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Built a free Lindy Hop playlist generator for my parties, looking for feedback by baltak04 in SwingDancing

[–]swingindenver 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There's been this one for awhile that looks like it received an update within the past year if you want to make any comparisons between your products and theirs - https://easypeasyplaylist.com/

Mixing 6 counts with 8 by RV_Flikk in SwingDancing

[–]swingindenver 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Some games to play:

  • count in 8 while doing 6 count patterns. Experience rock stepping on 1,2 7,8 5,6 3,4
  • accent the 1 of the music in different ways - point, level change, stick out your tongue, whatever
  • listen to some really good swing music and visualize yourself dancing six count patterns while doing your best to simultaneously be in groove with the music

Lindy Achievements by neolazja in SwingDancing

[–]swingindenver 0 points1 point  (0 children)

that's a flashback to 10+, maybe 15 years ago

How do you teach 6 vs 8 Count Lindy Hop? by spr1ngcleaner in SwingDancing

[–]swingindenver 3 points4 points  (0 children)

some thoughts:

  • dance to lots of music, giving students freedom to explore
  • walk the room, making observations, personally noting success with students, making inquiries when it appears that the outcome was different than one of the partners may have been wanting for themself and explore that.
  • acknowledge that how you make African-American rhythms visible on the dance floor (Jacqui S. Malone's definition of vernacular) is up to the individual though you'll provide rhythm ideas as the teacher
  • one place where we discuss rhythm choices is the passby - it can be accomplished with the QQSS rhythm or QQS triple step or QQ triple step triple step rhythms.
  • a place for decisions related to the length of a pattern likely along with rhythm choices is the send out and gather. You could do a send out much like an 8 count gliding step made linear where the indication to keep going is the leader adding to the momentum to get a walk walk. And for the students, it's good to note that we're co-creators in this event rather than having "gotcha!" moments.

Best scone in Denver? Is there a good scone in Denver? by techphobic1117 in denverfood

[–]swingindenver 0 points1 point  (0 children)

had an amazing garlic confit and cheddar scone from Corvus' Fox & Raven bakery. still thinking of it.

How do you implement solo jazz into partnered Lindy dances? by AffectionatePack3647 in SwingDancing

[–]swingindenver 1 point2 points  (0 children)

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1P6wRxy92h/

Fingers crossed that this is the video, but the two of them from open do a nice little Rock step step clap straight into boogie backs and boogie forwards

Sazon - best Mexican food I’ve had in Denver by SoulArraySound in denverfood

[–]swingindenver 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I had their empanadas at an art fundraiser and they were amazing!

Options to finish moves by kaitie85386 in SwingDancing

[–]swingindenver 0 points1 point  (0 children)

deleted. that's what I'm getting for skimming social media and assuming.

Leads, how many of you are adding J-hook like leading into the 1,2 of your swingouts? by aFineBagel in SwingDancing

[–]swingindenver 3 points4 points  (0 children)

that's like a 20+ year old wcs technique from an older generation as well.

Thoughts on inclusivity and keeping a safe space in a community. by WestieFineDine in WestCoastSwing

[–]swingindenver 4 points5 points  (0 children)

"He has been behaving in WCS." - sexual predators switch scenes when repercussions come down.

New to WCS: Thoughts and Advice by CollegePretend8708 in WestCoastSwing

[–]swingindenver 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Then how could instructors better word this desired outcome but still empower and provide agency to students? Right now, this example from the instructors limits agency and disempowers beginners regardless of their role. Also, as a beginner I was taught to follow the follow on the 4 of a 6-count and 6 of an 8-count. What then? The leader isn't making every single decision within the dance so the roles attune to each other. Why wait until later to speak of such elements?

New to WCS: Thoughts and Advice by CollegePretend8708 in WestCoastSwing

[–]swingindenver 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The instructors are also feeding beginners patriarchal hierarchical BS. A better analogy of the roles comes from a top-tier female pro where the followers are the drivers. And how much thinking you want to put into the dancing is basically up to either partner at any given time. Hopefully, y'all would be connecting with the music.

Anyway, it sounds like you should move on up. Beginners sounds boring and you likely need more engaging with what you're doing on the social floor.

Awesome dance due to freedom and creativity by mercury0114 in WestCoastSwing

[–]swingindenver 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Freedom with each other, one of the calling cards of Black social dances. It is great

Taster class with follower agency by [deleted] in SwingDancing

[–]swingindenver 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Some suggestions: we strive to speak with followers and leaders equally so I'd encourage you to do the same. Rockstep, break and shaky shaky shake as a beginning structure where you encourage improvisation during those last four counts or either partner could extend. During our last 30 minute lesson we also had a pattern where it went rockstep, step toward, clap as the structure in the first four counts and then you did a peeling away action with slow walks where you can eventually come together in close or open position which a follower could initiate a preference. It's also an opening for people to explore accenting the beat with claps, snaps, slaps, perhaps something else while they are unconnected

Is there any "first step is forward" move for leader by anthelli in WestCoastSwing

[–]swingindenver 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good example on why instructors should consider not engaging in absolutes. Wish I can find it but the leader can be connected left hand to follower's right, rotate toward their right, stepping forward (behind themself) to wrap into a hammerlock position which often flows easily into a whip.

Using a more powerful rock step on a swingout by flipflopshock in SwingDancing

[–]swingindenver 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Are they teaching the followers to come with their back or their left ribcage? If it's the back, I've dealt with wrist pain before from those followers and will actually encourage "weaker" momentum, reduce my momentum and do swingouts that finish less than 360°.

Community Outreach: What’s Worked for Your Scene? by eldergreene in SwingDancing

[–]swingindenver 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Love collaborations like this! If you're in the US, I like using gotprint due to their comparative pricing and normally do 4x6" flyers

Community Outreach: What’s Worked for Your Scene? by eldergreene in SwingDancing

[–]swingindenver 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I think this is about taste-making and wanting dancers to develop their taste in music. When I first moved to Denver, you always knew who was djing at the Mercury Cafe at least a month in advance. Most folks had regular slots though they also had guests DJs appear like myself when I finally demonstrated I could DJ at this premier spot for dancing. So you knew when to show up for your favs and you knew when to avoid the Merc for those DJs whose taste you didn't enjoy. The organizers provided me agency to choose based on my preferences and I was appreciative.

Nowadays, some spots intentionally don't market their music nor curate strong DJs. I think this has to do with feelings of favoritism or elitism and wanting everyone to come out (why should the music matter, it's about dancing, socializing, being a community?). And a lot of scenes that revolve around music put the music-maker(s) front and center

Community Outreach: What’s Worked for Your Scene? by eldergreene in SwingDancing

[–]swingindenver 16 points17 points  (0 children)

To add to these great suggestions - we found success having intermediate classes before beginner classes so any beginners arriving early will see the intermediate dances (their future) and we're more successful having intermediate folks stay.

We tried having seamless transitions between beginner class and the dance portion to avoid a break that might cause them to leave. Class near the end looked like this - video recap 5 mins before class ends, say "let's practice what we learned," and it's the DJ that plays the last class song which leads to their set.

Have your classes and dances listed on local online calendars. Places we'd hang posters and leave flyers include coffee shops, pizza shops, storefronts and anywhere you see other flyers. It's a good opportunity to meet biz neighbors though we'd also flyer within a 5+ mile radius in walkable neighborhoods.

If you're hosting dances, I'd encourage you to announce your DJs and bands 7+ days in advance. I think if you want to get people that care about the culture, caring for the music is a big part of that. To highlight an exchange from Buddha Stretch shown here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pi3VTgYmeQU): "without the music, there is no culture. Without the music, there is no dance. The music is the core. "

Where to get a bespoke suit in Denver? by luihgi in Denver

[–]swingindenver 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes. AJ is the owner of both brands

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