Houston Swing Dance Society

A new generation of Houston's performance troupe, Houston Hepcats, is spreading the word about HSDS all over Houston. Recently, the group has performed at events like the Spring Branch Education Foundation fundraiser and the University of St. Thomas' Health Week Crawfish Boil. Each of these events exposed hundreds of new people to lindy hop, and hopefully enticed them to come try our lessons. Don't miss the next Hepcats performance around town.

Look for the Hepcats performance every 1st Sunday of the month at HSDS.

Second Cup Swing hosts their monthly dance at Taft Street Coffee (2115 Taft) Saturday June 21st at 8:30pm till Midnight. Only $4!

Demitasse Dance every Saturday (except for Taft dance) 9pm @ Té House of Tea (1927 Fairview) FREE!!!

HSDS 5th Sunday Dance will be held June 29th at the Melody Club and will feature a special LIVE performance by the Danielle Reich Trio. Admission is a canned food donation.

• Join PotatoChips to post and receive periodic email announcements about swing dance events.

   

• Go to Houston Swing Out to join discussions regarding dances, etiquette, overcoming shyness, or getting a group together for movie night. It's all there.
  

For the kids you know or just the kid in you, this set of Swing songs are perfect for any playground or on the dance floor. Who said Swing is only for grown-ups?

Click here to see this month's selection.

All HSDS classes are Sundays at The Melody Club, unless otherwise posted. Click here to view our weekly class schedule. We offer lessons for beginner to advanced dancers. No partner necessary! Our weekly Sunday dance is 8:30-10:30pm following the lessons.

Get the most out of your HSDS membership! By being a member of HSDS, not only are you eligible for all the discounts at our workshops, classes, and dances. But by showing that you're a member you will also get discounts from our affiliated associations all across Texas. If you travel to Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, College Station to attend one of their events, you will get their membership discounts. HSDS annual membership dues are only $15 for students and $25 for everyone else. You can renew any Sunday at the front desk by check or cash.

Every 5th Sunday is a special dance where HSDS brings to you a fun-filled evening. We have invited jazz singer and HSDS alum, Danielle Reich, to entertain us with her trio on June 29th. There will be a free lesson by Jason & Chansin at 7:30pm followed by a dance at 8:30p.

We ask that you bring canned goods for donation to the Houston Food Bank as your entry fee. Annually, nearly 40 million pounds of food helps fill the stomachs of impoverished individuals in our 18-county service area. Our goal is to donate 10 boxes of food to the Food Bank. So, please help us reach that goal by bringing canned goods to the dance. You get live music, great dance, and doing good all in one evening.

Electives for May and June will be Balboa.  The beginning session in May will be taught by Terry & Van. Then continue the fun into the Intermediate session in June with Gloria & Wilber.   Class time is 7:30pm.

What is Balboa or Bal-Swing?  It is a dance that was developed Southern California in the 1920’s mainly to adapt to the crowded dance floors of the era; it's danced in a closed dance position. Bal-Swing involves open swing dance moves.  Balboa or Bal-Swing is done in 8 count patterns or multiples of 2; it can be done to slow music 90 bpm or rather “comfortably” at 300 bpm.  Come join us in May and June to see what this dance is all about.

Have you ever wondered if you're getting the moves you just learned in class right or needed just a little more time for questions you've been wanting to ask? How about just taking your dance to the next level? Well, we're here to help.

Beginning in June, your HSDS instructors will be starting a new program to serve new and old dancers by offering private lessons at a discounted rate. We understand not everyone need a full hour of private lesson, but just need some time to just clear up some questions and make sure the moves are done right. For $10, your instructors will give you 30 minutes of instruction time tailored to your needs. This is time for you to ask questions about what you learned in class, or improve on how to be a better dancer. All proceed will be going back to the club to bring you more live acts, water cups, and other amenities we provide to our members.

Texas Events

Dallas Swing Dance Society is proud to present a one day intermediate workshop with Joel and Alison to a limited group. Register for one of 70 spots (35 leads and 35 follows) for this amazing workshop on June 21st. If you register online by June 16th, the price is only $45(members or affiliates)/$55(non-members). The price covers a 5 hour workshop from world class instructors and the Saturday dance. The workshop will cover lindy hop, charleston, balboa and putting it all together.

Joel & Alison have a full knowledge and understanding of various styles that they share in their instruction. To 'preserve' a dance, you must understand the technique and characteristic fundamentals of that dance. For a dance to 'evolve', you must be open to everyone adding creative elements to that dance. They encourage students to study and be open to "differences" so that they can make the dance their own. Joel & Alison embody these qualities in their instruction and their dancing while remembering the true reason we dance - for *FUN*! Register online at http://www.dsds.org/joelandalison

National Events

International Lindy Hop Championship
ILHC
August 22^nd – 24^th Join all your favorite dancers for workshops and competitions.  This will truly be the first event of its kind, recognizing the international presence and appeal of Lindy Hop, while preserving its spirit and giving the dance the respect and honor it deserves. This will be a world-class event with top-level competitions organized, performed and judged at the highest levels possible. 

Beantown Camp
Beantown
June 26 to July 3  Join the Massachusetts scene for another week of fantastic instruction.  Dance and make friends with other dancers from other parts of the US and world.