Herrang Death Camp: a serial adventure
Dear Jam Cellar Readers:
Dear Jam Cellar Readers: We received news recently that the small, unstable livestock-cargo plane carrying Jam Cellar organizesr and world-class Swing dance instructors Naomi Uyama and Nina Gilkenson to Herrang has disappeared over the Swedish Alps. It is believed the dance camp booked the two on a livestock transport plane to cut down on travel costs for the instructors. Though smaller than the Swiss Alps, the Swedish mountain range is still a dangerous terrain full of feral reindeer, freezing temperatures, and petit, blonde-haired mountain men who haven't seen a woman for years. However, in a bizarre streak of luck, Nina's Iphone still picks up a signal, and she has sent us an update to let us know that she and Naomi appear uninjured, and are going to attempt to make their way back to civilization. Because many of you are friends with them, I have included their first correspondence at the end of this email. R.W.
Otherwise, it's a party tonight at the Jam Cellar!!!
Intro to Balboa (Week 2 of 5)!
More of that incredible dance that's sweeping a small portion of the nation. Learn why the California swing dance has such a large cult following in the swing dance scene. Drop-ins for tonight's class only for people who know the balboa basic and the come-around. Taught by international Balboa instructors Bobby un Kate.
Intro to Lindy (week 2 of 6)
Learn all about the original intricate swing dance that started it all.
Sign up for the 1-Minute Showcase (August 12)
Do you love watching incredible dance choreography, but the thought of spending three minutes in front of hundreds of people in the middle of a contest makes you curl into the fetal position? Then this is the perfect event for you! It's the one-minute showcase, inspired by a similar event at the great Lindy Hop camp called the Inspiration Weekend (see how inspiring it is?). Basically, you sign up, you come up with one minute of choreography (partnered dance or solo jazz) to a song of your choice, and you perform it along with others Aug. 12. You even get in free to that dance. Sign up downstairs, and members of the Jam Cellar crew will be on hand throughout the month to help you with anything you need.
2 Summer mini-workshops at Glen Echo!
Bobby and Kate and the Jam Cellar will be offering two different two-hour workshops at Glen Echo this July for your quick fix needs. Balboa Bootcamp (8 to 10 p.m. July 17) will breeze you through the fundamentals of Balboa at a lightening pace, while Beginning Uptempo Lindy (8 to 10 p.m. July 24) will breeze you through lightening lindy hop at a fundamental pace. Each workshop is $22 per person. Presented in cooperation with the Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts & Culture, Inc., the National Park Service and Montgomery County, MD.
Email from Nina Gilkenson
Subject: We're okay, but please send help to the plane crash site as soon as possible.
Dear Bobby,
If you are getting this email, it is because my Iphone F-ing rocks. Also, our plane went down and we're stranded on a mountain. Somewhere in Sweden, I'm guessing, since even the animals are thin and have blue eyes. I don't remember much about the accident, but Naomi says that's because I sacrificed myself to protect a rabbit in the crash.
There is no sign of the pilot, which might have been why the plane crashed. It seems like all the livestock animals they were transporting were fine, except that most of their cages were destroyed in the crash, and so now they're trying to eat each other. We did manage to save the rabbit. We've decided to call him Fluffle McChitter.
It's very cold here, and Naomi and I have put on every piece of clothing in our suitcases to stay warm. It worked out for the best, because we noticed several things we had borrowed from each other and forgotten about. Tonight, at least, we have the burning wreckage to keep us warm. However, the snow is starting to fall, and I don't think the fire will last long. So tomorrow, Naomi, Fluffle and I will have to begin looking for civilization.
Anyway, I was mainly writing to see if you could put in your rent check.
Love,
Neeners.
Nina has promised to keep in touch, and so I promise to keep you in touch as events unfold.
