London and the UK

Well, since returning from Rome, I have had a lot of work in London with Mr. Michael Jagger!  We have been rehearsing with Swing Xtreme, Ryan Francois' dance company, and there have already been several gigs!  Michael and I also went up to Norwich to teach a weekend workshop.  It was beautiful!  We met a great group of people and the sun came out for us the whole time!  It's been strangely sunny here in the UK since I've been here.  I think I'm extraordinarily lucky.  Michael and I taught for Swing Patrol last Thursday and tonight, Monday March 15, we teach for Joseph and Trisha's JiveSwing.  We've been keeping busy.  The Universe has been good to us.  The photo's below are the Cathedral in Norwich and me.  Above, Michael and I stand in the market place.   

Roma, Italy

I will be in this scene tomorrow!!!

ROCK THAT SWING FESTIVAL

Munich, Germany has not seen this much snow since, who knows.  It was insanely cold, even for this bundled up New Yorker.  But the party atmosphere of the late nights and the amazing crowd of international instructors kept me happy and warm.  I had a great time!  Peace out, Okay, to my roomie Moe, my DJ Remy, my Killer Diller family, Sharon&Juan, and of course Joel!

Montpellier, France

Cathy and Gilbert, of Swing Cat Cie, in Montpellier, France had an incredible weekend of Balboa classes Feb 6 & 7.  Joel Plys and I had a great, full weekend of teaching and dancing.  The people and the music were wonderful.  I must learn French!

THANK YOU ALL WHO VOTED FOR GLENMONT ELEMENTARY TO GET LINDY HOP IN SCHOOL!!!

WE DID IT!  WE WON THE PEPSI GRANT!
This is of great importance to me and a very large community.  You can help Kinder - 5th grade students learn about Frankie Manning, Lindy Hop, and what it means to dance with a Partner!  Michael Jagger and I, through The Vanaver Caravan, have had the opportunity to teach Swing dance to students at Glenmont Elementary.  They have entered a Pepsi Grant contest to win money for covering the cost of having more Lindy Hop classes this Spring & Summer with dances to live Bands.

Overview

Building Community Through Dance brings together elementary students, their parents, siblings, grandparents, teen dancers, college students, and other senior adults in our community. Our mission is to use swing dance to build meaningful relationships within our community and to pass on the tradition of this American art form. •Students will learn the Big Apple, the Shim Sham, and Lindy Hop moves from Vanaver Caravan dancers, Evita Arce and Michael Jagger. •Older students will be dance partners with our younger students while they learn new steps. •Students will practice their dancing with college students from RPI's Swing Club. •Parents will receive swing dance lessons from Isabelle's School of Dance high school dance team. •Each classroom of students will "adopt" a senior adult from an assisted living facility to share histories and to dance with. •A Community Dance in June with live swing music will help everyone celebrate all of the social and communication skills we have learned.

I Made it to Australia!!!

I wish getting to Australia was as easy and fun as this picture looks.  Do you know how serious it is getting to Adelaide, Australia from New York City?  I'll tell you.  First, you have to drag all your luggage down to the subway and take the hour and 45 minute ride to JFK airport.  Next, you fly across the country, NY to LA, which is 6 and a half hours.  Ugh, you feel like that was a huge accomplishment and you're ready to be done but then you realize the trip is just now starting.  You scurry for some food at LAX before boarding the big flight, LA to Sydney, which is 14 hours.  I was expecting 16 for some reason, so I was excited that it was only 14.  Ah, the first sign of land is so beautiful.  Like being in pitch, black, dark, outer space and finally seeing light for the first time.  I tried to take a picture of the Opera House but I don't think it worked through the airplane window.  I was so happy to be in the airport at Sydney.  I celebrated by buying desert and coffee.  But once again, I had to board another plane to Adelaide, a mere 2 hours more.  And that adds up to 24 hours and 15 minutes!  And that's not including the couple of lay over hours I spent.  All in all, I think I spent close to 34 hours traveling from door to door.  And now I'm here!  I made it to Australia.  Which truly is a great feat.  A BIG THANK YOU TO STEVEN, JOEL, AND MANU.

LONE STAR CHAMPIONSHIPS

I'm very happy to say that The Lone Star Championships in Austin, TX (my home town) were wonderful! The Killer Dillers had a great representation in several contests.  Jaun Villafane took first place in solo Charleston with Sharon Davis right next to him at 2nd place.  Nathan Bugh, Michael Jagger, and I were in the semi-finals.  I'm also very proud to say Jeramie Anderson and I won 1st place in the Blues division, a repeat offense from our 1st place win at ALHC Blues, 2007.  And once again, Michael Jagger and I were able to perform our routine to "Singing in the Rain".  We first performed this number back in August at ILHC.  Thanks to Lee Walker, a new video is up on Youtube.  I hope you enjoy.
Singing in the Rain



Blues Division Finals




All Star Invitational Strictly