Who Have You Dance Swing With?

[DancePoet]

Hi again folks ...

Who famous have you danced Swing with?

And who here on DF have you danced Swing with?

Feel free to share your stories and insights, too!

[leftfeetnyc]

Sad we're not answering this! I've danced with swing4life (duh, he's my dance partner) and d nice.

[luh]

I've danced with carla heiney - never had such a boring dance :?

almost danced with aina, and nathalie
luh

[dancergal]

I answered this on the other thread " Who Have You Danced C&W With" because I danced both with some but not all that I mentioned. Here's my post. I'll edit out the C&W part.

I danced with:
Rob I.
Richard Kear
Jordan Frisbee
Robert Campos
Kyle Redd (during a private)
Edwin Li

a few others that I can't remember. We attend a lot of dance conventions and sometimes we get to dance with some of the pros. It's great fun and they are wonderful to dance with.

Danced with DFer -Vince and SDGuy at the Reno event a year or so ago. That was a fun event!

[leftfeetnyc]

I didn't even pay attention to the famous part, some of mine are famous-ish (regional):

John Festa
Bill Cameron
Myles Monroe
Demtre Souliotes
Erik Novoa
Tybaldt Ulrich
Hazel Mede-Ulrich
Steve Nereen
Arte Philips
Yuval Hod
Brian Faust
Chuck Brown
Anthony DeRosa (more famous for DJing)
Doug Silton

[dancergal]

I didn't even pay attention to the famous part, some of mine are famous-ish (regional):

John Festa
Bill Cameron
Myles Monroe
Demtre Souliotes
Erik Novoa
Tybaldt Ulrich
Hazel Mede-Ulrich
Steve Nereen
Arte Philips
Yuval Hod
Brian Faust
Chuck Brown
Anthony DeRosa (more famous for DJing)
Doug Silton

A few of your names look familiar to me. Myles Monroe, Arte Philips, Chuck Brown. I'm sure I might recognize some of he others if I saw them.

[leftfeetnyc]

some like Bill are old-timers (not that he's that old, but hasn't competed in a long time)
others like Brian are more regional (based in New England)

[chandra]

Ive danced with swing4life
same as leftfeetNYC mainly regionally well known


angel figero...(sp- im not even gonna try)
jason barnes
john lindo
jason miklic... (may be right)
matt auclair (in a class)
austin murrey
brian spivey (i think thats right)
paul fritzler
jim becker
doug rosaur
ben morris (warm up for a class)
melina remirez ( " " )

[luh]

I didn't even pay attention to the famous part, some of mine are famous-ish (regional):

Yuval Hod


how does he dance if it isn't choreographed. Was it fun?
luh

[leftfeetnyc]

Dancing with him was hilarious. We were at a mixed dance, there was a bal room a lindy room and a westie room. He decided to give wcs a go and I was his victim..I mean I danced with him. He does a lot of slides which is unusual for westies in NYC, but because of lindy his connection is incredible and his lead is just wonderful. It was a good dance. We've got another mixed event coming up in September so maybe I can make him be my victim and give lindy a go.

[luh]

Dancing with him was hilarious. We were at a mixed dance, there was a bal room a lindy room and a westie room. He decided to give wcs a go and I was his victim..I mean I danced with him. He does a lot of slides which is unusual for westies in NYC, but because of lindy his connection is incredible and his lead is just wonderful. It was a good dance. We've got another mixed event coming up in September so maybe I can make him be my victim and give lindy a go.

cool. I really enjoyed his classes when he was in Switzerland. He is a fun guy!
luh

[kansas49er]

I have only been dancing for about 18 months. Since I am supposed to lead, HAHA, and since I feel I have nothing to offer (except boredom or a moment of embarrassed humor) those of the more capable---escpecially the more famous, I will probably not dance with anyone famous in the near (as in my lifetime) future. I understand the principal, I dance with those few are less capable than I, it helps them get started and I learn to be a more definitive lead. But me asking any of those mentioned here to dance would be way beond the pale.

[chandra]

Who knows, you may be asked! Pro girls ask novice guys sometimes... Its not unheard of, there nice!

Actually, the first night of a recent convention, when i didnt know who the regional pros were, I probably asked a few by accident. I dont have a problem asking novice or intermediate guys to dance, but I try to avoid asking pros, as if they want to dance with me, thats there choice, but I dont want to press that on them. :oops:

Dont worry, youll get there in your lifetime!

[leftfeetnyc]

Not all the people I listed with are pros, some are just regionally famous. Anthony De Rosa is a DJ around NYC. He gets asked to play a lot of WCS events, and while good, is by no means a top pro. He's a great guy too.

While it's not good to bombard a pros night with novices, they really don't mind dancing with just anyone. They're out to have a good time and dance, if you ask they will and they'll make it fun. Don't worry about skill level and just have fun dancing with the pros. Personally, I get the feeling it's got to be tough being a pro, no one asks you to dance except this small circle of other pros because the rest of the dance world is too scared to ask. I feel bad for them.

True story: A guy at an event is a clear novice. All the other novice and intermediate followers are avoiding him because they just can't seem to make a dance work with him. As a result he's not getting much dancing in and not having a great time. Tatiana asks him to dance, other followers cringe and feel bad that she doesn't know what she's getting into. Well she sticks to basics, smiles the whole time, ads a little bounce like he's got going on, mimics some of his moves that other found awkward and the guy has a great dance and starts having fun again. Granted the story says something about Tatiana's personality and I've only ever heard wonderful things about her, but it also is proof that you shouldn't just stick to your skill range. He may have been one of the lesser skilled dancers in the room, but she had fun, and he got some encouragement and had fun too.

[kansas49er]

Nice story, and tells loads about Tatiana's personality and her levelheadedness. Also tells alot about her skill level. Like I said, I understand the principal, and I probably understand that the true pros are less hung about it than us regular human beings, but I refuse to try and steer a Ferrari with a mulecart. Does a disservice to the Ferrari, and scares the hell out of the mule.

[chandra]

I agree with that! However, as a follow, for some reason, can get it through my head that its ok to ask pro's to dance. It seems... not right somehow... But I have a problem asking anyone to dance... Im shy!

[chandra]

exactly!

[kansas49er]

You, my dear, are a Ferrari! At the least, given your youthfulness, an MG!

[chandra]

errrrrm.... A chrysler sebring convertible.

I have been dancing less than half the amount of time you have, so... To me you are also a... fancy car :?

lol.

[luh]

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[Hipster]

I've danced with Rebecca St. James on several occasions. She's not famous for being a dancer, but anyone who is familiar with contemporary Christian music will recognize the name.

As for famous dancers, I've danced with Julee Mertz. She's probably best known for being Bill Borgida's teaching partner. Speaking of Bill, I've danced with him during a private lesson, and I've also danced with Valerie Salstrom during a private.

[luh]

@Hipster, you got a fun avatar.
luh

[dancechica]

I mentioned this is the C&W section but here they are:
Jordan
Kyle
Robert Royston
Robert Cordoba
Jason Colacino
Ronnie DeBenedetta
Edwin Li
Myles Munroe
Brent Key
Sarah Vann Drake (I lead her once)
Chuck Brown (he was my first teacher and then I did a strictly with him at New Year's Dance Camp)
Doug Rousar (we're doing strictly at Boogie)
Luis Crespo
Arjay Centeno
Wayne Bott
Rich Lundin
Mark Scheuffle

[wcsjon]

I'm sure I'll forget ALOT of people, but here's who I can think of off the top of my head:
Nicola Royston
Sarah Vann Drake (I actually drew her for the pro-pro invitational j&j at Bill Robinson's swing event)
Tatianna Mollmann
Laureen Baldovi
Blake Hobby
Beata Howe
Ann Marie McCabe (you may know her from dancing with John Lindo)
Deborah Szekely (had to look that spelling up, lol)
Tara Steinke
Jo Thompson (country and swing)
Lisa King
Brandi Tobias
Jessica Cox (droool!)
Debbie Figueroa
Mary Ann Nunez

I'm sure there are many many more, but those are MOST of the ones that stick out in my head.

[hepcat]

I've danced with Carla Heiney, Natalie (of Natalie & Yuval), and Sylvia Sykes. Oh, and I danced with Lavay Smith too. I'm usually too intimidated to dance with Pros, but somehow these few seemed more approachable to me, so I've danced with each once although I've had multiple opportunities.

The dance I had with Sylvia was on Frankie Manning's 90th birthday cruise. It was the last night and I finally worked up the guts to ask her. I was pretty psyched. I kept thinking "I'm dancing with Sylvia Sykes! I'm dancing with Sylvia Sykes!". So I pulled out all my "cool moves". At one point, she misinterpretted my lead (probably my fault), and when she realized it, she proclaimed loudly (and I quote): "Sh**! That would've been f***in' AWESOME! I'm sorry, I messed it up." Although the move failed, my ego was bustin' out after that dance. :D

-Hepcat

[derbyhat]

Smart pros will dance with you if you ask. Remember that we normal folks are technically potential revenue streams for them. Additionally event coordinators that hire the pros are hiring them not only for any teaching they might do, but also to help create a feel-good atmosphere. Pros can't make people feel good unless they dance with you.

[chandra]

Ive danced with swing4life
same as leftfeetNYC mainly regionally well known


angel figero...(sp- im not even gonna try)
jason barnes
john lindo
jason miklic... (may be right)
matt auclair (in a class)
austin murrey
brian spivey (i think thats right)
paul fritzler
jim becker
doug rosaur
ben morris (warm up for a class)
melina remirez ( " " )


Hey, we cant edit anymore!!!

Mike Topal
Carlos Garcia
Michael Keilbasa

Haha, this thread reminds me of alot of awesome dances... Reminds me how much I love swing.

One funny story for me, was the last day of my first convention. It was a really clicky convention, and the advanced dancers werent really dancing with Newb followers they didnt know ;). I thought this was totally normal. I thought advanced dancers NEVER danced with us little people :). So on sunday, Angel figerou... (sp?) asked me to dance... I was totally freaked out, I gave him a really scared little face, and he said "Now what does that do for my self confidance?"
It wasn't a particularily awesome dance, I was frozen solid. After the dance, I apologized, and he said "No, it was fun". (right...) But it showed me that pros werent hard to follow, they actually were easier to dance with (imagine that! lol).
I asked him to dance last event I was at... Had a great dance... I dont think he remembers me, but I sure do remember him!

[Dancebert]

>Who famous have you danced Swing with?

How about dancing with somebody who isn't famous for her dancing? I danced with Kay Lenz many nights at the Crest in Reseda, CA. In 1973 she was the lead actress in Breezy, playing against William Holden. Was nominated for an Oscar, and won a Golden Globe for her performance.

[dancergal]

>Who famous have you danced Swing with?

How about dancing with somebody who isn't famous for her dancing? I danced with Kay Lenz many nights at the Crest in Reseda, CA. In 1973 she was the lead actress in Breezy, playing against William Holden. Was nominated for an Oscar, and won a Golden Globe for her performance.

Wow, dancebert, I remember that movie for some reason. How cool is that? Does she dance WCS alot?

[randomMysh]

I don't know if I've danced with DF people. Probably. I'm really bad at names to begin with, connecting a name to a nickname is way beyond me! :)

As far as the famous people go...

Kyle Redd
Edwin Li
Libbat Shaham (sp?) (I asked her to lead me, it was a blast!)
John Festa
Bill Cameron
Demtre Souliotes
Erik Novoa
Tybaldt Ulrich
Steve Nereen
Arte Philips
Brian Faust
Angel Figueroa
Jason Barnes
John Lindo
Jason Miklic
Doug Rosaur
Mike Topel
Arjay Centeno
Parker Dearborne
Robert Cordoba (last night! ) :)

And that's without taking classes and having been to just a few comps. Oh yeah, and I have a hard time asking pros too, although that wasn't always the case.

I switched to WCS from ballroom over two years ago, and I still can't get used to how wonderfully approachable the pros are. The fact that they are there, social dancing with everyone who asks (er...who makes it through a throng of other women to ask...;) ), is one of the reasons social WCS is as vibrant and exciting as it is. I love it!

[Dancebert]

Does she dance WCS alot?
I used to see her about half the times I went to The Crest in the late 90s, but I wasn't a regular there. Attendance dropped off and the dance moved to a different venue and I rarely went after that, so I don't know what happened to her dance habit. I remember her as a good dancer, fun to dance with.

Wow, dancebert, I remember that movie for some reason.
It was a good film made by excellent people: In addition to Kay's Oscar nomination, Holden was a past Oscar winner, it was directed by Clint Eastwood, a future Oscar winner, the Art Director had won three Oscars and was nominated 9 other times. Unlike most films made in and about the 60s (Ok, it was in '72) it dealt with the culture changes in a openminded, non sensationalist way.

[chandra]

I wanna go to an event sooooooo badly!

I wanna dance with my teacher, and everyone or anyone!

I wanna dance with anyone! I wanna dance with everyone!

[leftfeetnyc]

I didn't even pay attention to the famous part, some of mine are famous-ish (regional):

John Festa
Bill Cameron
Myles Monroe
Demtre Souliotes
Erik Novoa
Tybaldt Ulrich
Hazel Mede-Ulrich
Steve Nereen
Arte Philips
Yuval Hod
Brian Faust
Chuck Brown
Anthony DeRosa (more famous for DJing)
Doug Silton

Updating this:

John Lindo
Carlos Garcia
Kyle Redd
Jason Barns
Jason Miklic
Jason Colacino
Chris DiMaci
Edwin Li
Parker Dearborn
Robert Cordoba
Frankie Manning (I cannot believe of all people I forgot him on my first go-round)
Larry Mongeau
Heavy Grammer
Damon Stone
Phil Onochie

[MAJ28]

(useless post)
With 2 people on this board that I don't remember their usernames, I met them at a social and forgot the names they told me. Maybe they'll see this.

[luh]

katja, (ali&katja) - this was really fun
alice from max&alice (montpellier)- i think it was one of the worst dances that evening - but the evening was so good, so that worst dance was still not bad :)
ida from pat&ida - (paris) fun

[luh]

I've to update my post. I've recently danced with andrew sutton. really cool. Even though i suck a following, it was really fun. andrew is a cool guy.
luh

[luh]

update: Jay Le Roux (Toulouse, France)
Kevin St. Laurent (Barcelona, Spain)
Simona (Bern, Switzerland)
Max Pitruzella (org. Montpellier, France)
Patrick Szmidt (org. Paris, Frane)
Ali (Darmstadt, Germany)

[waltzgirl]

Michael Kiehm

well, it was a hustle, not swing, but it was the best dance of my life!

[leftfeetnyc]

John Festa
Bill Cameron
Myles Monroe
Demtre Souliotes
Erik Novoa
Tybaldt Ulrich
Hazel Mede-Ulrich
Steve Nereen
Arte Philips
Yuval Hod
Brian Faust
Chuck Brown
Anthony DeRosa (more famous for DJing)
Doug Silton
John Lindo
Carlos Garcia
Kyle Redd
Jason Barns
Jason Miklic
Jason Colacino
Chris DiMaci
Edwin Li
Parker Dearborn
Robert Cordoba
Frankie Manning (I cannot believe of all people I forgot him on my first go-round)
Larry Mongeau
Heavy Grammer
Damon Stone
Phil Onochie

Continually updating:

Michael Keilbasa
Jordan Frisbee
Robert Royston (OMG, amazing..is changing my dance world)
Margaret Batichuck
Vincenzo Fesi
Andy Reid (many times, starting months back, but I've been forgetting to add him)
Todd Yannacone

[Vince A]

leftfeetnyc,

I have danced with a few of those guys too . . . during privates with them of course!

[SPratt74]

I feel like such a beginner next to you guys lol. I've only danced with Will Carlton. But we are having a major Swing competition next year, so I'll be able to have more on my list in the future lol!

[chandra]

angel figero...(sp- im not even gonna try)
jason barnes
john lindo
jason miklic... (may be right)
matt auclair (in a class)
austin murrey
brian spivey
paul fritzler
jim becker
doug rosaur
ben morris (warm up for a class)
melina ramirez ( " " )
Mike Topal
Carlos Garcia
Michael Keilbasa

Havent updated this in like a year, funnily, I dont think its actually changed that much ;)

----------
Edwin Lee
Andrew Sutton
Jim Minty
Jason Marker
Brian Faust
Christopher Hussey
Will Carlton
Bill Cameron
Myles Munroe
Tessa Cunningham (both lead and follow)
Tatiana Mollman (both lead and follow: in a lesson)
Angie Cameron (led her socially a few times, followed her in a lesson)
Erica Berg (led and followed her socially)
Sophie Kdepp (led and followed)
Maren Oslac (She led me)
Tera Vitale (She led me)

[leftfeetnyc]

I feel like such a beginner next to you guys lol. I've only danced with Will Carlton. But we are having a major Swing competition next year, so I'll be able to have more on my list in the future lol!

My list is long as it combines WCS and Lindy pros. I'm friends with quite a few of the people on my list, as is Chandra, so it's easy to have danced with a lot of people that way. She and I also travel a lot, as do a few other people on DF -- when you're out enough people start to recognize you and it's easier to ask/be asked to dance.

There are a handful of pros/famous people who I'm still too afraid to ask (Dawn Hampton) and others I'm friends with but am never in the ballroom at the same time. Living in NY there's the benefit that many pros come into town for mini vacations before/after nearby events. VinceA also happens to be in an area where there are many easily accessable events that many pros go to and studies with one of the best.

I'm also very active in the community, same as randommysh, so we meet a lot of people which leads to dancing. Mysh helps run StrictlyWestie which is a forum for WCS and very visable at events, I am on the board for Gotham Swing Club and run a magazine for swing dancers.

The more you start to travel and meet people the easier it will be to get a large list, even at the beginner stage. A good chunk of my list danced with me in my wee early sucky stages and still do now that I'm past the wee early portion. Be aware that just being at events doesn't guarentee dances with the pros/famous peoples because often they hang-out with friends outside the ballroom. I'd suggest taking a few privates with one half of a famous pro couple, as you do that you'll meet more and more pros making getting dances easier. They're nice people, but it can be intimidating if you don't know them (or even if you do..see Dawn Hampton note above).

Update:
Oh and I realized I have to add Chris Hussey as well and Heidi G. of SYTYCD (was going to start studying with her until the show happened). Plan on working Kevin St. Laurant in tonight.

[leftfeetnyc]

OK, breaking this up so it's more easy:

WCS:
John Festa
Bill Cameron
Myles Monroe
Demtre Souliotes
Erik Novoa
John Lindo
Hazel Mede-Ulrich
Steve Nereen
Doug Rousar
Arte Philips
Brian Faust
Chuck Brown
Anthony DeRosa
Carlos Garcia
Kyle Redd
Jason Barns
Jason Miklic
Jason Colacino
Edwin Li
Parker Dearborn
Robert Cordoba
Larry Mongeau
Heavy Grammer
Damon Stone
Michael Kielbasa
Jordan Frisbee
Robert Royston
Chris Hussey
Heidi G. (SYTYCD)

Lindy:
Yuval Hod
Chris DiMaci
Frankie Manning
Phil Onochie
Margaret Batichuck
Vincenzo Fesi
Andy Reid
Todd Yannacone

Balboa:
Mickey Fortanasce
Joel Plys

Cross Over:
Doug Silton
Tybaldt Ulrich

[SPratt74]

My list is long as it combines WCS and Lindy pros. I'm friends with quite a few of the people on my list, as is Chandra, so it's easy to have danced with a lot of people that way. She and I also travel a lot, as do a few other people on DF -- when you're out enough people start to recognize you and it's easier to ask/be asked to dance.

There are a handful of pros/famous people who I'm still too afraid to ask (Dawn Hampton) and others I'm friends with but am never in the ballroom at the same time. Living in NY there's the benefit that many pros come into town for mini vacations before/after nearby events. VinceA also happens to be in an area where there are many easily accessable events that many pros go to and studies with one of the best.

I'm also very active in the community, same as randommysh, so we meet a lot of people which leads to dancing. Mysh helps run StrictlyWestie which is a forum for WCS and very visable at events, I am on the board for Gotham Swing Club and run a magazine for swing dancers.

The more you start to travel and meet people the easier it will be to get a large list, even at the beginner stage. A good chunk of my list danced with me in my wee early sucky stages and still do now that I'm past the wee early portion. Be aware that just being at events doesn't guarentee dances with the pros/famous peoples because often they hang-out with friends outside the ballroom. I'd suggest taking a few privates with one half of a famous pro couple, as you do that you'll meet more and more pros making getting dances easier. They're nice people, but it can be intimidating if you don't know them (or even if you do..see Dawn Hampton note above).


Thanks for the insight. I hopefully will begin my traveling next year, or that is what I'm hoping if everything goes according to plans. There will possibly be two major events that I will get to go to, and maybe a few smaller ones in between. I'm not shy about meeting people though lol. I was the one that went up to Will Carlton lol. That took a lot of guts on my part though, but I thought it's my once in a lifetime chance so I took it. I hope that you guys travel to the one that we are holding next year! It should be fun. I've never been to one, so it will be a learning experience. I don't know if I want to compete, but I will definitely help out somehow maybe by being a runner or something. And if I do compete, I won't expect much at all. Either way I'll be there!

[chandra]

Doh *smacks head* thanks Christina
Also lead and followed Dawn Hampton

[leftfeetnyc]

Doh *smacks head* thanks Christina
Also lead and followed Dawn Hampton

Grrrr. I can no longer be friends with you. Seriously you danced with my 72 year old dance crush.

She tackled me by the bathroom last night to save me from scary dancer who'd been stalking me -- he didn't even let me get my coat off before asking me to teach him how to dance -- hello, I don't even know what I'm doing! But do love her. First she was trying to flag me down and intercepted him after I had ditched him and hid in the ladies room.

Got my dance with Kevin St. Laurent in too. YUMMY! Such a smooth and awesome lead.

[chandra]

ooh, jealous!
All the lindy pros Ive danced with (WCS) always have SUCH a nice connection!

[chandra]

totally forgot about Kyle Redd... *blush*

[SPratt74]

Updating this:

Damon Stone


What do you think of Damon? He's coming to our studio's competition next year, and I'm trying to decide which of these instructors I want to take privates from. I'm only going to do one private per instructor if I can. It will depend on the cost.

[chandra]

What do you think of Damon? He's coming to our studio's competition next year, and I'm trying to decide which of these instructors I want to take privates from. I'm only going to do one private per instructor if I can. It will depend on the cost.

Whom do you have to choose from? I believe Damon is (or was) an actively participating member of this forum. D nice? The thread a couple down on biomechanics and lindy is a good one to read, he talks about his teaching and learning theories etc.

[leftfeetnyc]

DNice = Damon

Not sure how often he checks here now.

I know nothing about his teaching style to be able to say take a private.

I do know he is very knowledgeable about blues and swing dancing.

[SPratt74]

Whom do you have to choose from? I believe Damon is (or was) an actively participating member of this forum. D nice? The thread a couple down on biomechanics and lindy is a good one to read, he talks about his teaching and learning theories etc.

Oh I'd like to talk to him! I'll have to research his screen name lol. Anyways, it's going to be Erik Robison and Sylvia Skylar, Minn Vo and Corina Acosta, Damon Stone, and Kerry Ward. Then it's going to be three others that are locally, and if Damon reads this, he'll know what event this is I'm sure! I'd just like to set up some privates while they are here, but I have to save the money to be able to do so! What do you all think?

[leftfeetnyc]

Those are all Lindy instructors. If you want Lindy, I'd recommend a private with any of them. If you want WCS take a private with Damon.

[SPratt74]

Those are all Lindy instructors. If you want Lindy, I'd recommend a private with any of them. If you want WCS take a private with Damon.

Oh that's good to know! Now I feel better about where I put my money! Thanks! ;)

[SPratt74]

Whom do you have to choose from? I believe Damon is (or was) an actively participating member of this forum. D nice? The thread a couple down on biomechanics and lindy is a good one to read, he talks about his teaching and learning theories etc.

Thanks Chandra! I checked out some of his threads. I also got to see what he looks like. I can't wait to meet him! ;)

[leftfeetnyc]

While I recommend Damon out of all those instructors, please don't mistake him for a WCS pro. He's not. His background is in more traditional lindy and blues (aka vernacular jazz). He just happens to know WCS.
I suggest him only if you're determined to take a private that weekend.

Here's his bio:

Damon has been dancing his entire life. Starting with vernacular jazz/blues he went on to hip hop, and eventually studied over a dozen different dance styles until coming full circle focusing primarily on the vernacular jazz dance, lindy hop, in 1995. He has taught dance extensively on both coasts, and studied the development of vernacular jazz/blues dance regionally and nationally, traveling to the hotbeds of traditional jazz and blues music throughout the United States. He has appeared in numerous local and nationally syndicated television shows (both broadcast and cable), performed internationally, danced in a number of music videos and been interviewed as a jazz dance historian in documentary and for radio. Damon has been a featured instructor or speaker at numerous swing camps and jazz festivals, and workshops across North America, appearing most recently at the famous Harlem Jazz Dance Festival. Damon is also a member of the California Historical Jazz Dance Foundation.

[luh]

+ ramona staffeld

[SPratt74]

While I recommend Damon out of all those instructors, please don't mistake him for a WCS pro. He's not. His background is in more traditional lindy and blues (aka vernacular jazz). He just happens to know WCS.
I suggest him only if you're determined to take a private that weekend.

Here's his bio:

Well, I appreciate all of the information! I pm'd him, but he may not answer I don't know. Either way I guess I'll meet him there that weekend! I plan to help out if they need help, so I'll definitely be there. And hey it's going to be neat meeting another DF'r. :D

[d nice]

Hola!

That Damon guy... plllbbtt!!!

He talks a lot and thinks just because he has studied with a bunch of old people and read a lot that he, oh wait...

I'm sorry someone said my name?

It's like Beetlejuice, three times and I appear.

Monsters is going to be SO much fun. I normally charge $80 for a private, but because I love Monsters and Tammy so much, and miss all my free time participating on this board... anyone who has posted on this board gets a half price private.

[SPratt74]

Hola!

That Damon guy... plllbbtt!!!

He talks a lot and thinks just because he has studied with a bunch of old people and read a lot that he, oh wait...

I'm sorry someone said my name?

It's like Beetlejuice, three times and I appear.

Monsters is going to be SO much fun. I normally charge $80 for a private, but because I love Monsters and Tammy so much, and miss all my free time participating on this board... anyone who has posted on this board gets a half price private.

Haha... I guess you answered my pm question here about privates lol! You don't have to charge me any less. I am so looking forward to Monsters even if I don't get to dance at all lol. I'm going to help out no matter what and take everything in, so I will be there! I hope to see other DF's there too lol.

[luh]

So - Update and a complete list:

Ramona Staffeld (USA)
Katja Uckermann (Darmstadt, Germany)
Alice Mei (Montpellier, France)
Ida (Paris, France) (no clue what her second name is)
Andrew Sutton (USA)
Kevin St. Laurent (Barcelona, Spain)
Simona (Bern, Switzerland)
Max Pitruzella (Canada)
Patrick Szmidt (Israel)
Ali (Darmstadt, Germany)
Annie Trudeau (Canada)
Carla Heiney (USA)
Valerie Salstrom (USA)
Marty Klempner (USA)
Emily Hoffberg (France)
Thomas Blacharz (Montpellier, France)
Dax Hock (currently Montpellier, France)

I hope this is fairly complete.
luh

[Luvs2Lindy2]

>Who famous have you danced Swing with?

I have danced many a nice, slow bluesy dance with the inimitable Dawn Hampton. She does a fine job as a lead and interpreting the music. However, my most memorable "famous" dance was with Ryan Francois. At the time, I had no idea who he was (though I had seen him on Broadway in "Swing"). All I know is that I saw this new, cool dancer at Frim Fram (NYC's regular Thursday dance) and just had to dance with him. He led me in moves I didn't know i could even do! Unbelievably precise and innovative, Ryan is the epitome of what a GREAT lead should be. It was only after dancing a whirlwind Lindy with him that Dawn told me who he was! I'm glad I didn't know ahead of time....I might have gotten nervous with my moves all frozen. Ahhhh....that dance will stay in my memory box for many a year to come!

[Love2Dance]

Haha... I guess you answered my pm question here about privates lol! You don't have to charge me any less. I am so looking forward to Monsters even if I don't get to dance at all lol. I'm going to help out no matter what and take everything in, so I will be there! I hope to see other DF's there too lol.


How many people made it to Monster's of Swing this weekend? It was only a one-day event, but I found it well worth the drive for me. The place they held it was a little awkward to find and still needs some work done on their parking lot, but the event was SO COOL!!! :cool: It wasn't a huge event, by any means, but it was big for the area. All kinds of people showed up with all sorts of dance backgrounds, and it was a fun exposure to lindy hop for me, since I've never really been around that dance much.

I ran into some people who told me about a really cool charity ball coming up called Springfield's May Ball. I heard that it's going to be hosted by a few different ballroom teachers so there should be a decent dance crowd there for a fun evening! I'm going to see what else I can find out, but it sounds like a great dance opportunity for this area!

[SPratt74]

How many people made it to Monster's of Swing this weekend? It was only a one-day event, but I found it well worth the drive for me. The place they held it was a little awkward to find and still needs some work done on their parking lot, but the event was SO COOL!!! :cool: It wasn't a huge event, by any means, but it was big for the area. All kinds of people showed up with all sorts of dance backgrounds, and it was a fun exposure to lindy hop for me, since I've never really been around that dance much.

I ran into some people who told me about a really cool charity ball coming up called Springfield's May Ball. I heard that it's going to be hosted by a few different ballroom teachers so there should be a decent dance crowd there for a fun evening! I'm going to see what else I can find out, but it sounds like a great dance opportunity for this area!

I'm not sure if I should reply to this or not. But to be honest, I had forgotten all about the competition! I am so sorry that I missed you. I had told Tamara that I was going to go, and then I forgot. I have been having such a busy spring though. I have had a lot of things to plan for, so this completely slipped my mind, and I know I'm going to get it too, because I told Tamara I would help out!!! Oh well. I'm glad that I didn't confirm that I was going lol. Oops! :p

And I haven't heard about the Springfield May Ball. I've been paying attention to competitions and things like that only for right now. Is that going to be a competition, or is it going to be a plain night of dancing?

Did you meet a lot of people at the Swing comp.? You probably met Adam. He's a character. I've danced with him several times. He's fun to dance with, but he's pretty wild yet. So, the girls find him hard to dance with. I think that his only problem is that he gets so much into leading that he forgets about the other person lol. He knows the steps, and he's got technique, but he needs to remember that he does have a partner lol, and that it's not all about Adam lol. Such a cutie though, and so fun! ;)

[DancinAnne]

I'm not sure if I should reply to this or not. But to be honest, I had forgotten all about the competition! I am so sorry that I missed you. I had told Tamara that I was going to go, and then I forgot. I have been having such a busy spring though. I have had a lot of things to plan for, so this completely slipped my mind, and I know I'm going to get it too, because I told Tamara I would help out!!! Oh well. I'm glad that I didn't confirm that I was going lol. Oops! :p

And I haven't heard about the Springfield May Ball. I've been paying attention to competitions and things like that only for right now. Is that going to be a competition, or is it going to be a plain night of dancing?

Did you meet a lot of people at the Swing comp.? You probably met Adam. He's a character. I've danced with him several times. He's fun to dance with, but he's pretty wild yet. So, the girls find him hard to dance with. I think that his only problem is that he gets so much into leading that he forgets about the other person lol. He knows the steps, and he's got technique, but he needs to remember that he does have a partner lol, and that it's not all about Adam lol. Such a cutie though, and so fun! ;)


I didn't make the swing event either. Lindy's not my dance anyway, but I'm sure it was fun. Sounds like she had a good turnout.

The May Ball is a charity ball and there are quite a few dancers involved. Should be fun.

And if it's the same Adam, unless there are 2 Adams, he's actually left that studio and is in training at another studio. I've danced a few times with him. And yeah, he seems like a pretty nice guy.

[SPratt74]

I didn't make the swing event either. Lindy's not my dance anyway, but I'm sure it was fun. Sounds like she had a good turnout.

The May Ball is a charity ball and there are quite a few dancers involved. Should be fun.

And if it's the same Adam, unless there are 2 Adams, he's actually left that studio and is in training at another studio. I've danced a few times with him. And yeah, he seems like a pretty nice guy.

Adam with the blonde hair lol? He might have left the studio. I don't really know. I don't attend group things any more. I've had to really cut back on what I can spend. But at one time, we had talked about partnership. But tooooo many things got in the way of that, and I'm fine with it. I wasn't ready to have a partner at that time, nor am I ready now. I just have so much going on that I'm lucky I can get any lessons in at this point. I'd like to get to a competition by the end of the year, but my schedule might not allow me to do so, and that's ok too. Things happen for a reason.

The only other guy that I became familiar with that might have attended was James. He took me under his wing. I keep wanting to call him Matt though, because he reminds me of Matt lol. I've seen him at his place of work a couple of times, and I meant to say hi to him. But he was surrounded by a bunch of workers, so I didn't want to you know humiliate him any if they didn't know he danced. :D

I'll have to think about the May Ball. Charity is always a good thing to support even if it's not a competition. What kind of charity are they supporting?

[DancinAnne]

Adam with the blonde hair lol? He might have left the studio. I don't really know. I don't attend group things any more. I've had to really cut back on what I can spend. But at one time, we had talked about partnership. But tooooo many things got in the way of that, and I'm fine with it. I wasn't ready to have a partner at that time, nor am I ready now. I just have so much going on that I'm lucky I can get any lessons in at this point. I'd like to get to a competition by the end of the year, but my schedule might not allow me to do so, and that's ok too. Things happen for a reason.

The only other guy that I became familiar with that might have attended was James. He took me under his wing. I keep wanting to call him Matt though, because he reminds me of Matt lol. I've seen him at his place of work a couple of times, and I meant to say hi to him. But he was surrounded by a bunch of workers, so I didn't want to you know humiliate him any if they didn't know he danced. :D

I'll have to think about the May Ball. Charity is always a good thing to support even if it's not a competition. What kind of charity are they supporting?

Hope you get to dance again soon.

The ball benefits MS.

[SPratt74]

Hope you get to dance again soon.

The ball benefits MS.

Thank you! I'm thinking about taking my tax refund and signing up with a new contract to get some more lessons in. But then I'm thinking, I probably should save some of that money. Oh well.

Do they have a date set up for the ball yet?

[DancinAnne]

Thank you! I'm thinking about taking my tax refund and signing up with a new contract to get some more lessons in. But then I'm thinking, I probably should save some of that money. Oh well.

Do they have a date set up for the ball yet?

May 12

[SPratt74]

May 12

One last quick question, and then I'll ask my instructor for the other information. Is it going to be formal attire? What kind of dress are we to wear?

[DancinAnne]

One last quick question, and then I'll ask my instructor for the other information. Is it going to be formal attire? What kind of dress are we to wear?

Am hoping to see formal, as it is a 'ball,' implying certain formalities. But am sure it will run the gamut.

[SPratt74]

Am hoping to see formal, as it is a 'ball,' implying certain formalities. But am sure it will run the gamut.

I'm hoping for formal attire too. I think that would be fun. It's not that often you get to play dress up as it is! Thanks! ;)

[Love2Dance]

I found a website with more information on it. I'll keep looking for more info.

http://www.dancewithme.us/DowntownDanceProject/mayball.php

[DancinAnne]

I found a website with more information on it. I'll keep looking for more info.

http://www.dancewithme.us/DowntownDanceProject/mayball.php

I've also posted more information here:

http://www.dance-forums.com/showthread.php?t=17446

[SPratt74]

Thanks for posting all of that information! DancinAnne, have you and your husband ventured out and started a new business? I wasn't sure if I read that information right. I might end up going. I think it's for a good cause, and I want to get dressed up!!!

Oh sorry... you don't have to answer that if you don't want to.

[chandra]

Hehe, in the last 6 mos since I updated this, I dont think Ive danced with any new pros. The better I get, the less pros I dance with. lol. :D.

[DancinAnne]

Thanks for posting all of that information! DancinAnne, have you and your husband ventured out and started a new business? I wasn't sure if I read that information right. I might end up going. I think it's for a good cause, and I want to get dressed up!!!

Oh sorry... you don't have to answer that if you don't want to.

You're welcome. The Ball should be a fun evening!

Actually, we have a couple of dance-related business entities that we've been working for awhile now. Dance With Me is one of them.

[SPratt74]

You're welcome. The Ball should be a fun evening!

Actually, we have a couple of dance-related business entities that we've been working for awhile now. Dance With Me is one of them.

Well congrats! If I can go to the ball, I will. It depends on my schedule and if I have to head out of town or whatever. I usually take a trip out to Philly to see my parents once a year to have a little bit of fun, but I'm not sure when that's going to be this time around. However, if I plan early... then I might be able to go. I'm already thinking what dress I want to wear! Thankfully, my instructor called me today, so I can get back into gear. Weird timing on his part since I was thinking about calling him, but I suppose since I missed the competition lol... I'm going to get a lecture now. ;)

[leftfeetnyc]

Hehe, in the last 6 mos since I updated this, I dont think Ive danced with any new pros. The better I get, the less pros I dance with. lol. :D.

Same.

I find that at the beginning stages it's a thrill to dance with pros whenever you get the chance. But the longer you've been in the scene and the better you get, the less of a big deal it seems.

There's also a difference in "I danced with a pro" and having it been a one-time thing vs. dancing regularly with friends who happen to be a pro. When that's the case you stop thinking of them in terms of a name to add to a list.

[chandra]

Same.

I find that at the beginning stages it's a thrill to dance with pros whenever you get the chance. But the longer you've been in the scene and the better you get, the less of a big deal it seems.

There's also a difference in "I danced with a pro" and having it been a one-time thing vs. dancing regularly with friends who happen to be a pro. When that's the case you stop thinking of them in terms of a name to add to a list.
True true! Totally.
(I realized last night I was wrong, since I updated this, Ben Mchenry & Robert Cordoba. lol.)

[Sagitta]

Ramona Staffeld...from the Minnie Moochers.. ;-)

[Sagitta]

I danced with Ramona, again. This time salsa. :-) She follows well.

[CALI DOLL]

I danced with Bill Cameron, just yesterday at my local weekly WCS party. :D

[jennyisdancing]

I danced with Bill Cameron, just yesterday at my local weekly WCS party. :D

Do I know you? ;)

[CALI DOLL]

Do I know you? ;)


*TACKLEHUGS JENNY*

hahaaha, yes you do! :p

[jennyisdancing]

*TACKLEHUGS JENNY*

hahaaha, yes you do! :p

by the way, my salsa teacher was at the same dance that you were (she had business in the Baltimore area) and mentioned to me that she saw Bill Cameron but was too intimidated to dance with him. So kudos to you! :D

[CALI DOLL]

by the way, my salsa teacher was at the same dance that you were (she had business in the Baltimore area) and mentioned to me that she saw Bill Cameron but was too intimidated to dance with him. So kudos to you! :D

Ohh, what's your teacher look like?

Bill asked me to dance. :banana: LOL! I would never have asked him.

[chandra]

*Raises Hand* Bill Cameron is probably one of my top people to dance with ever! j'adore him.

[etp777]

Jackie Josephs, at first event I ever danced in public (one of our closed regional comps).

Haven't danced with her since then, though I see her all the time. Dance with all the other pros in our area, but as mentioned, t means less since they're all friends, dont' really see them as a pro.

[CALI DOLL]

*Raises Hand* Bill Cameron is probably one of my top people to dance with ever! j'adore him.

Yeah, it was a cool dance. And, he said good things to me so that's always a plus. LOL!

[leftfeetnyc]

*Raises Hand* Bill Cameron is probably one of my top people to dance with ever! j'adore him.

Apparently I havn't seen you in ages - French?

Bill is a lot of fun to dance with - out of all the pros, I was least intimadated to dance with him the first time around - then again I had no clue who he was!

It's funny how after a long time in the scene you can still be intimidated. Most recently (SNE), in the wee hours of the morning, Robert Cordoba told me I should ask Deborah S. to dance. Now, I've know them both for about two years now, like Bill is up there on chandra's list, Robert is up there on mine. But Deborah has always scared me (for lack of a better word) - she's very intense in her personality in a way I find overwhelming. I don't mean that as a bad thing by any means - she's been nothing but nice to me. But she can be awe-inspiring to a point where I'm afraid to say anything when around her.

So Robert told her I was afraid to ask her to dance - which made the situation weirder. Granted that was my own insecurities. I had a very nice time dancing with her, and she even gave me a tip afterwards - but I'll still find her intimidating!

[leftfeetnyc]

Yeah, it was a cool dance. And, he said good things to me so that's always a plus. LOL!

Was he wearing flip flops?

[jennyisdancing]

Yeah, it was a cool dance. And, he said good things to me so that's always a plus. LOL!

sigh....nobody like that asks me to dance. :( When I was out last week, even my own instructor didn't ask me. DC is a much better scene.

[CALI DOLL]

Was he wearing flip flops?

Uhh, I honestly can't remember! I sure wish I'd looked down, though, to find out! :razz:

[chandra]

hehe, yes, its been too long C. Are you going to anything in cali anytime soon? Swingdiego again?

Ive really enjoyed getting to know Bill a little bit more this last year, and dancing with him at events! He always brings the party to late night dancing :D, flip flops and all. Plus I think he was the first champion - high level pro to ask me to dance before I asked him to dance. That makes him pretty cool in my book ;). (err, actually, that was angel figerouagh, but that doesnt count.)

I would be intimidated as heck to dance with Deborah too, for the same reasons! luv dancing with Robert - such a different connection, so... almost airy.

And Jenny - I spent many events either hiding in a corner, or just every once and awhile venturing out to ask these pros to dance, before they EVER asked me to dance. Ive found that smaller local events tend to provide a better setting to ask these guys to dance, because the chances are they arent being as bombarded by as many requests to dance, and they dont have as many other options of champ girls to dance with.
Ive been lucky like that in the MW ;)

[chandra]

etp77, do I know you? If your a chicagoan, and a westie, garaunteed I know you.

Do you ever go to Xdance or Rebels or SOS or Vickis on weds? Were you at chicagoland or swingcity chicago?

[etp777]

Yes I'm a Chicagoan, but I'm not a westie. Or rather, was a Chicagoan, taking a year in Kuwait because it will let me pay off all my debt (and hence, afford more dancing). :)

Had Just started to do a little WCS with my ballroom pro (or rather, with her brother in a group class) before I left, just enough to get down what they teacdh as basic.

Give me a year, and you may see me at those places. :)

[johnbeat]

Hi, johnbeat here. I am a new member of this forum.

I have danced with Tatiana, Deborah at Southport Jive Addiction in England and Tammy Brown when I was over in San Francisco for Boogie by the Bay

[leftfeetnyc]

hehe, yes, its been too long C. Are you going to anything in cali anytime soon? Swingdiego again?

Ive really enjoyed getting to know Bill a little bit more this last year, and dancing with him at events! He always brings the party to late night dancing :D, flip flops and all. Plus I think he was the first champion - high level pro to ask me to dance before I asked him to dance. That makes him pretty cool in my book ;). (err, actually, that was angel figerouagh, but that doesnt count.)

He'll be at the Open, are you going this year?

I'm mostly doing lindy and Festa-style WCS these days, so very few trips to Cali for me - Mostly New England based mixed events and maybe a trip to Canada for the CSDC. I'm going to try to make Showdown if you're going to be in the MN area come September.

[chandra]

yurp, Ill be there tomorrow :D. So excited.

No, I probably wont be around here in september, I'm actually moving out to Cali in january! Liberty?

[leftfeetnyc]

Adding A few - not bothering to grab my old postings though.

Have been thinking a lot about the whole "dancing with pros" thing - fun how excited we get about it - only to freak out during the dance - there's definitly a self-inflicted pressure to impress - we tell ourselves they they're just people like us, but it's so easy to get caught up in the moment wanting to wow them yet feeling so insecure.

I've known and been friends with Festa for quite some time yet I still get nervous everytime he asks me to dance.

I'm friends with Robert Cordoba - yet when he told me I should ask Deborah to dance I couldn't bring myself to do it. Of course he then told her I was afraid of her, at which point she grabbed my hand and dragged me to the floor. Talk about not being able to perform!

It's interesting that we post "our list" and are proud of who've we've danced with despite the fact that those dances are often not our best or our favorites - there's so much going on in our heads that we often forget to just enjoy the moment. One of my least favorite dances was with Parker - not for any reason other than that I was still a relative beginner, he didn't know me, and the magic connection just didn't happen for those three minutes. One of my best dances has been with Mark Eckstein before I knew he was a former pro turned professional dancer (b'way type dance) and after I learned who he was my brain proceeds to get in the way most times I dance with him (although it's gotten so much better and he is one of my favorite people to dance with all time).

That all said, I've since added:
Deborah Szekely (WCS)
Mario Robau, Jr. (WCS)
Mary Ann Nunez (WCS)
Kevin St Laurent (LH)
Steve Drzewiczewski (LH)
Peter Strom (LH)
Manu Smith (LH)


Also, curious - why did this become a "Which pros have you danced with" thread? And what qualifies someone as a pro? Looking back on my list - many of those I put down are moderate All-Star dancers. Yet I left off people who, despite not competing, are better social dancers and often much more enjoyable to dance with (odd how the fear of doing well disapates when the person doesn't compete). Some are even people who you've never heard of and will possibly never hear of again - the magic just happens.

Interesting recent observations of similarities about some of the folks on my list: Manu and Andy - they both have a strong connection with the music that makes them a joy to dance with. Peter and Mark are some of the most comfortable people to dance with - you feel very safe and sure with them. Mario and Robert C. have a combination of the two (although not as secure and protected feeling as with Peter and Mark) and are just a blast.

[Tonya4WCS]

I have danced with the following:
Jeremy Doss
Phil Dorrol
Kyle Redd
Tom Jennings
Marcus Smith
John Lindo
Angel F?
Jason Barnes
Michael Kielbasa
Barry Durand
Mario Rabu

I think there are a few others - I can't think of thier names right now.

[Weebonilass]

Leftfeet,

I believe it became more of a pro thread because it was asked who "famous" one danced with. That to me would mean someone who might be know nationally, not locally or regionally... although our local pros, the Auclairs have been dancing almost out of diapers, so they could qualify.

For me, my "famous" dancers are oldies, so many "newcomers" will probably not have heard of them... my most favorite.... Romero Gonzales. A true, true, true gentleman. I had only been dancing for three weeks when I was dragged to a competition in California. I was so intimidated that I didn't dance a single dance the entire weekend. We went to the Press Box on Sunday after the competition and the California group I was with, included Carlito (can't think of his last name right now). He and a couple of other guys were buying drinks and I was drinking tequila at the time. I was down about three shots when Romero and his dancer partner at the time came in. Carlito dared me to ask him to dance. I took him up on it and found myself doing moves that I had no idea how I did them. Came back to the table and Carlito asked me how it was... I grinned and told him it was better than sex :D

I was priviledged to dance with Romero several years in Phoenix and he never turned me down, even making me sit next to him when a rather fast song came on and he asked me to wait for something a little slower (The song was "Wild, Wild West." I've never had any pro or star do that before or since.

Being from Phoenix, we had all the big names showing up there and they were always available for dancing during the 4th of July Convention. Barry Jones, Randy Clements, Mark the Marine (not going to slaughter his last name), Atlas Griffith, Lance Schoemon..... dancers that were all stars/pros while most of the pros now were still dancing in juniors :)

[Silveralsa]

Well, I've been blessed to dance with a lot of the greats here in Southern California.

Lindy: Tip West, Erik Robison, Sailor Mike, Steve Garrett, Nick Williams, Jeremy Otth, Ben Morris, and others...

West Coast: Ben Morris, Michael Kielbasa, Jordan Frisbee, Luis Crespo, Robert Cordoba, Mark Scheuffele and more...

[Silveralsa]

Mark the Marine (not going to slaughter his last name)

Ha! So I'm not the only one who knows him as Mark the Marine... I didn't even KNOW his last name and I've danced with him several times, had to look it up...

[Terpsichorean Clod]

Pros:
Kelly Casanova (during a group class rotation and I got told off for being ballroom-y :oops:)

DFers:
Laura
Zhena

[Silveralsa]

Pros:
Kelly Casanova (during a group class rotation and I got told off for being ballroom-y :oops:)



A group class and told you off??? Like somewhat snobby/meanly, or a "you need to work on this..."

[JustLiving08]

True story: A guy at an event is a clear novice. All the other novice and intermediate followers are avoiding him because they just can't seem to make a dance work with him. As a result he's not getting much dancing in and not having a great time. Tatiana asks him to dance, other followers cringe and feel bad that she doesn't know what she's getting into. Well she sticks to basics, smiles the whole time, ads a little bounce like he's got going on, mimics some of his moves that other found awkward and the guy has a great dance and starts having fun again. Granted the story says something about Tatiana's personality and I've only ever heard wonderful things about her, but it also is proof that you shouldn't just stick to your skill range. He may have been one of the lesser skilled dancers in the room, but she had fun, and he got some encouragement and had fun too.

One funny story for me, was the last day of my first convention. It was a really clicky convention, and the advanced dancers werent really dancing with Newb followers they didnt know . I thought this was totally normal. I thought advanced dancers NEVER danced with us little people . So on sunday, Angel figerou... (sp?) asked me to dance... I was totally freaked out, I gave him a really scared little face, and he said "Now what does that do for my self confidance?"
It wasn't a particularily awesome dance, I was frozen solid. After the dance, I apologized, and he said "No, it was fun". (right...) But it showed me that pros werent hard to follow, they actually were easier to dance with (imagine that! lol).

Awww, those stories make me smile! =)

[JustLiving08]

Aside from a few that said the pro asked them to dance... in the majority of the cases, was it you who had to approach the pro first to ask for a dance?

[Zhena]

Pro --
Nick Kosovich. I asked him (or rather I asked him if it was OK if I asked him ... I wanted to give him half a chance to say no). He was just standing to the side, not talking to anyone, so I took the chance.

DFers --
TC
Gorme

[Terpsichorean Clod]

A group class and told you off??? Like somewhat snobby/meanly, or a "you need to work on this..."
More like a long-suffering, "Stop that! This is WCS". :) I wouldn't be surprised if she gets a lot of dancers with ballroom habits coming into that class (it's taught at a predominantly ballroom studio).

[Silveralsa]

More like a long-suffering, "Stop that! This is WCS". :) I wouldn't be surprised if she gets a lot of dancers with ballroom habits coming into that class (it's taught at a predominantly ballroom studio).

Lol, ah, gotcha... well, in a way, ballroom background is usually ALOT better than a ballet background or other solo dancing. I've found my friends with more solo background have a really hard time with the fact that it's a partner dance. Plus, they always want to go up on their toes. Then again, even "I" struggle with toes and I never took any...

[Terpsichorean Clod]

Also, she herself originally came from a ballroom background, so she understands. Funny, she's not the only one. Like Arjay Centeno and Melissa Rutz. Hmmm...
Lol, ah, gotcha... well, in a way, ballroom background is usually ALOT better than a ballet background or other solo dancing. I've found my friends with more solo background have a really hard time with the fact that it's a partner dance. Plus, they always want to go up on their toes. Then again, even "I" struggle with toes and I never took any...Sometimes, it feels like it may be better to come into a new dance with no habits, rather than with some habits, good and bad. :)

[Silveralsa]

Also, she herself originally came from a ballroom background, so she understands. Funny, she's not the only one. Like Arjay Centeno and Melissa Rutz. Hmmm...
Sometimes, it feels like it may be better to come into a new dance with no habits, rather than with some habits, good and bad. :)

Most definitely! Took forever to get the Lindy out of my WCS...

[Terpsichorean Clod]

Sounds painful! I didn't stick around long enough in that WCS class to get my ballroom beaten out of me. :grin:

[Silveralsa]

Sounds painful! I didn't stick around long enough in that WCS class to get my ballroom beaten out of me. :grin:

LOL... eh, it's not out of me, just whimpering and hiding in a corner ;)

[Terpsichorean Clod]

Isn't duct tape a popular solution in the swing community? Gag it. ;)

[Silveralsa]

LOL, yeah, but it keeps "sliding" away before I can get it...

[Terpsichorean Clod]

LOL, yeah, but it keeps "sliding" away before I can get it...
Set shoe brush to "stun" first. Then employ duct tape. ;)

[Silveralsa]

Set shoe brush to "stun" first. Then employ duct tape. ;)

Eh, I'll just get some nanoprobes... much easier to subdue, and then resistance is futile ;)

[Terpsichorean Clod]

resistance is futile ;)
You will be assimilated.

Wait a minute...

[Silveralsa]

You will be assimilated.

Wait a minute...

Hahahahaha.... sorry, big Trekkie here... couldn't resist :applause:

[Terpsichorean Clod]

Hahahahaha.... sorry, big Trekkie here... couldn't resist :applause:
Did you see this thread? http://danceforums.com/showthread.php?t=33800

[Silveralsa]

Did you see this thread? http://danceforums.com/showthread.php?t=33800

I hadn't seen it, that's awesome!!! :banana: