Swing dance theme nights

[Sagitta]

One way of encouraging participation and popularizing a dance is by making it a theme night. For instance in my area we had a gangsta/casino night with a great jazz band. A lot of people came who normally wouldn't. The swing people came to do lindy...and the others who watched were impressed and started asking about it.

I'm looking for new ideas... What sort of theme night ideas do you have? have you participated in any and how well did they go? Which ones work the best?

[swinginstyle]

Check Yehoodi out here: http://www.yehoodi.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=66107

I just started that discussion a while ago and have received many excellent suggestions.

[Spitfire]

Let's see, the group here put on thirties and forties themes; if you came in period dress there was a discount on admission. This was for a dance they would hold at gym in what use to be a YMCA which is no longer being held. It would draw a fair sized crowd.

[etchuck]

We recently held a "Dancing at the Cotton Club" theme night earlier this month. Unfortunately I didn't go, so I cannot vouch for it. Personally I'd like a 50's sock hop theme.

[SwinginBoo]

There's a monthly dance here that often has themed dances with discount admission. In the past we've had Hawaiian, black and white, polka dots, vintage, pajama, and lots of others I can't think of at the moment.

[Genesius Redux]

Themed dancing can be fun--but sometimes it goes a little overboard. We had a 40s night once, and all these WASPs showed up dressed like they were about to audition (badly) for The Sopranos. Doctors and Engineers of English descent don't look good in double-breasted suits and pinkie rings. Since I live in Tennessee, I was the only Italian.... :wink: