Greater Austin Dancers,
We hope you're all enjoying a great holiday weekend celebrating our Independence Day. It's been one fine week for dancing in Austin, thanks to many of you. We especially want to thank Carson & Kristy Watson for hosting a spectacular 4th of July Dance at Austin Uptown Dance. We learned some very nice moves in their Western Waltz workshop, enjoyed dancing to every selection they played, and really appreciated the delicious raspberries, blueberries, and watermellon adding the perfect touch to one fine day.
We also want to thank Juan Cabral for leading a fantastic Salsa Series that concluded yesterday with remarkable results. We know this group would be delighted to share that experience with many more of you, so if you're interested in learning Salsa with Juan, just let us know and we'll see if we can help make that happen.
In the meantime, the week ahead offers lots of great dancing for your enjoyment. Here are some highlights we hope you don't miss.
Sunday, July 6
This afternoon at QuickSilver, Valerie Ryan begins a new four-week series of East Coast Swing and Jitterbug (Single Step Swing) from 1 to 3pm, followed by Intermediate West Coast Swing from 3 to 5pm, Open Practice from 5 to 6pm, and Team Practice from 6 to 7pm. The first class is just right even for first time dancers to learn rhythm, footwork, connection, and lead or follow through many social patterns. Experienced dancers should also enjoy working on technique and styling while reviewing the basics of Swing. The West Coast Swing class is also great fun, offering a unique opportunity for more experienced dancers to learn a greater variety of more challenging patterns in a sizeable class of fine dancers. Open Practice offers a nice selection of dance music by request at no charge for all dancers, including those who have never been there before. Team practice builds choreography, audience awareness, and performance skills with East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, Two Step, and Cha Cha for performances at senior centers, nursing homes, and special venues.
At 6pm, many dancers also enjoy a variety of Country & Western dancing at Austin Uptown Dance and Go Dance. Uptown includes pizza, refreshments, and a 6pm workshop, all for just $5, or free for currently enrolled students. Go Dance includes C&W dancing from 6 to 8pm, West Coast Swing from 8 to 9:30, and Salsa/Latin dancing from 9:30 to 12:30, including a lesson prior to each dance style.
Also this Sunday at 8pm, enjoy Lindy Style Blues Dancing at the Copa Bar and Grill, hosted by the Lindy Project and the Austin Blues Party.
Monday, July 7
At 6:30 this Monday, Mike Topel begins a new Beginner Hustle series at Austin Uptown Dance, making this a perfect opportunity for dancers to learn and practice basic Hustle. More experienced dancers should also enjoy working on technique and styling while revisiting Hustle basics. If you want to build your Hustle repertoire while making the most of Hustle in Austin, don't let this chance to dance with Mike and friends slip away.
A full house of fine dancers are also going to enjoy Advanced Two Step this Monday night as Valerie Ryan begins a new four-week series from 7 to 9pm at QuickSilver. Space permitting, a few more dancers may join the fun with instructor approval.
Also on Mondays, enjoy dancing at the Oasis, including a 7pm C&W Lesson with John Luper. This is a beautiful venue with a spectacular sunset view of Lake Travis and a nice dance floor. An abundance of guys means it's ladies' choice for all the dancing you desire. The DJ is very receptive to requests, and willing to play any music you bring. With your support, this venue should add to the fun of dancing in Austin for some time.
Also on Mondays at 8pm, Jake Haning and Taletha Jouzdani host a weekly West Coast Swing dance at Go Dance. Arrive early and enjoy Jake and Taletha's free bonus move before the party begins!
Tuesday, July 8
At 8pm this Tuesday, Swing Champion Angel Figueroa begins a four-week intermediate West Coast Swing series at the Shirley McPhail School of Dance, about a mile off MoPac on Spicewood Springs Rd at Mesa Dr. This fun class introduces many unique moves in leadable patterns reviewed and practiced throughout the month. Sample one class for $15, or get four classes for the price of three at just $45 for the series. Whether you simply know the basics or are far more advanced, you're sure to learn some very cool moves you can really use in and out of class.
Then at 9pm, Angel offers Argentine Tango at the same location. Austin offers a variety of fun venues to enjoy Argentine Tango, including the EsquinaTango Cultural Society of Austin. Many fine dancers prefer Argentine Tango to every other dance. If you want to develop and refine your ability to lead or follow, see what a little Tango can do for your dancing.
Thursday, July 10
At 6:30 this Thursday, the delightful Carmen Goodman returns to the Whip Club for a special 90-minute intermediate West Coast Swing workshop on Cortes with Vernon Lemens. Many Austin dancers know Carmen as a nationally recognized performer, instructor, coach, choreographer, and competitive judge. This session is free and open to all intermediate or advanced West Coast Swing dancers. You do not need a partner, and do not need to be a member of the club. Visitors are also invited to sample the level 2 class at 7pm, or at 8:30, your choice of a level 1 or level 3 class, the latter with Tim Allman. It's always fun when Carmen comes to town, and we look forward to seeing you there.
Friday, July 11
The fun continues at Austin Uptown Dance as Juan Cabral begins a new intermediate Cha Cha series at 6pm, followed by intermediate Rumba at 7pm. This is half an hour earlier and in reversed order from last month. Juan's unique teaching methods develop the fine art of dancing by projecting and reading body language, rather than memorizing mechanical steps or wrestling with your partner. We have witnessed several dancers acquire new moves or an entirely new dance, quickly surpassing more experienced dancers after a single session with Juan. You're sure to enjoy these sensual Latin classics, and we look forward to seeing you there.
Also at 6pm this Friday at Austin Uptown Dance, enjoy a Country & Western Workshop and Dance, blending into Ballroom, Swing, Salsa, and Latin dancing around 9pm. Requests are always welcome, and light refreshments are served. Enjoy it all for just $5 or at no charge for currently enrolled Uptown dancers.
Saturday, July 12
At 7:30pm, Jake Haning and Taletha Jouzdani offer an intermediate West Coast Swing workshop at Go Dance on their newest creations of unique patterns "guaranteed to get the ladies giggling" plus sassy styling tips for ladies to catch every guy's attention. Just $15 for the workshop includes the $5 West Coast Swing Dance that follows at 8:30. Their last West Coast Swing dance packed the house with all kinds of dancers from all over Texas. We had a great time and look forward to seeing many of you again.
Many Country & Western dancers should also enjoy Midnight Rodeo Austin on Saturday nights. Guys are just $5, and ladies are free.
This newsletter just hits the highlights of a few special occasions for dancing in Austin each week. There is so much more to see and do, we could hardly begin to describe it all here, so we do our best to pack it all into our Dancing in Austin calendar. The top of that page offers a few navigation buttons. One links to our list of Greater Austin Dancers, showing who subscribes to our weekly
Come join the fun, dancing in Austin this week.
J&D
James is a Web developer now seeking full time employment, all leads appreciated.
Dolores is a personal trainer and instructor in Pilates, fitness and nutrition.