Houston Swing Dance Society

It is our pleasure to bring you monthly news and updates about HSDS and the local swing scene. Read about upcoming HSDS projects, classes, workshops, and dances. We'll spice it up a bit each month with tips from our teachers, music recommendations, and reviews from the latest big event. Look for special discounts for HSDS events, too. We look forward to giving you the swing dance information you want and hope that you enjoy it!

August 2nd HSDS will host a dance in conjunction with the Peter Strom Workshop at NiaMoves 9 pm to midnight at Studio NiaMoves (3221 Houston Ave). Only $5 or free with your admission to the works hop!!

Second Cup Swing hosts their monthly dance at Taft Street Coffee (2115 Taft) Saturday August 16th at 8:30pm till Midnight. Only $4!

Free 5th Sunday Dance at HSDS, August 31st!! Brian and Patty will be teaching a free beginner lesson (7-8pm) followed by a FREE dance (8-10pm). What could be better? We will also be doing an HSDS Garage sale; we have a lot of t-shirts from past event on clearance. So, keep your eyes peeled.

Demitasse Dance every Saturday (except for Taft dance) 9PM @ Té House of Tea (1927 Fairview)  FREE!!!

Also, keep an eye out for HSDS's annual Harvest Moon Ball coming to you this fall!

• Join PotatoChips to post and receive periodic email announcements about swing dance events.

   

• Go to Houston Swing Out to join discussions regarding dances, etiquette, overcoming shyness, or getting a group together for movie night. It's all there.
  

August's elective is Solo Charleston, so here are some songs to get you inspired. You can listen these songs at HSDS.

Honeysuckle Rose - Bunny Berigan

Jitter Bug - Cab Calloway

Gangbusters - The Cat and The Fiddle

All that Meat and No Potato - Fats Waller

Rigamarole - Mora's Modern Rhythmist

Oh Lady Be Good - Slim and Slam

Go Harlem - Chick Webb

Tar Paper Stomp - Mora's Modern Rhythmist

Who's A Hutchin'? - Chick Webb

Down South Camp Meeting - Benny Goodman

Every Sunday when you arrive to HSDS, from the moment you step into the club to the moment you leave, is not possible without our volunteers. So, I'm going to take this opportunity to thank them all.

Our Front Desk staff, are the ones who check you in, take your money and answer any questions you may have.

Our Teachers are the best Houston scene has in Lindy Hop. We have veteran teachers that have been teaching 7 plus years and many winners of top national awards. We are truly lucky to have this crew to teach you weekly.

Our DJs week after week provide awesome dance music for your dancing enjoyment. Without them there would just be silence. Each week, they happily share the gems of their music collection with you.

Our dance master crew are the ones that make sure you have cups and water every Sunday. You probably notice them more during the Summer heat when the club gets hot easily after a few dance.

The Hepcats Performance group spend a lot of their free time to make sure their dance routines are perfect. They also do outreach in the Greater Houston community to promote Lindy Hop, HSDS, and get people excited abou swing dancing.

Last but not least, the HSDS Board is the force that keeps the club going. Their hard work makes sure the everything works smoothly so you can concentrate on having a great time learning and dancing! They are also the force that brings you Lindyfest, our nationally acclaimed Lindy Hop workshop, for the past 12 years. The Board works behind the scenes to write grants to support the art of our dance, document the Lindy Hop movement in film and photography, and build connections with other dance groups, universities, and high schools.

So, next time you see one of our volunteers running around making sure the evening runs smoothly, stop by and thank them for their hard work. HSDS is a 100% volunteer run organization, so all of us are doing this for the love of the dance. We hope you love it as much as we do.

Do you ever feel like you just gotta dance??? by yourself!!! Well this is the class for you! This August our very own Brian Eley will be teaching some great charleston moves! This class is going to help get yourself off the wall when you find the music calling you to get down an boogie!

First class will be Sunday, August 3rd @ 7:30pm in the back room of the Melody Club! See you there!

Houston Swing Dance society is excited to announce a workshop with Peter Strom on Saturday, August 2nd 2008. He will be teaching a dynamic 4-hour Lindy Hop workshop geared to all dancers with at least 2 months of Lindy 1.

Peter Strom originally learned to dance almost exclusively on the dance floor, but has since studied under the biggest names in Lindy Hop. He teaches regular classes with the Lindy Movement in Minneapolis, of which he is a founding member.

At the American Lindy Hop Championships, he was the Classic Champion in 2000 and third in Showcase in 2001, and has consistently placed high in national competitions. He has taught workshops throughout the U.S. as well as in Sweden, France and Singapore.

Peter is driven by his love of social dancing and works to create an easy flow with the music and between partners. Peter is one of our favorite instructors and Soul room DJ extraordinaire at our annual workshop, Lindyfest.

More Info:
When: Saturday August 2nd
Workshop: Jewish Community Center from 1-5pm
Dance: 9 pm to midnight at Studio NiaMoves (3221 Houston Avenue)
Cost: $30 (includes dance entry that evening)
Click here for information and to buy tickets online!

Texas

Austin
Saturday Balboa Workshop
Laura Malloy and Matt Jones
August 16th, 2008
Uptown Dance Center
11:45 - 3:00 pm

San Antonio Swing Dance Society Fundraiser Ball
SASDS
August 23rd
The San Antonio Swing Dance Society presents their first ever Fundraiser Ball complete with dinner, dance, silent auction, and dance auction. You can buy tickets online or at any of their dances. This event isn't just for dancers either... invite your friends, family... anyone you think would enjoy a night of music, food, and great company!

National Events

International Lindy Hop Championship
ILHC
August 22^nd – 24^th Join all your favorite dancers for workshops and competitions.  This will truly be the first event of its kind, recognizing the international presence and appeal of Lindy Hop, while preserving its spirit and giving the dance the respect and honor it deserves. This will be a world-class event with top-level competitions organized, performed and judged at the highest levels possible. 

Swing Out New Hampshire
Swing Out New Hampshire
This will be the 10th year for SONH! Steven & Virginie, Skye & Frida, Bill & Laura, Joel & Alison, Manu & Gina, Evita & Michael and Greg & Laurie have all confirmed that they are returning again to teach. It is much delighted that Miss Dawn Hampton will be coming back again this summer to inspire us!
On the music front, Peter Davis and Lindy Hop Heaven will be playing for two of our evening dances (as well as for some classes), The Cangelosi Cards will be playing for two of our late night dances and Jesse Miner will be heading up the DJ list. As always, we're planning lots of fun summer camp activities, like a rousing campfire sing along and another SONH Cabaret.