Life, Swing Style

I’ve always loved the performing arts, not just dance. The arts academy where I learned to dance helped me find some great chances to perform, and I was lucky enough to spend a few nights singing with a big band.  And like so many others, I caught the buzz about wanting to be a real star.  So I took what was promoted as the “easy road” for people in my generation and decided to audition for American Idol.

I was still living in the suburbs of Sacramento at the time, and the closest place to audition by far was L.A.  But I’ve always hated Los Angeles.  Too crowded, too polluted.  No where else was close.  And it was a huge trip just to face the 99.5% odds that I was going to be eliminated in round one.  So I opted not to go just for the audition.  I was going to head to one of the major cities to dance.  I would find a swing scene who’s social dance coincided with the audition dates, and as long as I’m there… well, I might as well audition.  Out of all the places across the country that they were holding auditions, I ended up in Minneapolis.

Here’s the cool part-  I posted a message on the Twin Cities Lindy Hop message board saying that I was a dancer from California coming up to dance and needed a place to stay.  Within a day, a great guy named Justin contacted me back saying that he had an available guest room and I was welcome to stay as long as I liked.  Just like that, I had free lodging, transportation, and a guide for both the swing scene and the town.

I love the community feeling of being a Lindy Hopper.  Camps, exchanges, and workshops are always great about finding hosts so that out-of-towners don’t have to worry about paying for a hotel.  Social dances are always wonderfully welcoming to newcomers no matter where you are from or how experienced you are.  And I’m happy to have had the privilege of returning the favor for Lindy Hoppers who have come to visit Sioux Falls.

The auditions played out just like I thought they would.  I was eliminated in round one.  But the dancing in Minneapolis was awesome, and I wouldn’t have traded the trip for the world.

Bluesin’

Blues dance is a style that defies description.  Even more so than Lindy Hop.  Some of the dances I had at the Emerald City Blues festival last November ranked among the most intimate experiences I’ve ever had.  One of them included a professional massage while on the dance floor (that was my all-time favorite dance until recently when a blues dance involved hair pulling).

Blues dance is about one thing:  Connection.  How to feel so close to your partner that moving them is a natural as moving your own body.  Blues can be a very sexual experience.  Imagine the raw desire of bump & grind mixed with the control and precision of Argentine Tango.  Whether or not it’s a sensual experience for you, Blues is more than fun.  It’s unforgettable.

Blues classes are every Sunday night from 9:00-10:30.  You don’t need a partner, but because of the nature of the class you must be over 18.  To learn more about our Blues class, call 605-212-6230.