Upcoming events!
Check out these events and also like the facebook page to get a weekly list of swing dance and music events at www.facebook.com/AZLindy
November/December 2023

In this issue... Lindy hop classes in November and December at Dancewise, Rooftop Swing and Blues some Wednesdays starting 11/15, 3rd Saturday dance in November at NRG, 4th Friday Dance at Dancewise in December, Two Lindy and Balboa cruises in 2024, dance events around the world, and lots more!

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Swing and Blues on the Roof with the The Sugar Thieves
Wednesdays in November and December – 11/29, 12/6, and 12/13
Cambria Rooftop Bar - 222 E Portland St, Phoenix, AZ
Live music from 6pm - 8pm, DJ playing swing and soul from 8pm-9pm
Swing dance lesson at 6:45pm, Free, All ages welcome

Dance class with Steve Conrad who is the founder and director of the Arizona Lindy Hop Society and has been teaching Lindy Hop and swing dancing for more than 27 years. He has traveled around the world teaching with tours across the US, Europe, and China. His first Lindy Hop teacher was the legendary Frankie Manning and Steve produced the Arizona Swing Jam workshop with Frankie in AZ for 14 years until Frankie's passing at age 94. Steve was featured on ABC's "The Bachelorette", HGTV's "House Hunters", Arizona Highways TV, and NBC's "Little Big Shots: Forever Young". Steve helped lead a pilot program for teaching ballroom dance to people experiencing homelessness at the Human Services Campus in Phoenix and has used dance as a healing modality for children in the foster care system by teaching for Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona. In 2021, Phoenix mayor Kate Gallego declared April 29th "Steve Conrad Day" for his contribution to dance and the arts in Phoenix.

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Friday,  December 1st - Swing Dance for a Cause for Sydney Abel
Z Room Mesa - 1337 S Gilbert Rd UNIT 116, Mesa, AZ 85204
Beginner swing dance lesson: 7:30PM-8PM
Open dancing: 8PM-11:30PM
Open Mix and Match competition: 9PM (with possible final at 10:30PM)
All proceeds from the night will go to Sydney Abel's service dog in training, Tank. Sydney has been a local swing dancer in Phoenix since 2015 and suffers from an autonomic nervous system disorder that causes her to frequently pass out. She is raising money for a service dog that will be able to detect these fainting episodes, find help, retrieve water, and a multitude of other tasks that will greatly improve her quality of life. Sydney has already raised almost $2,500, but still has about $13,000 to raise to complete Tank's training.
$15 admission and $10 competition entry goes directly to Tank's service dog fund.
There will be a raffle with some amazing community donated prizes. Tickets are $5 or five tickets for $20.
No partner necessary and open to all levels.

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December 9th and 10th - Jazz Jam '23
Classes with LaTasha Barnes, Chiadikaobi Njoku, Justus Kerr, and Amanda Dickens
Three different tracks designed to help everyone receive the maximum benefit from the learning environments.
More details coming soon but save the date!

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January 2024 progressive series - Balboa FUNdamentals and more!
January 4, 11, 18, and 25
Join the Arizona Lindy Hop Society for some exciting new Balboa classes that will have you on the dance floor feeling more confident and having fun. We will be exploring connection to our partners and the music, basic steps, and socially lead-able and follow-able moves. This 4 week progressive series will challenge you and help your dancing grow, and great if you are just starting to learn or refreshing the basics

Dancewise Dance Studio: 5555 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, AZ
7:00-8:20pm: Swing dance lesson and practice to swing music
All ages welcome, no partner needed.
$15 per person, per class
These classes are progressive and build on the previous class each week

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Friday, January 26th - 4th Friday Swing Night at Dancewise
We are back with our 4th Friday swing night . Join us for a great night of dancing with a 6-count Lindy (aka East Coast Swing) lesson and then open dancing.

Dancewise Dance Studio: 5555 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, AZ
8:00-8:30pm: Swing dance lesson
8:30pm-10:30pm: Dance to DJs - special Balboa night
All ages welcome, no partner needed.
$12 per person (class cards available for a discount)

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8 day Lindy and Balboa Cruise to the Panama Canal
February 17-25, 2024
Join us for an amazing time starting in Tampa and breathtaking ports in the Caribbean.
Here are our ports: Tampa, FL ► Limon, Costa Rica ► Panama Canal Partial Transit ► Cayman Islands
This will be an 8-day Lindy and Balboa Cruise aboard the Carnival Pride while dancing our way to paradise!
We leave from Tampa, FL (come in early for local dances and activities) and head to the warm beaches and crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean to visit the exotic ports of Costa Rica, Panama, and Grand Cayman.
Classes during days at sea, dances on pristine beaches and dances at night on the ship to our DJs and the ship's live music!
Learn to dance from top international instructors from around the U.S. with classes in Lindy Hop, East Coast Swing, Balboa, Shag, Charleston, vintage jazz steps & line dances, and so much more! Beginning to advanced level classes.
Singles and couples welcome - plenty of partners for everyone. We will enjoy our dance lessons and continue the fun at our private dance cocktail parties! We dine as a group and we have some fun theme nights too!
The fun never stops and you will make memories and friends that can last a lifetime.
Instructors include:

• Steve Conrad (Phoenix, AZ)
• Terry & Cindy Gardner (Minneapolis, MN)
• Camille Hartley (Wilmington, NC) ukulele and music track
• Ashley Perretta (Los Angeles, CA)
• Paul Riding and Laura Evans (Sacramento, CA)
• Jerry & Kathy Warwick (Dallas, TX)

You MUST book with our group to participate in the dances, workshops, and group dining!

www.Lindycruise.com

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Alaska Lindy and Balboa Cruise

July 2-9, 2024

Join us for a beautiful trip to Alaska on the Lindy and Balboa Alaska Cruise. We will start in Seattle and start the night before the cruise by attending a local dance.
Here are the ports of call: Seattle, WA ► Tracy Arm Fjord ► Skagway, AK ► Juneau, Alaska ► Ketchikan, Alaska ► Victoria, Canada
This will be a 7-day Lindy Cruise aboard the Carnival Dream while dancing our way to the Northern Lights!

Instructors: Steve Conrad (Phoenix, AZ), Stephanie Lee Demetreon (Bellingham, WA), Jason and Crystal Warner (Abbotsford, B.C., CAN), Todd Yannacone (New Orleans, LA)

Classes during days at sea, dances at night on the ship to our DJs and the ship's live music! Learn to dance from top international instructors from around the U.S. with classes in Lindy Hop, East Coast Swing, Charleston, vintage jazz steps & line dances, and so much more! Beginning to advanced level classes.

Singles and couples welcome - plenty of partners for everyone. We will enjoy our dance lessons and continue the fun at our private dance cocktail parties! We dine as a group and we have some fun theme nights too!
The fun never stops and you will make memories and friends that can last a lifetime.

You MUST book with our group to participate in the dances, workshops, and group dining!

www.LindyCruise.com

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LIVE MUSIC AND SWING DANCE EVENTS:
Get the weekly list of live music happenings at www.facebook.com/AZLindy
Weds., 11/29
The Sugar Thieves
Cambria Rooftop Bar - 222 E Portland St, Phoenix, AZ
Swing dance lesson at 6:45pm
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Free, 21+
Sat., 12/2
Bumpin Bud & The Inflight Groove - Motown and Soul Night
Rhythm Room - 1019 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix AZ
8:00 pm - 11:00 pm, $20, 21+
Sun., 12/3
Bluesman Mike and The Blues Review Band Plus Friends
Rhythm Room - 1019 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix AZ
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm, $10, 21+
Weds., 12/6
The Sugar Thieves
Cambria Rooftop Bar - 222 E Portland St, Phoenix, AZ
Blues dance lesson at 6:45pm
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Free, 21+
Thurs., 12/7
Suzie and the Acceleratorz with Tin Can Screamers
Rhythm Room - 1019 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix AZ
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm, $10, 21+
Sun., 12/10
The AZ Swing Kings Jazz Orchestra (19 piece big band) FREE
The Wigwam – 300 E. Wigwam Blvd., Litchfield Park, AZ
3pm-5pm, FREE, all ages welcome
www.litchfieldpark.gov
Weds., 12/13
The Sugar Thieves
Cambria Rooftop Bar - 222 E Portland St, Phoenix, AZ
Swing dance lesson at 6:45pm
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Free, 21+
Fri., 12/22
Christmas Blues with Sarah Styles & The Brotherhood of Blues, Big Daddy D & The Dynamites ft Betty Jo Vachon, Smokestack Lightning
Rhythm Room - 1019 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix AZ
8:00 pm - 11:00 pm, $20, 21+
Sat., 12/23
The Sugar Thieves
Rhythm Room - 1019 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix AZ
8:00 pm - 11:00 pm, $20, 21+
Sun. 1/7
Elvis Birthday Celebration - more than 20 bands play Elvis songs
Rhythm Room - 1019 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix AZ
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm, $10, 21+
Weekly event updates at www.Facebook.com/AZLindy

Swing Out - Lindy Hop, Swing, Balboa, and Blues Events around the World
see a full list of events around the world at: http://www.swingplanit.com/

November 17-19, 2023
GLX - Guadalajara Lindy Exchange
Guadalajara. Mexico
https://facebook.com/events/s/glx-guadalajara-lindy-exchange/720387199547986/

November 17-19, 2023
PittStop Lindy Hop
Pittsburg, PA
http://www.pittstoplindyhop.com/

November 23-26, 2023
Melbourne Lindy Exchange
Melbourne, Australia
http://melbournelindyexchange.com/

December 1-3, 2023
Swing on the Beach 2023 - Winter
Montesilvano-Pescara, Italy
http://www.swingonthebeach.com/

December 26, 2023-January 1, 2024
Lindy Focus
Asheville, NC
https://www.lindyfocus.com/

December 29, 2023-January 1, 2024
Stormy Weather Jazz Dance Festival
Seattle, WA
https://www.stormyweatherjazzfest.com/

January 12-14, 2024
California Balboa Classic
Los Angeles, CA
https://calbalclassic.com/

January 18-21, 2024
Jumpin’ at Istanbul
Istanbul, Turkey
https://www.jumpinatistanbul.com/

Feb. 17-25, 2024
Lindy and Balboa Cruise from Tampa to Costa Rica, Panama, and Cayman Islands
Tampa, FL
www.LindyCruise.com

July 2-9, 2024
Alaska Lindy and Balboa Cruise 
www.LindyCruise.com

On the Web

Each month we will offer you some web videos that are making their way around the world.  We have a video page up filled with vintage and new swing dance clips: azlindy.com/videos/

What is Lindy Hop?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fDIPCuGpjE

A Night in the 40's Big Band Hangar Dance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=pAfevHyPbBg&gl=UG

 

Recommended Spotify Playlists

Try these playlists to listen to some great swing music.
Lindy Hop (fast Lindy) playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4Lb2kZuuyYxsysFn6kYUsu

Soul Lindy: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5r0gH4pJmjU74ARpho3PLv

Dance Etiquette - A Lindy hoppers guide to Dance etiquette
Persoanl Hygiene
It is important to maintain personal hygiene. Some things that can help are showering before going to a dance, use deodorant, brush teeth, use breath mints, and if you tend to sweat a lot, perhaps bring a few changes of clothes so you can dry off and continue to dance.

Ten ways to improve your dancing

1. Private lessons are the single best way to learn how to dance
2. Go to group classes and social dancing as often as possible
3. Attend weekend camps for an immersion experience and jump start your dancing
4. Travel and dance out of town
5. Dance with a variety of people, of all dance levels, as much as possible.
6. Watch experienced dancers when you go out, on the internet, and anywhere else you can
7. Record yourself dancing and look at your lines and how you can improve
8. Listen to lots of swing music and dance to live music as often as possible
9. Try other dance forms
10. Have fun, be creative, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes

AZ Swing Dance - Join the AZ Lindy Hop Society for the best swing dance events in the greater Phoenix area!!