Happenings – May 13,2008 Swing N Country Dance Club
http://www.swingncountry.org
Dedicated to the Promotion of Couples Style Country and Swing Dancing
Leah Noparstak, President
This issue by Judi T.
Double Two During May modified: Last Wednesday, Hania Richmond’s Double Two lesson for beginners began with the very basic footwork and developed into a weave. Hania bridged intermediates with weave technique and added tandem turns. The leads quickly caught on to the method of getting their footwork to match the follows. Hint: 5 is the magic number. Join us next Wednesday for both moves and the styling technique to make them look good.
May Lessons
When: Wednesdays, May 7, 14, 21, 28 Where: The Centre at North Park				Beginner: 7:30 – 8:25 pm Intermediate: 8:35 – 9:30 pm
May Dances
When: Friday, May 2 Where: The Centre at North Park			Double Two Lesson by Hania Richmond Doors open: 7:15 pm Lessons: 7:30 – 9:00 pm Open Dancing: 9:00 – 12:00 am
When: Friday, May 16 Where: The Centre at North Park			West Coast Swing Lesson by Erica Berg Doors open: 7:15 pm Lessons: 7:30 – 9:00 pm Open Dancing: 9:00 – 12:00 am
	Join four-time U.S. Open Classic Finalist, Erica Berg as she teaches us West Coast Swing on Friday night May 16, 2008 from 7:30 – 9:00 pm. This will be Erica’s debut as an instructor at SNC. You don’t want to miss what this 2005 three-time NASDE All-star Jack n’ Jill champion has to share with us. Read more about Erica here, and watch a recent performance here.
	modified: May 16, Friday Gently Used Clothing Sale Immediately Following Erica Berg’s Lesson Sellers can recycle those dance clothes and footwear they haven’t worn in months. Buyers can come and search for that perfect treasure. The sale will be held immediately after Erica’s lesson. Sorry, no early birds. We want everyone to enjoy Erica’s class first. Here are a couple of guidelines in getting items ready for the sale: Bring items on hangers and attach a piece of paper to each item indicating your name, description and price. Suggested pricing for blouses and shirts is $3.00 or less; the suggested pricing for pants is $7.00 or less. Specialty items (competition wear, boots and shoes, etc.) can be priced per the seller’s option. Here are a few guidelines for purchasers: Be prepared by bringing your cash in lower denominations (five’s and singles). It sure would be helpful. You’re welcome to try items on before purchase. Full details can be found in this flyer. Contact event coordinators Judi Troemel, Susie Kaplan or Penny Rusch if you have questions.
New: Those Illusive Funky Anchor Steps and Improvisation We watch and admire the better swing dancers and remain in awe of their wonderfully funky footwork and body movement. What is it that keeps us from trying? The reason you can’t, is because you don’t. People are not born with the ability to improvise any more than they are born with the ability to do perfect turns. Improvisation, just like anything else in our world of dance, takes practice. Anonymous
Miscellaneous Let us know of Country or Swing Events you want posted in Happenings. View the Swing ‘n’ Country three-month calendar. Date of the May Board Meeting: May 19.
Early Bird Cutoffs new: Sweet Home Chicago: June 15, 2008 new: Wisconsin Dance Challenge: June 15, 2008 Grand Prix of Swing: June 30, 2008
Other Chicagoland Happenings:
May 16 - 18: Mario Intensive. Ballroom City, Villa Park, Illinois. Are you ready for adventure? Want to jump start your dancing? Spend twelve intense hours with Mario and come away with skills to boost your dance IQ. Hosted by DanceMasters. Contact Julie Hein at 630/205-6451 or send her an email. (details)
May 17: Saturday. The Chicago Rebels hold a dance at The Centre at North Park, 10040 Addison Ave., Franklin Park. Lessons are from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm and are followed by open dancing until midnight. Instructor is TBA. (map)
May 17: Saturday. Genesis Dance Club hosts its Destination T-Shirt dance (wear a t-shirt showing your most memorable trip), with a Hustle lesson starting at 8:00 pm, and open dancing from 9:00 pm – midnight at Diamond Dancesport, 7767 W. 96th Place, Hickory Hills, Illinois, 60047. (details) (map)
May 18: Sunday. May I Have This Dance hosts West Coast Swing workshops with U.S. Open Champion, Parker Dearborn. The studio is located at 5216 N. Elston, Chicago, Illinois, 60630. (map)
new: May 30: Friday. X Dance holds a dance at The Centre at North Park, 10040 Addison Ave., Franklin Park, IL 60131. Guest instructors are Sheli Schroeder and Mike Konkel. (map)
new: June 7: Friday The Chicago Rebels hold a Hustle Party with guest instructors Fred and Tina Price at The Centre at North Park, 10040 Addison Avenue, Franklin Park. Lessons are from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm and are followed by open dancing until midnight. Click here to view their MadJam performance on You Tube. (map)
new: June 13: Friday. X Dance holds a dance at The Centre at North Park, 10040 Addison Ave., Franklin Park, IL 60131. Instructor is TBA. (map)
new: June 21: Saturday. Genesis Dance Club hosts its Ice Cream Social Dance with an East Coast Swing Lesson starting at 8:00 pm, and open dancing from 9:00 pm – midnight at Diamond Dancesport, 7767 W. 96th Place, Hickory Hills, Illinois, 60047. (details) (map)
new: June 21: Saturday. The Chicago Rebels hold a dance at The Centre at North Park, 10040 Addison Ave., Franklin Park. Lessons are from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm and are followed by open dancing until midnight. (map) Instructor is TBA.
new: June 23: X Dance holds a dance at The Centre at North Park, 10040 Addison Avenue, Franklin Park, IL 60131. Instructor is TBA. (map)
new: July 3 - 5: Sweet Home Chicago. Wyndham Hotel O’Hare. Chicago, Illinois. Sponsored by Windy City Jitterbug Club. Debbe Lapina, who taught at Swing ‘n’ Country recently, will be teaching along with her husband, Mike. (details)
Mondays: Maren Oslac teaches West Coast Swing at Diamond Dancesport, 7767 W. 96th Place, Hickory Hills, IL 60457. Beginner class at 7:00 pm. Intermediate at 7:45 pm. The (map) (details)
Wednesdays: SNC Wednesday lessons feature Hania Richmond teaching Double Two in May.
new: Thursdays: Maren Oslac starts a three-week session of Advanced Beginner Two Step on April 29th at Diamond Dancesport, 7767 W. 96th Place, Hickory Hills, IL 60457. The class begins at 8:00 pm. Pre-registration is recommended and students must be comfortable with Two Step Basics. (details) (map)
Out-of-Town Happenings
May 30 – June 1: Circle City Classic. Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel & Suites. Indianapolis, Indiana. Event Directors: Mark Bradburn, Melissa Culbertson, Dennis & Carol Waite. Featured instructors are Jordan Frisbee and Tatiana Mollman. This is a fully sanctioned UCWDC world-qualifying event which is only a three to four hour drive from the Chicago area. Come support this brand new event while cheering on your SNC friends and enjoying a multitude of workshops. What a wonderful way to start out your summer! (map) (details)
June 12 – 14: Brickyard Boogie 2008. Ramada Inn. Indianapolis, Indiana. Event Director: Michael Lamb. This event is a no competition, strictly social dancing weekend. Although West Coast Swing will be the primary focus, there will be a sprinkling of Bop/Boogie, East Coast, Hustle, Night Club, Cha Cha, Salsa, Waltz, and Two Step. Of course, special requests will be obliged also. (details)
modified: June 13 – 15: Orange Blossom Dance Festival. Marriott Orlando Airport. Orlando, Florida. Event Directors: Shawn Swaithes and Donna Bonham-Steinfeld. This UCWDC sanctioned event was voted “2007 Favorite North American Event”. Sunday night will wrap up with an excursion to Disney's Pleasure Island Adult Park. Many of our SNC competitors have voted to attend this one! (details)
modified: July 11 - July 13: Wisconsin Dance Challenge. Radisson Hotel, Appleton, Wisconsin. Sponsored by the North East Wisconsin Swing Club. Event Directors are Doug Rousar and Vivian Hahn. All buffets and food are included in your weekend pass. No one will go hungry at this one. (details)
July 25 – 27: Grand Prix of Swing. Embassy Suites Hotel. Kansas City, Missouri. A World Swing Dance Council event featuring Mario Robau, Jr., Maren Oslac, Jason Barnes, Erica Berg, and Doug Rousar, among others. (details)
		Save These Dates:
		July 18: “It’s Too Darned Hot To Have A Picnic” dance and pizza party sponsored by Swing ‘n’ Country. August 15 - 17: Chicagoland Country and Swing Dance Festival. Chicago, Illinois. Event Directors: Randy and Jennifer Jeffries. (details) September 5 - 7: Mary Ann Nunez. West Coast Swing workshop weekend. Hosted by May I Have This Dance, Chicago, Illinois October 31 - November 2: Swing City Chicago. Westin, Lombard, Illinois. Event Directors: Maren Oslac, Julie Hein, and Jeff Sanchez. Visit the Web site for a chance to win a free pass to this event. (details) Dec 12 - 14: John Lindo. Workshops, dance, and party, hosted by Genesis Dance Club, Hickory Hills, Illinois. (details)
Swing N Country Dance Club
Swing N Country Dances and Lessons are held at The Centre at North Park, 10040 Addison Ave., Franklin Park, IL Map to The Centre at North Park.
Membership is $20.00 per year per person; $15.00 per additional person at the same address; $5.00 per Student Wednesday Lessons First Four Wednesdays of Each Month Doors Open at 7:15 BEGINNER LESSON: 7:30-8:25 INTERMEDIATE LESSON: 8:35-9:30 Members $30.00 Monthly $10.00 Weekly Students $20.00 Monthly $5.00 Weekly Non-Members $40.00 Monthly $13.00 Weekly Minors (15 and under) Free When