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, including me, enjoy Clifton’s because it offers Swing dancing in a night club atmosphere. It’s Continue Reading…
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. – Brian It was announced on the Clifton’s Irregular Regulars Facebook group (a fan group Continue Reading…
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 dance school on the third floor of the same building. ATOMIC Ballroom Fullerton opened just Continue Reading…
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 hesitation in re-starting them. Stay tuned for more information when I get it! – Brian Continue Reading…
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. Last Year – A Bit Disappointing? In 2017, I felt that there weren’t as many Continue Reading…
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. Previously at that location was Fullerton DanceSport Center. It was also the home of Inspiration Continue Reading…
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! The only problem for me and other dancers I’ve talked to, has been the late Continue Reading…
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 fun Friday or Saturday night? I guarantee that once you learn how to Swing dance Continue Reading…
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 video on Facebook from an Instagram feed called Live.Collegiate.Shag. It was a short clip of Continue Reading…
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 and beach cities just can’t seem to hold on to Swing venues. The one exception Continue Reading…
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 with 187 user ratings. L.A. Times film critic Sheri Linden gives it a positive review, Continue Reading…
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 the vintage-inspired dresses they design and make for Swing dancers. This is not a paid article – Continue Reading…
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 I’ve ever seen the Edison on a Thursday night. I admit – I was skeptical Continue Reading…
I still remember dancing at the original Memories in Anaheim, where some of the best dancers in Orange County and all of LA would show up every week! I can’t believe that was over fifteen years ago! Memories is now in charming uptown Whittier and celebrated their crystal anniversary with a Black and White Gala featuring Phat Continue Reading…
Soho Dance LA, the “largest dance studio in West Los Angeles”, has ended its monthly Sunday Swing dance nights. The event’s organizer, David Stockin, canceled all future Swing dance events on Facebook last Monday, July 11th after their last Swing dance event with Barbara Morrison, citing poor attendance. The dance studio featured an immaculate 3000 Continue Reading…
On Thursday, June 30th, 2016, Lindygroove celebrated its 15th anniversary with a huge dance featuring Jonathan Stout & his Campus Five featuring Hilary Alexander plus the Grand Slam Sextet. Lindygroove is the largest weekly Swing dance event in Southern California (and perhaps the entire Western United States), happening every Thursday night at the historic 1926 Masonic Continue Reading…
I have not been to this event, which usually takes place in south Orange County, but here’s a writeup from Alec Marken, host of the event: BEE’S KNEES SPEAKEASY & SWING DANCE featuring GOT THAT SWING!, hosted by the city of Mission Viejo!!! https://www.facebook.com/MissionViejoLife/ Made possible by the Mission Viejo Friends of the Arts https://www.facebook.com/MVFriendsoftheArts/ Continue Reading…
On Sunday, May 1st, we lost Amy Denissen, a beloved member of the LA/OC Swing dance community. This is the statement her family posted on her Facebook page: This morning, Amy – our beautiful daughter, sister and friend – is at peace with her loved ones in heaven after a six year journey with ovarian cancer. Continue Reading…
Let me tell you a story of something insane that happened. In 2014, I started helping my friend, Fons, promote his monthly outdoor Swing dancing at the Third Street Promenade and Santa Monica Pier. Basically I would create a Facebook event and maybe post some photos. Sometimes we’d have a decent turnout of dancers, but Continue Reading…
Clifton’s Cafeteria is a cafeteria, vintage bar, and kitschy “natural history museum” all rolled into one amazing multi-level building. It’s one of the last remaining vestiges of golden-age Los Angeles charm.