SWING DANCING IN LOS ANGELES AND ORANGE COUNTY
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TOP TEN TIPS FOR BEGINNERS - HOW TO GET GOOD FAST
Are you a beginner, eager to do the cool moves you see everyone else doing, but you only know three moves? Here's my advice to beginner swing dancers on how to get good as fast as possible:
- The number one thing you can do improve is to go social dancing as often as possible. Taking a lesson once a week won't cut it. You'll forget everything you learned before the next lesson. When I started I was a total fanatic and went swing dancing four or five times a week. OK, maybe you don't have to be that insane, but you should go out at least twice or three times a week. Check the LA Lindy Hop calendar and Lindy map to find events near you.
- Take lessons - especially leaders! It's true that some great dancers just learned by going out and having people teach them (more follows than leads), but I think lessons are always helpful and sometimes crucial depending on your natural dancing ability. And don't just take lessons from one teacher - try many teachers and learn many styles. Many venues have free lessons before the dance - take them. See my links to recommended instructors and classes. After you've gotten basic East Coast Swing down, take classes Lindy Hop and Balboa.
- Go to a swing camp, Lindy exchange or weekend workshop. These have intense all-day class schedules that will really jump-start your swing dancing fast! They usually have dances at night which have really advanced dancers and contests to inspire you. The best and biggest one in Southern California is Camp Hollywood in July. But there are Lindy exchanges going on all over the country year-round. You will be a MUCH better dancer after each one of these, I guarantee it!
- Learn the basics and get them solid. Do NOT learn a bunch of aerials when you are beginning! You will annoy everyone on the dance floor and look like amateurs. If you are a follow, instead of learning a bunch of moves, learn the basics on how to follow. Then you can do any move the guy leads. Take classes on lead and follow and technique and styling rather than tricks. It's considered uncool to do aerials on most social dance floors unless you're in a jam circle or contest.
- Ask advanced dancers to teach you a cool move that you see them do. They will be flattered and you'll get a free lesson. I was always delighted when someone asked me to show them a move I did. This is a great way to build up your repertoire of good moves.
- Dance with a variety of people - not just your partner (if you have one). You need to dance with different people to become a good leader or follower. If you dance with the same person all of the time, you won't be leading or following. You'll know all of each other's moves and will just be anticipating them. Ask other people to dance, and accept when other people ask you.
- Watch good dancers when you go out, on the internet, and anywhere else you can. Try to copy them. Look at their styling. Try to work out their moves. It will rub off on you in time.
- Take notes or video record yourself after you learn new moves. Otherwise, you'll forget them pretty quickly. Then, use the moves when you go out. Watching yourself on video can be very revealing too.
- Listen to lots of swing music. You'll get familiar with the structure, breaks, and rhythms. There is nothing cooler than knowing when a break is coming up and hitting it with a quick stop!
- Have fun and don't be afraid to make mistakes. Swing dancing is about having fun. If you don't mess up at least one move per dance, it probably means you weren't challenging yourself enough.
Hope this helps. Email me if you have any other ideas. - Brian 9/17/2010
FOLLOWS: TEN TIPS TO GET leads TO ASK YOU TO DANCE
Are you tired of standing on the side of the dance floor? Here's my advice to follows on how to get more leads and better leads to ask you to dance:
- The most important thing is to dress the part. If you look like a good swing dancer, guys are more likely to ask you to dance. L.A. is big on authentic vintage (30's and 40's) attire compared to other parts of the country. If you're not into vintage, just dress like a swing dancer (i.e., wear the right kind of shoes, wear a skirt or dress instead of jeans, put a flower in your hair). How you appear is initially the only thing people have available to deteremine whether to ask you or not. If a follow is dressed vintage, with her hair done up and the right dancing shoes, I will almost always ask her to dance. I could write an article on shoes alone. No heels. Get some white Keds and have chrome leather put on the soles by a shoe repair place for $20.
- Go to the right venues, namely, Lindy Groove, PBDA, Atomic Ballroom, Third Saturday Swing, Strutter's Ball, and Rusty's Rhythm Club. Places like the Cicada Club and Disneyland are great, but you usually have to bring your own partner to those events (unless a really popular band is playing).
- Smile and have a good time, whether you are dancing or not!! Some of my funnest dances have been with beginners who were just enjoying themselves a lot. Other guys will notice and ask you too.
- Go ahead and ask leaders to dance who are of about the same skill level as you or a bit better. They're then more likely to ask you to dance next time. But just ask them once - don't be a stalker!
- Stand near the dance floor with that "I-wish-someone-would-ask-me-look". Yes, I know it is awkward, but nothing comes without some sacrifice.. Remember, the guys have to take the risk of being turned down when they ask - that is awkward too! Be open, approachable and not too wrapped up talking with your friends. I will avoid asking a follow to dance if she looks like she is in an intense conversation with someone.
- Go to the same venues a lot and become a regular. As you become familiar to people they'll ask you more.
- Go to events with popular bands, namely Stompy Jones, Mora's Modern Rhythmists, Bill Elliott, and Jonathan Stout and His Campus Five.
- Hang out in the right part of the dance floor. If you're an advanced dancer, hang out where the good dancers are. There is always a specific place where good dancers are in every club. At Lindy Groove, it is to the left of the stage if you're looking at the stage (in other words, stage right). At Memories, it is at stage left, near the DJ booth (at the upstairs dances at least).
- Take classes. When I run into someone who I took a class with, I often want to practice what we learned with them.
- Try going off the beaten path. Try going to a variety of venues. For example, in the waning days of the Derby, follows stopped going because it had a reputation of having a lot of beginners. But usually there were three or so really good leads there with no one to dance with! When a lucky intermediate-level follow showed up, we had to in line to dance with her! Camp Hollywood, on the other hand, has tons of awesome dancers, so way too many follows show up and there are not enough leads. So, don't write off a venue just because it has a lot of beginners.
Any other ideas? Email me and I'll post them. - Brian 8/8/2010
REVIEW: THE CICADA CLUB
The Cicada Club in downtown LA is one of my favorite swing venues. You really feel like you're going backward in time when you enter this amazing Art Deco space. The bands are always authentic, as was the case with the fabulous Bonebrake Syncopators. However, unless they are a big name like Mora Modern Rhythmists, it's prudent to bring your own partner. There is a formal dress code, but for good reason - it would be a shame for people in shorts and t-shirts to ruin the 1930's feel. Plus, can be fun to dress up once in a while, so bring your dance crew and give the Cicada Club a try! - Brian, April 2, 2011.
Cicada Club on March 27th, 2011 featuring the fantastic Bonebrake Syncopators
NEWS ITEM: LA LINDY HOP GETS A SHOUTOUT ON E-HOW.COM!
LA Lindy Hop is the ONLY swing website listed in this e-how article on the L.A. swing scene! It says "LALindyHop.com's event schedule is a great place to start for those who want to keep their nights hopping." The clubs listed are Lindy Groove, Cicada Club, Joe's Bar, and Rusty's.
SEVEN DAYS OF SWING DANCING
In Southern California, we are fortunate to have so many great places to swing dance in both Los Angeles and Orange County. Here are my picks for the most consistent venues, where you'll be able to find the most partners, the best floors, and the best music.
SUNDAY: Alright, Sunday doesn't have alot of choices, but Maxwell de Mille's Cicada Club is awesome in its own way. It has the best ambiance - you'll feel like you've stepped into 1930 when you walk in, and very authentic live bands (brush up on your Balboa). However, there are not always alot of partners, so it's best to bring your own. My advice is to get your swing friends together or just invite some new people you meet at other venues, get dressed up all vintage, and meet there.
MONDAY: If you live in Orange County, hands down it's Memories (even though it's technically in southern L.A. county) Although Memories has lost alot of it's popularity since its heyday in O.C., Mondays is still a popular night. You'll see some great dancers there. If you live in L.A., check out Joe's Bar for some eclectic Balboa or Western Swing bands.
TUESDAY: If you live in Orange County, go to Atomic, the long-running cornerstone of OC swing dancing. If you live in L.A. it's Joe's Bar for some live bands, often slanted towards Western Swing, but it's tons of fun.
WENDESDAY: People in Orange County go to Strutter's Ball. There are plenty of partners and lessons beforehand. People in L.A. go to Rusty's Rhythm Club, another long-running venue with a friendly crowd, various skill levels, and lessons beforehand.
THURSDAY: Alright, Lindy Groove is the 800 pound gorilla, the largest weekly swing event. Everyone goes to this, and there are tons of partners of varying skill levels up to the pros. People drive from San Diego and Santa Barbara to go.
FRIDAY: Orange County wins here, with Atomic on Friday nights. Lots of partners, big floor, varying skill levels.
SATURDAY: Probably the longest-running swing venue around today is the Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association's gig on Saturday night. They always feature live bands, lots of partners, and a friendly crowd. Also notable are Third Saturday Swing, also in Pasadena, with some excellent dancers there. If you have the means, get a pass to Disneyland and dance outdoors to Stompy Jones at Carnation Plaza!
I haven't been able to go swing dancing as much as before, so send me updates and your experiences at these or other swing clubs. Hope this is helpful. If there is a weekly swing club that is totally hoppin' and not on this list, let me know! - Brian, 4/3/2010
LINDY GROOVE'S HAUNTED HALLOWEEN BALL HITS A GRAND SLAM!!!
If you weren't at Lindy Groove's Haunted Halloween Ball, you missed a great party and some incredible costumes. People actually exceeded last year's high standards in creativity and effort. See my photo gallery here. It was a blast! - Brian 10/30/09
FRANKIE MANNING PASSES AWAY
MAY 26, 1914 - APRIL 27, 2009
Frankie Manning was Lindy Hop's unofficial ambassador, and is credited with the invention of the Lindy aerial. You can see him in action (in the denim overalls) as part of Whitey's Lindy Hoppers in Hellzapoppin (1941).
He touched thousands around the world with his gentle nature and love of the dance. I had the priviledge of taking a class from him at Swing Camp Catalina a few years ago. He will be missed but always remembered by Lindy Hoppers who were fortunate enough to meet him. - Brian 4/28/2009
MAXWELL DE MILLE'S CICADA CLUB
The Cicada Club in downtown LA hosts the most authentic and
beautiful swing night in Los Angeles! Every Sunday night at 8PM,
a live band replicates the sounds of the 20's and 30's. On most
nights, there is a $10 cover charge unless you have dinner there plus $7 for parking (or $5 if
you park at an adjacent lot). There is a dress code - see the website - but it's actually fun to dress up (you don't necessarily need
to be vintage; just dinner formal). Be sure to invite your dance
crew to come along, as attendance by swing dancers varies wildly
(from almost no swing dancers to packed with swing dancers). If
you haven't tried the Cicada, you need to go. The food is excellent
as well (but pricey - save it for that special someone). The Cicada
Club is at the historic Oviatt Building 617 South Olive Street,
Los Angeles.
Maxwell de Mille announcing Christine Nelson's band 4/19/09 (Taken by Brian Shim)
LINDY GROOVE GETS NATIONAL
COVERAGE ON PRIME TIME TV
On Monday, March 30th, 2009, ABC's Dancing With the Stars featured a visit by David Alan Grier and Kym Johnson to Lindy Groove in Pasadena! The episode even included a Lindy Groove shout-out by David during the back room interviews!
The rest of the episode featured "Lindy Hop", although swing done by ballroom dancers can hardly be called authentic (I don't think there was one real swingout in the whole episode). Nevertheless, it was national exposure to swing dancing (however flawed) and our local swing scene! - Brian
THE JUKE JOINT AT PALADINO'S -
NO MORE AFTER THIS SUMMER
Yet another beloved Los Angeles area swing venue will be no more at the end of summer 2009. Kim and Dave's Juke Joint at Paladino's Lounge hosted some of the best dancers in the early 2000's. Dave Frutos is in my opinion the best swing DJ around. I have lots of great memories of this place, and of taking my first swing lessons from Kim and Dave when they taught at the Derby. Check it out while it's still around! Here's the Facebook posting from Kim:
In 1999 David and I were working at the Derby. At the time the only places to socially Lindy Hop in the LA area were the Derby and Pasadena Ballroom. So David and I decided to open the first ' hosted by Lindy hoppers for Lindy Hoppers' club venue. We called it " Kim and Dave's Juke Joint. Ten years later we are closing our doors. When we started the club in Tarzana....that part of the city was considered Reseda , the building was called Jitterbug Lounge and was a west coast Swing venue on all the other nights (as apposed to the cover band leaders it is today). There have been many changes since then, and David and I want to thank all of you for being part of those changes in one way or another -- Thank you for building a family away from family environment with us...Thank you for sharing in everything from good party times to 9/11... Thank you for 10 great years.
***In the meanwhile....we don't plan to close until the end of
the summer 2009. Its the clubs 10th anniversary and we plan to
go out partying.From May 26th and on we will be open every Tuesday
night for the summer. At the end of August we plan to have a big
last day 10th anniversary blow out as we close our doors for good.
That means you have 14 nights left this summer to come say goodbye,
dance with friends and enjoy David's awesome music! Once again,
Thank you for the dances....support, but mostly for family and
friendship .
Paladino's:
6101 Reseda Blvd
Tarzana
21 and over with ID
ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF LA LINDY HOP!
One year ago, I started LA LINDY HOP because my favorite LA/OC swing site, nocturne, had gone away after many years of service.. I started this site mainly because I wanted the swing info for myself, so I thought I might as well share it with the LA/OC swing community. So many people have thanked me for the site and it has been fun doing it. LA LINDY HOP has been visited over twenty thousand times and the rate is accelerating. Thanks for visiting, and keep on swing dancing!!! - Brian 8/1/09
THE DERBY CLOSING: END OF AN ERA
Last Sunday, the manager of the Derby informed patrons that the Derby is closing its doors on January 31st. Next Sunday will be the last night of swing dancing at the world famous nightclub. Even he had only been told about it just the day before.
Apparently, Louse's restaurant next door will remain open, so that means the building will still be there (of course it's a protected architectural landmark now also). No one could say what would move into the space next.
The prevailing theory for the closing is that there was a shooting during a hip hop night which gave the landlord an excuse to yank the lease. Apparently there is a lack of interest by the building owner to have a club there. Also, on more than a few swing nights this year, I've noticed that they couldn't possibly be breaking even based on the number of people there, however, I hear they are packed on other nights, so the reason might not have been financial.
All of the veteran swing dancers there on Sunday were shocked and saddened at the thought of losing this great venue, arguably the birthplace of the neo swing movement. For all of its shortcomings, the Derby holds tons of special memories. We took our first swing lessons there, made new friends there, and danced till the wee hours of the night. It was also a place where you could bring your non-swing dancer friends. In its heydey, it was the hippest place to go swing dancing, with its beautiful bar, spacious back room, and of course, live swing bands every night including Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Royal Crown Revue, Steve Lucky, Jumpin' Jimes, Mora's Modern Rhythmists, and Jonathan Stout..
Next Sunday probably will be the last night of Swing dancing at the Derby as we know it. Jonathan Stout and His Campus Five are signed up to play this final swing gig there. If you're a regular, you should go. If you've never been there before, you should go. I anticipate a huge crowd to say farewell. I for one will miss the Derby greatly! This was a special place. Here are my photos of that night. - Brian
THE 2008 LA
LINDY HOP SWING VENUE POLL RESULTS ARE IN!!!
For a few months you've
seen the swing venue poll questions on this site and have responded.
Here are the results (note that I eliminated repeat votes to make
this accurate):
- MOST POPULAR SWING VENUE (where you go most often):
1st Place: Lindy Groove / PBDA (21% each, tie)
3rd Place: Atomic Ballroom / The Derby (18% each, tie)
Brian's Pick: Lindy Groove is where I go most often
- BEST DANCERS
1st Place: Paladino's Lounge (26%)
2nd Place: Strutter's Ball (15%)
3rd Place: Third Saturday Swing / Lindy Groove (11% each, tie)
Brian's Pick: Lindy Groove. Years ago I would have said Paladino's
- FAVORITE SWING VENUE
1st Place: PBDA (28%)
2nd Place: Paladino's Lounge (19%)
3rd Place: The Derby (13%)
Brian's Pick: The Derby
- FRIENDLIEST DANCERS
1st Place: Lindy Groove / PBDA (18% each, tie)
Third Place: The Derby (14%)
Brian's Pick: Rusty's Rhythm Club
- BEST LIVE BANDS
1st Place: The Derby / PBDA (25% each, tie)
3rd Place: Cicada Club / Joe's Bar (10% each, tie)
Brian's Pick: Cicada Club
- BEST DJ
1st Place: Paladino's Lounge - Dave Frutos (a whopping 43%)
2nd Place: PBDA (14%)
3rd Place: Joe's Bar / Atomic / Lindy Groove (9% each, tie)
Brian's Pick: Paladino's Lounge - Dave Frutos. also Joe's Bar and Memories
- BEST AMBIANCE
1st Place: Cicada Club (31%)
2nd Place: The Derby (19%)
3rd Place: Lindy Groove (7%)
Brian's Pick: Cicada Club (indoor), Disneyland (outdoor)
Congrats to all of the winners, and thanks for your votes! Overall, I think you picked some real great venues. Be thankful we have such fantastic swing venues in LA/OC!