Waltz Class Thursday

Thursday night Smooth Classes...........Waltz

Waltz Fun Facts.........

Waltz comes from the German word "waltzen," which means "to turn." It began with the peasants in early Austria, but their wide and vigorous steps became shorter and more elegant as the waltz made its way into higher society and around the world. Considered the first real "ballroom" dance, the waltz was initially deemed indecent in 17th Century European courts because it required dance partners to hold each other so closely, but the scandal only made the dance even more fashionable.

Halloween Dance

Spooktacular Costume Dance Party here at Swing & Sway Dancing

143 Maverick Street, Rockland

 

Friday, October 26th 
6:30 - Twisted Tango Warm-up
7:00 - Dance Party
 

Costumes not required but definatley encouraged. Open to the public, all levels of dancing!!!

GREAT WEEKENT!!

We had a succesful weekend here at Swing & Sway!!
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to Kelly Stangel & Frankie Del Aguila for the wonderful Coaching!! And Dance Camp was a success, lots of great information and technique we and our students are so happy you made the trip! We can't wait to have you back!!

The Cha-Cha

The Cha-Cha......

Come to Swing & Sway tonight to Cha-Cha group class

6-7 Beginner/Intermediate

7-8 Intermediate/Advanced

8-8:30 PRACTICE
In the Islands of the West Indies, there are certain plants that produce seedpods known as cha-cha. These are used to make a small rattle also known as cha-cha. In Haiti the typical voodoo band consists of three drums, a bell, and a cha-cha. The cha-cha is used by the leader as a guide instrument or "metronome" to set the time in secular dancing as well as in religious music and...singing. Thus the dance Cha Cha had its roots in the religious ritual dances of the West Indies.

Cha Cha is derived from two other dances, it is a derivative of the Mambo (Mambo is the name of a voodoo priestess) through its Latin music and it is also a stepchild of Swing (Lindy, as it is danced with a triple step and a break). In 1953 the Cuban orchestra "America" started playing the time-honored "Danzon" with a new syncopated beat. This sounded like a slow Mambo, and Cuban dancers used a slight triple hip undulation on the slow count. Gradually this was changed to a triple step on the slow count and the Cha Cha was born. The Cha Cha was introduced to the United States in 1954, and by 1959 Americans were "gaga over Cha Cha", with dance studios reporting it to be their most popular dance. It is such an "on the beat" dance that you can't help inject your own feelings into it. Cha Cha is still the most popular of the Latin dances in the United States today.

 It has also been suggested that the name Cha Cha is derived from the vocal imitation of the sound of the feet in the chasse, which included in many of the steps. This would account for it being called the "Cha Cha Cha" by some people whereas others call it the "Cha Cha". It is danced "Cha Cha" with the accent on the "1" beat. The tempo is fast, sassy and staccato. Like most Latin dances, it is done with the feet remaining close to the floor (toe steps). The dancers hips are relaxed to allow free movement in the pelvic area as a result of the bending and straightening of the knees. The upper body shifts over the supporting foot as the steps are taken (foot moves, body follows). This hip action is called Latin or Cuban motion. It is very important to understand the musical timing of Cha Cha to dance it correctly.

 

If you don't, it will always have a "frantic feeling" and fast Cha Cha's will be very difficult to dance. Cha Cha music is usually played in 4/4 time generally at a speed of 28 to 31 mpm (measures per minute). Musically it is counted: 1, 2, 3, 4, & or an easy way to remember it is: 1,2,3, Cha, Cha (a Cha is 1/2 beat).

This week............

We've got a busy week ahead...........
TUESDAY - Cha-cha
6-7 Beginner/Intermediate
7-8 Intermediate/Advanced
8-8:30 Practice Time

THURSDAY - Tango
6-7 Beginner/Intermediate
7-8 Intermediate/Advanced

8-8:30 Practice Time

FRIDAY - Christian Clayton & Bonny Branch travel to Avant Dance Studio to offer coaching and private lessons

SATURDAY - Kelly & Frankie, Pro Rhythm Champions come to Swing & Sway to offer Private lessons during the day
2:30-5:30 - DANCE CAMP
6:30-7:00 - Cha-Cha Refresher
7:00-9:30 - DANCE PARTY!!!!

SUNDAY - More private lesson slots avaialble with Kelly & Frankie
594-0940 to sign up or register!

DANCE CAMP & COACHING at Swing & Sway Dancing
....With Rhythm Champions Kelly & Frankie

Saturday & Sunday, October 20th & 21st
Coaching slots avaiable on Saturday & Sunday, call to reserve your slot
Dance Camp, Saturday: 2:30-5:30
We will be focusing on; Rumba, Cha-Cha and East Coast Swing
ONLY $45 for this AMAZING oppurtunity. Come learn from the best. Each hour will be a focus on a specific aspect of one of the dances listed above. 

Call today 594-0940 to reserve your spot!

Followed by one of our hopping dance parties

6:30-7:00 - Cha-Cha Warm-up
7:00-9:30 - DANCE PARTY!!!

Watch Kelly & Frankie Here!!!

DANCE PARTY

DANCE PARTY THIS FRIDAY..........

Join us Friday for a rockin' dance party at Swing & Sway
143 Maverick Street, Rockland

6:30-7:00 Waltz warm-up
7:00-9:30 DANCE PARTY!!

 NO PARTNER OR EXPERIENCE NECESSARY

BBQ Bash

Come to our FALL BBQ BASH

When: Sunday, September 30
Time: 12:00 p.m.
Where: 17 Beech Street, Rockland (across from the public library)

Please bring meat for grilling and/or some sort of dish to share!!
All are welcome, come join us for this end of season fiesta!!

Blues Ball

Join Swing & Sway at the Blues Ball!!

FEATURING SHEMEKIA COPELAND
 
Big dance floor, Cash bar, dressy or casual, you choose!!

Where: Samoset Resort, Rockland, Maine
When: Friday, October 5, 2012
Time: Doors open at 7:00p.m.
 
Call 594-0940 to sign up and get your tickets!!!!

Rhythm Coaches come to Swing & Sway

Rhythm pro-champions Frankie Del Aguila & Kelly Stangel come to Swing & Sway on October 20th & 21st!!

Call today 207-594-0940 to sign-up for private coaching and/or to be part of DANCE CAMP 2:30-5:30 Saturday evening followed by a DANCE PARTY!!

COACHING at Avast

Christian Clayton & Bonny Branch offer coaching and workshops at Avant Dance and Event Center at 865 Spring Street, Westbrook, Maine.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19th

* Private Coaching Lessons throughout the day
* 6-7 Smooth Workshop
* 7-8 Rhythm Workshop
* 8:00 Dance Party!

To register or book please contact Kristin at Avant 899-4211 or email kristin@avantmaine.com

Freestyle Workshop

FREESTYLE WORKSHOP

Friday, September 21
7:00-8:00 pm

A song comes on, and you don't know how to dance to it; what do you do? You learn to Freestyle! White man's overbite step aside--join fabulous-Freestyler Bonny Branch as she breaks down the basics of dancing to any kind of music. No partner or experience necessary! $10 per person

FRIDAY NIGHT DANCE!!

Join us THIS FRIDAY for another hopping dancing party!!  Don't worry about not having a partner, you don't need one.  The only thing you need to know is how to have a good time.  Come join us at 143 Maverick Street, we'll see you on the dance floor!!!

6:00-7:00 - East Coast Swing Refresher Class
7:00-9:30 - DANCE PARTY!!

Are you up for the challenge???  Dance with us!

http://seriouslythemovie.com/nowplaying/

New Freestyle Workshop in September

NEW TO SWING & SWAY IN SEPTEMBER:

FREESTYLE WORKSHOP: Friday, September 21, 7-8pm - Want to feel more comfortable on any dance floor? Want to improve your balance, coordination, rhythm and dance skills? Join us for a high-energy workshop of solo movin’ and groovin’, where you will learn the basic elements of music and movement, and how to dance your body creatively to a variety of beats. From head snaps to toe taps, follow your heart to more confidence on the social dance floor.

Call today to sign-up......594-0940

Friday Night Dance

THIS FRIDAY, August 31......DANCE PARTY!
Open to the public, any and all skill levels. (even those with two left feet!)

6:30-7:00 Salsa Warm-up
7:00-9:30 DANCE PARTY!!
$10 for both the warm-up and the class........Come dance with us!!

www.swingnsway.com
207-594-0940

September Group Classes

Our September Group Class schedule is as follows...........

Tuesdays 9/4/12-9/25/12

West Coast Swing I 6:00-7:00
Cha-Cha II 7:00-8:00

Thursdays 9/6/12-9/27/12

Night Club 2-Step II 6:00-7:00
Tango IV 7:00-8:00

Call today 207-594-0940
or
Email: info@swingnsway.com
for more information or to sign up!!!

Showcase Reminder.......

Thank you to those of you that attended our dance party lastnight.  Did the Bolero Refresher class work those legs or what!!  If you missed this one, don't worry, we have another dance party on August 31!! 

Reminder ----  Showcase informational meeting SUNDAY, AUGUST 19TH at 4PM at the Swing & Sway Studio on 143 Maverick Street, Rockland. 

DANCE FRIDAY.........

Don't forget, THIS FRIDAY, yeah, tomorrow, we have a dance party!!! Open to the public, no previous experience required. So come and have a good time with us!!!

Bolero Refresher 6:00-7:00
DANCE PARTY! 7:00-9:30

HOLIDAY SHOWCASE

Interested in being part of our upcoming showcase??? 

Please join us this Sunday for a meeting regarding all things showcas!! We will be meeting at the Swing & Sway Studio at 4 p.m. THIS Sunday, August 19th.

Visit our website www.swingnsway.com for photos and information about our showcases!

DANCE PARTY - FRIDAY

Did you see our post about Bolero below?? Well this week you'll get a chance to strut your stuff at our Bolero Refresher Class Friday 6-7!!

Of course followed by a hopping dance party 7-9:30. Grab yourself, shoes and a friend and head over to 143 Maverick Street Rockland, THIS FRIDAY, August 17!!!!!

Visit our website www.swingnswaydancing.com for information about us and what we have to offer!!!!

Bolero

Bolero...........

Along with cha cha, rumba, east coast swing, and mambo, bolero is one of the five rhythm competition dances in American style ballroom dance competition. Rumba is often called the dance of love but so is the bolero. The music and the feeling of bolero enhances a sense of love and romance. Slow, graceful, romantic, movements and actions characterize the bolero. Unlike the rumba,...

the bolero traditionally includes rise and fall and stretching actions. During the slow step, there is an extension and lift of the body.

Want to hear some Bolero music, try these:
Classic Bolero - "La Playa", by Chayanne
Alternative Bolero - "The Scientist", by Coldplay
Pop/New Age Bolero - "Give In To Me", by Michael Jackson

Find links on our facebook page!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Swing-Sway-Dancing/153010511420674

August Group Classes

August group classes begin tomorrow, Tuesday August 7th!!

4 week series

Tuesday  8/7/2012 - 8/28/2012
* 6-7 Night-Club 2-Step I
* 7-8 Cha-Cha I

Thursday 8/9/2012 - 8/30/2012
* 6-7 Hustle III
* 7-8 Advanced Rumba*

Not sure what level class you should sign up for?  Thats ok, call us 594-0940 and we'll help you decide!!

See you on the dance floor!!!

Beach Party.....What a Blast!!!

Our Beach Party last Friday night July 27th, was a BLAST!!!  Thanks to those of you that were able to make it, pictures to follow soon!  For those that missed it, mark you calendars for our next Dance Party August 17th.........

Bolero Refresher 6:00-7:00
DANCE PARTY 7:00-8:00

Not familiar with Bolero.....check out this video of a Professional show dance by Peter and Alexandra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4IrqlR9aQc

Thanks to all who attended our Country Two-Step Refresher and Dance Party last Friday!  It was a hot night, and you all made that dance floor come alive!
Join us Friday July 27th for our Beach-themed Dance party, starting with a Samba warm-up at 6:30!