|
 :: Back to CBDC
 ::
WEST COAST SWING
Class Info
Figures
INSTRUCTORS
Fall 2005 Beginner Class
- Professional Instructor, Gary Ulaner
Winter 2004 Intermediate Class
- Professional Instructor, Michael Eads
Fall 2003 Beginner Class
- Top Amateur Dancers Alex Samuel &
Libbat Shaham
PLACES TO DANCE WEST COAST SWING
Courtesy of Alex Samuel
These are places to dance WCS in the L.A. area -- those that
are closest Caltech, and some a little farther that are worth the trip.
You'll find some of the best WCS dancers anywhere at these places:
-
Thursday evenings at The Hacienda --
This place is frequented by our instructor Gary
Ulaner!!
The Hacienda Hotel is an ordinary medium-sized hotel close
to LAX, but Thursday evenings at The Hacienda's bar is one of the best
places for WCS around. It's an ordinary bar, so it's 21 and over only,
and there's as much socializing as dancing. There are three good-sized
dance floors and a good mix of pop WCS with some blues, R&B,
nightclub two-step, and hustle mixed in. No cover, but you have to buy
a couple of drinks (alcoholic or otherwise). It's an older crowd
earlier in the evening, with the younger folks showing up around 9 PM.
Most people there know each other, so it'll take a few trips before you
fit in 100%.
Directions: Take 110 S to 105 W towards LAX. Exit Route 1
/ Sepulveda Blvd south. The hotel is about four blocks down, on
the right, at 525 N Sepulveda Blvd. Look for the big red sign. About 30
minutes from Caltech.
-
Valley Swing Dance Club Wednesday Night Dance
Champion dancers and instructors Sonny Watson and Deanna
Mollmann host the San Fernando Valley Swing Dance Club weekly dance on
Wednesday nights in Reseda. Most weeks, the legendary Jumpin' Jack
Smith spins the discs. It's a more casual and friendly crowd than many
of the more intense L.A. WCS venues. Sonny and Deanna teach beginner
and intermediate lessons at 7 PM and 8 PM, respectively, and dancing
goes from 9 PM until midnight or so. Eight bucks per person; 18 and
over; there's a bar. See http://www.streetswing.com/clubdnc1.htm
for details.
Directions: Take 134 W to 101 W, and exit at Reseda Blvd.
Take a right on Reseda to head north. Go about two miles, make a right
on Sherman Way, and an immediate left onto Canby Ave. The dance is at
the American Legion, two blocks up on the right, at 7338 Canby Ave.
It'll take 30-40 minutes from Caltech.
-
Sunday night at Memories
If there is a center to the WCS universe, it's probably
Sunday nights at Memories in Whittier. You won't find a weekly
gathering of better WCS dancers anywhere. Some of the top champions and
dance teachers in the area show up to dance. Many weeks feature an
informal Jack&Jill dance contest. It's probably a bit intimidating
for novice dancers, but it's fun just to watch. The dance is $7 per
person, or $5 if you join the West Coast Swing Dance Club. All ages.
Dancing starts early -- around 5:30 PM -- but the better dancers arrive
around 8 PM or so, and dancing goes until midnight or a bit past,
depending on the crowd. DJs rotate each week, and the mix tends to be
varied. There is a bar, and the kitchen serves food; in addition, there
are additional sources of food and drinks around the corner in downtown
Whittier. See http://www.westcoastswingdanceclub.org
for details.
Directions: Take 210 E to 605 S, and exit Whittier Blvd.
Make a left onto Whittier Blvd heading east. Go about a mile and make a
left turn onto Philadelphia St. In about six blocks, turn left on
Comstock Ave and park immediately on the street or in the lot on the
right. The address is 12901 Philadelphia Ave, but enter on Comstock Ave
and go up the stairs. It's about 30-40 minutes from Caltech.
Please email Alex Samuel :: samuel [at] caltech.edu ::
with suggestions, corrections, or questions.
|
