My Dance Inspiration
Posted By: Jessi Broughton | Swing Dancing | Feb 22, 2011
Frankie Manning, you inspire me to dance.
As we countdown to Inspiration Weekend, I’ve been thinking about what inspires me to dance.
I remember the first time I saw Frankie Manning jump and jive, and while I thought that it would be almost impossible for me to ever, ever mimic his footwork and styling I thought that it would be fun to try. I started dancing in 1996 and knew then that Lindy would always be a part of my life.
One of the best and most inspirational Lindy Hop dances ever committed to film happened in the movie “Hellzapoppin’” (1941). Featuring Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers and choreographed by the legendary Frankie Manning himself, this dance scene is just legendary.  Frankie Manning, thank you for inspiring me to dance, and thanks to the dance scene in Southern California and Orange County for keeping this dance alive.
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Get Inspired to Dance at Inspiration Weekend 2011
Posted By: Jessi Broughton | Dance Camps | Feb 18, 2011
Get inspired to Lindy Hop at I-Dub 2011!
What inspires you to dance?
Come out to Orange County for Inspiration Weekend 2011 on March 4, 5, and 6 (affectionately called I-Dub) for three days of a killer-diller SoCal dance experience.
Southern California is home to one of the best swing dance scenes, if not the best, in the country, and SoCal swing dancers are no strangers to travel when it comes to a great swing venue. Now we get some of the world’s best teachers right in our own backyard, and a weekend full dance inspiration.
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New Date for the 24 Hour Cancer-Dance-a-thon
Posted By: Jessi Broughton | Dance-a-thon | Feb 15, 2011
Last year over 800 dancers participated in the 24 Hour Cancer Dance-a-thon.
March has just opened up a bit for swing dancers in Orange County.
This year, the 24 Hour Cancer Dance-a-thon will be taking place on November 12th-13th 2011 from noon to noon. If you’ve never participated in the Dance-a-thon, it is truly a moving, fun, exhausting, and wonderful experience.
An Affair To Remember
Posted By: Marcia Totten | General | Feb 14, 2011
Can't Top The Lindy Hop
This week marked the first anniversary of my love affair with Lindy Hop. And as all relationships it has had its ups and downs. Â It started mildly enough one Tuesday evening as I shyly stepped into a basic series class. Â Lindy hop was interesting and unassuming, but seemed to hold my attention. Â Another encounter the next week continued to pique my interest, but I was awkward and reluctant at our meetings. Â As the weeks went on, the dance became more attractive and exciting and I was in the throws of first love. Â Friends and mentors encouraged me and I found that I had to experience the joy of Lindy on a more frequent basis. It was my first thought in the morning, my last thought at night, and haunted my dreams.
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Teacher Feature: Sara Green
Posted By: Jessi Broughton | General | Feb 11, 2011
Sara Green teaches yoga and Jazzercise at ATOMIC - Placentia.
1. Â What classes, how often do you teach at ATOMIC?
I teach Jazzercise and yoga on Friday and Sunday mornings at ATOMIC-Placentia. Â Jazzercise is from 8:30-9:30am and yoga is right after from 9:35-10:30am.
2. Â What made you want to be a yoga and Jazzercise instructor?
Growing up I loved all sorts of dancing and was introduced to yoga and Jazzercise at a young age. I used to go to Jazzercise with my mom when I was a kid and it was so much fun. Eventually when I was looking for a workout to allow me to stay healthy and come back to my dance background, Jazzercise was the perfect answer. I loved my workout so much I wanted to be able to share that with others, plus a job that I love that also keeps me healthy is such a win-win for me. I’ve started teaching yoga for the same reasons. I think yoga is a great compliment to other workouts because it helps us slow down and listen to our bodies. It’s another way to feel great while doing something healthy, working and stretching muscles in another way.
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Top 6 Slow Dance Songs
Posted By: Jessi Broughton | General | Feb 08, 2011
Make your Valentine's Day romantic with dance.
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and it’s time to get your game face on. Break out those romantic moves, and BAM! you’re sweetie won’t know what hit him or her. Maybe you’re just learning to dance, or better yet, you’re going to take lessons and learn to dance together. No matter what your level of dance, you can – and should, in my opinion – slow dance. If you’re a pro at any style of dance, then you could probably come up with something, but for the rest of us mere mortals there are songs that you can’t do much to but grab your partner (gently!) and sway from side to side. It’s sweet, it’s intimate and it’s really, really romantic. Those are the moments that mean more than any fancy footwork.
Get your chocolates, light those candles, and turn up the volume on my Top 6 Slow Dance Songs.
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