FlyinFootwork.com Blog

Quoted in an Orlando Sentinel Dance Article

Rob — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:45:47 +0000

A few quotes from Dawn and I landed into the Orlando Sentinel today. The article focuses on the boom in dance popularity in the Orlando area since the TV dance show boom. It’s a nice write up that covers a wide variety of dance diciplines offered around Central Florida.

Thursday Night Swing Dances Return!

Rob — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:21:21 +0000

On August 14th, the weekly Thursday Night Swing Dance returns to a new location and new time! Mark your calendars and come out and join us at the German American Society of Central Florida in Casselberry. The parquet wood floor is great for dancing, the club members share a love for dancing, and the atmosphere is one of a kind in Orlando. Based on feedback from last time, the lesson (7-8pm) and dance (8-10pm) will be earlier seeing it is a work/school night. More info is now online!

My Favorite Apache Dance

Rob — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:49:12 +0000

Here is some footage of Dawn and I working out a disagreement about dancing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PDtdOTlYds

Just kidding! After mentioning Apache Dancing last week, I thought I would post one of my favorite clips of it. It’s from The Crazy Gang’s “Okay for Sound” (1937). The simulated violence takes an amazing amount of coordination and practice to get down pat… and the stunts rank up there with the most difficult swing aerials. And if you are wondering, this dance is where the Apache move comes from in Lindy Hop.

Oh… and don’t try this stuff at home kids!

Midweek Cartoon Break - Woodland Cafe (1937)

Rob — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:50:42 +0000

I don’t know how your week is going, but I am in real need of a cartoon break. In this Disney Silly Symphony, we visit a insect jazz club. After everyone arives as the club, there is a great spoof of an Apache dance followed by a cartoon song and dance explaniation of what “truckin’” is. Something every hep cat should know about. Overall, very cool… good music and I always enjoy old cartoon takes on swing dancing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4tWzwNTX7Q

Whirl & Twirl Parking Update

Rob — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:34:52 +0000

Whirl & Twirl is no longer able to use the business parking lot across the street as overflow parking. As always, parking is available around the building. For overflow parking, please park along the side of the street.

Please bear with us as parking might be tight until everyone gets use to this. We apologize for the inconvenience as this was out of our control.

Thank you… and we hope to see you out Saturday!

Big Band Movie Month on TCM

Rob — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:20:47 +0000

July is Big Band Movie Month on TCM! Turner Classic Movies has rounded up a collection of the best movies featuring the big bands of the 30’s, 40’s, and early 50’s. You’ll see and hear great bands like Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Gene Krupa, Cab Calloway, Lionel Hampton, and many more. While non of the listed features have groundbreaking swing dance scenes in them, some of them do have some brief entertaining swing dance segments. Keep an eye out for “I Dood It”, “Two Girls and a Sailor”, “Cabin in the Sky”, and “The Benny Goodman Story”.

I’m bummed that we missed “Dancing Co-Ed” last night. It’s rare that the movie gets aired and as fans of Artie Shaw, it’s a favorite for Dawn and I.

Be sure to check out the TCM schedule for air times and thanks to John for sending this info over!

Photo Highlights RSS Feed

Rob — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 21:52:30 +0000

We now have an RSS feed for the photo highlights that will keep you up to date when we post new photos after a dance. Simply add the following URL to your favorite RSS reader and we’ll keep you up to date when new photos are posted!

http://www.flyinfootwork.com/dances/photo-highlights.xml

Not sure how this RSS stuff works? No problem. Just click on one of the links below to add the feed to your favorite starting page.

Making a Record with Duke Ellington (1937)

Rob — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:02:17 +0000

Natch sent this my way. For those of you who are fans of the “How It’s Made” series on Discovery, you’ll really like this. Well… it’s not like you intend to be a fan of that show… it just sorta comes on… you don’t intend to watch it, but then your eyes start to get glued to the screen and you can’t change the channel… just too fascinating… for that brief moment, it’s like your life somehow is incomplete unless you know how they make acrylic bathtubs. Anyways… this is really interesting! Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjKlFFp4-IE

Midweek Cartoon Break - Sally Swing (1938)

Rob — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:33:19 +0000

I don’t know about you, but it’s midweek and I need to take a break and watch some cartoons. While browsing, I found this gem to share. In this short, Betty is hosting a swing dance and ponders “What can I do for the jitterbugs tonight?”. Ha! I think I can relate!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSxzenLlr68

“How about you? Can you swing it?”

Late Summer Classes Announced

Rob — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:42:33 +0000

Our next set of six week series classes will be starting on Sunday, August 17th. For those just starting out, we will be offering the six count Swing Dance series class. This class will start from scratch and teach you all the fundamentals of swing dancing including a whole assortment of six count moves and variations. For those looking to advance their dancing, we’ll also be offering the Intermediate Lindy Hop series class. This class will build upon the foundation of Lindy Hop and delve into more moves and styling. Each intermediate series is unique and focuses on different material and concepts each time. Be sure to reserve your spot soon!