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February 7ST 2006
TUESDAY



Everybody's doing it!

"The feet may learn the steps, but only the spirit can dance"

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WHAT A MONTH AHEAD!

* FEB 7 *
"SILVER" A NEW TRACK SERIES - TONITE

* FEB 15 *
VALENTINES AT THE RHYTHM CLUB
WITH ENGLAND'S "THE JIVE ACES"

* FEB 22 *
RUSTY'S VINTAGE WESTERN BIRTHDAY PARTY
AT THE RHYTHM CLUB

* AND... FIRST TRACK SERIES DVD ARRIVES TO RAVE REVIEWS *

SAVE THE DATE -- VALENTINES RHYTHM CLUB PARTY -- FEBRUARY 15TH
WITH THE JIVE ACES! DIRECT FROM ENGLAND
FOR THEIR ONLY WEST COAST ENGAGEMENT!

I couldn't believe it when the phone rang last week with the Jives telling me that they had a Wednesday just for us! And best yet, it was for our Annual Rhythm Club Valentines Party. We want to make this a real blow-out party. So make sure to mark the date right now. This will be The Jive Aces' only West Coast Appearance this journey over... and it's been two years since they last played here! Don't miss it.

RUSTY'S B-DAY PARTY AT THE RHYTHM CLUB 2/22/06
VINTAGE WESTERN THEME! DRESS THE PART

The only thing good about getting older (what happened to the wiser stuff?) is that you get a "Birthday Dance"! Won't you please join me for mine at the Rhythm Club on February 22nd? I was very tempted to sneak my birthday up a week to have it on the Jive Aces night... but decided I couldn't get away with it -- dang! So, please make sure to mark it in your calendar -- Wednesday, February 22nd at the Rhythm Club, with the Campus Five.

AND, as seems to be the tradition, we'll be billing the night as a Vintage Western dress nite. Ever since I got the above outfit at age four, I've loved the ol' West. Part of my family even came across the country in a covered wagon, so I guess I come by it honestly. I've always loved horseback riding, and when I was a kid, I could never decide which I wanted to be more, a cowgirl or an Indian, so I alternated regularly!

Join me to celebrate my birthday with a special Rhythm Club birthday dance with you.

NEW TRACK SERIES DVD ARRIVES
NEW SUPER DISCOUNT ANNOUNCED
$125 FOR THE 6-DVD SET

Oh boy! The first "Track Series" dvds arrived last week -- the Orange Track. We got our first box load and had a little "dvd feeding frenzy" at classes. Ron and I are super proud of our work here, and stay tuned for further announcements, and more good news.

Although our initial super-duper pre-sale discount has expired, we have a new super (no more "duper") pre-sale discount of $125. Click HERE to get yours today.

From Maryla & Keith Storm:

Great DVD!

Keith and I couldn't wait to sit down and watch it - which we did Wednesday nite.

You and Ron looked great- we know it took a great deal of work putting this together and we greatly appreciate it! We plan on watching this dvd a lot and practicing......

Rusty -

Love love LOVE the Orange Track DVD.

I can tell that the Track series will be my favorite Lindy instructional video; the explanations are crystal clear and evenly balanced between advice for the men and ladies; the moves are VERY fun; and you and Ron have perfectly preserved the playful, bantering tone of our classes that help a student feel comfortable. Brava!

Steven Smith



SECOND SERIES OF 2006

"THE MASTER TRACK -- IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU!"
NEW 8-WEEK SERIES WITH RUSTY AND RON STARTS FEB 7TH



LIMITED ENROLLMENT -- RESERVE YOUR SPOT FOR APRIL-MAY SERIES

Rusty and Ron are introducing a brand new series for those who want to take their dancing to the next level. The course, entitled "The Master Track - It's All About You" is limited to fourteen students. The Feb-Mar series is fully booked, but we are already taking reservations for April-May.

The eight-week course focuses on your own dancing. Each week, Rusty and Ron will be working with each of the students individually and as a group in a series of exercises and challenges. The students will be video taped each week, the tapes will be studied as a group (in Lindy By The Sea's traditional upbeat, encouraging, and friendly environment) to examine individual areas of goals and progress. At the end of the eight week course, each student is presented with a dvd of their own dancing to track improvement and continue with on-going skills.

The eight-week course is open for enrollment for the April-May series (first come first serve). If you would like to reserve your spot, email us asap: info@rustyfrank.com

This course will start up every eight weeks. The total cost for all eight classes, and the dvd is $100/per student. What a value!

FEATURED FEB CLASS: "1920'S PARTNERED CHARLESTON"

A perennial favorite with Lindy Hoppers world-wide, 1920's Charleston is a perfect dance to segue in and out of Lindy Hop when the going gets fast!

INTRODUCING OUR SECOND NEW TRACK - SILVER

Introducing a brand new Track -- Silver! Last year, when we introduced The Track, we realized that the four-month series just wasn't enough, so we've introduced two more months of the Track for 2006 (Orange - which we are now completing - and Silver). You can find all the information on our website HERE

GOLDEN TICKET
"Now that's a deal"

If you would like to take advantage of our best offer, sign up for a Golden Ticket --$100, all the classes you want in the month series, or $90 (!!!!) pre-registered.

DANCE CLASSES! WHAT A BARGAIN!

We have a lot of wonderful options at Lindy By The Sea, such as any second class taken on the same day is 1/2 price, and our "Golden Ticket" allows you to take ALL of our classes in a given series for only $100 (or $90 if you pre-register!) What a deal. If you took four classes in the series, it would break down to $5.62 a class -- where else are ya gonna find that kind of bargain.

USE YOUR QUICK STOP CARD TO PRE-REGISTER AND SAVE 10% ON CLASSES

(click on image to find out how it works and how you can get one!)

PRE-REGISTRATION DISCOUNT!
SAVE 10% ON ALL YOUR CLASSES -- IT CAN REALLY ADD UP!

We have pre-registration discounts of 10% on the website. So you can register with your Quick Stop Card, or right on our site "easy peasy lemon squeezy". Go HERE. Remember, pre-register for class(es), you'll get a 10% discount off the normal prices. You can pre-register over the phone (310 606 5606), by check, or on-line We hope that you'll enjoy taking advantage of this new offer...

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SAVE THE DATES:

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15TH -- VALENTINES
WITH ENGLAND'S JIVE ACES!

SPECIAL GUEST MC MAXWELL DEMILLE

AND... FEBRUARY 22ND FOR RUSTY'S B-DAY!

FEBRUARY 8
FEBRUARY 15 VALENTINES PARTY!
WEAR RED & WHITE!
FEBRUARY 22 RUSTY'S BIRTHDAY PARTY
VINTAGE WESTERN DRESS
YIPPY-A-YAY!
MARCH 1
Dance Lesson and DJ on the first Wednesday of each month from 7:30-8:00
8:00-11:30pm -- Dance! Dance! Dance!
(check our calendar)

Full details, click HERE
Directions, click HERE
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This Week's Celebrations

Eric Floen
Joyce Yamamoto
Allen Hall
Gretchen Beck
Christy Wilhelmi
Damien Kam


If it's your birthday this week, just let us know at the Rhythm Club so you can get your birthday dance!


THE SWING SHIFT RHYTHM CLUB (SSRC), founded in 2000 by Rusty Frank's swing dance students.
The SSRC has two missions:

1. Having fun! (Fun)
2. Doing good deeds! (Philanthropy)


Subscribe to SwingShiftRhythmClub


YOU ASKED FOR IT! YOU GOT IT!

FIRST "TRACK SERIES" DVD READY -- "ORANGE"
RUSTY & RON AND THE TRACK SERIES

ORDER YOUR SET TODAY AND SAVE!!!

THE TRACK SERIES

"The Track Series" was developed by Rusty Frank and Ron Campbell in 2005. "We wanted a program that included just about every move a Lindy Hopper would want to know!" It's turned out to be a sensational program, so much so, that Lindy By The Sea students insisted Rusty & Ron make correlating DVDs.

The six DVD set matches the 6-month program that Rusty and Ron teach at Lindy By The Sea. Each Track is color coded and contains stand alone moves. In other words, students can choose any or all of the DVDs.

Each Track contains curriculum covering variations of the following moves: Swingouts, Charleston, Sugar Pushes, Slides, Boogie Steps, Hollywood Style, Savoy Style, Related Dances (1920s Charleston, Balboa, and Collegiate Shag), Styling, and Stop Reverses.

SAVE $$$ BY PRE-ORDERING!

The Track Series is a 6-DVD set. Each DVD is regularly priced at $30. Buying all six would cost you $180, but we are offering an early bird discount price of $125. Pre-order now and save $55! Order one for yourself and a friend.

ALL SIX DVDS FOR $180 $125 WHEN YOU PRE-ORDER

This offer good until
March 28, 2006

This offer good until
February 28, 2006

This offer good
forever!

WHAT THE LEGENDS ARE SAYING ABOUT RUSTY & RON'S TRACK SERIES DVDS

John Mills:

"You'll be greatly pleased by Rusty & Ron's instruction. They are smooth and clean dancers, and very, very talented."

Jean Veloz:

"It's wonderful, it's outstanding! Rusty & Ron do such an excellent job of teaching and just putting it out there. My gosh, it's great!"


A NOTE FROM JESSICA

A year and a half after my mother, Albertine Smidt-Breukhoven, passed away (newsletter July 14, 2004) I must again sent a heartfelt "Thanks to All of You" , my Swing Dance family. My father, Felix Richard Ludwig Smidt, passed away right after Christmas after being hospitalized just after Thanksgiving. Catherine Sayre and Chris Eisenberg especially, were never more than a stone's throw away for errands and comfort. Cannot even count all the people who wrote and called and came to the Viewing and the Funeral. Special thanks, again, also go to Dean Campazzi of the Medjugorje Rosary Prayer Group, St. James Church, for leading the Rosary at the Viewing, Gilbert Concepcion and (my brother-in-law) James Densmore for sharing lector duties during the Memorial Service, and to Ria McLaughlin for catering the Reception after the Service. As before, hubby Steve and I, son Sean and Daughter-in-Law Frannie, were very comforted by Dance and Church friends, old high school chums and our neighbors. My father missed my mother very much and these people also helped fill this void this past 1 1/2 years without her.

Blessings,

Jes


FAYARD NICHOLAS PASSES AWAY

My dear friend, Fayard Nicholas, died January 24, 2006 in his home surrounded by his loving wife and close friends. I want to again thank you for everything you each did to help ease the burden for his wife, Katherine by writing notes and cards and sending over financial help in their true hour of need.

The funeral was last Friday, and it was, in it's own way, a real joy. Around 200 people packed into the cemetery chapel to "celebrate" this man's extraordinary life. From deeply moving moments such as Linda Hopkins wailing "Amazing Grace" to everyone joining in a Nicholas Brothers' rendition of "Chattanooga Choo Choo" (the Glenn Miller tune they introduced in the film "Sun Valley Serenade"), the afternoon was truly a unique experience. My pals over at Kinkos donated a poster sized portrait of Fayard, which we placed up front surrounded by flowers -- and I couldn't take my eyes off of Fayard's amazing face and soul.

I was asked by Katherine to say a few words, and I have included them below.

If any of you are still interested in helping Katherine get on her feet, I have left the "Fayard Nicholas Fund" open for her benefit... to help her by having time to grieve, decide what she wants to do with her life, and not have to worry about money for awhile. Click HERE if you would like to help.

There is a celebration planned for the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion... stay tuned for more info.

Fayard Nicholas October 20, 1914 - January 24, 2006

Some Loving Words By Rusty E. Frank

Fayard Nicholas was one of the greatest dancers, entertainers, humanitarians, and people, I've ever known. I never heard him say a bad word about anyone. And, I never heard anyone say a bad word about him. He was universally loved by all.

He had an indefatigable spirit that buoyed him throughout his life. I never once saw him without that twinkle in his eye and a laugh just moments away from his lips.

He and his little brother, Harold, absolutely changed the face of dancing through their skill, artistry, and creativity. There is no doubt in my mind about that.

I first met Fayard in 1987 when I was doing research on my book, TAP! I had been warned that he had arthritic hips and didn't walk well, so I had prepared myself mentally (and emotionally) to see this tap legend hobble into the room. Our meeting was scheduled at The Motion Picture Country Home's library. I got there a little early and nervously awaited. Then, flash!, the glass door swung wide open, and in came a'struttin' Fayard Nicholas, not crippled at all, but full of pep vim and verve all that style and class I knew from his movies. There was that famous smile, and then the hands shot out as he said, "Hey Now!" I will never forget that moment.

After our first meeting, as happened with every one who met him, we had become friends. He just had that about him. He welcomed you right into his heart, and once you met him you were no longer a stranger.

I had the joy of not only interviewing Fayard, but also dancing together with him onstage throughout the years, and I always made it a point to wiggle my way next to him for the inevitable finale - Shim Sham, so I could study those hands and that style right at his side, hoping to absorb just an ounce of what he had!

Many years ago, when Fayard's Barbara passed, I began hearing him talk of a woman, a friend of many years, Katherine Hopkins. After some time, I realized a fondness was growing between them. I wondered, "Who is this person?" A little suspicious, I must confess, but only out of my abject love and protection of this man. Finally, I pinned him down, "Who is this woman?!" and he said, "Katherine? Katie... she used to perform with the Wiere Brothers." I said, "Katie? Katie Zerby"? "Yeah, that's her". I was thrilled! Katie had been my dancing teacher when I was 11 (she was 12)! I knew what a jewel he had found then and there. Katie was simply a most lovely, warm-hearted, deeply compassionate, caring, and (not to mention stunningly gorgeous) woman. Fayard had my full approval on this one!

We all know now how lucky Fayard was to have found Katherine. Her love for him was something we all envy and wish we had in our lives. She took total care of him these past years... and it was always her pleasure to do so.

Anyone who saw them together would always say the same thing, "They're like high school sweethearts!" Indeed, they were -- always hugging, and kissing and cooing. No wonder we were all envious!

Katherine and I have had many long talks since our reunion, and I once said to her, "Wow, if anyone wants to be prejudiced, you've got a triple whammy situation going on here: You've got the black and white thing, the short-tall thing, and the older man- younger woman thing!" We laughed, and then a thoughtful look would come over her as she said, "Yeah, hopefully we can change people by just being ourselves together." I knew just what she meant; for no matter what people thought at the get go, and oftentimes you could see it in their eyes, you also saw those eyes soften into love and understanding after just moments in Fayard and Katherine's presence - because what they saw there was no longer color, or age, or size, they saw LOVE.

* * * * * *

Before closing, there is one more thing I would like to say - and that is that Fayard was our link back to "The Golden Era" - that magic time we "fans" all read about - a time when tremendous entertainers performed nightly in front of dressed crowds - Broadway, The Cotton Club - Fayard was our living "link." We touched him and we were there with him seeing it all through his eyes. And the great thing was, that he was a "fan" too, just like us, and took the same relish in meeting those stars back then as we got meeting him now. And, oh, how he loved to tell us stories of those days - he never seemed to tire of it. And oh how we loved to hear them, over and over again, each time hearing some new jewel of a memory!

Fayard will always be with us -- his laughter, his twinkling eyes, his beautiful heart, his courage, his energy, his life enthusiasm, his extraordinary talent -- all of these attributes of Fayard will be there for us, in our hearts and memories, and will help us through our little troubles, and give us a smile when we need it and even when we don't.

Fayard Nicholas started out as my idol, and then he became my friend, and then "family," but always he remained my idol... for all he was.

"Hey now! Hey now"


JOHN MILLS IN HOSPITAL


Rusty Frank & John Mills, December 2005
photo by Jeremy Norman

We've been missing him at the Rhythm Club the past three weeks. It just was too long without our living legend. Over the weekend I called John's wife, Ann, to see if he was okay. My suspicions were correct, John has been very ill and was recently hospitalized. They still don't know what is going on, and the doctors are working diligently to find the cause of his downfall.

At the time, John does not want any visitors. But I made sure to let Ann know how much we all miss him and how much he means to us.

Please be assured that he is surrounded by a loving family, and needs no financial assistance. (Unlike many other dancers of his day, he did get his future set -- note to self!)

If you would like to send a "get well" card to John Mills, feel free to send it here (and we will make sure he gets it):

Swing Shift
225 Whiting Street
El Segundo, CA 90245

Scrapbooks! Click HERE


1940's Hairstyling Workshop Pics, (click HERE)





FORT MACARTHUR - "THE GREAT LOS ANGELES AIR RAID OF 1942" On Saturday February 25, 2005 The Fort MacArthur Museum is proud to present what is quickly becoming one of our most popular signature events. The Great Los Angeles Air Raid of 1942 is the museum's celebration of one of the most fascinating and controversial events in Los Angeles History. A night when literally thousands of people both Military and Civilian were convinced that Los Angles was being attacked from the air, and even from space!!! What really happened that night is a debate that will probably go on for years, but for those of us at the Fort MacArthur Museum, it is a time to remember the feeling of those early days of the war.

In February 1942, the realities of the second world war was just starting to become evident here in the southland, and many community events continued on almost like nothing had ever changed. The Great LA Air Raid of 1942 is a fundraiser for the Fort MacArthur Museum and attempts to recreate the atmosphere of a 1942 social evening out, interrupted by the reality of war.

Want to read more about the Great Los Angeles Air Raid? Go to www.maxwelldemille.com

AND, CELEBRATE RUSTY'S ACTUAL BIRTH DATE!
WE'VE BEEN TOLD THERE WILL BE CHOCOLATE CAKE!

Yep, that's right, Rusty's birthday is February 25th (you can remember this because it's also Zeppo Marx's, Enrico Caruso's, George Harrison's, the day Vesuvius erupted... you get the picture). John Kanaster has assured us there will be chocolate cake and that Maxwell DeMille will lead everyone in a rousing "Happy Birthday".



Swing Shift
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). Basically, we swing like a gate!


JOIN THE FUN!
BUT, WHAT THE HECK IS IT?

Many of you still don't know about our Swing Shift Rhythm Club. It's one of our best kept secrets. Now is the time to get the SSRC "above the radar."

THE SWING SHIFT RHYTHM CLUB (SSRC), founded in 2000 by Rusty Frank's swing dance students, The SSRC has two missions:

1. Having fun! (Fun) 2. Doing good deeds! (Philanthropy)

1. Having fun: Events where swing dancers can socialize and get to know each other outside of class (vintage clothes shopping, going to a dance-related movie, dancing in the park, eating at retro restaurants before a dance, etc.).

2. Doing good deeds: Events where we bring swing dancing to hospitals, senior homes, and community events for the purpose of good deeds, entertainment, and education in the Los Angeles area.

The SSRC is a volunteer club open to the public and the events are organized by its members. There are no dues. Members can attend as many or as few events as they wish.

"How do I join?"...
Right now, fill in your email address
and click the Yahoo log (that's it!):

Subscribe to SwingShiftRhythmClub

Then you will receive updates of activities (or you can organize one yourself!). Check the yahoogroup "Swing Shift Rhythm Club" calendar here for postings of upcoming events.

Join us in making the world a better place through dancing!

Thank you for joining!

Rusty Frank, Founder
Jessica Densmore, Philanthropic Events Coordinator
Cathryn Sayer, "Just for Fun" Events Coordinator
Norman Kajikawa, SSRC Photographer

If you wish to exit this list, visit:
http://swingshiftontap.com/maillist/mail-list.asp