The Jam Cellar || Swing Dance and Lindy Hop

This week, DJ Kate Hedin

Spinning mad swing, yo. Also, news on Thriller, below.

Special Series: Learn THRILLER! and perform it twice at the end of October! NEW TIME: 7 p.m. AT THE JAM CELLAR! Begins Sept. 27

ANYONE who wants will have the opportunity to learn the Thriller Choreography at the Jam Cellar and then perform it TWICE, beginning Sept 27th! Jeff Booth will take everyone through the original film/concert choreography with special attention to the history of its moves and the personal technique of Michael Jackson. We will then all perform it Oct. 24 and then again for hundreds of people at our Halloween Glen Echo dance Oct. 29th. Come and be a part of it! The series classes will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. (so it's BEFORE our normal classes) and $10 will get you into Thriller class and the rest of the dance! (Or, $5 additionally each week if you are in a series. That means you will learn the Thriller routine with almost five hours of instruction for only $25 total!)

But wait! Perhaps you wanted to learn it, but 9 p.m. was the only time you could! Well, at the Jam Cellar tonight, we'll have a sign up list for those who want to take Thriller classes at 9. If enough people sign up, we'll have it at both 7 AND 9.

Inter/Adv Balboa Classes with Bobby and Kate Sept 24th

From 4 to 6 p.m., Bobby and Kate will be holding inter/advanced Balboa classes, with all fresh material! The first class at 4 p.m. will be Classic Bal Stuff and the class at 5 will be Contemporary Bal Stuff. It's at DC Dance Connection, 4908 Wisconsin Ave NW. Both classes $10.

THE INCREDIBLE JAM CELLAR HALLOWEEN DANCE WITH GLENN CRYTZER OCT. 29

The Jam Cellar is having a dance the weekend before Halloween, and we're pulling out all the stops. First, we're bringing in one of the greatest swing bands of the modern era, and one of the biggest hits of DCLX ever: Glenn Crytzer and his Syncopators. On top of that, there's The Jam Cellar Show, which will be a lot of performances by dancers at the Jam Cellar, including YOU! if you want to learn Thriller to perform there. Won't it be incredible? Wear a costume if you like, or just dress up super fine. Either will work. More details coming soon. It will be, in short, the Jam Cellar party of the year. And we'd love to have you there.

This week, DJ PAUL ROTH

He will move you. And also, of course, this week is the World Famous Jam Cellar Clothing Swap! This means you clean out your closet half an hour before coming to the Jam Cellar, and put the clothes you don't want in a bag, which you bring to the Jam Cellar. Then you take other people's clothes home with you. It starts in the downstairs room at 9 p.m., after the free beginner lesson. And if you're a 6'2 guy, I've got some duds for you. Both swing and normal clothes welcome.

Room of Requirement: Aerials and Fast Dancing! 9 p.m. Tomorrow!

Most people don't have much of a chance to practice certain parts of their dancing. However, at the Jam Cellar, intermediate and advanced dancers are together all night long. So, we thought, why not give them a chance to work on their dancing with a few teachers around to help out? Tonight in the Room of Requirement, Jason, Meg, and perhaps a few special guests will help everyone out with airsteps or fast dancing. This means, for this week's aerials and fast dance session, they are not there to teach, they are there to help spot, offer some tips, or lead fun activities. It'd be great if you could bring a partner along!

Special Series: Learn THRILLER! and perform it twice at the end of October!

ANYONE who wants will have the opportunity to learn the Thriller Choreography at the Jam Cellar and then perform it TWICE, beginning Sept 27th! Jeff Booth will take everyone through the original film/concert choreography with special attention to the history of its moves and the personal technique of Michael Jackson. We will then all perform it Oct. 24 and then again for hundreds of people at our Halloween Glen Echo dance Oct. 29th. Come and be a part of it! The series classes will be held from 9-9:45 (so it's AFTER our normal classes) and $10 will get you into Thriller class and the rest of the dance! (Or, $5 additionally each week if you are in a series. That means you will learn the Thriller routine with almost five hours of instruction for only $25 total!)

Inter/Adv Balboa Classes with Bobby and Kate Sept 24th

From 4 to 6 p.m., Bobby and Kate will be holding inter/advanced Balboa classes, with all fresh material! The first class at 4 p.m. will be Classic Bal Stuff and the class at 5 will be Contemporary Bal Stuff. It's at DC Dance Connection, 4908 Wisconsin Ave NW. Both classes $10.

New Beginner Series begins WEEK 2!

Our famous 6-week Beginner Lindy Hop series began last week, and if you have a rough understanding of basic triple-step 6-count swing, you can still drop in. And, it's the gift that keeps on giving: Once you pay for the series, you can take it as many times as you'd like in the future, for free.

New Intermediate Series: Building Your Badassness WEEK 2!

Our new Intermediate series, Building Your Badassness, just began, and it's not too late to join. Anyone who has completed the Beginner 6-week Series or Amplifying Your Awesomeness is ready to go. This course will cover new moves, swing out variations, speed Lindy Hop, and much more! It's basically 6 more weeks of material not covered in our other series. Bring good shoes and your sense of childlike wonder.

THE INCREDIBLE JAM CELLAR HALLOWEEN DANCE WITH GLENN CRYTZER OCT. 29

The Jam Cellar is having a dance the weekend before Halloween, and we're pulling out all the stops. First, we're bringing in one of the greatest swing bands of the modern era, and one of the biggest hits of DCLX ever: Glenn Crytzer and his Syncopators. On top of that, there's The Jam Cellar Show, which will be a lot of performances by dancers at the Jam Cellar, including YOU! if you want to learn Thriller to perform there. Won't it be incredible? Wear a costume if you like, or just dress up super fine. Either will work. More details coming soon. It will be, in short, the Jam Cellar party of the year. And we'd love to have you there.

This week, DJ Luke Albao!

This week, all sorts of things are starting: The new beginner series (8 p.m.), the New Intermediate series (at 8p.m.), and the new Room of Requirement (at 9 p.m.). Also, we're announcing a special treat for the end of September and October: Thriller! YOu can learn the Thriller choreography and perform it at both the Jam Cellar and the Glen Echo Halloween Dance. (More info coming soon).

Introducing: THE ROOM OF REQUIREMENT, 9 p.m. This Week!!

We're taking a page from Harry Potter, who happened to stumble on a training room in Hogwarts where he and his friends could spend all day training a wizarding army, and not spend any time whatsoever using it for a party room to make out with fellow wizards the way most teenagers would. Anyway, that's not important. What is important is that the Jam Cellar is getting one. From 9 to 10 p.m. we'll be holding THE ROOM OF REQUIREMENT in one of the side rooms, where a team leader will coach and/or just make sure no one gets hurt running around the playground that is Lindy Hop. Basically, it's a place where advanced dancers can come and play with moves, work on aerials, get creative, and bounce ideas off of one another. We're going to try this out for a few weeks to see how it goes, so if you're at all interested, make sure to make it to the first ones: Sept 6 (Theme: Whatever you want to work on), Sept 13 (Theme: Aerials and fast dancing), Sept 20 (Theme: Lindy Hop Creativity). Price is $5 for the room only, or $10 for Room and Dancing. We recommend spending the next few weeks asking around for partners or friends to go play with you in the room.

Inter/Adv Balboa Classes with Bobby and Kate Sept 24th

From 4 to 6 p.m., Bobby and Kate will be holding inter/advanced Balboa classes, with all fresh material! The first class at 4 p.m. will be Classic Bal Stuff and the class at 5 will be Contemporary Bal Stuff. It's at DC Dance Connection, 4908 Wisconsin Ave NW. Both classes $10.

New Beginner Series begins THIS WEEK!

Our famous 6-week Beginner Lindy Hop series begins again Aug 30th. And, it's the gift that keeps on giving: Once you pay for the series, you can take it as many times as you'd like in the future, for free.

New Intermediate Series: Building Your Badassness begins THIS WEEK!

The Jam Cellar is introducing two new 6-week intermediate series, so that anyone out of the beginner series can learn a lot more moves and the history of swing dancing. Aug 30th begins our second series, Building Your Badassness. Anyone who has completed the Beginner 6-week Series or Amplifying Your Awesomeness is ready to go. This course will cover new moves, swing out variations, speed Lindy Hop, and much more! It's basically 6 more weeks of material not covered in our other series. Bring good shoes and your sense of childlike wonder.

THE JC COMMUNITY BOARD: Jam Cellar Clothing Swap Sept 13, beginning at 9 p.m.

What is the JC Community board, you ask? Well, it's a new feature here at the Jam Cellar, where we will throw up things that are happening in the JC community, and basically cover a lot of non-dancing things. The first is that we'll be having a clothing swap Sept 13. What does this mean? It means, clean out your closet in order to get a sense of accomplishment and order, not to mention a little space, and then bring all those clothes you don't want to the Jam Cellar on Sept. 13 in a trash bag, where you will then get everyone else's clothes to take home and pack into your closet again. It's basically a cheap way to get a new wardrobe. And, if anyone is a six-foot-two guy, I've got some duds for you.

New Blood Night is On!

Though, due to the earthquake and old buildings, you may have to be prepared to wade under some police tape and driving to the center may not be permitted. But come anyway, and hear the tunes of Allen Kerr. and don't forget, tonight is a special inter/advanced class with European Badasses Nicolas and Mikaela!. You won't want to miss their class.($10)

Never been to Jam Cellar before? [This is probably not you.] Well, you get in free tonight. Have a friend who's never been to Jam Cellar before? [This probably is you.] Then bring them , and you both get in free! Free 30 minute dance classes at 8, 8:30, 9. There may or may not be icepops.

TONIGHT: SPECIAL ADVANCED CLASS WITH MIKAELA & NICOLAS from 9 to 10

This weekend is International Lindy Hop Championships, and we'll have many special guests in town. This fantastic couple from Sweden (her) and France (him) has even agreed to teach us a thing or two at the Jam Cellar. They'll be holding a special inter/adv class from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. (that's the only time we have a room available.) Even though they will throw out stuff hard enough for advanced dancers, we still recommend anyone who's done our basics series and our intermediate series take the opportunity to learn from them, as this is a special one-time class. Cost is $10 extra, or $12 with lesson/dance if you didn't get in free for New Blood Night.
You can see there dancing here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KM77LcNYeVE

Introducing: THE ROOM OF REQUIREMENT, Sept 6

We're taking a page from Harry Potter, who happened to stumble on a training room in Hogwarts where he and his friends could spend all day training a wizarding army, and not spend any time whatsoever using it for a party room to make out with fellow wizards the way most teenagers would. Anyway, that's not important. What is important is that the Jam Cellar is getting one. From 9 to 10 p.m. we'll be holding THE ROOM OF REQUIREMENT in one of the side rooms, where a team leader will coach and/or just make sure no one gets hurt running around the playground that is Lindy Hop. Basically, it's a place where advanced dancers can come and play with moves, work on aerials, get creative, and bounce ideas off of one another. We're going to try this out for a few weeks to see how it goes, so if you're at all interested, make sure to make it to the first ones: Sept 6 (Theme: Aerials and fast dancing), Sept 13 (Theme: Whatever you want to work on), Sept 20 (Theme: Lindy Hop Creativity). Price is $5 for the room only, or $10 for Room and Dancing. We recommend spending the next few weeks asking around for partners or friends to go play with you in the room.

Inter/Adv Balboa Classes with Bobby and Kate Sept 24th

From 4 to 6 p.m., Bobby and Kate will be holding inter/advanced Balboa classes, with all fresh material! The first class at 4 p.m. will be Classic Bal Stuff and the class at 5 will be Contemporary Bal Stuff. It's at DC Dance Connection, more details to follow. Both classes $10.

New Beginner Series begins Sept. 6

Our famous 6-week Beginner Lindy Hop series begins again Aug 30th. And, it's the gift that keeps on giving: Once you pay for the series, you can take it as many times as you'd like in the future, for free.

New Intermediate Series: Building Your Badassness begins Sept. 6th

The Jam Cellar is introducing two new 6-week intermediate series, so that anyone out of the beginner series can learn a lot more moves and the history of swing dancing. Aug 30th begins our second series, Building Your Badassness. Anyone who has completed the Beginner 6-week Series or Amplifying Your Awesomeness is ready to go. This course will cover new moves, swing out variations, speed Lindy Hop, and much more! It's basically 6 more weeks of material not covered in our other series. Bring good shoes and your sense of childlike wonder.

THE JC COMMUNITY BOARD: Jam Cellar Clothing Swap Sept 13, beginning at 9 p.m.

What is the JC Community board, you ask? Well, it's a new feature here at the Jam Cellar, where we will throw up things that are happening in the JC community, and basically cover a lot of non-dancing things. The first is that we'll be having a clothing swap Sept 13. What does this mean? It means, clean out your closet in order to get a sense of accomplishment and order, not to mention a little space, and then bring all those clothes you don't want to the Jam Cellar on Sept. 13 in a trash bag, where you will then get everyone else's clothes to take home and pack into your closet again. It's basically a cheap way to get a new wardrobe. And, if anyone is a six-foot-two guy, I've got some duds for you.

So that earthquake this afternoon…

Shut down a lot of streets and closed up our building. (And we didn't find out till we went there, so sorry for the late notice. We tried to get this information earlier today, but got no reply from the people in charge.) Anyway, we greatly apologize, but this means No Jam Cellar Tonight!

We will officially Have New Blood Night NEXT WEEK and start all of our new Beginner/intermediate series the first week of September. We apologize so much for the inconvenience. On the plus side, this will give you a chance to spend a pleasant evening at home straightening all of your pictures.

This week, New Blood Night and DJ Kate Hedin,

We got lots of information this week. Particularly of interest is that next week we'll have a special advanced class, and we're introducing two new Things, with a capital T, at the Jam Cellar. (See below for details.)

First off, though, is that tonight is NEW BLOOD NIGHT!

Never been to Jam Cellar before? [This is probably not you.] Well, you get in free Aug tonight. Have a friend who's never been to Jam Cellar before? [This probably is you.] Then bring them , and you both get in free! Free 30 minute dance classes at 8, 8:30, 9. There may or may not be icepops.

Next Week: SPECIAL ADVANCED CLASS WITH MIKAELA & NICOLAS from 9 to 10

This weekend is International Lindy Hop Championships, and we'll have many special guests in town. This fantastic couple from Sweden (her) and France (him) has even agreed to teach us a thing or two at the Jam Cellar. They'll be holding a special inter/adv class from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. (that's the only time we have a room available.) Even though they will throw out stuff hard enough for advanced dancers, we still recommend anyone who's done our basics series and our intermediate series take the opportunity to learn from them, as this is a special one-time class. Cost is $10 extra, or $14 with lesson/dance.
You can see there dancing here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KM77LcNYeVE

Introducing: THE ROOM OF REQUIREMENT, Sept 6

We're taking a page from Harry Potter, who happened to stumble on a training room in Hogwarts where he and his friends could spend all day training a wizarding army, and not spend any time whatsoever using it for a party room to make out with fellow wizards the way most teenagers would. Anyway, that's not important. What is important is that the Jam Cellar is getting one. From 9 to 10 p.m. we'll be holding THE ROOM OF REQUIREMENT in one of the side rooms, where a team leader will coach and/or just make sure no one gets hurt running around the playground that is Lindy Hop. Basically, it's a place where advanced dancers can come and play with moves, work on aerials, get creative, and bounce ideas off of one another. We're going to try this out for a few weeks to see how it goes, so if you're at all interested, make sure to make it to the first ones: Sept 6 (Theme: Aerials and fast dancing), Sept 13 (Theme: Whatever you want to work on), Sept 20 (Theme: Lindy Hop Creativity). Price is $5 for the room only, or $10 for Room and Dancing. We recommend spending the next few weeks asking around for partners or friends to go play with you in the room.

New Beginner Series begins Aug 30th

Our famous 6-week Beginner Lindy Hop series begins again Aug 30th. And, it's the gift that keeps on giving: Once you pay for the series, you can take it as many times as you'd like in the future, for free.

New Intermediate Series: Building Your Badassness begins Aug 30th

The Jam Cellar is introducing two new 6-week intermediate series, so that anyone out of the beginner series can learn a lot more moves and the history of swing dancing. Aug 30th begins our second series, Building Your Badassness. Anyone who has completed the Beginner 6-week Series or Amplifying Your Awesomeness is ready to go. This course will cover new moves, swing out variations, speed Lindy Hop, and much more! It's basically 6 more weeks of material not covered in our other series. Bring good shoes and your sense of childlike wonder.

THE JC COMMUNITY BOARD: Jam Cellar Clothing Swap Sept 13, beginning at 9 p.m.

What is the JC Community board, you ask? Well, it's a new feature here at the Jam Cellar, where we will throw up things that are happening in the JC community, and basically cover a lot of non-dancing things. The first is that we'll be having a clothing swap Sept 13. What does this mean? It means, clean out your closet in order to get a sense of accomplishment and order, not to mention a little space, and then bring all those clothes you don't want to the Jam Cellar on Sept. 13 in a trash bag, where you will then get everyone else's clothes to take home and pack into your closet again. It's basically a cheap way to get a new wardrobe. And, if anyone is a six-foot-two guy, I've got some duds for you.

Yo! This week! A Band! And it aint Indie-New age, either.

This week(Tuesday): Beginner series (6 of 6) and Amplifying Your Awesomeness (6 of 6). This week in Amplifying your Awesomeness, the instructors will go crazy showing you variations.

Then, there's…

Red Hot Rhythm Chiefs this week at the Jam Cellar!

Surprise! We have a fresh live band for you, kicking and screaming, next Tuesday. Think of it as a way to prepare your feets for ILHC in two weeks. It's only $12. You can hear them here:

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=red+hot+rhythm+cheifs&aq=f

New Blood Night Aug 23rd!

Never been to Jam Cellar before? [This is probably not you.] Well, you get in free Aug 24. Have friend who's never been to Jam Cellar before? [This probably is you.] Then bring them , and you both get in free! Free 30 minute dance classes at 8, 8:30, 9. There may or may not be icepops.

New Beginner Series begins Aug 30th

Our famous 6-week Beginner Lindy Hop series begins again Aug 30th. And, it's the gift that keeps on giving: Once you pay for the series, you can take it as many times as you'd like in the future, for free.

New Intermediate Series: Building Your Badassness begins Aug 30th

The Jam Cellar is introducing two new 6-week intermediate series, so that anyone out of the beginner series can learn a lot more moves and the history of swing dancing. Aug 30th begins our second series, Building Your Badassness. Anyone who has completed the Beginner 6-week Series or Amplifying Your Awesomeness is ready to go.

Those are the words that describe the next few weeks at the Jam Cellar

Next week: Beginner series (6 of 6) and Amplifying Your Awesomeness (6 of 6). This week in Amplifying your Awesomeness, the instructors will go crazy showing you variations.

Then, there's…

Red Hot Rhythm Chiefs next week at the Jam Cellar!

Surprise! We have a fresh live band for you, kicking and screaming, next Tuesday. Think of it as a way to prepare your feets for ILHC in two weeks. It's only $12. You can here them here:

New Blood Night Aug 23rd!

Never been to Jam Cellar before? [This is probably not you.] Well, you get in free Aug 24. Have friend who's never been to Jam Cellar before? [This probably is you.] Then bring them , and you both get in free! Free 30 minute dance classes at 8, 8:30, 9.

New Beginner Series begins Aug 30th

Our famous 6-week Beginner Lindy Hop series begins again Aug 30th. And, it's the gift that keeps on giving: Once you pay for the series, you can take it as many times as you'd like in the future, for free.

New Intermediate Series: Building Your Badassness begins Aug 30th

The Jam Cellar is introducing two new 6-week intermediate series, so that anyone out of the beginner series can learn a lot more moves and the history of swing dancing. Aug 30th begins our second series, Building Your Badassness. Anyone who has completed the Beginner 6-week Series or Amplifying Your Awesomeness is ready to go.

Tonight, DJ Jason Niesz

Incredible music, steady as you pliesz.

New Beginner Series! (4 of 6)

Our famous 6-week Beginner Lindy Hop series begins again this week. And, it's the gift that keeps on giving: Once you pay for the series, you can take it as many times as you'd like in the future, for free. If you prove you can hang, we might let you start this week.

New Intermediate Series: Amplifying Your Awesomeness (4 of 6)

The Jam Cellar is introducing two new 6-week intermediate series, so that anyone out of the beginner series can learn a lot more moves and the history of swing dancing. The first, Amplifying Your Awesomeness, begins this Tuesday. Anyone who has completed the Beginner 6-week Series is ready to go. Or, if you happen to know swing-outs, circles, basic six count, basic Charleston, you're ready to go.

Week 4 will continue our Charleston fun times with Hand to Hand Charleston and several variations! Also, the fourth phrase of the Shim Sham.

New Blood Night Aug 23rd!

Never been to jam Cellar before? [This is probably not you.] Well, you get in free Aug 24. Have friend who's never been to Jam Cellar before? [This probably is you.] Then bring them , and you both get in free! Free 30 minute dance classes at 8, 8:30, 9.

This week, DJ Glenn Scales

His swing will make you quail [with fear.] [We mean, with excitement.] [He's a great DJ, just come.]

New Beginner Series Week 3!

Our famous 6-week Beginner Lindy Hop series begins again this week. And, it's the gift that keeps on giving: Once you pay for the series, you can take it as many times as you'd like in the future, for free. If you prove you can hang, we might let you start this week.

New Intermediate Series: Amplifying Your Awesomeness Week 3!

The Jam Cellar is introducing two new 6-week intermediate series, so that anyone out of the beginner series can learn a lot more moves and the history of swing dancing. The first, Amplifying Your Awesomeness, begins this Tuesday. Anyone who has completed the Beginner 6-week Series is ready to go. Or, if you happen to know swing-outs, circles, basic six count, basic Charleston, you're ready to go.

Week 3 will introduce students to the Tandem Charleston! Also, the Whitey's famous S-turn entrance into Charleston, as well as the third phrase of the Shim Sham.

New Blood Night Aug 23rd!

Never been to jam Cellar before? [This is probably not you.] Well, you get in free Aug 24. Have friend who's never been to Jam Cellar before? [This probably is you.] Then bring them , and you both get in free! Free 30 minute dance classes at 8, 8:30, 9.