Tonight, DJ Luke Alboa!
Dear Nina, Tena, and Sylvia. You rock.
We at the Jam Cellar are so proud of our very own Nina Gilkenson, who, along with Tena Morales and Sylvia Sykes, saw their vision realized this weekend for an International Lindy Hop Championships that would have incredible judges, top notch competition music, a welcoming atmosphere, and trophies you can knock out burglars with.
Anyone who's been in Lindy Hop competitions for more than a few years knows how hard that is to come by. Overall, the event was incredibly classy, a symbol of the respect the organizers feel for this dance that gives everyone of us the ability to fly.
We'd like to take this opportunity to give some of our DC peeps and Jam Cellar regulars some competition and performance props:
Lee Tucker took first place in the pro-am, dancing with DC's Kelly Arsenault.
Crista Seipp took second place in the Advanced Lindy Jack and Jill with her normal partner Jamie Cameron. Anyone who thinks they had an advantage has never gotten their own partner in a Jack and Jill before.
Doug Van Sant got fourth in the Open Jack and Jill, and we'd like to give special props to him for dancing so relaxed and confident in his first spotlight.
Kate Hedin took first place in the Champions Balboa, and third place in the advanced Lindy Jack and Jill. Incidentally, the International Balboa Champions Nick William and Kate Hedin will be teaching at the Jam Cellar on Sept. 9.
Kelly Arsenault took 1st place in the Cabaret division with an emotionally powerful modern dance piece.
Abigail Browning took 3rd place in the pro-am.
And, a special mention for Naomi Uyama would not be amiss. She TORE IT UP Saturday night as the sultry vocalist for the Boilermaker Jazz Band.
Last, but not least, Luke Albao and Bobby White were particularly jaunty in their Charleston performance. And none were lankier.
I don't think I missed anyone, but if I did, I apologize greatly and will amend it in the next email. Please send me the info.
In September: Balboa Buffet!!
Classes for all types of Balboa Dancers, intermediate to advanced, including a class with International Lindy Hop Champions Nick Williams and Kate Hedin(Sept. 9). Here's the deal: Sept. 2 is SLIDES for all Lindy and Bal dancers. Sept. 9 is Nick and Kate teach FANCY STUFF. Sept. 16 is TURNS AND JUMPS. Sept. 23 is TOP SECRET BAL SECRETS, and finally, Sept. 30 is ADVANCED HIJINX. If you know the basic, comearound, lollies, toss-out and cross-overs, you are qualified for these classes and we want you to come to all of them. Please note, however, Sept. 9 and Sept. 30 will be advanced material, for those at Jam Cellar who know a lot of balboa already and want a truly challenging class.
SAC AU LAIT Dixieland Band at Glen Echo Sept. 12!!
The up-and-coming Baltimore gangster-land dixieland jazz band is the band-of-choice for the Baltimore Swing Scene, and we're excited to give them their DC debut at the Bumper Car Pavillion. $13. 9 p.m.-midnight. Presented in cooperation with the Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts & Culture, Inc., the National Park Service and Montgomery County, MD.
Tonight! The FINAL Pillar of Looking Fancy (week 4 of 4)
What makes a good looking dancer? Natural movement, lines, pulse, mechanics, arms, body positions, move choices, relaxation, flow, dynamic, performance technique, partnership connection, or what? This series will attack these elements of attractive-looking dancing, examining them through new moves and exercises geared to bring out these aspects in your own dancing. For Int/Adv lindy hoppers. Sign up at the door.