teachers and researchers of traditional jazz dance

DC

Glen Echo Goes to the Races

Midori and I cannot wait to see Saturday’s Peabody race in Washington, D.C., which promises to be one of the best ever considering the size of Glen Echo Spanish Ballroom. These races are always raucous events, dancing’s version of the track meet, where lapping your friend and blistering past the judges can win earn you the title Fleetest Dancing Feet. The last time we hosted a Peabody race (Toronto on New Year’s Eve) only a few feet literally separated the two finalists. Pre-race favorites went down early to long shots. A dark horse couple (who came literally out of nowhere) nearly took the crown, until a two-lead tandem pulled away in a near photo finish.

Hey, it might not be the Wanamaker Mile. It might not get coverage on ESPN. But where else can you be crowned the Fleetest Dancing Feet in the Nation’s Capitol! Only at Glen Echo this Saturday.

One final note: In what other dance contest can you wildly cheer on your friends WHILE they are dancing?

To learn more about this weekend’s event, visit: http://thejamcellar.com/roaringtwenties

Virginia State Open Workshops

Midori and I are teaching at the Virginia State Open (VSO) Swing Dance Championships, held September 29 - October 1, in Washington D.C. again this year (our second consecutive at the event). We’ve got three Peabody and one Charleston class this year. We had a blast last year sharing what we know about both dances. This year we plan on further exploring both dances. Our tentative class list includes:

  • Charleston: Dance Your Way into the Newsreels
  • Peabody: Five Essential Steps
  • Peabody: Breaks, Runs & Syncopations
  • Peabody: Combinations & Dancing Peabody’s Tempo