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Houston Swing Dance Society

Chick Webb Documentary

Written by Admin 14 July 2010

 
Have you ever wanted to experience what it was really like to dance inside the Savoy Ballroom, the birthplace of Lindy Hop? Check out this pre-release of a feature documentary on Swing-era drummer-bandleader Chick Webb, Ella Fitzgerald, and Harlem's Savoy Ballroom, produced by Jeff Kaufman. This features Lindy Hop, Frankie Manning and Norma Miller and gives us all an insight into the "loose jointed women and boys made of India rubber" doing the Lindy Hop at the Savoy Ballroom.  

Save the date! Houston's Harvest Moon Ball September 25th

Written by Admin 28 July 2010

Save the date!! Mark your calendars for Houston's Harvest Moon Ball a celebration to honor the spirit of dedicated dancers in Houston! This year's Harvest Moon Ball will be held September 25th, 2010. Houston's Harvest Moon Ball is a collaboration of two dance groups HSDS and the Rice Social Dance Society. It's a night to wear your sharpest clothing and dance the night away with great live music, performances, just-for-fun dance competitions and more! More details to come!

August Elective is Collegiate Shag

Written by Admin 26 July 2010

This elective will blast off your cardio-training for the month of August! The Collegiate Shag, taught by Holly and Cornelius, is a high energy swing dance from the 1930's and 40's. This dance is sure to get your blood pumping, but you'll be rewarded by all the fun you'll have learning it!! Every Sunday in August at 7:30pm.
 

Free 5th Sunday Dance and Lesson August 29th!

Written by Admin 26 July 2010

Beat the August heat with a free Lindy Hop lesson and dance on August 29th! Get your friends and family out of the house before they start back to school again with our famous Free 5th Sundays!!  We offer a free beginner's lesson at  7pm followed by a rip-roarin', swingin' good-times dance from 8:30-11pm! As usual, the 5th Sunday is where we break out the entertainment! We're holding an extra special Jack-and-Jill contest open to our advanced dancers (>1 year at Lindy 2 level). Registration will be limited to the first 8 couples who sign up. Don't miss the surprises and great prizes!

Lindy Friday is Back - August 13th

Written by Admin 19 July 2010

Lindy Friday is the perfect way to start your weekend with a swing, featuring some of Houston's favorite swing DJs, and brought to you by Alex and Samantha. Avoid bad luck by coming to Lindy Friday the 13th! Alex and Samantha want to thank to everyone who came out last time for the debut dance! It was such a success that this time there will be a bigger room and dancing will go until 10 pm. Congratulations to Bobby Mckinney for winning a Houston Lindy Hop shirt in the raffle last month. This time they're raffling off a one hour private lesson with Brian Eley and Anna Whitmire, so mark your calendars now! $5 at the door. RSVP on Facebook.

Swing Dancing at the Chocolate Bar

Written by Admin 23 June 2010

Recent Find: The Rice Village Chocolate Bar (2521 University Blvd) has live jazz music EVERY Thursday evening 7-10pm. The band is Buzz and The Blue Cats  and the play very swing danceable music. They are a very versatile band and respond well to requests; so don't be bashful. They loved having dancers there the last time a group of dancers showed up. Please join us whether you want to dance or just listen and watch the dancers! Since this is a FREE event please be sure to patronize the Chocolate Bar and tip the band!

Houston DJ Summit July 17th

Written by Admin 21 June 2010

Are you DJing and would like to improve your skills? Have you ever thought you might like to DJ?

 Organized by Houston DJ, Kristina Arscott, this is a rare opportunity to learn from several of our most experienced DJs, as well as the whole of the DJ community itself.

 This event will be open to local DJs who like swing, blues and fusion music. The goal is to increase DJ skills and create a space for all swing/blues/fusion DJs to get to know each other. 

The day will offer tips and advice on topics including:


  • Know your equipment and how to pack your "DJ Bag"
  • How to build a great set for a particular gig...for the dancers, the hosts and you!

  • Building and organizing your music collection

  • Making your set flow

  • How to "read a room"
  • 
Resources you can use to become a better DJ

 
All active DJs of any flavor of swing or organization affiliation are invited and encouraged to attend. Aspiring DJs and interested dancers are also very welcome—new faces are welcome!
 
Details: Saturday, July 17, 2010
, 4:00-6:00pm 
$36.99 or FREE with any purchase from Taft St. Coffee at Taft Street Coffee House

 

New Dance - Lindy Friday July 9th

Written by Admin 21 June 2010

lindy fridayIntroducing Lindy Friday, Houston's newest monthly swing dance event. Organizers and all around Lindy Hop enthusiasts, Alex and Samantha, have put together a perfect way to start your weekend off right! The inaugural dance is Friday, July 9th, 7-9pm at the Houston Dance Factory and is only $5. Let's show them some support and maybe this will turn into a weekly event! Visit their Facebook page for more information. 

Swing Out of Town

Written by Admin 30 March 2010

Still on a high from the dancing at Lindyfest?? Here is our collection of upcoming Lindy Hop and Balboa events that are worth your pennies!

 
International Lindy Hop Championships - August 19th-22nd - Washington D.C. - This year promises to deliver an international competition weekend that ILHCprovides fantastic competitions organized, performed and judged at the highest levels possible and inclusive of all nations wishing to participate.
 
Swing Out New Hampshire - September 1st-6th, 2010 - Hebron, N.H. - At SONH we bring together many of the best dance teachers in the world and hundreds of friendly, enthusiastic dancers, for a total immersion experience at Camp Wicosuta. It's a real kids' summer camp in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, surrounded by trees and hills, with both a pristine mountain lake and an outdoor swimming pool. We learn, dance, eat, sing and play together, with four full days of classes and five nights of dancing.
 
Hot Rhythm Holiday-September 17-19th, 2010 - Austin, TX. Hot Rhythm Holiday is an exclusive Balboa and Collegiate Shag weekend workshop featuring world-renowned instructors, hot live jazz and introducing the Texas Balboa and Collegiate Shag Championships. Come visit us in Austin to experience a one-of-a-kind event! We’re bringing the Bal and Shag communities together for one fun-filled, amazing weekend. Start your Holiday by joining us at the Hot Rhythm Ball, a classy evening with dinner, special performances, and dancing. Saturday and Sunday will have tracked-level classes during the day and contests at night. Even if you don’t compete, there will be plenty of social dancing with dancers from near and far—you won’t want to miss this event! Hot Rhythm Holiday 2010 Instructors: Nick Williams, Laura Keat, Mickey Fortanasce and Kelly Aresenault!
 
The New Orleans Swing Dance Festival & The Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown - Sept 30t - Oct 4th, 2010 - New Orleans, LA - A festival of traditional jazz and swing dances! The Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown began nine years ago as a weekend centered around lindy hop competitions. No holds barred and improvisational, ULHS showcased dance contests like no other. Using no rules, boundary pushing contest formats, and focusing on the intrinsic relationship of jazz music and dance, The Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown has become one of the most anticipated events in the international swing dance community. With its move to New Orleans in 2009, ULHS became more than a mere competition event. With more social dancing, more live music, historical lectures, dance classes, special guest performances, and a traditional New Orleans second line, the event has simply outgrown its name. 
 

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Grants and Sponsors

Houston Swing Dance Society is funded in part by grants from the City of Houston through The Houston Arts Alliance.

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Style and Design

Special thanks to the following invidivudals for photos and design elements: Daniel Bosse, David Homes, Buddy Steves.