Commentary
2014 Year in Review
2014 was a momentous year. Perhaps the easiest way to describe this year is in two parts, BCE (Before Charlotte's Era) and CE (Charlotte's Era). During the first part of the year (BCE), we continued teaching the attending students from Norwalk Community College, invited guest instructors, and attended a few select events. This time was also marked by visits with friends and family, and a wonderful baby-shower which was attended by many of the women of our dance community.
The second part of the year (CE) was about keeping dance moving forward during the summer months, more guest instructors, dance events without Anna, the introduction of Charlotte to our dance community, the closing of the Platinum Party, the last class at 3 Quincy Street, and our 3rd Dancing New Year's Eve CT.
Dance has been an important part of the journey through 2014...but teaching and dancing with Charlotte on my chest, watching her face when we choreograph, and having her watch her daddy simultaneously win 1st and 3rd places in an All-Star Jack and Jill has set the bar very high for years to come.
Charlotte at West Coast Swing
Last Thursday, Charlotte made her debut at our West Coast Swing classes in Norwalk, CT. Originally, we weren’t sure when she was going to make her teaching debut, but we knew it would be after she had received her first round of vaccines in late July.
As August began to draw to a close, Anna and I realized that we needed to let Charlotte see West Coast Swing in a real studio. Until last Thursday, Charlotte had only seen mommy and daddy choreograph small moments in our apartment as I prepared for class.
We also realized that as Anna heads back to her PhD program at New York University and her independent tutoring schedule, we would have very few opportunities to bring Charlotte to class in the near future.
Charlotte's First Party
Charlotte, Anna and I went to our first party together this past weekend. It was the wedding of a friend and colleague of Anna’s so we were able to go as a family. We attended a church ceremony at 4pm in New York City and then drove to the reception in Piermont, NY.
Kat Wildish in Dance Teacher Magazine
Although February 2014 is almost over, this month would not be complete if I did not acknowledge Kat Wildish as the front cover of Dance Teacher Magazine.
Kat has been a teacher and mentor to both Anna and me for our entire relationship. She has been a ballet teacher to Anna since 2005 and me since 2006.
2013 Year in Review
2013 was an incredible, fast moving year. We exposed hundreds of new people in the Connecticut area to Hustle and West Coast Swing. We were invited back to perform at the Ailey Citigroup Theater. We had new dancers from Norwalk Community College. We hosted our second annual Dancing New Year's Eve CT event. And, we announced our latest addition to the SwingShoes Entertainment production team.
Salsa in Norwalk, CT in December has been fun
For many years, I've considered teaching a Salsa series in Connecticut. I vaguely remember trying it about 6 years ago in Stamford, but I haven't ever done a full month's series in Norwalk. This December 2013, I gave a it a trial run.
I wondered if people would be receptive to me teaching Salsa since I am most known for my West Coast Swing and Hustle. I wondered if people would want to try another dance. And, of course, I wondered if people would be interested in continuing Salsa.
Dance captured on video
It might be awkward to hear this, but I'm not often thrilled by my own dancing. Don't get me wrong, I'm very proud of my accomplishments in West Coast Swing, Hustle and 25 years of dancing. But it's not often that I see a video of myself and say that it looks as good as it felt.
Returning to Closed
Over the last 60 days, Anna and I have been guiding the Int/Adv West Coast Swing class through a variety of movement vocabulary. These pattens and ideas are meant to augment leaders repertoire of movement and create recognition for the followers.
2012 Year in Review
2012 was a year full of growth and good times for Hustle and West Coast Swing. We explored new teaching locations and met many new dancers. Our community fun times are extremely memorable and are all interwoven into our dance experience.
We had a great time choreographing new routines to some of the most popular tunes on the radio and on the West Coast Swing circuit. We ended up using one of those songs as part of our now-famous Showcase at the Ailey Citigroup Theater.
We also hosted an amazing and very well-attended New Year's Eve event.
Happy 35th Anniversary to Doug & Mary
Doug and Mary Holaday have been dancing Hustle and West Coast Swing with us for over 7 years. During that time they have been a part of our shows at the Crystal Theater in Norwalk and The Ailey Citigroup Theater in New York City. They have been a main part of our Connecticut Dance Community.