Solid and Swanky Swing! Sunday April 28, 7 - 9 pm, at Sunset Hill Community Association Hall in Ballard

Solid and Swanky Swing!

Let’s dig in and have fun perfecting your swing moves, connecting solidly with your partner while feeling the music in your body. Join Mark and I on Sunday, April 28, 7 - 9 pm, for two hours of happiness, at a great price! Location: Sunset Hill Community Association Upper Hall in beautiful Ballard.

Registration right here:

https://nwdance.net/events/spring-workshops-517/

Pre-register: $30

Drop-in: $35

We’ll start with self expression: how are you hearing the beat? Then add well connected moves, focusing on transitions. And then there’s the swanky swerve and playfulness you and your partner can bring to each tune. This relaxed “playshop” will help you become a more confident, expressive, and happy swing dancer.

Oh yeah, and snacks… there WILL be snacks (outside on the deck - no eating in the hall).

This will be held at Sunset Hill Community Center. They have a brand new, pristine, dance floor! Only soft-soled dance shoes are allowed.

Pre-requisites

If you’ve been introduced to swing dance and want to refine your connection and style, this workshop is for you. Also great for switching roles (Lead / Follow).

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. 

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.

"There is another element that must be present in our struggle that then makes our resistance and nonviolence truly meaningful. That element is reconciliation. Our ultimate end must be the creation of the beloved community." 

                                                - The Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. 

Share the Joy Fundraiser for DESC and to celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary!

Share the Joy! Share the Love! Mark and I are celebrating our 35th wedding anniversary on Friday March 29th, 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:
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.

Share the Joy DESC fundraiser

Dancing Til Dusk in Downtown Seattle, Summer 2016

Dancing Til Dusk 

in Downtown Seattle

Wonderful music, mostly performed live, friendly dancers, free lessons, and beautiful settings where passerbys and enjoy watching or jump in to join the fun! 

You become a joyful part of our downtown scene. 

Click on the link to get the full scoop. 

And if possible, carpool or take a bus - parking is expensive, and carpooling is fun

14 Nights of Free Lessons

& Dancing in
Seattle's Downtown City Parks!

Dancing at Folklife 2016, Seattle Center over Memorial Day Weekend! Meet the world's cultures one dance at a time

Dear dance friends,

Ah, the wild, magical and chaotic beauty of Folklife!  Where else can you dance nearly every kind of dance you can imagine, all for the cost of a daily donation? ($10 per day requested, pay as you can) .

 Mark and I are looking forward to seeing many many friends, and making new acquaintances, at Seattle Center this weekend.  Since it can be overwhelming as well, here's a condensed schedule for familiar partner dances + a couple performances featuring friends (like us!  and Left Foot Boogi-ers). 

Savoy Swing Performance Troupe at Folklife 2015.  Photo by Laura Livingston, use with permission

All the items in red are dances / events we're counting on attending, with this caveat:  I leave room in my plans for serendipitous discoveries, intuitive diversions, and generally being led astray by happy interactions that can never be anticipated.  Maybe you'll find yourself dancing with a stranger and the chemistry is too good to leave until the end of that set.... or you find a string band doing improv with an opera singer... or you slide into a seat at one of the theaters and become mesmerized by the experimental film you're watching... or the sea shanties being sung in the beer garden are as intoxicating as your stout!  

Here's one of my strategies for enjoying Folklife:  after I've already used my earplugs well while beating a drum in the rhythm circle, and joined an impromptu parade, and danced my socks off, I migrate over to the Back Porch Stage, (map on pg. 24 of the program guide) also known as the Northwest Court area.  This is the home of wonderful indie + traditional acoustic music, with room to dance on the concrete plus visual arts and the crafts booths nearby.  

Lastly, PLEASE consider going green, as green as you can, this year. This is the microcosm of the world in it's finest light; let's bring our best, too.  Some ideas:  

Getting there:  carpool down, take Metro or enjoy a special deal from Folklife for trying Lyft, an Uber-like service; click here for more details:  Folklife transportation and parking

Bring Your Own: reusable drink / coffee cup, plasticware, cloth napkin, snacks (fun to share, and cheaper than buying all your food there, although who can resist a good foodcourt, or the annual elephant ear :) , and ground cloth for sitting on wet grass.  I bring a backpack and check it at the Roadhouse, or loop it around a chair leg.  Umbrella, too... looks like a good chance of some rain. 

Enjoy!  xox Margot

The Participatory Folklife Dance Schedule

Folklife is an amazing experience of music and dance over Memorial Day weekend. Here is the   dance schedule!  (click this link for more details at the 2016 NW Folklife site! ). 

Note :  Contra dance is a lot of fun, and it's the most popular dance form at Folklife.  Give it a whirl!  Basically any time you're at Fisher Pavilion / Roadhouse between other forms of dance, it'll be Contra dance time.  It's like Square dance, with a caller, but takes many forms and uses a wide variety of moves / patterns.... it's also a bit like riding a bumper car without a steering wheel, if it's your first time; embrace the chaos! 

Friday May 27

Armory Court: 

3 High School Jazz/Swing Bands 3:30–6 pm

3 Blues/ Swing Bands 7–9:45 pm  (lesson w Ari Levitt at 7:45 - 8)

Fisher Roadhouse (Pavilion ) : 

Two Cajun /Zydeco Bands 8–10 pm

Contra 11 am-8 pm

Fountain Lawn Stage: 

Blues 4:30-5:45

Saturday May 28 

Armory Court: 

Hula showcase and lesson 2 - 2:45 pm

3 Tango Bands 3-6 PM

Fisher Roadhouse: 

6-8pm  Jazz age partner dance / Swing dance  

    Jodi + Dean Patton teach One Step from 6:50 - 7 pm

Contra 11-1,   3-5   &  8-10 pm

Armory Loft: Dance Workshops all day

* Intiman Theater ?:  Annual Performer's Party (check in at Hospitality upstairs in the Armory to find out details, if you're performing - one year, this was the highlight of our weekend! )

Sunday May 29 

Fountain lawn    12-2pm  Zydeco

Fisher Roadhouse  1-3 pm  Western Swing 

1:40 pm  Left Foot  Boogie Swing performance troupe 

2- 2:45  check out Wylie & The Wild West, highly recommended!  

3-5pm  Cajun and  Zydeco  (lesson w MaryLee Lykes! at 3:50 )

8-10pm Waltz
8:40pm  Left Foot Boogie  Waltz performance troupe 

Monday May 30 

Armory Court: 
11-1pm  Cajun and  Zydeco

3-5pm  Swing

3 and 4pm   Savoy Swing Performance Group  (This is our troupe! and there's a Swing lesson, too  from 4 - 4:15) 
6-9pm  Salsa

Coastal Jam and Traditional Powwow, Sunday and Monday at Folklife

Swing Dance Fundamentals class in Shoreline / North City ! Starting September 29

Have you ever said, "Boy, that looks like a blast!  I'd love to learn Swing dancing..."  Here's your chance!

We're starting beginning Swing lessons here in Shoreline, at the beautiful 
Namaste Yoga Studio (former location of Treehouse Yoga, in the Evergreen Building)

First class is Tuesday, September 29th.  Our small group classes will include one and a half hour of instruction and practice, so students have lots of time to integrate the moves, steps and grooves into their dance.  Please pass this on to more friends.

Swing and the world of social dance brings more happiness to life!             Affectionately, Margot

Swing Fundamentals

September 29th, 7 - 8:30, at Namaste Yoga Studio, in North City / Shoreline. In our small group class, we'll teach you the fundamentals of Swing over 5 weeks, with lots of time to practice and solidify these basic moves. Fun, great exercise, and joyful connection with your fellow humans!
Location is Namaste Yoga Studio, at 18021 15th Ave NE, Suite 101 Shoreline, 98155 * Lots of free parking, and some good, cheap places to eat nearby
Cost: $80 for the session, $20 drop in

No partner or dance experience necessary. Please bring clean, smooth soled shoes or dance shoes, and a water bottle.  Class dates: Sept. 29, October 6, 13, 20, 27

Questions?  Email us at illuminahealingart@gmail.com  or call 206 913-3962

Ready for more advanced classes?  Check out Swing 2, 3 and Lindy Hop at Left Foot Boogie

New Classes in Swing Dance, Lindy Hop and Waltz! with Left Foot Boogie January Februrary 2015

CLASSES 

For all classes and One Pop workshops you can register at the door.  No partner needed.  Bring non-marking shoes and a water bottle, and we'll see you there!

JAN/ FEB 2015

Mark and I will be teaching Swing, Waltz, and likely a "Swing Rueda" reunion class during these winter months.  Now's the time to bring more light and more joy into your life on the dance floor.  See below for details, and check Left Foot Boogie  for more dance fun.

  

5 Wednesdays: CREATIVE TOPICS IN SWING!
Creative Topics: 7:30 - 9:00 pm 
Perfect for Swing 2 & 3 Level Dancers:   Come on out further your skills, laugh, dance, dance, dance & Be challenged!
Drop-in for an eve, more, or come to all five... 
Jan 14 - Swing Fast - Mark & Margot 
Jan 21 - Swing Slow - Mark, & Margot 
Jan 28 - Swing Fast / Swing Slow - Jodi & Wren 
Feb 4 - Double Time Swing - Jodi & Partner 
Feb 11 - Creative Moves, Style & Rhythm - Jodi & Wren

 1.5 hr wkshops,       Drop-in $20      All 5 wkshops, 7.5 hrs - $80 

Bothell Sons of Norway, 23905 Bothell Everett Hwy 

5 Thursdays: Waltz 1 
Jan 15, 22, 29 Feb 5 , Feb 12 
Markee & Margot   Phinney Ridge Ctr - Upper Bldg , 6532 Phinney Ave. N, $60 
6:00 - 7:00     Waltz 1     

We'll be starting at the very beginning and soon will be floating around the room with a partner in our arms.
Waltz- the ultimate romantic dance!

5 Thurs: Lindy Intermediate 
Jan 8, 15, 22, 29 Feb 5 
Mark, & Katie,   Phinney Ridge Ctr - Upper Bldg , 6532 Phinney Ave. N, $80 
7:00 - 8:30    Lindy Bop Whop Whop Skee-dop     

We're mixing up Charleston, swoops, swing outs and reversals - Yeah Baby! Live the Adventure!

New Artwork, upcoming dance events, Tango and Fat Tuesday!

D e l i c i o u s   D a n c e Every day is a chance to dance your life It's a universal celebration of being alive, freely moving to the beat Upcoming Dance Events Fat Tuesday: A Benefit for Beta Sigma Phi's Tools for Schools    Celebrate Fat Tuesday at the Blue Sage in Paonia, on Saturday, March 1, from 7 - 9:30   and give North Fork Valley kids tools for school.  Savor a New Orleans inspired tasting menu, dance to jazz with Mike Gwinn & Friends,  and indulge your alter-ego at a mask creation table.  Tickets are $15 and include a  glass of wine. To sponsor a backpack, contact Jackie Parks at (970) 527-4585. Do more to make sure North Fork Valley kids have the tools they need for school by sponsoring a backpack full of school supplies for only $35.  To sponsor a  backpack, contact Jackie Parks at (970) 527-7243. Mike Gwinn + The North Fork Flyers CD Release Party! Concert and dance at the Paradise Theater Saturday March 15th Help support the Paradise Theater and live music in our valley.  Mike Gwinn & The North Fork Flyers will present a CD Release Party at the  Paradise Theatre in Paonia Colorado on Saturday March 15th. The new CD,  “STILL GOING 70 IN A 55″ is a celebration of Mike’s 70th birthday and  features 10 original songs penned by Mike and engineered by David Snider.  The North Fork Flyers have been performing together for the past 10 years,  thrilling crowds with their amazing repertoire of horn based jazz, funk and rock.  Don’t miss this concert/premier. Tickets are on sale now at Paonia Farm and Home, Homestead Market and  Back Country Bistro or call 970-527-3424.  All tickets include a free C.D.  Save the date!  The Dusty 45's are coming back!                         May 2nd 8 - 11 pm Yes, yes, yes!  Mark your calendars for May 2nd, for a fabulous, full-out  dance party.  Seattle's best Rockabilly, Swing and Jump Blues band returns,  with Honey Don't opening the show.  And, it's a fundraiser for the  Mountain Harvest Festival!    Does it get better than this?   Yes, because  we'll be in Memorial Hall in Hotchkiss, the biggest local dance floor we know of.   Tickets are on sale now at Brown Paper Tickets and they'll be available at local venues in a couple weeks.  $20 in advance / $23 at the door Kids 11 and under free.  Proceeds benefit the Mountain Harvest Festival Hey, do you know a youth group that would love to raise $ selling pie at this event?  Let me know, thanks.    Tantalizing Tango ! Oh yes, it's delicious!  Chris Garre  continues his Tango classes for  2 more   Thursday nights, including this week February 20  from 6 - 8pm, upstairs at the Blue Sage apartment.  No partner needed, Leads encouraged (women can lead, too). Come and give it a try!  Free childcare provided, too.  $9 drop in    Delicious Dance Classes and Playshops return! Starting Monday March 24th, with new Swing and Salsa classes at the Blue Sage.  Let us know what you'd like to learn. Lindy Hop Playshops in Carbondale! Learn the basics of Lindy Hop, and then some, with an enthusiastic group of new friends and dancers from higher elevations.  Carpooling encouraged. At the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Studio in  Third Street Center 2 opportunities:  Friday March 28th, and Saturday April 12th, 7 - 10 pm   Mark and Margot's new paintings! We've been busy making artwork for our painting exhibit at the Blue Sage, missing a lot of dancing in the process.  Come celebrate this new body of work with us!  And then we'll dance a lot in the light of springtime.     You are invited to the opening receptions on Friday, February 28th  Part 1:  The Eccentric Artist Gallery, across the street from the Blue Sage, will host an "early" reception from 5 - 6 pm.  Stop by and enjoy appetizers and Paonia's newest, wildest art gallery. Part 2:  The Blue Sage, 6 - 8 pm Schmooze, enjoy refreshments, and explore our new work.   Thank you, Blue Sage, for this opportunity to share our visual creativity with our friends and neighbors.  Want even more dance fun? Visit us at Delicious Dance ! STAY CONNECTED