HSDS News and Events

HSDS News September 2008

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 06:14:00 GMT

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In this issue

HSDS Happenings
Harvest Moon Ball is September 27th!!
More Dance Info
Upcoming Dances
September Elective is Partnered Charleston
5th Sunday Dance and HSDS Garage Sale August 31st

Upcoming Dances

HSDS Free 5th Sunday Dance, August 31st. Back to School dance with a free beginner lesson or learn about Swing history in the back room; both are 7-8pm. The FREE dance is 8-11pm.

NEW DANCE!!! Saturday, September 6th at NiaMoves (3221 Houston Ave) ~ Starting September, HSDS will be hosting a monthly dance on first Saturday of each month. The dance will be 8-midnight and only $3!!.

The Aggies will be having their first monthly dance of the semester on September 6th, 8-midnight! Everyone's invited. Click here to buy tickets online (a must) and for directions.

Second Cup Swing hosts their monthly dance at Taft Street Coffee (2115 Taft) Saturday, September 20th at 8:30pm till Midnight. Only $4!

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

More Dance Info

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.

Click here to subscribe to the HSDS newsletter.

Contact HSDS

A portion of sales through Amazon and iTunes links will benefit HSDS.

HSDS Happenings

All HSDS classes are Sundays at The Melody Club, unless otherwise posted. Click here to view our weekly class schedule. We offer lessons for beginner to advanced dancers. No partner necessary! Our weekly Sunday dance is 8:30-10:30pm following the lessons.

September Elective is Partnered Charleston

If you had fun with Brian in August with the solo Charleston, in September, Brian and Katie will teach you some cool Partnered Charleston moves. Don't miss out at 7:30pm on Sundays.

5th Sunday Dance and HSDS Garage Sale August 31st

It's August, Summer is almost over, and everyone's headed off to school again, so this Sunday we're having a FREE Back to School dance. The free beginner lesson starts at 7pm in the main room and for the more seasoned HSDSers, a Swing History chat will be in the back room. The dance is 8-11pm.

Also, join us as we clean out our closets! Past Lindyfest shirts and handy water bottles will be on sale at deeply discounted prices. So, bring some cash with you this Sunday and take advantage of our overstock!

Harvest Moon Ball is September 27th!!

Save the Date for the Harvest Moon Ball Saturday September 27th~ Houston�s Harvest Moon Ball, held every Fall for the past twelve years, is a co-sponsored Houston Swing Dance Society and Rice Social Dance Society event designed to celebrate Houston�s social dance scene. It's a night to wear your sharpest clothing and dance to a great big band, Third Coast Swing. Entertain the whole family with live music, exciting performances and fun contests! Free lesson 7; Dance at 8-midnight. $15 advance sales; $20 at the door. Location is the Rice University Ballroom and parking is Free! Online ticket sales and more information to come at HSDS online.

Houston Swing Dance Society is a 501(c)3 non-profit association. Houston Swing Dance Society is funded in part by grants from the City of Houston through The Houston Arts Alliance.

©Houston Swing Dance Society, P.O. Box 980581, Houston, TX. 77098-0581 Unsubscribe from this newsletter.

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HSDS News August 2008

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:06:00 GMT

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In this issue

Welcome
HSDS Happenings
Peter Strom Workshop August 2nd!!!!
More Dance Info
Upcoming Dances
Behind the Scenes at HSDS
Swing Out of Town ~ Workshops outside of Houston
August Elective is Solo Charleston
Music Corner

Welcome

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!

Upcoming Dances

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 @ T� House of Tea (1927 Fairview) FREE!!!

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

More Dance Info

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.

Music Corner

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

Click here to subscribe to the HSDS newsletter.

Contact HSDS

A portion of sales through Amazon and iTunes links will benefit HSDS.

HSDS Happenings

Behind the Scenes at HSDS

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.

August Elective is Solo Charleston

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!

Peter Strom Workshop August 2nd!!!!

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!

Swing Out of Town ~ Workshops outside of Houston

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.

Houston Swing Dance Society is a 501(c)3 non-profit association. Houston Swing Dance Society is funded in part by grants from the City of Houston through The Houston Arts Alliance.

©Houston Swing Dance Society, P.O. Box 980581, Houston, TX. 77098-0581 Unsubscribe from this newsletter.

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Peter Strom Workshop August 2nd

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:02:00 GMT




				Peter Strom Workshop 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 from 1-5pm Where: TBD (in Houston) Cost: $30 (includes dance entry that evening) Privates: If you're interested in private lesson with Peter, they will take place on Sunday. Please contact us to arrange privates or for questions. Buy tickets now!
� 2006 Houston Swing Dance Society \| Designed by Myron Steves

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HSDS News July 2008

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 19:26:00 GMT

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In this issue

Editor's Note
HSDS Happenings
HepCats Performance
More Dance Info
Upcoming Dances
Affordable Private Lessons at HSDS
Swing Out of Town ~ Workshops outside of Houston
"What keeps me coming back week after week "
Music Corner

Editor's Note

From time to time, other than delivering Swing Dance news around town and making music suggestions to you; we also like to include our members in the club's newsletter process. This month, we've asked Chris Foster to tell us about his dancing experience. If you have any of your dance experience you'd like to share, please contact us at. We'd love to hear from you.

Upcoming Dances

Second Cup Swing hosts their monthly dance at Taft Street Coffee (2115 Taft) Saturday July 26st at 8:30pm till M idnight. $4

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

The Aggies are having their monthly dance July 19th @ 8pm. Click here for complete details and directions.

Four on the Floor is having a Balboa workshop July 12th from 11:45-3:30 @ Uptown Dance Center

More Dance Info

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.

Music Corner

Now that you have 2 months of Balboa and still can't get enough of it. Here's some song suggestions to hold you over until the next time:

Saratoga Drag- Luis Russell

Chicken and Waffles- Bunny Berigan

Can You Take It!-- Fletcher Henderson

What a Shuffle- Chick Webb

Blue Minor- Chick Webb

Man from Mars- Artie Shaw

Viper Mad- Sidney Bechet

Back Beat Boogie- Harry James

There's Rhythm in Harlem- Mills Blue Rhythm Band

Celery Stalks at Midnight- Will Bradley

Moonglow- Benny Goodman

My Melancholy Baby- Benny Goodman

Apollo Jump- Lucky Millinder

Riffin- Fletcher Henderson

It's Sand Man- Count Basie

Breakin' In A Pair of Shoes- Benny Goodman

Slip Horn Jive- Glenn Miller

Bugle Call Rag- Metronome All Stars

Traffic Jam- Artie Shaw

Casa Loma Stomp- Casa Loma Orchestra

Click here to subscribe to the HSDS newsletter.

Contact HSDS

A portion of sales through Amazon and iTunes links will benefit HSDS.

HSDS Happenings

Affordable Private Lessons at HSDS

Have you ever wondered if you're getting the moves you just learned in class right or needed just a little more time for questions you've been wanting to ask? How about just taking your dance to the n ext level? Well, we're here to help. Your HSDS instructors are here to serve new and old dancers by offering private lessons at a discounted rate. We understand not everyone need a full hour of private lesson, but just need some time to just clear up some questions and make sure the moves are done right. For $10, your instructors will give you 30 minutes of instruction time tailored to your needs. This is time for you to ask questions about what you learned in class, or improve on how to be a better dancer. To check it out or sign up, come by the front room between 6:30-8:30p every Sunday, except 5th Sundays. All proceed will be going back to the club to bring you more live acts, water cups, and other amenities we provide to our members.

"What keeps me coming back week after week "

The first time I tried Li ndy Hop, I walked away frustrated, thinking "I'm never doing that again." Six years later, I can't imagine my life without it.

Long before any of that, I had developed an interest in big band era swing. When I was in middle school, among the first CD's I bought was a compilation of big band music from the World War II era, including songs by Duke Ellington and Glenn Miller. I enjoyed this music for years before I learned to dance.

I took my first dance lessons in a college class that taught several different types of ballroom dancing, including waltz, foxtrot, tango, and swing. Not surprisingly given my previous interest in big band jazz, I really latched onto swing. That particular class only taught the basic 6-count steps. Later that year, I was introduced to the 8-count swing out. As hard as I tried, I just could not get it. Other than the odd wedding here and there, I didn't dance for the next four years.

Then, two years ago, I was invited by a couple friends to take a class at HSDS. When I arrived and found out we would be learning the basic 8-count Lindy, I was a little hesitant. But somewhere in the previous four years of inactivity, something had clicked. I picked up the 8-count basic a lot better than I had the first time I tried it. My friends that invited me took the lesson that one week and stopped showing up. I took the same class, and haven't stopped since.

Since coming to HSDS, swing dancing has become a passion of mine. I love how it attracts people from all sides of town, from all ages and walks of life and unites them around the music and the dance. For a few hours a week, you can escape your routine and become another version of yourself that is quite different from the day-to-day. Because of swing dancing, I've met people I never would have met otherwise. In hindsight, I wish I hadn't given up so quickly after my first lesson.

~Chris Foster

HepCats Performance

HSDS's newly performance and outreach group, The Houston HepCats, will perform every first Sunday of the month at the Melody Club. Come on out and support the team.

Swing Out of Town ~ Workshops outside of Houston

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.

If you're traveling or interested in more out of town events, please check out: Lindy Exchange or Yehoodi.

Houston Swing Dance Society is a 501(c)3 non-profit association. Houston Swing Dance Society is funded in part by grants from the City of Houston through The Houston Arts Alliance.

©Houston Swing Dance Society, P.O. Box 980581, Houston, TX. 77098-0581 Unsubscribe from this newsletter.

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HSDS June Newsletter

Fri, 30 May 2008 16:33:00 GMT

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In this issue

Hepcat Happenings
HSDS Happenings
Affordable Private Lessons at HSDS
More Dance Info
Upcoming Dances
5th Sunday Dance June 29th
Swing Out of Town ~ Workshops outside of Houston
Balboa Elective
Music Corner

Hepcat Happenings

A new generation of Houston's performance troupe, Houston Hepcats, is spreading the word about HSDS all over Houston. Recently, the group has performed at events like the Spring Branch Education Foundation fundraiser and the University of St. Thomas' Health Week Crawfish Boil. Each of these events exposed hundreds of new people to lindy hop, and hopefully enticed them to come try our lessons. Don't miss the next Hepcats performance around town.

Look for the Hepcats performance every 1st Sunday of the month at HSDS.

Upcoming Dances

Second Cup Swing hosts their monthly dance at Taft Street Coffee (2115 Taft) Saturday June 21st at 8:30pm till Midnight. Only $4!

Demitasse Dance every Saturday (except for Taft dance) 9pm @ T� House of Tea (1927 Fairview) FREE!!!

HSDS 5th Sunday Dance will be held June 29th at the Melody Club and will feature a special LIVE performance by the Danielle Reich Trio. Admission is a canned food donation.

More Dance Info

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.

Music Corner

For the kids you know or just the kid in you, this set of Swing songs are perfect for any playground or on the dance floor. Who said Swing is only for grown-ups?

Click here to see this month's selection.

Click here to subscribe to the HSDS newsletter.

Contact HSDS

A portion of sales through Amazon and iTunes links will benefit HSDS.

HSDS Happenings

Get the most out of your HSDS membership! By being a member of HSDS, not only are you eligible for all the discounts at our workshops, classes, and dances. But by showing that you're a member you will also get discounts from our affiliated associations all across Texas. If you travel to Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, College Station to attend one of their events, you will get their membership discounts. HSDS annual membership dues are only $15 for students and $25 for everyone else. You can renew any Sunday at the front desk by check or cash.

5th Sunday Dance June 29th

Every 5th Sunday is a special dance where HSDS brings to you a fun-filled evening. We have invited jazz singer and HSDS alum, Danielle Reich, to entertain us with her trio on June 29th. There will be a free lesson by Jason & Chansin at 7:30pm followed by a dance at 8:30p.

We ask that you bring canned goods for donation to the Houston Food Bank as your entry fee. Annually, nearly 40 million pounds of food helps fill the stomachs of impoverished individuals in our 18-county service area. Our goal is to donate 10 boxes of food to the Food Bank. So, please help us reach that goal by bringing canned goods to the dance. You get live music, great dance, and doing good all in one evening.

Balboa Elective

Electives for May and June will be Balboa. The beginning session in May will be taught by Terry & Van. Then continue the fun into the Intermediate session in June with Gloria & Wilber. Class time is 7:30pm.

What is Balboa or Bal-Swing? It is a dance that was developed Southern California in the 1920�s mainly to adapt to the crowded dance floors of the era; it's danced in a closed dance position. Bal-Swing involves open swing dance moves. Balboa or Bal-Swing is done in 8 count patterns or multiples of 2; it can be done to slow music 90 bpm or rather �comfortably� at 300 bpm. Come join us in May and June to see what this dance is all about.

Affordable Private Lessons at HSDS

Have you ever wondered if you're getting the moves you just learned in class right or needed just a little more time for questions you've been wanting to ask? How about just taking your dance to the next level? Well, we're here to help.

Beginning in June, your HSDS instructors will be starting a new program to serve new and old dancers by offering private lessons at a discounted rate. We understand not everyone need a full hour of private lesson, but just need some time to just clear up some questions and make sure the moves are done right. For $10, your instructors will give you 30 minutes of instruction time tailored to your needs. This is time for you to ask questions about what you learned in class, or improve on how to be a better dancer. All proceed will be going back to the club to bring you more live acts, water cups, and other amenities we provide to our members.

Swing Out of Town ~ Workshops outside of Houston

Texas Events

Dallas Swing Dance Society is proud to present a one day intermediate workshop with Joel and Alison to a limited group. Register for one of 70 spots (35 leads and 35 follows) for this amazing workshop on June 21st. If you register online by June 16th, the price is only $45(members or affiliates)/$55(non-members). The price covers a 5 hour workshop from world class instructors and the Saturday dance. The workshop will cover lindy hop, charleston, balboa and putting it all together.

Joel & Alison have a full knowledge and understanding of various styles that they share in their instruction. To 'preserve' a dance, you must understand the technique and characteristic fundamentals of that dance. For a dance to 'evolve', you must be open to everyone adding creative elements to that dance. They encourage students to study and be open to "differences" so that they can make the dance their own. Joel & Alison embody these qualities in their instruction and their dancing while remembering the true reason we dance - for *FUN*! Register online at http://www.dsds.org/joelandalison

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.

Beantown Camp
Beantown
June 26 to July 3 Join the Massachusetts scene for another week of fantastic instruction. Dance and make friends with other dancers from other parts of the US and world.

Houston Swing Dance Society is a 501(c)3 non-profit association. Houston Swing Dance Society is funded in part by grants from the City of Houston through The Houston Arts Alliance.

Subscribe to HSDS News and Events via email by entering your email address below:

HSDS March Newsletter

Tue, 06 May 2008 19:00:00 GMT

You are receiving this email because the email address example@example.com was subscribed to our email list through your HSDS membership. Having trouble reading this email? View it on our website.

In this issue

Welcome
HSDS Happenings
HepCats Performance
More Dance Info
Upcoming Dances
Notes from the Teacher Coordinator
Swing Out of Town ~ Workshops outside of Houston
Upcoming Electives
Music Corner

Welcome

Upcoming Dances

Second Cup Swing hosts their monthly dance at Taft Street Coffee (2115 Taft) Saturday July 21st at 8:30pm till Midnight. Only $3!

Demitasse Dance every Saturday (except for Taft dance) 9PM @ T� House of Tea (1927 Fairview) 713.522.8868, FREE!!!

HSDS 5th Sunday Dance will be held June 29th at the Melody Club and will feature a special LIVE performance by the Danielle Reich Trio.

More Dance Info

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.

Music Corner

For those of you that attended the Musicality Elective with Quang and Katie, here are ten songs to get you inspire to play more in your dancing:

Click here to subscribe to the HSDS newsletter.

Contact HSDS

A portion of sales through Amazon and iTunes links will benefit HSDS.

HSDS Happenings

Notes from the Teacher Coordinator

It is always wonderful to see new faces every month, but sometimes there're questions about how classes work at HSDS. Here�s how our classes are structured. Everyone-no m atter their skill level- is welcome in Lindy 1a where we teach you the basics and get you dancing on your very first night. After you get comfortable with the basic in Lindy 1a, you'll be off to to Lindy 1b where we move beyond the basic steps and give you some new moves and technique-oriented concepts to better your dancing. Once you have advanced to Lindy 1b you are more than welcome to take take a refresher course of Lindy 1a, in the same night. After a couple months of Lindy 1b you are ready for Lindy 2; this is where we can help you to become a better dancer by building on more complicated moves and techniques.

Every month, we have a special Elective class to help spice up your dancing. Classes can include the Shim Sham, musicality, or styling and variations. Electives are open to all unless a pre-requisite is stated.

As we work hard to bring you fun and inspiring classes, we hope that you take full advantage of your HSDS membership, and get the most out of it as possible. Don't forget, your fee for class includes any class that�s at or below your level and the practice dance afterwards.

Upcoming Electives

Electives for May and June will be Balboa. The beginning session in May will be taught by Terry & Van. Then continue the fun into the Intermediate session in June with Gloria & Wilber. Class time is 7:30p

What is Balboa or Bal-Swing? It is a dance that was developed Southern California in the 1920�s mainly to adapt to the crowded dance floors of the era; it's danced in a closed dance position. Bal-Swing involves open swing dance moves. Balboa or Bal-Swing is done in 8 count patterns or multiples of 2; it can be done to slow music 90 bpm or rather �comfortably� at 300 bpm. Come join us in May and June to see what this dance is all about.

HepCats Performance

HSDS's newly performance and outreach group, The Houston HepCats, will perform every first Sunday of the month at the Melody Club. Come on out and support the team.

Swing Out of Town ~ Workshops outside of Houston

Texas

Steven & Virginie in Austin, TX (5/16-18)
In case you have missed Steven & Virginie during Lindyfest, this is your chance to see the famous couple in action.

Steven and Virginie's Lindy Hop classes during the weekend will invigorate and inspire the students' dancing by improving fundamentals, adding flavor and style, and incorporating Steven and Virginie's experience and knowledge of other dance forms into Lindy Hop. The Workshop classes will also include Jazz with Steven, Swing Movement with Virginie, and other fun classes.

Live music both Friday and Saturday nights with some of Austin's best live swing bands!

Registration for the weekend is $125. For more info: Four on the Floor

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.

Beantown Camp
Beantown
June 26 to July 3 Join the Massachusetts scene for another week of fantastic instruction. Dance and make friends with other dancers from other parts of the US and world.

Houston Swing Dance Society is a 501(c)3 non-profit association. Houston Swing Dance Society is funded in part by grants from the City of Houston through The Houston Arts Alliance.

Subscribe to HSDS News and Events via email by entering your email address below: