The Beginner's Guide to The Jam Cellar
Tonight: DJ Naomi Uyama
It's possible you are brand new to the Jam Cellar, or perhaps have been in prison since the move to our recent location. That's the first thing you should know about The Jam Cellar; over 30% of our patrons have been institutionalized at some point in their lives. Another thing you should know about the Jam Cellar is this; our mailer.
Up top, you'll see the night's DJ. Below, our list of upcoming classes and events. There will usually be some surprises, like an essay on a classic swing dancer, or a philosophical meditation, but more often a joke involving the Victorian era.
At the Jam Cellar itself, we strive to provide great music and a great dance floor, and leave it up to our lovely patrons (you) to provide the rest, such as a sense of community and knife fights. We are run by a group of swing dance teachers, many of which professionals or semi-professionals, so education is an important part of what we hope to offer. If you have any questions about anything ever, please contact us. Gretta handles questions involving business and wedding planning, Andy handles questions about the web and urban biking, and Jeff handles questions about pop music, 1953-1985.
Beginner Series starts Tonight!
Our award-winning* beginner series is taught by Jam Cellar's fancy-pants world-traveling dance instructor staff. 6-weeks of instruction, and 6 nights of dancing included for free.
*–2005-2009 Jam Cellar Award for Incredible Class Series
December Tuesday Night Classes Announced
Dec. 1- Tonight! Solo Charleston w/ Naomi One of "the greatest modern female jazz dancers"** will teach a witty and elegant Charleston routine. Inter/adv students welcome.
** – Quote attributed to jazz dance historian Robert White, 2009.
Dec. 8 and Dec. 15 – How to Make Jam Your Jam Cellar instructors will go boot camp style and show you how to jam, dance in front of your friends, reach unheard of levels of confidence, and then drill, drill, drill it by having lots of jams in class. Students in this class will then be prepared to put the Jam back in Jam Cellar.
Dec. 22 – Holiday Party with Jerry Almonte! One of your favorite DJs and Dance historians is throwing a party at the Jam Cellar! He'll be playing some of his favorite swing clips and talking about them. You are welcome to bring snacks and drinks (even adult beverages allowed — consume responsibly).
Clean-up Volunteers needed!
For just fifteen minutes of moderate cardiovascular labor at the end of Jam Cellar, you can receive free admission as well as the love and affection of the Jam Cellar Organization staff, the admiration of all your peers, and an increased prowess among the opposite/same sex. If interested in helping out tonight, contact us.
Boilermaker Holiday Dance! Dec. 22
When making your holiday plans this year, you might want to stick around till Wednesday morning because the Boilermaker Jazz Band will be playing a special holiday show in our very own Jam Cellar. Jerry's Xmas Swing Video Presentation will preceed the dance at 8:30. $10 Admission.
The Complete BIG APPLE Crash Class! DEC. 13–ALL THE DETAILS!
Bobby White has a passion for the Big Apple and classic solo jazz. On a special class happening Sunday afternoon 2-4 p.m. on Dec. 13, He'll teach a two hour crash course on Frankie Manning's incredible solo dance choreography, the Big Apple, first seen in the film Keep Punchin'. He'll get started and go through the whole thing, planning on being done around the two hour mark. He'll even go through many special variations of the classic jazz steps for the more advanced students. This routine is a great jazz and choreography vocabulary builder. Dec 13, 2-4ish p.m. at DC Dance Collective (4908 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016–right down the street from Chevy Chase Ballroom). Price is $20 per student. If you plan on attending, email him (robertwhiteiii @ gmail.com, you will have to reformat for your email) or sign up at the Jam Cellar.
Inter/Adv Lindy Hop Boot Camp! DEC. 19–ALL THE DETAILS!
This is a special 2-hour intense experience that intermediate and advanced Lindy Hoppers have never had before. Run by fancy world traveling swing dance instructors Bobby and Kate, we'll play rhythm games, we'll show you how to critique your own dancing, and talk about the heart of great dancing, things that are rarely done in classes. We'll do drills of all sorts; speed drills, creative drills, aerial drills. We'll show you how to be a better solo dancer, and how to work in a team. We'll show you how to practice on your own, and with a partner. Our goal is to basically make you improve so much during a two-hour group practice session, that you won't be able to wipe the smile from your next partner's face. Dec 19, 2-4 p.m. at the DC Dance Collective (4908 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016–right down the street from Chevy Chase Ballroom) . Price is $20 per student. If the students can comfortably hang at the inter/adv Jam Cellar classes, they will be perfect for this class. We will NOT be covering swing-out technique, except where it applies to other areas of our discussion. If you plan on attending, email him (robertwhiteiii AT gmail DOT com, you will have to reformat for your email) or sign up at the Jam Cellar.
How to Be a Beginner Dancer
1. Ask anyone to dance you damn well want to. Most dancers in the more advanced groups simply get caught in the same trap most people do; they get used to dancing with friends. Ask them to dance, they'll probably be happy to.
2. If they're not happy to; they're being mean and you should not think about them further.
3. I'm from the south, so passive aggression is part of my drawl. But that doesn't mean you can't be perfectly blunt in certain circumstances: You are perfectly allowed to turn down dances to people who hurt you or make you fear for your safety when you dance; If you feel comfortable, feel free to say the reason why: "I'm sorry, you hurt my arm the last time we danced and I don't know if I can do another one tonight." You will possibly save many other partners from being hurt by the same person.
4. If you tell someone you will dance with them later, you should try to uphold it.
5. Dressing up for bands is a tradition among a lot of us, and it's a way of not only showing your respect for incredible musicians, but also showing off how good lookin' you are. And you are.
6. Try to get away with leading/following all your dance moves relaxed; your partners will love you for it.
7. I was EXTREMELY frustrated when I learned to dance, and felt like the whitest, rhythmically-challenged guy on earth. But, I loved the music, and I loved the way the dance looked, so I kept working on it. So, practice. Especially those pesky triple steps. (Damn you, triple steps, stay out of my garden!)
8. When you ask someone to dance, actually ask them. Don't just hold out your hand.
9. If you like your feet to stick to the ground, which is great for fast dancing, consider sneakers that don't have a lot of grip, like keds or vans. If you like slides and medium-speed dancing, consider all-leather soled or suede-soled shoes. Some classics(for men) are Bostonian Cap-toes and Stacy Adams low-top madisons, or for women are any of the eight zillion pairs of vintage-looking low-heels you can find. Some modern shoes are Aris Allens at dancestore.com. Be careful; the classic mens shoes can take a lot of breaking in.
10. Aerials are for showcase opportunities only, NOT social dancing; save them for performances and jams. And, dear god, practice them, a lot, before you show them off on the dancefloor.
11. Striped socks for men can sometimes be found at H&M, Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, and the women's department at Target. (men's striped socks were a big 1930s thing.)
12. Deodorant, clean clothes, clean breath, and a sweat towel should be a part of every dance night. Guys, throw a few extra shirts in your dance bag for emergency purposes. Around this time of year, there is a condition that happens when, walking out of a dance warm and sweating, your shirt and underwear suddenly freeze and leave you a hollow shell of the man you once were. So, even consider bringing a change of clothes if you have a long drive home.
13. Though most DJs will gladly hear requests, don't be offended if they don't play them. DJs are strange and wondrous creatures that, if they're good, understand exactly what a crowd needs. We try to hire only these DJs.
14. (Number 14 was omitted for personal reasons, and doesn't apply unless you even own a goat.)
15. Apologize if you hit/kick/or box someone's ears on the dance floor.
16. Don't use a tightly-packed dance floor as an opportunity to throw yourself around and do lots of large Charleston steps. Some people do this to look cool, but on a crowded dance floor no one can see them anyway. Your partners will like it a lot more if you play it nice, small, and relaxed.
17. Always remember that no matter what, your swing dance parents at the Jam Cellar love you very, very much.