The Galaxie's last days

When we set out, in November of 2006, the goal was to create a space where a multitude of arts can thrive, respond to one another, co-exist, and raise the bar of achievement in the Chicago creative community. We succeeded. We have played host to hundreds of performances, classes, workshops, art exhibitions, creatives-in-residence, new ideas, and creative foundations. At any moment during our past 4 years, one could enter The Galaxie and be struck by the sounds of clowns, the meditations of martial artists, the music of the swing era, a glimpse of painters and sculptors working, live African drum sounds emanating from a back room, actors rehearsing their lines, the whirl of a sewing machine, the voices of singers in perfect harmony, or kids swinging from aerial silks. Just about anything could happen at The Galaxie, and it did. The Galaxie has been the result of the participation of artists, performers, devotees and students of the arts young and old. All of these creative factions coming together to support one another, and the creative process. Again- we succeeded. Now, 4 years later, it is with a feeling of great accomplishment, and a great deal of sadness that we announce that The Galaxie will be closing as of September. The business of art has always been challenging, and in the tough economic times that we are now experiencing, it has become more important then ever to support the arts. The loss of private and foundation based funding has struck the very core of arts organizations throughout the city and the country. School arts programming, theater companies, dance companies, private artists and educational institutions all need your support now more then ever. Through your support of visual and performing arts places that build a home for working artists, like The Galaxie, will thrive once more. My sincerest thank you to everyone who has participated throughout the years; supported, imagined, dreamed, moved, believed. Keep your eyes peeled to see what the Galaxie has in store for future classes, workshops and Galaxie hosted events at locations though-out the city. With gratitude to all, Nicolle Wood Director The Galaxie Where expression matters

To find out more about what's happening in the Chicago Creative community, and find places where you can make you dollars work, check out some of these fantastic Chicago creative companies and institutions:

500 clown

http://www.500clown.com/

Jump Rhythm Jazz Project

http://www.jrjp.org/

Lucky Plush

http://www.luckyplush.com/

Breakbone Dance

http://www.breakbone.com/

Links Hall

http://www.linkshall.org/

Mordine and Company Dance Theater

http://www.mordine.org/

House Theater Chicago

http://thehousetheatre.com/

Noble Fool Theater

http://www.noblefool.org/

Metropolis Performing Arts Center

http://www.metropolisarts.com/

Rumble Arts Center

http://www.rumblearts.com/

Chicago Children's Museum

http://www.chicagochildrensmuseum.org/

Old Town School of Folk Music

http://www.oldtownschool.org/

Lillstreet Art Center

http://www.lillstreet.com/

Striding Lion Theater

http://www.stridinglion.org/Home.html

June Dance Classes Up!

We have new dance classes up for June! These are abbreviated 4 week-long classes, intended to allow more flexibility to accommodate busy summer schedules! To register, please go to: http://galaxiechicago.com/gs/classes/movement.php If you don't see a class that would fit your needs, be sure to check out our workshop offerings in June, as well!

Each class is $60 for 4 weeks, or $55 if you're a student.

Beginning Swing Dance
Saturdays from 11:30-12:30 PM; Classes beginning June 5
Beginning Swing Dance
Mondays from 7:00-8:00 PM; Classes beginning June 7

This class is intended for people who have an interest in getting out on the floor to dance to swing, blues, and jazz music, and have either experimented with different forms of dance or are just now starting to get the bug.

Learn the fundamental information needed for leading and following on the social dance floor including frame, basic foot rhythms, techniques of contraction and expansion, in both open and closed position. After one class you will be ready to get out and practice. This class will give you the basic information and tools to move you into an intermediate level class.

Intermediate Swing Dance
Saturdays from 10:30-11:30 AM; Classes beginning June 5

This class is intended for people who have an interest in getting out on the floor to dance to swing, blues, and jazz music, and have either experimented with different forms of dance or are just now starting to get the bug.

Learn the fundamental information needed for leading and following on the social dance floor including frame, basic foot rhythms, techniques of contraction and expansion, in both open and closed position. After one class you will be ready to get out and practice. This class will give you the basic information and tools to move you into an intermediate level class.

Beginning Lindy Hop
Tuesdays from 8:30-9:30 PM; Classes beginning June 8th

This class is intended for building your swing dance vocabulary! Is this class right for you? Answer this question: Do you have a 6-8 moves that you can execute easily and successfully out on the floor? (4, 6 or 8 count moves, not including Lindy Hop or Charleston variations)

This class is perfect for people who have completed beginning Swing, and want to get out of doing basic she goes, he goes and tuck turn variations over and over and over again. There is a world of moves taught in this class, and each session is completely unique and will follow the general level of the class.

Dance Into Summer!

Join us at the Galaxie this June for our next series of workshops! To register, please go to: http://galaxiechicago.com/gs/workshops/movement.php

Details for each workshop on the website. All workshops are $40 except Swing to Lindy, which is $45.

Swing to Lindy
May 15 & 16 from 12:30-2:30pm (4 hours total)

Intermediate Swing: Tuck Turn Variations
Tuesdays, June 1 & 8 from 7-8:30pm (3 hours total)

Intermediate Swing
Intro to 8 Count Moves: Tuesdays, June 15 & 22 from 7-8:30pm (3 hours total)

Side by Side Charleston
Tuesdays, June 1 & 8 from 8:30-10pm

Tandem Charleston
Tuesdays, June 15 & 22 from 8:30-10pm

Lindy Breaks and Variations
Wednesdays, June 16 & 23 from 7-8:30 (3 hours total)

Intermediate Blues
Wednesdays, June 2 & 9 from 7-8:30pm (3 hours total)

Dips and Tricks
Thursdays, June 10 & 17 from 8:30-10pm (3 hours total)

Unsung Heroes of Swing
Thursdays, June 24 & July 1 from 8:30-10pm (3 hours total)

Guerrilla Dinners at May 22 Galaxie Nite!

As promised - here are the details about Guerrilla Dinners' part in the May 22 Galaxie Nite! Join us for dinner, live music from the Modern Sounds, and a variety of Galaxie performances.

Pricing Info:
Attending the performance only:
9-9:45pm Tickets: $10, based upon available seating, Tickets sold the night of the show only

Open dancing with Chicago's Swingin'est and Rockin'est trio from 10pm-1am (there will NOT be a Beginning Swing lesson)
$15 at the door (Galaxie Nite only)

Performance and the Galaxie Nite: $20

Dinner, Performance and Dancing: $50
Reservations for the Guerrilla Dinners portion of the event can be made by emailing
guerilladinners@gmail.com

---
Menu:
Passed appetizers:
Potato and feta pouches
Paneer wedges wrapped with peppers

1st course: Radish, rhubarb and spring greens salad

2nd course: Turmeric chicken with fava and spring onion orzo

3rd course: Lavender, almond chiffon cake with fresh vanilla bean ice cream
Vegetarian options available.

Guerrilla Dinners Mission:

Guerrilla Dinners is an alternative dinning project that draws from the history of secret supper clubs and underground dinners. Using the idea of a roaming restaurant, we aim to bridge the art and food community by offering affordable fine dining in unconventional settings. Our project seeks to foster a community by creating a dialogue that would not normally happen in a typical restaurant. Mixed seating and "inter-course mingling" will facilitate new friendships among like-minded individuals. It is our hope that the Guerrilla Dinners will roam among various venues in the city carrying the community with it.

May 22 Galaxie Nite Galaxie with Guerrilla Dinner & Performances AND The Modern Sounds!

The Galaxie is excited to present May's Galaxie Nite on May 22, which will consist of two parts:

1. In conjunction with Guerrilla Dinners, The Galaxie will be hosting a collection of performances featuring The Galaxie Girls, The Chicago Scooter Club, 2 recent Galaxie Choreography classes and more! The performances are all top-notch and the food will be fantastic, so mark your calendars now!

Time: 7pm-10pm

Reservation information for Guerrilla Dinners will be available soon!

2. Open dancing with Chicago's Swingin'est and Rockin'est trio, The Modern Sounds, winner of the Chicago Reader's "Our Reader's Choice" award for Best Jazz Act, 2009! The Modern Sounds is a Chicago-based trio featuring Joel Paterson on guitar and vocals; Beau Sample on string bass and vocals; Alex Hall on drums and vocals. This big little band is dedicated to performing traditional American music; specializing in rockabilly, hot jazz, western swing, classic blues and everything in between. The Modern Sounds are on the cutting edge of the Atomic Age—bringing you the best of the 30's, 40's and 50's.

Time: 10pm-1am
$15 donation @ the door

More information on the band can be found at http://www.myspace.com/joelpaterson

Questions? Call the Galaxie at (773) 267-6010 or e-mail kristin@galaxiechicago.com

The Galaxie

http://www.galaxiechicago.com

2603 W. Barry Ave.

Chicago, IL 60618

The Galaxie Announces Two New Classes for Upcoming Session!

The Galaxie has just announced two new classes for this upcoming session! Join us for:

Lindy Hop Choreography (Int/Adv Level)

• Wednesdays 8:30-10:00PM (Classes beginning April 28 - 10 weeks)

Lindy Breaks and Variations (Int Level)

• Thursdays 8:00-9:00PM (Classes beginning April 29 - 6 weeks)

The Galaxie is Currently Registering for Dance and Visual Art Classes, Starting the Week of April 12!

The Galaxie is now accepting enrollments for our upcoming spring term, starting the week of April 12! We have an exciting array of movement and visual art classes lined up, most running for 6 weeks!

Upcoming Dance Classes:

Couples Only/ Wedding Prep

• Mondays 7:00-8:00 PM (Classes beginning April 26th - 4 weeks only)

Beginning Swing

• Mondays 7:00-8:00 PM (Classes beginning April 12th)
• Saturdays 11:30-12:30 PM (Classes beginning April 17th)

Intermediate Swing

• Tuesdays 8:00-9:00PM (Classes beginning April 13th)
• Saturdays 10:30 am -11:30 am (Classes beginning April 17th)

Advanced Swing

• Tuesdays 9:00-10:00PM (Classes beginning April 13th)

Beginning Lindy Hop

• Tuesdays 7:00-8:00 PM (Classes beginning April 13th)

Beginning Blues Dancing

• Wednesdays 7:30-8:30 PM (Classes beginning April 14th)

1920's Charleston - All Skate!

• Saturdays 12:30-1:30 PM (Classes beginning April 17th)

Beginning Adult Tap Class

• Sundays 11:00-12:00PM (Classes beginning April 18th)

Intermediate Adult Tap Class

• Sundays 1:30-2:30PM (Classes beginning April 18th)

Register online or in-house soon - spots are filling up!

Galaxie’s “Battle of the Bands” - their Biggest Annual Swing Dance Event!

CHICAGO, Ill. – Drawing the largest turnout of the year at the Galaxie, the third annual “Battle of the Bands” DJ contest promises to be no different this year on Saturday, March 20. Doors open at 8pm, the battle begins at 8:30pm and the dancing goes until 1am.

Each of several of Chicago’s swing DJs will represent a jazz artist or ensemble from the swing era of the 1930s and ‘40s in the tunes they play, using their best material to keep the dancers on the floor and themselves in first place.

The event averages well over 100 people in attendance, including swing dancers from around Chicago and surrounding cities, Galaxie swing dance students, people interested in trying swing dancing and more. All those interested in swing dancing and the music from the swing era are invited, regardless of experience, and are encouraged to participate in the beginner lesson; no partner or experience is required.

Last year’s event was teeming with energy and excitement as the DJs battled it out, with decked out “ring girls” parading the room, generating wild applause from dancers and onlookers. Dancers of all levels were keeping the nearly 2000 square foot, high-ceilinged room bouncing all night, cheering on the DJs and taking advantage of the exciting social atmosphere created by the space and community of dancers.

The Galaxie’s goal is to bring music, movement, fine art, health and well being to a central place and invite all to participate. They teach swing dance, tap dance and visual art classes, rent studios for various artists and performing groups and host a children’s arts camp.