. That’s you, Chicago.
We actually can learn something fundamental from a bunch of college kids- love what you do, share it with others, and you’ll reap the rewards. Well, we already know that we love the Lindy Hop- now it’s time to build our energy, spread our enthusiasm, and set aside our egos to build our swing community not just in numbers, but in the electricity that flows through our scene.
That sounds fantastic- right? But HOW?
The Galaxie is answering that question for you. With the initiation of a social group of swing dancers (sounds redundant, right?) we are getting the dancers out into the community and pulling the community into the scene.
I won’t give away all the details here- stop by the Galaxie to find out how you can get involved in the effort to get Chicago dancing.
Let’s follow the steps of Night Train and get out there and dance, Chicago!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Swinger's Ball: The social (dance) event of the year
If there is one thing you could say about Chicago's annual Swinger's Ball, it's that it definitely brings out the dancers-
-complete with sparkly dresses, tails and top hats!
Chicago's biggest one-night dance event of the year brought out not only many familiar faces in the Chicago swing scene, but out-of-towners and members of the community as well, to the Willowbrook Ballroom last Saturday night. Adding to the inherent excitement of the event was the all-out elegant attire that seemed to heighten the energy in the room and serve as the perfect conversation starter (how many compliments on beautiful gowns or slick tuxes would you guess were thrown out there that night?)
The event brought out so many from the local and surrounding swing scenes, in fact, that there was really hardly time to get out there and dance! One barely had enough time to make it around the room, chatting with friends and acquaintances, before the early hour of 1 am rolled around. The event surprisingly seemed to serve not just as a dance, but a great excuse to look great and socialize with the swing scene. Dancing was just an added bonus...
...as was the Lindy Hop showcase competition. As Chicago dancers have few opportunities to compete in their town, the showcase gave them an opportunity to prepare and show off their stuff. Orlando Cabalona and Kerry Romack, coached by the Galaxie's Nicolle Wood, came away with the winnings with their snazzy routine reminiscent of the Nicholas Brothers.
So by the time you grabbed a drink at the bar, greeted some familiar faces, chatted with some friends, caught up with dancers you hadn't seen in a while, walked around for a bit just to show off your incredible outfit and hairdo, passed dozens of compliments back and forth, cheered on your friends in the competition, and chatted some more with the friends you didn't find until 3 hours into the event-
When was the dancin' time??
-complete with sparkly dresses, tails and top hats!
Chicago's biggest one-night dance event of the year brought out not only many familiar faces in the Chicago swing scene, but out-of-towners and members of the community as well, to the Willowbrook Ballroom last Saturday night. Adding to the inherent excitement of the event was the all-out elegant attire that seemed to heighten the energy in the room and serve as the perfect conversation starter (how many compliments on beautiful gowns or slick tuxes would you guess were thrown out there that night?)
The event brought out so many from the local and surrounding swing scenes, in fact, that there was really hardly time to get out there and dance! One barely had enough time to make it around the room, chatting with friends and acquaintances, before the early hour of 1 am rolled around. The event surprisingly seemed to serve not just as a dance, but a great excuse to look great and socialize with the swing scene. Dancing was just an added bonus...
...as was the Lindy Hop showcase competition. As Chicago dancers have few opportunities to compete in their town, the showcase gave them an opportunity to prepare and show off their stuff. Orlando Cabalona and Kerry Romack, coached by the Galaxie's Nicolle Wood, came away with the winnings with their snazzy routine reminiscent of the Nicholas Brothers.
So by the time you grabbed a drink at the bar, greeted some familiar faces, chatted with some friends, caught up with dancers you hadn't seen in a while, walked around for a bit just to show off your incredible outfit and hairdo, passed dozens of compliments back and forth, cheered on your friends in the competition, and chatted some more with the friends you didn't find until 3 hours into the event-
When was the dancin' time??
Friday, March 27, 2009
What's Going On???
With Galaxie's brand spankin' new blog, you can now not only keep up with what we've got goin' on, but post your own thoughts, opinions, wit (and hilarious comments!) on your subject of interest!
Become a follower of the Galaxie blog and track the latest on our classes, workshops and events. Read posts on upcoming happenings and stuff that's already happened to get a better idea of what you want to participate in. Post your thoughts and experiences at the Galaxie and let everyone know what you thought or what you're looking forward to!
Stay tuned for more of Galaxie's Thoughts and Happenings...
Become a follower of the Galaxie blog and track the latest on our classes, workshops and events. Read posts on upcoming happenings and stuff that's already happened to get a better idea of what you want to participate in. Post your thoughts and experiences at the Galaxie and let everyone know what you thought or what you're looking forward to!
Stay tuned for more of Galaxie's Thoughts and Happenings...
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