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Swingtime Saturdays at the La Jolla Marriott

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By Ron on Thursday, February 10, 2000 - 12:00 am: Edit

This is the last week for the Marriott, I've heard. Warren from BTO announced at the Catamaran tonight that their show there next week has been canceled. Warren told me that the Marriott is going back to Salsa on Saturday nights. He was disappointed at the one-week notice. He gets nothing.

So I guess this is the last Saturday swing night at the Marriott. Bummer. Double bummer, I won't be there, I have a ski trip planned to Oregon. Meeshi and Dennis will be spinning the tunes. I hope everyone comes out to support them.

Its been fun to have a Saturday night swing place. Not only did I enjoy the DJing in a bar atmosphere, and the occasional bands, but I also enjoyed staying up late dancing til 2, going to Dennys sometimes until 4.

Its been fun.
I doubt we'll see another regular Saturday night swing night in San Diego. It was good for the scene. There were often new faces, and some of those faces became regulars. It was one of the few places beginners could go to get a taste of swing.

By Ian Campbell on Thursday, February 10, 2000 - 09:13 am: Edit

So swing community,

What are WE going to do about this?

By Shawn Hanna on Thursday, February 10, 2000 - 09:48 am: Edit

Well, Meeshi and I are going to set up a replacement night shortly, and we have started the Monday night dance in Encinitas. That's a start!

I think Meeshi isn't too bummed, as having to work a regular Saturday night gig for so long has been a challenge for him.

By Ron on Thursday, February 10, 2000 - 11:18 am: Edit

I think I only missed 3 or 4 Saturday nights, so I too am relieved I will be able to do other things with my Saturday night. But it was still a fun night, and I will miss it.

I think it would be great to have a DJed Sunday night swing night somewhere.

By Meeshi on Thursday, February 10, 2000 - 03:06 pm: Edit

Hey everyone--

Sorry that it's take so long for me to post. I would have liked to have been the one to bear the "bad" news to y'all, but, oh well...Yes, Virginia, this is the last Swing Saturday at the La Jolla Marriott.

I was kind of expecting they'd cancel the night soon, but not this soon. There was a growing crowd of beginners showing up every week and I was really looking forward to having BTO there and seeing if things pick up. But our contract was officially over there last November, and I knew they could cancel anytime. I think the cancellation came a little prematurely, because they probably didn't want to shell out the dough for BTO, but who knows?

Anyway, when I first heard the news yesterday, I was in shock, but I'm fine now. I'm actually looking forward to some free, non-swing Saturday nights. I can date again...whahoo!

So, everyone, don't worry, be happy. This is not the DEATH of the swing scene in SD, not even close. One door closes, and yet another one opens.

Just in the last few hours, I've had a proposal to do a Sunday Swing early evening event at the Marriott (believe it or not) from 5-10 pm. I have to teach in Encinitas from 6:30 to 8:30, but I would be there at the beginning for the lesson and at the end to close it. In the middle, different DJs (Ron, Dennis, Chris) could spin, so it may be workable, it all depends on if DJs want to give up their early Sunday evenings. We're trying our best to make this an "ALL AGES" event since it starts earlier, but we're still in the negotiation stages.

I also talked with the managers of Champion Ballroom in Hillcrest. They are willing to work with me on a monthly (and if successful, twice-monthly) Saturday Swing night there. If you have never been there before it has a HUGE sprung wooden dance floor that can easily hold 100 couples and it is a very classy place. We already set a date for a trial run on the last Saturday in March (March 25), so we'll see how things go. There'll be a beginning lesson at 8, music goes from 8:45-midnight. This date is set, but if there's a could turn out, we'll have another dance in April and they may let us dance later than midnight. Of course, it will be "ALL AGES".

Anyway, these are some of my plans, let me know what you think about them (meeshbop@hotmail.com). Would you support dancing on Sunday nights? Would you go to a twice-monthly Saturday dance at Champion? Which appeals to you more? Other ideas?

I hope to see you this Saturday if you're in town.

Peace,

Meeshi

By HopMichael on Thursday, February 10, 2000 - 04:01 pm: Edit

Weekend Lindy!

Demand your right to dance on your days of rest!

Dancers of the world, unite!

By HopMichael on Thursday, February 10, 2000 - 05:30 pm: Edit

Meeshi,

Champion would be way cool. Great floor. What's the sound system like though?

By Valerie Yau on Friday, February 11, 2000 - 08:48 am: Edit

My vote is for the Champion once or twice a month - i finally got to take a peek at it when i was researching venues for the exchange...didn't get to dance on the floor but it looks super nice and there's also a small side floor for people to practice on if they want.

meeshi, do you have an idea on the price for a dj'ed dance? the owner quoted me a high price to rent the place, but it is nice & would probably attract some out-of-town dancers. (the champion will be our back up venue for Swing Break's saturday nite after-hours if the NTC gym falls through or is too much of a hassle...)

anyhow, i think champion over marriot - that way dancers won't feel obligated to buy drinks at the bar & overtip the bartenders. i don't think our scene is meant to be in a bar setting... esp. when papa jacks, the marriot, harmony on fifth, and the cannibal bar have either shut down or cut down their swing nites.

By Twirly on Friday, February 11, 2000 - 09:24 am: Edit

I'd vote for Champion too. The floor is HUGE and very nice and the sound system is fine - maybe not as good as the FH but still good. Plus I like the idea of having something just twice a month so we can check out other venues and events.

By Ron on Friday, February 11, 2000 - 12:57 pm: Edit

I agree on champion over early night Marriott, but only because its so early.

Our scene doesn't prosper in a bar easily, but don't rule it out. I like bars and drinking and socializing, as well as dancing and sweating. there's a place for both. The cannibal is doing fine, whenever BTO plays there is a consistent turnout, and I think they should get our support.

By Ian Campbell on Friday, February 11, 2000 - 02:42 pm: Edit

Everybody should go to the Marriott tomorrow and buy at least 2 drinks- soda if you must. Maybe that will encourage them to keep it going.

By Melbamoose on Saturday, February 12, 2000 - 09:08 am: Edit

So there is absolutely no way that a mere 20yr old can go?? Can't go real early, or maybe a back door...anything??
Maybe I should be asking whether or not it is worth the effort...
~Krista

By Melbamoose on Sunday, February 13, 2000 - 02:29 am: Edit

Thanks for the feedback and help, guys.

How was it?

By Wanderer on Monday, February 14, 2000 - 01:59 pm: Edit

I was going to come down and dance this weekend!!! Talk about bad timing... . So if Marriott's gone now, is there anything for this coming Saturday the 19th?

By Andy on Monday, February 14, 2000 - 02:19 pm: Edit

Wow� I�m surprised no-one has written about the Marriott�s last nite! So, here�s a mini-review as it was seen through my jaded lenses ~8^)

There was a great turn-out Saturday nite. I haven�t seen that many people at the Marriott in a while. Great vibe going on, too. I was watching the crowd during the birthday jam, and people were loving it. Also, I noticed a bunch of Salsa dancers (that I recognize from when Emmy and I go out) that showed up, probably thinking Sat Salsa had already started. Anyway, they were really digging watching the dancers and the energy of the place as well.

Dennis spun a lot of new (to me) and fun tunes as well. Hey Dennis, if you�re lurking, what was the name of that Artie Shaw tune I asked you about? Anyway� though the music was new to most folks, I think most of the �usual� Marriott crowd longed for a little more of the usual Marriott musical genre. The jazzier, later recordings. Meeshi spun a great set in the middle of the nite that got most of the dancers back on the floor. Dennis gave us some shit over the Mic for not dancing to his tunes, but most of the songs were fun, nonetheless.

All in All, I thought it was a great nite. To bad things are shutting down there, though I think the place was doomed from the start. Given that most dancers don�t support the bar, you need a lot of floor space to hold enough dancers to make it up at the door. Marriott just had too little floor space. Anyway� any other reviewers lurking out there?

By Cheryl on Monday, February 14, 2000 - 02:35 pm: Edit

I had fun because there were a lot of people to dance with. The thing that really sucked was that on top of kicking us out, they decided to steal one of the dance floors! It was hard to dance on the floor before 11pm without getting stepped on and/or kicked! After the crowd cleared out and there was more space it was lots of fun! I enjoyed dancing with everyone! Thanks for the great dances guys!

I enjoyed most of the music that Dennis played, but for the last night I would have liked to hear Ron DJ also. =(

I am sad that Saturday nights will not be there anymore. The Marriott was the one place that I went to all the time because I don't have to get up early the next day. I hope that some people will try to go to the early time on Sunday! I am a wimp when it comes to needing loads of sleep, so I am glad that the times are 5-10, but I hope someother people will show up on the 27th! Is anyone planning on going?

By Jennifer (Jennifer) (mig-fl8-43.ix.netcom.com - 209.111.216.235) on Monday, February 14, 2000 - 02:47 pm: Edit

Delurking from Florida...

Greetings all! I can't believe that the Marriott has closed down. I really enjoyed it, and I'm sad I was unable to make it out to the last night. I was all set to come next weekend, and really looking forward to it. Bummer.

Congratulations and happiness to all those who had a birthday and a birthday dance.

I liked the Champion Ballroom idea for alternating Saturday nights though I will still miss the atmosphere of the Marriott.

See you all soon!

By I'm only happy when it rains on Monday, February 14, 2000 - 03:14 pm: Edit

Yep, the Marriott on Saturday was a lot of fun. It was too crowded for me early on - I sat a few out and a couple of times we ended up dancing on the carpet at the back of the room 'cos the floor was so packed, but the last couple of hours there was plenty of room to dance. Great b-day jam which the crowd seemed to enjoy too, and Meeshi, Valerie and Hazel even got a jam of their own as it was the last saturday night dance.
Dennis played some fun tunes - a couple especially that had some fun breaks. Meeshi outdid himself and played some great groovy stuff later on. By the end of the evening I was completely pooped! I can't imagine that Sunday nights will have the same attendance and vibe but you never know. I'm looking forward to dancing at Champion though.

By HopMichael on Monday, February 14, 2000 - 03:46 pm: Edit

The Saturday Night Marriott Swing Night is Dead.

Long live the king.

Thank you sooo much Meeshi, Ron, Valerie, Hazel, and everyone else who helped make it a great place to dance on Saturday nights.

Thanks to all the dancers who made it a warm welcoming place to dance. I remember back last summer when we were planning the venue out that that would be a priority: to invite beginners to dance. I think we were very successful at that and turned a lot of people onto the dance as a result. I've met a lot of beginners who really enjoyed dancing at the Marriott and I could see them develop a love for swing.

Thanks to Ron and Meeshi for providing great music to dance to. You guys were great for spinning that jazzy/bluesy stuff that kept so many San Diego dancers happy. And, thanks Dennis for Dj-ing last night. I've always appreciated your efforts to broaden our musical horizons. [And, Dennis, I'll let that little snide Balboa remark slide this time! {Honestly, I was asked to show someone Balboa to that slower tempo! =) ]

And thanks to everyone who supported the bar long enough to keep this venue open as long as it was!

See you on Marriott Sundays!!

By Ian Campbell on Monday, February 14, 2000 - 05:45 pm: Edit

It was a great night. I particularly enjoyed dancing on the carpet.

By Bill Borgerding on Monday, February 14, 2000 - 09:23 pm: Edit

I agree with Cheryl re:Sunday at the Marriott.
I hope this site will encourage attendance on the first scheduled Sunday. Cheryl says the 27th of Feb., but the flyer says the 5th of March.
Many North County residents like the convenience of the Marriott and all of our other venues are late night, so this gives those of us who like to get up early a chance to dance and get some sleep.
Champions is also a great idea. Why choose between the two? Lets support BOTH ideas!

By Cheryl on Tuesday, February 15, 2000 - 08:38 am: Edit

I am not sure which date the Marriott Sundays will begin? I forget who, but someone told me that it will begin in two Sundays????

Either way, I hope that people show up! If not, I guess it will be me, juan and bill. I hope another girl decides to show up so I don't get too tired!
=)

By Ron on Tuesday, February 15, 2000 - 10:39 am: Edit

I'm sorry I missed a good night... (my ski trip was great, though!)

The Marriott was the best place for introducing new people to swing. The free lesson at 8:30 was great, and consistently drew 20-30 people. A lot of the beginners liked the dance floor in the back (when it was there!) because they could hide. The sound system was decent and the acoustics in the room were great. Big gym-like rooms usually equal bad acoustics. Lots of things I liked about the Marriott. The bartenders were friendly. It was open til 2:00 am.. oh well.

Marriott swing night, R.I.P.

By Meeshi on Wednesday, February 16, 2000 - 04:49 pm: Edit

Hey everyone--

Thanks again for coming out last Saturday. I had a lot of fun spinning with Dennis, since we have such varied taste in music. He played a couple groovy songs that really got me moving. But it would have been nice to close the joint with Ron. We started it together, developed our DJ skills and musical tastes there together, and it would have been fitting to end it together. I missed you, bro.

Anyway, last Saturday was a great capper to a very fun venue. I couldn't go to sleep that night, because I was filled with mixed emotions, sadness in recalling all the memories and friendships made there over the last 8 months and excitement with the prospects of starting a new project and have more flexibility and freedom with my weekends. Yippee!

Thanks to everyone who gave me feedback about what they preferred: Champion Saturdays or Marriott Sundays. I've decided to pursue the former and try to get things happening at Champion on Saturdays. The floor there is incredible and I enjoy the challenge of turning that "stuffy" ballroom (no offense Champion-goers) into a "hep" joint. It's going to take some work though!

The opening date for Champion Swing Saturdays is March 25. I'll provide more details soon. I know it's a long time to wait, but it will be worth it. They actually wanted to have me start sooner on March 11, but I'm going to the SF Swing Fest, so you'll just have to wait.

I believe Valerie is going to continue Swing at the Marriott on Sundays without me. Chris and Shana may take over and teach/DJ. I'm sure he'll let you know when that happens, so be sure to come out and support them.

That's all for now. Thanks again for all your support over the last 8 months. It means a lot to me.

Peace,

Meeshi

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