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!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
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??
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