Swing dancing, Balboa, and Lindy Hop in Los Angeles and Orange County
The COVID-19 shutdowns are a huge challenge to the livelihoods of our local and worldwide musicians, who’ve had nearly all of their gigs canceled. And, it’s a bummer for us fans who miss hearing the great music they make. So,…
Guest Post by Jack Malmstrom I’m very grateful to Brian Shim for inviting me to share information about a new law that prohibits many workers from being independent contractors and may threaten our live music scene. Musicians invented the “gig”…
Dean Mora and his Orchestra played in front of a packed house at the Cicada Club’s New Year’s Eve “Eve” Party on Monday night. Dean’s band, “Mora’s Modern Rhythmists” was the Monday night house band at the Derby starting in…
On Friday, July 5th, the last Vintage Rhythm Night was held at Dax Hock and Sarah Breck’s Lindy Loft in Downtown Los Angeles. The sold-out farewell event was headlined by Jonathan Stout’s Grand Slam Sextet and Dave Stuckey and the…
I was shocked and saddened to learn today that the Lindy Loft will be closing on July 30th. Dax Hock and Sarah Breck, owners of the Lindy Loft, made the surprise announcement by email this morning. Here it is: Hello…
One of the organizers of Swingtronic at Pour Vous has informed me that turnout will be evaluated this Wednesday March 20th and Wednesday April 3rd to determine if Swing dancing is “worth keeping” there. (There will be no event on…
Swing dancing has returned to Clifton’s after a brief hiatus, to the relief of many Swing dancers. I waited for two consecutive weekends of Swing dancing there before publishing this, just to be sure it was true! Many Swing dancers,…
UPDATE 3/8/2019: It was announced on the Clifton’s Irregular Regulars page that Swing dancing is back at Clifton’s! Sailor Mike will be DJ-ing tonight with The Fabus Four featuring Natalie Mendoza playing tomorrow. Let’s hope it lasts! Original story below.…
In a surprising and disappointing development, Shesha and Nikki Marvin announced yesterday that they are being forced to close the newly-opened ATOMIC Ballroom Fullerton effective today due to the landlord transitioning the lease to the CF Dance Academy, the children’s…
3/3/2019 UPDATE: The Cicada has been closed for a week for filming (something that occurs frequently there). Unfortunately, I don’t know the fate of the free Swing dance nights with Jack’s Cats after the filming. There seems to be some…
On Thursday, October 25th, LindyGroove in Pasadena had its annual Haunted Halloween Ball and it was EPIC! Granted, LindyGroove’s Halloween parties are always good, with amazing decorations, good music, a huge turnout, and most of all, over-the-top incredible costumes.…
In exciting news for the Orange County dance community, Shesha and Nikki Marvin, owners of Atomic Ballroom in Irvine, are opening an additional location in historic downtown Fullerton on August 1st 2018! The venue will be called Atomic Ballroom Fullerton.…
Marshall Watson’s Swingtronic at Pour Vous is one of my favorite weekly swing dance events. The 1930’s Parisian decor, the great Gypsy-jazz bands, and the amazing dancers are why I love this event. They also have great drinks and crepes!…
Are you making any new year’s resolutions this year? Here are my top reasons why learning how to Swing dance should be at the top of your list in 2018. 1. It’s Insanely Fun What is your idea of a…
Shag (or “Collegiate Shag”) is a partner dance that is done by a good number of Swing dancers in Los Angeles and Orange County, usually to fast music from the 1920’s or 30’s. A little while ago, I saw a…
If you live on the West Side of Los Angeles like me, you’ll know what it’s like to constantly have to drive all the way to Downtown L.A. or Pasadena to go Swing dancing. For some reason, the West Side…
Director Susan Glatzer’s Alive and Kicking, a movie featuring many well-known local and national Swing dancers, is getting great reviews among swing dancers and in mainstream media. As of this writing, it has a 98% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes…
UPDATE: The Great Gatsby Ball was a huge success with about one hundred people attending from Pacific Crossroads Church, Vintage church, and other churches plus friends! We were so excited by the turnout! For info on future PCC swing dance…
Finding authentic clothing from the 1940’s is not easy: it can take a lot of time and the pickin’s can be slim. Plus, clothes that old can be fragile. So, I’ve asked local vintage fashion dress company, Loco Lindo, to talk about…
On Thursday, December 29th, 2016, the “little big band” Phat Cat Swinger played to a packed dance floor at the Edison in Downtown Los Angeles. It was my first time seeing Phat Cat Swinger, and it was the most crowded…