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Collective learning group; a catalyst to start a dedicated gathering of dancers

SwingOrama Forum: Lindy Hop: Collective learning group; a catalyst to start a dedicated gathering of dancers

By Chris Bowling on Friday, April 16, 1999 - 03:16 pm: Edit

The idea behind this group is based on collectively improving the quality of lindyhop in the San Diego area. This group would meet once a week at a dance studio or gym for 2 hours or so to practice dance together. The individual improvements of lead/follow, aerials, social connections, moves, and musicality will be the catalyst for the improvement of dancers in San Diego. The ultimate goal, say within a year to a year and a half, is to have a dedicated group of lindyhoppers that would each month throw a dance and/or bring in a great instructor. This "club" would be non-profit and all of the proceeds would go toward dances,instructors, and renting of dance spaces. As of now I have called numerous gyms and dance studios, most of them can be rented for $10 per group per hour, and are open on Friday evenings and Saturdays. They are located south of La Jolla, west of 163, and north of downtown San Diego. I was thinking Fridays would be good between 7pm to 9pm, late enough to grab dinner and early enough to go out afterwards. I have mentioned this idea to several people and have got about 25 people that are interested. This idea is only 4 days old so it is still in its development stages and the first meeting would be about a month away. I am posting this here to get feed back, please e-mail me if you are interested or have any other ideas. Again, this is not supposed to be a "cliquish" club, just a place where people that are interested in bettering themselves can meet others and work together.

Chris Bowling
jono1973@aol.com

By Red (Red) on Friday, April 16, 1999 - 03:39 pm: Edit

Chris that sounds great. I know Meeshi and I have discussed something like this before. The goal I believe is to improve the quality of the dance scene leaving out the competition. I support it 100%. San Diego needs a place where the dancers can get together and work with each other and also allowing new dancers to feel unified in the lindy hop scene.

By Shawn Hanna on Friday, April 16, 1999 - 05:14 pm: Edit

Chris - The Rocket on Tuesday nights is not so dissimilar to what you suggest. A number of us have spoken about an alternative where the music would be a little jazzier. If you know of an inexpensive place, book it for a trial run - we'll put it on the calendar and see what happens! I would like to know more about inexpensive gyms...

By Dan on Wednesday, April 21, 1999 - 09:29 pm: Edit

Hey people, this is my first post on this forum so here goes.

I've put out a flyer on the desk at the Rocket. The Swing Lindy Club of UCSD has a room available to practice on Mondays 8-10pm and Thursdays 6-8pm. If anyone wants to learn a little bit more about the "LA Style" "Hollywood Style" Dean Collins style of swing, we can all practice on Thursday. I will be glad to searh what I have learned about the style. The parking is free at UCSD after 4:30. The lindy class Tan teaches usually has a bit more people on Mondays, since the club meets after the class. So it would be nice to have little bit more experienced dancers to dance with them so they can practice, if nobody minds it. Meeshi knows where this place is, it's where he used to teach. It's at the Main Gym at the UCSD campus. The main gym is not the RIMAC gym, if you like, visit the UCSD website: www.ucsd.edu and take a look at the map. You can contact me at swing@ucsd.edu

C ya there
Dan

By Chris Bowling on Thursday, April 22, 1999 - 10:43 am: Edit

Thanks for all the feed back. A lot of people are excited for something like this. I thinking the first gathering will occur on Friday May 14 at 7pm and go til 9pm. I've got a few locations to decide between and will post as soon as it is set.

I think the more places to go the more people get to practice, and if they can't make it on one day they can go on another. Dan has been pushing Shana and me to show up at UCSD, and we are going to try tonight. I'm happy to see so many people trying to organize group practices! I believe that this will greatly improve all dancers locally. The only worry that I have is that if a group is focusing on one particular style it isolates them;and I think we, as a group, should try to welcome and learn all styles.

By Shawn Hanna on Thursday, April 22, 1999 - 12:34 pm: Edit

I know of a gym in North County that is reasonably priced - let me know if you need more info.

By Chris Bowling on Tuesday, May 11, 1999 - 11:55 am: Edit

New date!! Look to here something on May 28 at a local dance studio. Same time (7p to 9p), Hopstar is having there dance on Friday May 14, kind of a conflict. Look to get together on Friday the 28th of May. More news will come.

By Chris Bowling on Tuesday, May 25, 1999 - 02:24 pm: Edit

Going to San Francisco the 28 for Frankie's b-day. The next week is Catalina, I still want to start this and I know this sounds like I'm crying wolf. No date as of now and I will work on one for after Catalina, I promise. Sorry for the misleading info, no excusses except I'm anxious.

By Chris Bowling on Sunday, June 13, 1999 - 10:59 am: Edit

Ok, Catalina is over and WOW! So much fun, so sore, and so much good info and moves!

This concept is still going infact if you have any questions, please e-mail Isgard at ihueck@be-research.ucsd.edu she has some great info on getting together!

By Swingincurlie (Swingincurlie) on Sunday, August 01, 1999 - 06:36 pm: Edit

Chris, I've been in Alaska the past few months, and just read about your idea today. I would love to join the "club", but won't be back from Russia until the middle of Sept. Will you post the info here when you have dates and places? Thanks.

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