DANCE CONTEST TO SWING INTO VENTURA.Byline: P. Catherine Shanks
The shanks and tattlers are wading bird species in a number of genera characterised by a medium length bill and long, often brightly coloured legs. / Community Columnist Daredevil dancers are dusting off the two-tone dancing shoes and breaking out the zoot suits zoot suits bizarre outfits with the “reet pleats” (1940s). [Am. Hist.: Sann, 275] See : Fads for the third annual Monsters of Swing event this weekend in Ventura. Hundreds of participants from all over the county are expected to fill Nicholby's downtown for three nights of street swing exhibitions and contests. The event organizers are Lee, Terri and Tammy - also known as The Flyin' Lindy lin·dy or Lin·dy n. pl. lin·dies A lively swing dance for couples. Also called lindy hop. [From Lindynickname of Charles Augustus Lindbergh. Hoppers. ``This weekend is a neat way to bring outside influences to our dancers,'' said Terri Moore. The dynamic dance team is defined by its abundant athleticism, ``air steps'' and aerial throws. Partnered with husband Lee, Terri and identical twin sister Tammy show onlookers how to cut a mean rug. The trio began swing dancing a number of years ago purely by chance. As a natural extension of dancing, the three began teaching the Lindy Hop Noun 1. lindy hop - an energetic American dance that was popular in the 1930s (probably named for the aviator Charles Lindbergh) lindy social dancing - dancing as part of a social occasion to audience members and fans. ``I think it's still considered part-time,'' said Moore, reflecting on the success and growth of Monsters of Swing. Teaching quickly turned into a fairly full-time commitment, and the energetic dancer suddenly found herself immersed im·merse tr.v. im·mersed, im·mers·ing, im·mers·es 1. To cover completely in a liquid; submerge. 2. To baptize by submerging in water. 3. in the activity. ``I go, go, go - then I pass out,'' she added with a laugh. It only took a tiny bit of coaxing from friends and admirers to convince the three to organize an event for their students and other local swingers. In addition to the scheduled contests and nightly dance parties, the Flyin' Lindy Hoppers and guest artists will offer daytime workshops and classes. Dancers at all levels will have a chance to try out a few new steps and pick up some pointers from experienced choreographers This is a list of choreographers A
``There aren't many contests for (the) Lindy Hop,'' Moore said. ``It's like being at a boxing match. It's great energy.'' Ryan Francois and Jenny Thomas are two of the notable outsiders making an appearance this year. Known for choreographing the movie ``Swing Kids,'' Ryan and Jenny are the first Monsters of Swing international import guests. The Flyin' Lindy Hoppers met the dancers while competing against them in a U.S. Open The term U.S. Open is applied to "open" United States national championships in a particular sport, in which anybody, amateur or professional, American or non-American may compete. These include:
Today exuberance is the key word. Accompanied by the sounds of the Blues Jumpers, Lee Press On & the Nails and Flat Top Tom, contestants will show off their best moves. The first two nights promise to be jumpin' with excitement. Sunday night Sunday Night, later named Michelob Presents Night Music, was an NBC late-night television show which aired for two seasons between 1988 and 1990 as a showcase for jazz and eclectic musical artists. , slow dancing is the ticket. Indigo Swing will play, and anything slow will go. Moore said the audience will see ``lots of really cool dips.'' Swing dancing originated in the 1920s at the Savoy Ballroom For the Chicago club, see . The Savoy Ballroom located in Harlem, New York City, was a medium sized ballroom for music and public dancing that was in operation from 1926 to 1958. It was located between 140th and 141st Streets on Lenox Avenue. , in the heart of Harlem. It was there that the Lindy Hop was born. A dancer named Frankie ``Musclehead'' Manning contributed the thrilling aerial maneuvers that distinguish it from its tamer dance cousins. The jitterbug jitterbug Dance variation of the two-step in which couples swing, balance, and twirl in standardized patterns to syncopated music in ⁴⁄₄ time. It originated in the U.S. in the mid 1930s and became internationally popular in the 1940s. , East and West Coast swing and boogie-woogie all evolved from the original Savoy style. The sights and sounds of the 1920s, '30s and '40s will meet and mingle with updated moves and tunes at Monsters of Swing. The Flyin' Lindy Hoppers pride themselves on dancing reasonably true to original form; however, they admit to bringing swing into the '90s on occasion. Vintage swing videos, including hard-to-locate footage, plus zoot suits, shoes, CDs and numerous other items will be on sale through the weekend. Souvenir hats and T-shirts also will be sold. ``The T-shirt design is a lot like last year's,'' Moore said. ``We decided it ain't broke, so we ain't gonna gon·na Informal Contraction of going to: We're gonna win today. fix it.'' Dance classes take place at various downtown Ventura venues. Nightly contests are held at Nicholby's, 404 Main St. For complete Monsters of Swing information, call (805) 643-3166. Information is also available on the Internet at www.flyinlindyhoppers.com. |
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