Swing dancers chime in!

[cornutt]

We need to get some swing discussion going here.  Who does what?  I mostly do WCS; there's also some ECS.  I've had a couple of lessons in lindy, and I'd like to take some more when I can find the time. 

[Rugby]

Oh, you mean dance swingers.  Sorry wrong forum.    I'm just a bad, bad girl.

[cornutt]

I knew I'd get somebody with that!   

[emeralddancer]

Hey I got it. Just didn't reply to it, you flirt! LOL

Anyways .... with regards to swinging.

I go to Friday Night swing here in MD. Towson actually. HUGE dance floor brand spanking new. It is at a VFW lodge or something. Great thing is NO POLES (thou Cornutt I am sure you appreciate them )in the middle of the floor. LOL

Anyway live bands. Lesson early and something like 3 or 4 hours of pure dancing. (when band takes breaks they incorporate a DJ with Ballroom/Latin music)

Venue nice, not expensive, snacks, nice people. (LOTS of people)

I do not know much, but I break a sweat and have a ball when I go.

They do both ECS and WCS, with hustle, lindy etc ...... it really is a good mix. Some rabid folks,but in a good way. Willing to help newbies out like me.

[Medira]

That sounds fantastic ED!  I would love to have a place around here that has a swing dance like that.

[Bordertangoman]

Had my first WCS class with Mary Kerner, a handsome woman. Anyone know her?

[TangoDancer]

Don't know her actually, but agree that we need some swing discussion. It is often considered a throw away dance, even in comp, and is, probably for this reason, danced poorly a lot of the time. It is the single most vared dance, and the most misunderstood, IMO.

What did you think of your first WCS? I dance; ECS, WCS, Shag, Chicago Stepping, Lindy, Lindy Hop, Savoy, Jitterbug/Jive, Stomp, Open Swing, Hustle, and even Pony Swing     My fav?  Hmmmm.................................

[Bordertangoman]

Don't know her actually, but agree that we need some swing discussion. It is often considered a throw away dance, even in comp, and is, probably for this reason, danced poorly a lot of the time. It is the single most vared dance, and the most misunderstood, IMO.

What did you think of your first WCS? I dance; ECS, WCS, Shag, Chicago Stepping, Lindy, Lindy Hop, Savoy, Jitterbug/Jive, Stomp, Open Swing, Hustle, and even Pony Swing     My fav?  Hmmmm.................................

well she was a tanned handsome woman wearing a Marilyn Monroe style dress; I think she could have led me anywhere..........

[emeralddancer]

I have noticed here in MD ... swing is starting to draw quite a large following, especially the younger set. These kids go all out too, wearing zoot suits, saddles shoes, poodle skirts, 1940s era clothing. It is wild!!!!!!

[dream a little dream]

Don't know her actually, but agree that we need some swing discussion. It is often considered a throw away dance, even in comp, and is, probably for this reason, danced poorly a lot of the time. It is the single most vared dance, and the most misunderstood, IMO.

What did you think of your first WCS? I dance; ECS, WCS, Shag, Chicago Stepping, Lindy, Lindy Hop, Savoy, Jitterbug/Jive, Stomp, Open Swing, Hustle, and even Pony Swing     My fav?  Hmmmm.................................

Real shag?  Carolina shag?
I want to get back to that.
Haven't danced shag in over 10 years!

[Medira]

I have noticed here in MD ... swing is starting to draw quite a large following, especially the younger set. These kids go all out too, wearing zoot suits, saddles shoes, poodle skirts, 1940s era clothing. It is wild!!!!!!

We have some good-sized swing dance groups back at home and they do some socials with period dress and everything.  They're a great group and a ton of fun!

I also had an opportunity to go out blues dancing in Edinburgh.  A friend of mine from home moved to Edinburgh for work about a year and a half ago and has now started teaching lindy and blues lessons with a group called Zoot Swing.  Another really great group of people!  I don't know if I've just been lucky, but so far, every swing group I've found has been really friendly and welcoming.

[albanaich]

Hi Medira. . . . .You know Ben then! We have a friend in common.

Scotland has a really strong Swing scene, both Lindy and West Coast Swing, and yes the young people are doing Swing, not ballroom. Most of the WCS in Scotland is taught by ISDT trained ballroom teachers, so its rather more technical in approach than some classes I've been to in England. The standard is very high. Even Lindy has its Ballroom influence with Helen Tennant in Glasgow being an ex-ballroom competitor.

[Burgess Penguin]

Been doing EC Swing for years, usually prefer single-step though I may indulge in triple-step occasionally.

Only recently have me and West Coast Swing came to terms, for years I was averse to it because I just couldnl;t get the hang of it even on a basic level at first, plus I used to run into a lot of WCS snobbery and such when I used to live in Boston MA, that turned me off to it for a long time

In a far friendlier dance environment like Atlanta's, I was finally able to let go and give it another chance. Glad I did. 

[samina]

ECS is my least favorite dance of all of them. But I fell in love with WCS last summer/early fall when I dipped my toe into the Lindo community in Jersey. Had 1 or 2 group lessons with Lindo, a mini on-the-floor coaching from an accomplished social dancer, just to learn the basics, and that's all as far as instruction, other than what I've picked up on the floor.

Am heading back up to Jersey next week, and will be there in time to hit up another Lindo group lesson, so I definitely have WCS on my mind.

It is a *wonderful* dance! All about connection, musicality, and spontaneity, different every time. And that's good stuff.

[elisedance]

You know, I never managed to imagine you in FL anyway.  So thanks for fixing my disconnect Sam...