Schedule:
Mercury Cafe! (Highlight over the blank space for the secret address!)
- 2199 California Street
- Denver, CO 80205
- (303) 294-9258
- contact@mercurycafe.com
5:30 swing class beg Lindy Hop
6:30pm swing class beg Jitterbug 8pm Dance - $8 includes classesFRIDAY, APRIL 6
EVENING DANCE
Denver Turnverein
-Beginner swing lesson at 7-8 pm FREE upstairs
- Intermediate swing dance lesson 7-8 PM Downstairs $5
- $10 for non members - Free for Turnverein Members!
SATURDAY, APRIL 7
DAY DANCE
Lindy Bomb at the Lindyhopping Alien Statue at the DCPA
- Of all the second rate dance floors you can find, you just can't beat cement. And that's why we'll be dancing at the Statue on Saturday afternoon from about 1pm until we don't feel like it anymore! Find the gazebo in the middle of Sculpture Park, at the corner of Speer and Champa.
EVENING DANCE
Crash Intercollegiate Swing Battle dance with JEREMY MAHONEY!
Knights of Columbus
1555 Grant St, Denver, CO 80203
- 8-9/9:30pm Intercollegiate Swing Battle Audience Admission
9/9:30pm-Midnight JEREMY MAHONEY LIVE and Blues room in the basement
- $20
Late Night with TBA
Facebook Event
SUNDAY, APRIL 8
DAY DANCE
1 to 4 pm Boulder Friends of Jazz Jam - The monthly jams are held at the Avalon Ballroom, 6185 Arapahoe Rd, Boulder, CO.
Admission to the jam sessions is $10 for non-members, $8 for members, $2 for students, and $4 for a Gray Wolf. Participating musicians are admitted free. The jam sessions are open to all musicians who sign in at the door. Everyone doing so is guaranteed to play. Both musicians and non-musicians may look forward to great listening and a good dance floor.
EVENING DANCE
Mercury Cafe!
2199 California Street
Denver, CO 80205
(303) 294-9258
contact@mercurycafe.com
5:30 swing class beg Lindy Hop
6:30pm swing class beg Jitterbug 8pm Dance w/Queen City Jazz Band! - $10 includes classes - Guys, this band is awesome sauce. They have a New Orleans style. They have been in the Denver Jazz Scene longer than anyone, and theyCheck out our Facebook Event for some other dance/music events folks have posted that are also going on Sunday!
MONDAY, APRIL 4
TBA
Nate's iPod! - this has been the back up to Nate's Computer at many dances at the Turnverein!
Housing:
Copy and paste the following as your Facebook status: Hey Denver friends! I am going to be in Denver for Second Rate Swing Exchange from 4/6 to 4/9! Anyone have a place I can crash for the weekend? I am super excited for the event! Can't wait to see (TAG NAMES OF ALL FACEBOOK FRIENDS WHO SWING DANCE IN DENVER)!
-or-
Lark’s training as a dancer began as a young child with jazz, lyrical, hip-hop, tap, and in musical theater. She later found her true passion in the world of swing dancing, more notably Lindy Hop and Charleston. She has danced with, and choreographed for, many troupes including; BLAM!, Atomic Rhythm, The Jumpin’ JiveCats, The Diamond Dolls, and 23 Skidoo, and has won numerous awards in solo Charleston and Lindy Hop competitions. When it comes to teaching, Lark emphasizes the relaxed, carefree spirit of swing dancing, while maintaining a foundation for proper technique and connection. She has been teaching various styles of partnered swing and solo jazz to a wide range of students from preschool to retirement home.
Nick Buchanan
Dance Instructor, Choreographer, Manager
Born in Michigan, Nick grew up listening to Polkas, Motown, Metal, R&B, Gangster Rap, and Hip Hop before discovering the magic of jazz music through NPR. Falling in love with the music, it was only a matter of time before he found the popular dance of the swing era, Lindy Hop. Nickolas has studied American vernacular dances, including Lindy Hop, Charleston, Balboa, East Coast, Collegiate Shag, Solo Jazz, and Blues, for 10 years and has taught for about 7 years.
Nickolas has traveled across the US and Europe, sharing his passion for American vernacular dance. He is thrilled to be part of CMDances school program where he teaches everything from basic motor skill movement and dance to pre-school through 3rd grade students and more complicated choreographies to middle and high school students.
Elena Hofer
Preschool Dance Instructor, Choreographer
Elena graduated from the Conservatory of Music and Dance at the University of Missouri at Kansas City in 2010, where she obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in modern dance performance. While at the Conservatory, she was privileged to study under and perform in various pieces by Jennifer Medina, DeeAnna Hiett, Sabrina Madison-Cannon, Paula Weber, Rodni Williams, Mary Pat Henry, and Ronald Tice. During the last several years she has attended summer intensive programs at The Ailey School in New York City; Jennifer Medina’s Common Thread Contemporary Dance Company in St. Louis, Missouri; and Cleo Parker Robinson in Denver.
Elena also holds an Associate of Applied Science in Small Business Management. Currently, Elena choreographs, studies salsa dancing, and teaches dance for both English and Spanish-speaking classes in the Head Start program through cmDance. She hopes to use dance and choreography as a tool to build self-esteem and create a positive self-image for young children and growing dancers, especially those who come from difficult backgrounds.
Freeman Bacon
Dance Instructor, Choreographer, Manager
Freeman Bacon began working with children at his first job at Joy Burns Ice Arena at the University of Denver in 1995. After leaving for several years, he returned to mentor skaters ages 4 through adult who were new to the ice rink at the university’s Learn-to-Skate program.
Freeman’s teaching focus expanded to include dancing in the winter of 2009, when a friend showed him his first Lindy Hop step. Freeman has studied many vintage partner dances, including Lindy Hop, East Coast Swing, Balboa, Collegiate and St. Louis Shag, and Blues. He also samples other dance forms such as hip hop, Latin, and ballroom to add to his repertoire and to inspire his other dancing. He has performed with multiple teams, dance groups, and companies in Denver.
In the fall of 2010, Freeman brought his teaching talents to cmDance, expanding his skill set to teach pre-school age children. Freeman’s high energy level and dedication to his classrooms enables him to relate easily with those in the program and positively impact both students and teachers. Through his methods, he facilitates growth in the children’s motor skills, physical expression, and creativity.
Matthew Pait
Dance Instructor, Manager
Raised in Fort Collins, Matt’s exposure to Lindy Hop started in 2001, when he played trumpet for his school’s concert and jazz bands. The music led him to the dance, and he participated in the first social dance class his school offered. Dedicated to sharing his passion for swing dance, Matt fostered a community of young dancers in his town. To reach new audiences through performance, Matt joined teams including CSU Blam, 23 Skidoo and, most recently, cmDance.
Matt has taught extensively, in Denver and on both coasts. He has primarily studied Lindy Hop, but has also studied solo jazz movement, Balboa, and blues.
Matt believes dance gives young people body awareness, coordination, and fitness in a fun and non-competitive environment in addition to social skills including etiquette and healthy interaction. He loves that dance education gives kids hands-on access to America’s political and cultural history as they learn about the jazz music that shapes the dancing. Teachers, parents, and administrators from schools have praised Matt’s passion and his emphasis on having fun while staying active.
Sara Deckard
Dance Instructor, Choreographer, Manager, Coordinator
Sara Deckard, though never classically trained, has been dancing since her mother taught her how to “mash potatoes” as a little girl. In 2004, she fell in love with Lindy Hop and all dances of the Jazz Age such as Charleston, Balboa, Shag, Drag Blues and others. She began competing and performing in 2005 and has since won titles in Lindy Hop, authentic jazz, and blues dance at events around the world. As much as she loves to show off, Sara is a true street dancer and is happiest on the SOCIAL dance floor, or connecting with students in a relaxed workshop setting.
As a teacher, Sara is spirited and encouraging. She emphasizes staying true to the spirit of Swing and creating authentic, organic movement while maintaining one’s own creative voice and, of course, having as much fun as possible. She strives to give her students the confidence to get out and let their spirit move, experiment with new steps and celebrate happy accidents. Sara has taught at many workshops around the world, including the acclaimed Herräng Dance Camp in Sweden. Sara is also an instructor for CM Dance’s school outreach program, which fosters the next generation of jazz babies in Denver, CO, where she currently resides.
Advisors
Chris Russo
Chris Russo supports cmDance as its financial consultant, calling upon 15 years of accounting and finance experience working with non-profit, governmental, and for-profit organizations. Chris graduated from Regis University with a B.S. degree in Professional Accounting in 1996, with honors and the Joesph A. Ryan Award, and completed his MBA at Regis in 2004.
He also serves on the Board of Directors for Apollo Chamber brass, a 501(c) (3) non-profit, and is an active member in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Colorado Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the Financial Executives International Organization.
Berma Benson
Berma Benson had a thirty year career as a physical education/dance teacher, assistant principal and director of elementary education with Denver Public Schools. Following her retirement, she came to work for Denver’s Great Kids Head Start as the education administrator, a position she has held for ten years. Ms. Benson is active in the community and regularly volunteers her time to choreograph various events.
Rachel Farley
Noriko Muira
Joe DeMers
FAQ:
Is this actually happening, again? Yes.
Is there any type of registration required in advance? Nope.
Will it be any better than last time? No.
Link to Facebook Event
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