Dancers and Wish-You-Could-Swing-Out friends! So much to love here, and a great deal. Click for tickets:
Delicious Dance
Swing and social dance blog for the Seattle area and the North Fork Valley, Colorado. Mark Willson and Margot Richardson, members of the Savoy Swing Performance Troupe, offer lessons locally in Seattle, Shoreline and points north, and Paonia, the North Fork Valley and Delta. Dance forms include Swing, Lindy Hop, Waltz, and Salsa! Also offering private lessons, and choreographies for weddings and special events. We collaborate with the wornderful folks at Northwest Dance Network.
Sunday, May 26, 2024
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Solid and Swanky Swing! Sunday April 28, 7 - 9 pm, at Sunset Hill Community Association Hall in Ballard
Friday, March 29, 2024
Dance Shoe Delirium: what should I wear for social and Swing dancing?
Let's say you've attended your first social dance lesson, or completed your first series, and you've loved it so far. Fantastic! You got out on the dance floor and gave it a spin - I am so proud of you!
Look at this way: lessons cost you money and time, right? Wearing a pair of comfortable, well designed dance shoes can give you a big boost, as if you had taken another 6 week series of classes, because every move you make will be more confident and economical.
The cheapest way to compare the difference is to find a friend who wears the same size you do and try them on. If that friend is REALLY trusting, maybe they'll let you borrow them to try out at a dance.* Then you'll know if that shoe really works for you.
My most useful pair are my Capezio split sole dance sneakers, and this is my #1 recommendation to you. They are durable, fit like your favorite tennis shoes, and can be worn on any surface, including street dances on concrete. Currently I'm on my second pair, having worn them at least once a week for years. I add Superfeet orthodics for extra arch support.
Now for my confession: I am a dance shoe collector. I won't say "addict" because that's a little harsh. Some of my dance shoes are almost as old as I am in dancer terms - that is, I bought them more than 15 years ago. It's also fair to say that different kinds of dance favor different kinds of shoes.
For dress up dancing, nothing that I've tried so far beats smooth leather soles; they are "fast" on smooth floors, and can be slowed down on slick floors by spritzing them with a little water. Some lucky dancers find them in thrift stores, as leather soles were once the standard for shoes.* There is also a vegan version of smooth sole material called "Neolite". If you try this, let me know how your shoes hold up.
And in the practical, comfortable and cute category, professionally made dance tennis shoes are fantastic. You can also make your own pair by gluing suede, also known as "chrome" leather, onto the bottoms of Keds. Lindy hoppers and swing dancers often wear these, even to compete in, and they are my favorites, too. Suede is relatively fragile though, and absolutely should not be worn out on the street.
This article from SwingDance.LA does a terrific job of addressing this topic, and offers lots of links to check out for a closer look at the wide world of dance shoes. There's even a video by Laura Glaess on How to Make Dance Shoes by adding suede to the bottom of your street shoes.
My favorite strategy for buying street shoes is to score twice: find soles that can handle everyday wear AND get some spin action, just in case I stumble on a dance opportunity while out and about, or when I'm traveling and can only bring along a few pair of shoes. Double duty soles are usually made of a harder type of polyurethane, a kind of rubber that has a bit of slide to it, especially after you've worn them down a bit. I have several pairs of Joseph Siebel street shoes , in both fisherman sandals and walking shoes, and they all have this kind of sole. They're comfortable, hold up very well, and are versatile with pants and skirts. They close with either hook-and-eye (velcro) or lace up, so you can wear them with a snug fit for fancy footwork.
How about high heels? Here's my simple guide: if you're new to social dance, wear heels with great caution. You will kick and get kicked, sometimes stepping on other dancers, and heels can be weapons in this way. Ouch!
Heels can be useful for dances like Balboa and Waltz, if you're dancing the "Follow" role, because you'll be up on the balls of your feel much of the time. "Character shoes" are a less expensive version of heels for dancers; they won't last as long, but they can be fine for occasional dress up occasions and performances. My advice is to scope out the dance floor, find shoes you like the look of, and ask the dancer (when they're taking a break) how comfortable they find that pair, and where they found them.
I am the proud owner of several pair of leather-soled high heel shoes, as well as some low heels with suede soles. The high heeled pairs are real pretty, but I don't find them very comfortable, so they have only been worn lightly; I haven't even broken them in properly yet. I'll probably have these same shoes in my collection for the rest of my life. They are a long-term investment. A pair of quality shoes that you take good care of can be repaired, resoled and reheeled at your local cobbler shop.
I hope this was helpful and you find your feet in the perfect pair of dance shoes real soon.
*Shoes do mold to our feet, and break down inside where you can't see it, so in general, I don't recommend wearing used dance shoes. But you might get lucky and find a lightly used pair that fit!
Saturday, February 4, 2023
Swing Into Lindy! Mixing 6 and 8 count East Coast Swing at the Swedish Club, Seattle
Swing Into Lindy Playshop #3 - Sunday February 5th!
https://www.facebook.com/events/595596962377891
Yes, more Lindy Hop fun, for intermediate level dancers. We'll introduce some Charleston moves into the mix of 6 and 8 count moves. And we'll review and fine tune the Swing Out and Circle.
Enjoy dancing to vintage swing tunes, on the wonderfully smooth dance floor at the Swedish Club, while the rain falls outside. Preregistration by midnight tonight gives you a $5 discount, and you can avoid the line tomorrow, too.
PS The registration link below takes you to classes; ours is called "Lindy 3", though it is the beginning level for Lindy Hop - it's an intro / refresher class on Lindy basics, and how to combine them smoothly with 6 and 8 count East Coast swing!
Instructors: Margot Richardson & Mark Richardson
When: February 5th, 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM
Location: The Swedish Club | 1920 Dexter Avenue North, Seattle, WA, 98109
Cost: $30 Amelia Registration, $35 Walk-In Registration
Register here:
https://www.amilia.com/store/en/northwest-dance-network/shop/programs/85098?subCategoryIds=4269741
Tuesday, January 14, 2020
Share the Joy ! FUNdraiser and Community Dance for DESC
Share the Joy again! We're celebrating big birthdays that end in "0" in the spirit of the Beloved Community on Sunday March 23 , with a fundraiser for DESC combined with a fabulous community dance! We'll have live music by the sizzling Bill Joe Show, a big, smooth wooden dance floor at the Kenmore Community Club, and a room full of great friends groovin' in support of ending homelessness.
Details:
Sunday February 23 , 2020 4 - 7 pm * $10 requested donation + a tip for the band
or donate online in advance and get in free!
7304 NE 175th St, Kenmore WA 98028
Want to join me in supporting this good cause? We're raising money for DESC and your contribution will make an impact, whether you donate $5 or $500. Every little bit helps, on our way to a goal of $3,000. Thank you for your support. I've included information about DESC below.
You can also give at the dance, if you prefer. All the expenses are covered, so every dollar goes straight to DESC! Need a gift suggestion? Make a donation in honor of a loved one, to help our homeless sisters and brothers find shelter and a real chance for a better life.
Monday, January 13, 2020
Don't Be That Way performed by Savoy Swing Performance Troupe
(Best way to see this on your phone: simply click on the triangle, then set it for full screen viewing. This video DOES NOT show up on phones at the YouTube site = very mysterious)
Sunday, January 27, 2019
Share the Joy Fundraiser for DESC and to celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary!
Details:
Friday March 29th, 2019 6:30 - 10 pm * $10 requested donation + a tip for the band
or donate online in advance and get in free!
7304 NE 175th St, Kenmore WA 98028
Want to join me in supporting this good cause? We're raising money for DESC and your contribution will make an impact, whether you donate $5 or $500. Every little bit helps, on our way to a goal of $3,000. Thank you for your support. I've included information about DESC below.
You can also give at the dance, if you prefer. All the expenses are covered, so every dollar goes straight to DESC! Need a gift suggestion? Make a donation in honor of a loved one, to help our homeless sisters and brothers find shelter and a real chance for a better life.
DESC works to end the homelessness of vulnerable people, particularly those with serious mental and addictive illnesses. Through partnerships and an integrated array of comprehensive services, treatment and housing, we give people the opportunity to reach their highest potential. At DESC, uncommon efforts produce uncommon results that eliminate homelessness, one person at a time.