GREETINGS GATES*!

PICTURE OF THE WEEK

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"Just one more question, Billy.
What does it feel like when you're dancing?"

"Don't know. Sort of stiff, and that. But then once I get going, I forget everything. And, ummm. sort of disappear. Sort of disappear. Can feel a change in me whole body. Like there's fire in me body. I'm just there. Flying. Like a bird. Like electricity. Yeah. Like electricity."

Our latest four-week series of classes has begun, and we were thrilled when 40 people walked through the door for our Level 1 class! It's so exciting to us to see how many people continue to come along and learn swing dancing here in the South Bay in 2002!!! We want to officially welcome all our new friends and also welcome back our returning pals...it's great to dance with you ALL! 

Remember, if you or anyone you know would like to join our swing dance classes this series but have missed the first week, IT'S NOT TOO LATE! We always accept registration through the second week of classes and we always spend part of that second week reviewing the first week's material, so everyone is on the same page. Go ahead and join in...we'd love to have you!!! 

Everyone found our Monday night Featured Class quite appealing. We were able to take a big bite out of "The Big Apple," and we know we'll get to the core of the dance by the end of the series (puns provided by Chuck and Gina Ruth and Shadrach, applause applause). Originally, the Big Apple was a non-partnered dance done in a circle, with a "caller" shouting out steps for everyone to do, such as "Suzy-Q", "Truckin'," or "Applejack." Then in the 1940's the legendary Frankie Manning set a choreographed Big Apple routine for Whitey's Lindy Hoppers, the premier lindy hop performance group in the world. We are teaching this choreographed routine, and it is LOADS of fun. 

REMINDER: SPECIAL FOR LEVEL 4 STUDENTS: If you are a Level 4 dancer, we have a great offer -- you can go through any of our Level 1, 2, and 3 classes for $10 per series! Yes, that's right, just $10 for an ENTIRE series. What a fantastic and economical way to brush up on your technique, get those little critical details you may have missed in the all the excitement first time around, and meet new dancers. You can even go through as an "opposite" (leaders, you can go through as a follow, and follows as leaders -- this is also terrific for improving your dancing, as it gives you an insider's look at the other side and helps you do your job much better). 

TERRIFIC NEW PAGE UP ON OUR WEBSITE...
WEDDINGS!!!!

The improvements and additions continue on our website!!! Now we have a whole page devoted to weddings! On the page, you'll find out all about the great services we can provide at the event, including dance lessons, DJ'ing and even choreographing a dance for the "First Dance as Husband and Wife!" You'll also be able to read testimonials from some of our past couples with whom we have had the pleasure of working! So stop on by and check it out...it's neat!! And if you have any friends or relatives who are planning their wedding, send them our way. 

We are just so excited about this!!! Rusty was extremely involved with an organization called the Art Deco Society of California when she lived in San Francisco. Even after moving to Southern California, she still made it a point to support the organization and return to attend many of their great events. Now, the people in charge have decided to honor Rusty's work and efforts at preserving the vintage lifestyle! For Rusty, the award has particularly deep meaning, as only one individual is honored each year. Here's part of the letter they sent to her recently: 

Dear Rusty, 

We are delighted to announce that you have been selected to receive the historic Art Deco Preservation Award from the Art Deco Society of California. You are being honored for your promotion of Art Deco dance forms by instructing thousands of students in tap and swing dance, and in addition, your production of "Swingin' The Century" in Los Angeles has introduced a new generation to the era. 

This contribution to preservation will be honored at our Seventeenth Annual Art Deco Preservation Ball, to be held on March 30, 2001, at the Paramount Theater in Oakland. 

The Art Deco Society of California, a non-profit organization founded in San Francisco in 1982, is dedicated to the preservation of the architecture, art, dance, fashion, film, music and transportation of the period between the two World Wars. To increase public awareness, appreciation and enjoyment of Art Deco and the many aspects of culture from the 1920's, 1930's and early 1940's, ADSC sponsors educational activities and special events and is active in preservation efforts statewide. ADSC also serves as an important resource for information on all facets of the Age of Art Deco in America and particularly on the West Coast; we have provided assistance for everyone from movie site scouts to corporate event producers.

Congratulations on your award, and we hope you will be able to join us at the Preservation Ball. 

Sincerely, 

Cherie Oliver
President

Let's hear it for Rusty!!! Hip hip...HOORAY!!!!!

P.S. You'll BET she'll be there to receive her award (let's it put this way, this is equivalent to her of receiving an Academy Award. 

Rusty, pictured here with her new dance partner, 10-year old Ryan!

For more information on the Art Deco Society of California click HERE

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* * * * THIS WEEK AT THE RHYTHM CLUB * * * *

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COME TO THE RHYTHM CLUB THIS WEDNESDAY!!!
IT'S MORE FUN THAN YOU CAN SHAKE A STICK AT...

7:30-8:00pm Beginner's East Coast Swing Lesson
8:00-11:30 Dance!  Dance!  Dance!

Birthdays!!
Clancy O' Hara 
Dwayne Gurung

This Wednesday night, the Rhythm Club swings again with another terrific night of music and dancing in the South Bay! Come down and swing the night away and help us celebrate the birthdays of some of our pals!!! We have a special birthday dance lined up for our own Clancy O'Hara and Dwayne Gurung, so make sure to be there and wish them a happy birthday!

Thanks to everyone for making Rusty's birthday so special. We think she established a new record with five cakes and a dozen cupcakes, not to mention bags and boxes of chocolate, and other gifties. She's good for chocolate for at least two or three weeks, don't you think?! Thanks to Chris "Shutterbug" Johnson for not only introducing the "Lindy Trading Cards" but also taking this picture at the Rhythm Club last Wednesday. 

 
Rusty enjoys her birthday dance with current dance partner Peter!

So come down this Wednesday night and spend an evening among friends at the Rhythm Club.. We've got some of the best DJ'ed swing music anywhere and a reputation for being the friendliest club in Southern California! Add a 2,800 square foot dancefloor and some pretty powerful air conditioning, loads of parking and a mere $6 cover charge and you've got yourself a terrific evening. And it's open to ALL AGES!!! 

Full details, click HERE;
Directions, click HERE

SEE YOU THERE!

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APRIL 19-22, 2002
REGISTER NOW FOR THE
2002 LINDY CRUISE TO MEXICO!!!
APRIL 19-22, 2002

The Swing Session -- Live on deck at last year's Lindy Cruise!

Join us and twenty-eight of our students!! 

For more information on this incredible event, click: HERE

Hope to see you onboard!!!

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* * * * LINK OF THE WEEK * * * *

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SWING DANCING GETS A BOOST FROM
THE LOS ANGELES TIMES CALENDAR SECTION!!!

For those of you who may have missed it, our favorite form of dance received a major promotion from the LA Times recently! Every Thursday, they release a huge pull-out Calendar section...the one that everyone looks at to plan what they'll be up to for the next three days. Well. THIS time around, if you opened up to that pull-out, your eyes were greeted by a FULL-PAGE, FULL-COLOR picture of swing dancing, which led to a several-page article on how swing dancing is carrying on and growing, regardless of the lessening in media hype after the "Swingers"/"Gap Ad" phenomenon of three years ago. The article was brought to our attention by our friend Tammy Munro, who wrote us this note: 
 

Hi Rusty & Peter, 

Just thought you'd like to know there's a two page ad in Thursdays' LA Times Weekend Calendar on Swing, "The Jitterbug Still Flies." It talks about the craze, how it hasn't disappeared, how it's resurfacing, talks about the Derby, Paladino's, and other fun stuff, in case you haven't seen it. 

Enjoy! Tammy =)

As if the article wasn't enough, there followed a listing of Swing Dance venues, with ONE venue listed for every night of the week, and we are proud to say that the Rhythm Club was the selected location for swingin' on Wednesday!!! Hooray!!!! 

We thought we'd pass along the article so everyone could read it!!! 

Click HERE to read the article ! Enjoy!!! 

Click HERE for the link of page with the listings 

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See you soon!

Swingcerely,
Rusty and Peter
Swing Shift
http://www.swingshiftontap.com

*Wondering what the heck a "gate" is?  This was a phrase popularized by 1940's comedian, Jerry Colonna, who would holler it out every time he was introduced on the Bob Hope radio program.  It was a friendly salutation to a swing cat (dancer or swing music enthusiast).

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HAVE YOU JOINED THE SWING SHIFT RHYTHM CLUB?

Members of the Swing Shift Rhythm Club at
Shriners Children's Hospital, LA