Hello experienced dancers!

Click here for information about a similar opportunity for Advanced Followers. 

Do you ever feel that you spend so much time, energy and money investing in your dancing and that at some point you it would be nice to have that investment pay back a few dollars?

No, this is not spam or an infomercial!

First let me say that in addition to our interest in building a fun and strong dance community in Toronto, at Bees’ Knees Dance we really do appreciate the investment that you make into your dancing. Both the hard work that you put into it, but also your willingness to pay for the classes and workshops that we offer. So now it’s time for us to offer you a bit of a special THANK YOU!

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As you may have noticed, we’ve been having a major shortage of leaders in most of our levels and we actually have followers on the waiting list at various levels until JUNE. This has never happened before. We don’t want to lose all those waiting followers, and we also want to find ways to ATTRACT and RETAIN more of you wonderful leaders. So it’s payback time! How’s this for incentive?

GET PAID TO LINDY HOP!

Once a month we want to offer a special FOLLOWER FAST TRACK WORKSHOP. It will be a 2 hour workshop that will cover all of the Beginner material for followers and the ladies will be dancing with EXPERIENCED leaders. That means YOU. The workshop will cost double what workshops usually cost – $40 for 2 hours instead of $20. Why the extra price tag? We are going to HIRE EXPERIENCED LEADERS TO DANCE WITH NEW FOLLOWERS.

That’s right, make $20 for every 2 hour workshop in which you lend your expertise!

This is a great opportunity for the new followers because they’ll be able to learn more quickly, and it’s also a great incentive for leaders to work hard to become good dancers so that they can start to get monetary remuneration for their efforts.

So not only will you make a little pocket money, but you’ll be helping to welcome a lot of nice followers to the dance community. How great is that?

***This opportunity will also be open to women who are strong leaders; at least at the Intermediate level but your sex does not matter.

HOW TO APPLY:

Before I put out any advertising for the actual workshop I’d like to have interested leaders confirm their availabilty for following dates. Please respond by sending me a message that includes a copy of all of these dates with your name beside your available dates.

Song: Ring-A-Ding Ding 

Artist:John Pizzarelli

This is a fun cover of Frank Sinatra’s Ring-A-Ding Ding. I particularly wanted to choose something by John Pizzarelli in order to draw your attentio to his excellent radio program on Sunday mornings on Jazz FM. It’s called Radio Deluxe and it’s on 9am to 11am on 91.1. Check it out!

In April, May & June we’re offering a special on private lessons for Beginner dancers.

• Regular price for a one hour private lessons for 1 or 2 students = $75 or 4 for $275
• SPRING SPECIAL – $65 or 4 lessons for $240

Please contact us for more information or to book your sessions.

Yesterday marked the 1st annual Toronto Vintage Easter Parade and it was a lot of fun! Thank you to everyone who participated!

The day started off as beautiful and sunny but unfortunately took a turn toward something more dull and windy. No rain on our parade though, and we made the best of the day with a terrific group walking from Yonge to Christie along Bloor St. We had a special stop at Crêpes à GoGo where we enjoyed some complimentary Limonana and crêpes and we had the chance to do a little dancing.

We were really surprised by how many people stopped and asked us why we were dressed up like that. Either people didn’t remember that it was Easter Weekend or they seemed to have no association with it. Oh well, they’ll learn as the parade grows! We’re definitely looking forward to making this an annual event and hopefully it will grow in the coming years.

SONG OF THE WEEK

Song: Spring Cleaning

Artist: Fats Waller

I couldn’t think of any Easter swing songs but this is a great spring song! If you’ve been following the song of the week (and why wouldn’t you???) then you’ll have noticed that I’m a big fan of his. His songs are punchy, with a clear beat, playful lyrics, and all around great swinging dynamics. This song is no exception. Love it!

Everyone!

Thank you SO MUCH for your hard work and the incredible results that amounted Saturday’s three performances of The History of Swing. I was absolutely amazed by how well the show turned out. I knew that you would all be great but it was really beyond that. The show pulled together into something really professional and memorable and you should all be SO PROUD OF YOURSELVES!

AND the show raised $1408.30 to put toward running the Frankie Tribute Weekend and then later toward the Frankie Manning Foundation itself. Hip hip hurray!

Special thanks to the following people:

• Andy for providing the awesome space that is our Dovercourt House
• Simon and Swing Toronto for teaming with us to make the everything work in one night
• Geoffrey Holmes for his extensive help with the video, projection equipment, and putting up with yours truly
• Divya for being Deck Captain!
• Lisa for being our Ticket Master!
• James & Heather, Masters of Pizza!
• Our lovely videographer (whose name completely escapes me, sorry!) Videos coming soon.
• Everyone who helped to sell tickets!

And in the show itself:

• Martha for her loyal work with the Lady Bugs as well as scrambling to learn the finale in one week’s time
• Riz for pulling together his own choreography and his own group, as well as Terri for choreographing her lady’s section
• Arthur for his outstanding 1920s choreography
• Jasper & Shannon for the welcoming choreography and encouragement they brought to our Beginner Choreography groupe! And bravo to all of the dancers who performed for the very first time!
• Phil & Reesa for their amazing work with the Balboa team, and awesome Shag!
• Caitlin for her work with the Comp & Show group
• Rachel for pulling together an awesome group for Sixteen Tons
• Glen & Drea for the hard work they’ve put in to Rock Sock The Boogie and their great choreography
• Jonathon & Carlynn who I think everyone agreed really stole the show with their unique contemporary choreography
• Phil for his leadership in the various teacher performances, and all of the teachers who rocked it out up there!
• Phei Mei, Drea, Glen, Jonathon, Riz, and others who were in so very MANY numbers. You guys are amazing!!!!
• I’m really sorry if I’ve forgotten to thank some other people. We love all of you. 🙂

Stay tuned for show information for 2013 coming in the fall! Saturday, April 6th, 2013.

XOXOXO

Mandi

Thank you to Phil Tucker for the lovely photos!

Song: A Tisket A Tasket

Artist: Ella Fitzgerald

Perhaps Ella’s first truly big break out song, this is a definite swing era classic. It’s a very simple, naive song, but that’s part of its beauty.

This summer, Toronto Lindy Hop will be sending 2 dancers on an unforgettable trip to Herräng Dance Camp!
Get ready for a week of dancing at the world’s biggest Lindy Hop dance camp in beautiful Sweden. Learn from the world-famous teachers you’ve adored on YouTube, and s…ocialize with dancers from around the world!

We’re giving a pass for a week of your choice and $200 towards airfare to each of 2 Toronto-area dancers who have never attended Herräng (level of dance does not matter).

To win this, tell us in 1000 words or less:

1) Why you want to go
2) How you’ll share your learning with the Toronto scene when you return, and
3) How you could contribute to the TLH website (ex: blog post, video etc.).
Creativity is encouraged!

Applications are due at 11:59pm on April 14th via email (see address below), and the winner will be announced at the TLH Dovercourt night on April 28th. Put yourself in the spotlight and show us what you’ve got!

Fine print:
1. This contest is ALSO open to Hamilton, Kitchener, Waterloo, St. Catharines, Burlington and all surrounding areas (sorry Ottawa and beyond are not able to apply). With the understanding that in your written piece above you really state a strong case on how you will be able to contribute to the Toronto scene.
2. The judging will done blindly. Meaning the submitters names will be removed and handed over to the judges to review fairly. Those judges will remain anonymous to avoid any issues 🙂

Send all applications to: info@torontolindyhop.com

http://www.herrang.com/

PASS THIS AROUND even if you can’t apply yourself. Share in the fun for others 🙂

We’re pleased to welcome “Black Coffee” Joshua to Toronto for a special 2 part workshop !

Joshua has been dancing Lindy Hop and vernacular jazz for 14 years. Choreographer for The Careless Lovers’ hit music video Black Coffee, Joshua is known for his musicality and dynamic rhythms. He’s coming to Toronto for a vacation. While he’s here, let’s spread the rhythm around.

Our very own Reesa Del Duca will be partnering with Joshua to bring you this terrific workshop.

The level of this workshop is 1.5+ and is designed for social dancers of varying levels of experience.

Workshop: Spreading the Rhythm Around!

Part I: RHYTHM IS WHAT WE SELL

Wanna get your rhythm to market? 50% off on all winter material, everything must go! This class is about ridiculously fun Lindy Hop rhythms.

Part II: DOIN’ THE JIVE

You’ve called for the Shim Sham. You’ve called for the Jitterbug Stroll. What about Seattle’s new dance that’s sweepin’ the nation? Doin’ The Jive, brought to you by the same fools who made Black Coffee, is a new jazz dance that’ll get you clappin’ your hands, stompin’ your feet, and swingin’ out wide. Do the Suzy Q, mix in a step or two, throw it all together and you’re Doin’ the Jive. Join us for the Canadian premier!

Spreading the Rhythm Around!

• Level 1.5+
• Saturday, April 14th
• 4pm to 6pm
• $20 in advance/$23 at the door
• Pre-Register Now!