SwingOrama

Meeshi · Thu May 24 2007 CDT

*NEW* SWING FUSION PERFORMANCE CLASS ADDED MAY 24TH!

FIREHOUSE UPDATE: In case you haven't heard, I will be leaving for Perth, Australia for an extended working holiday from August 2007 to January 2008. Sad to say, this upcoming 6-week Firehouse swing class series will be my last full series at the Firehouse in 2007 (don't worry, there'll be awesome guest instructors teaching the classes in my absence).

As this is my last series in SD for awhile, I've decided to offer some fun new classes that I've wanted to do for sometime now. First off, for the Int. Class, I'm offering a class exclusively on 30's Partner Charleston from 7-8p. I love 30's Partner Charleston and don't see enough Lindy Hoppers dancing it today. 30's Charleston is great for cutting a rug to fast music and it's easy to blend with your Bal steps. Come check it out if it interests you.

Next, I'm excited to offer a new Swing Fusion Performance Class from 8-9p (in the upstairs room). This choreography class incorporates elements of four dance forms (1/4 Lindy, 1/4 Salsa, 1/4 African, 1/4 Jazz Movement). Class Pre-requisites: You Must Have A Solid Partner Dance Background, You Pickup Jazz Steps Quickly & You Must Not Take Your Dancing Too Seriously! At the end of the 6-week series, I would love for the class to perform their number at the Firehouse dance, but, no worries, if you just want to take the class and not perform, that's cool, too.

Lastly, we'll have our Intro-to-Fast-Swing Series in the main room from 8-9p taught by Brian Abe (I'll be teaching the performance class upstairs from 8-9p). Brian has taught beginning swing classes for Arthur Murray in Los Angeles, and we'll be managing the Firehouse in my absence. Come get a good grounding in your basics with Brian!

Hope to see you next Thursday. If you haven't been to the Firehouse in awhile, I would love to see you out before I go. Ciao!

*************************************************************

Final 6-week session w/Meeshi in 2007: May 24 - June 28

7-8p -- Int. Lindy Class (30's Partner Charleston)
8-9p -- Beg. Lindy Class (Fast Swing Basics w/Brian Abe)
8-9p (upstairs) -- Swing Fusion Performance Class
9p-12a -- Open Firehouse Dancing

Drop-in: $12/adult, $10/students under 21 (includes the dance)
6-week package: $60/6 classes & dances
Students (under 21): $50/6 classes & dances
Take TWO classes for only $20/night or $90/6-weeks!

Questions: Contact Meeshi @ meeshbop@yahoo.com or 858-395-6060.

For more info/directions to the Firehouse, please see:

http://www.cafesavoy.com/thursdays.html

Jeff · Jitterbug Joined: 06 Jul 2005 Posts: 3257

Oooo...I wanna take the partner Charleston classes!!

bad kitty · Geek Goddess Joined: 07 Jul 2005 Posts: 373

Wouldn't it be great to get all the old-schoolers (like me) out for the Swing Fusion Performance Class??
I'm going to miss Meeshi very much, as I'm sure we all will. Let's give him a good send-off before his trip down under.

JennHamilton · Posted: Thu May 17, 2007 10:17 am GMT Post subject:

I'm joining! I can't wait - thanks so much Meeshi. Plus I think this is the only way I'll be able to see you regularly before you go!! Laughing

mel · Posted: Thu May 17, 2007 5:25 pm GMT Post subject:

The Swing-Fusion class sounds awesome, Meeshi!

Meeshi · Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 6:28 am GMT Post subject:

Thanks for the positive feedback, Sherri, Jenn, and Melissa. Yes, I would love to see the old-schoolers from back-in-the-day come out of dance retirement for the Swing Fusion Performance Class. That would really mean a lot to me and provide some needed closure before I move to Australia.

Over the past few days, many people have expressed their interest in the performance class, but I'm not quite sure how many people are actually attending. So if you plan on taking the performance class, please post here or RSVP me at meeshbop@yahoo.com, so I can get a better feel for the gender balance.

Please Note: The choreography (as of now) is about 1/3 solo dancing (jazz/African/club) and 2/3 partner dancing (swing/salsa/funk). It's highly recommended (though not required) to bring your own partner as I expect students to rehearse the partner dance sections between classes.

We will be dancing our routine to Fantastic Voyage by Lakeside. If you plan on taking the class, I suggest you download the song and listen to it a few times before this Thursday. I guarantee knowing the song well will help you learn the choreography much more easily.

That's it for now. Please write me at meeshbop@yahoo.com if you have any questions about the class content. Like I said, I've been wanting to do this class for sometime now, and I promise that you will be a better all-around dancer by session's end.

lindyslayer · Shorty George Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Posts: 418 Location: SD

I plan on taking this class, Meeshi - even if it means leaving Nate to teach by himself for the next 6 Thursdays. I can't wait! I'll try to find myself a partner...hmmm...

Andra · Suzie Q Joined: 28 Oct 2005 Posts: 167 Location: San Diego

Meeshi, I am so glad you are doing this – putting Jazz/African/Club/Swing/Salsa/Funk all together! Brave man, you are my dance warrior! Count me in. (You know I suck at routines though, so please take it slow, would you?)

I have been longing to step out of the orthodoxy of hopping to free myself for dancing more creatively to whatever music is at hand – and incidentally to improve my hopping as well... and I can’t think of a better way than to fuse all that’s out there and make it new.

Those of us who love slow and blues dancing have come across a lot of Blues/Tango crosspollinations lately... anyone noticing a Fusion trend? And a note to our Vintage diehards on the fence: the time* is NOW - as it always has been - including at the time Lindy Hop was invented. (* ”One of the most peculiar qualities of time is the fact that it is measured by motion and that it becomes evident through motion.” Kari Enqvist)

Roheven · Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 2:51 pm GMT Post subject:

With all these great ladies signing up hoe could I miss this? I'll be there!

Jeff · Jitterbug Joined: 06 Jul 2005 Posts: 3257

Meeshi · Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 4:23 pm GMT Post subject:

Just know, Andra, I'm not doing this class because of the current fusion trend. I just enjoy fusing other movement styles, because I studied African, Cuban, and Brazilian dance long before I ever learned to swing dance, and that solo Afro-inspired movement still feels more natural to me than partner dancing.

I still remember something Eddie from Rhythm Hotshots asked years ago at an Men's Styling workshop, "Do any of you take African dance classes?" I think I was one of two people in the room of 100 dancers who raised their hands. Then Eddie said, "If you really want to get the feel for Lindy Hop dancing, then go take African dance classes!"

Something worth considering as dancers...

Andra · Suzie Q Joined: 28 Oct 2005 Posts: 167 Location: San Diego

Yep, the benefits of drawing wisdom and rhythm from our African roots and integrating them into our dancing is a fact that seems to be increasingly recognized not only by the Lindy Hop community.

At Blues Shout, one of the bigger national Blues Dance events I recently attended in St. Louis, an entire day was dedicated to West African dance classes! The classes focused on musicality in a very earthy way (“turn your body into an instrument”) and on isolation movements that were extremely challenging to me. Our teacher, Diadie Bathily, and his troop were so inspirational, I am still in awe.

I am glad Meesh you have something coming our way too (and I hope the DJs can keep up with it, hello, anyone heard it, A-F-R-I-C-A-N dance moves go well with w-h-a-t music?)

Meeshi · Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 2:55 am GMT Post subject:

Yes, Andra, I'm glad dancers are starting to rediscover the African roots of Lindy Hop. My first introduction to Lindy Hop came back in 1996 when someone lent me a video of "New Worlds, New Forms" from the PBS series "Dancing". This video documentary traced the evolution and adaptation of African music and dance in the New World due to the slave trade, and focused specifically on the development of Afro-Brazilian and Afro-American music and dance.

My friend had lent me the video, because she knew of my interest in Afro-Brazilian dancing, but it was the 15 min. segment on Lindy Hop that captured my attention. There were interviews with Frankie Manning and Norma Miller, and an excerpt from "Hellzapoppin", but what got me interested in learning Lindy was when they showed a birthday jam for Frankie Manning. When I saw everyone getting in a circle clapping and encouraging the dancers in the middle, I thought to myself, "Wow, this is exactly what we do in African dance class, except you get to dance with a partner and you can do it at a club. I want to learn that!"

The rest, my friends, is history...

Tapper-girl · Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 10:19 am GMT Post subject:

now we're talking!!!! yeah improv circles and african dance!!!

this will be a perfect time to work on new moves in preparation for Stompin at the KAVA June 13th! (check the calendar).

Hope I can make it. If not this week- next!

Meeshi · Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 4:04 pm GMT Post subject:

Performance Class Students: If you're downloading the song (Fantastic Voyage by Lakeside) for the class, be sure to get the 4 min. version of the song. The most common version of the song is the 6 min. one. Looking forward to seeing you all in class and be prepared to work.

p.s. Looks like we need a few more fellas to take the class to balance things out. Keep in mind, gentlemen, all the hot swing ladies will be there.

bad kitty · Geek Goddess Joined: 07 Jul 2005 Posts: 373

I'm trying to recruit a couple guys. We'll see who is MAN enough to show up!!

Meeshi · Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 1:55 pm GMT Post subject:

Actually, Sherri, since I expect twice as many follows as leads, I reconfigured the choreography so that each lead will dance with two follows. I'll explain how it will work in class tonight. See ya then.

Meeshi · Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 4:28 am GMT Post subject:

PERFORMANCE CLASS UPDATE: Dancers, you are welcome to arrive early (between 7-8p) to practice in the upstairs room. There will be a boombox and a copy of the CD to practice with. Steven has made CD copies of the song (with sections at normal and reduced speed) for those who requested it last week, please remember to bring him $3 for his time and effort.

It would be great if everyone could arrive early to practice and warm-up, as it will make our review time much more efficient. I'm looking forward to teaching you lots of new fun material tonight. See ya then!