As usual my site is way past due for an update, cleaning, overhaul, and tune up. But I figured it was about time I put something here about my latest obsession: dancing. I started learning to dance four years ago. Now I'm out dancing, DJing, or taking lessons just about every night. I just can't get enough of that crazy Lindy Hop, though you will sometimes find me doing Waltz, West Coast, Balboa, Shag, Hustle, or even Contra. Someday I'd like to try Morris Dancing.
I'm a member of CT Swing Dance Society and Hartford Community Dance (see also the Hartford Swing page at havetodance.com), Treasurer of the CT Lindy Exchange, as well as a past President of Shoreline Swing. Since that's just not enough, you'll also find me at the dances sponsored by the good folks at Vinnie's Jump & Jive, Swing Danceworks, Jelly Roll Productions, and CrazyLegs. I should make to Albany more often.
See swinglovers.com for more information on workshops and dances I run. Jane Dumont is also highly recommended as a teacher of many dance styles in Connecticut. Some of the other folks, residing elsewhere in the world, with whom I've taken classes, lessons, or workshops and would recommend include (in roughly chronological order) Stacy & Rich Wons (East Coast), Ravitte & Damon (Lindy, Jazz), Joel Silvestro (Waltz), the legendary Frankie Manning, David Liberge & Kate Mullen (Lindy, Hip Hop), Mario Robau (Hustle), Ivan Berggren, Sylvia Sykes (Lindy, Carolina Shag, Balboa), Michael Norris (Carolina Shag), Ryan & Jenny (Lindy, Jazz), Johnny Lloyd & Becky Walters (Lindy, Hip Hop, Blues), Kenneth & Helena Norbelie, Jason Christodoulou, Fatou-Carol Sylla (African), Carla Heiney, Kevin St. Laurent, Bill Borgida, Laura Jeffers, Doug Silton (Balboa, Collegiate Shag, Lindy), Simon Selmon (Blues), Kate Ford (Motion Study), Erik & Sylvia, Manu Smith (Swing Rueda, Lindy), Nicole Frydman (Carolina Shag, Lindy), Carol Fraser (Lindy), Ligaya Fish (West Coast), Lia Jordano (Lindy), Hazel Mede & Tybaldt Ulrich (Carolina Shag), John Lindo (West Coast), Peter Strom (Lindy), Caitlin George (Lindy), Steven & Virginie (Lindy, Jazz), David Graybill (Lindy), Erik Novoa & Laura Cozik (WCS, Hustle), and Marty & Jen (Balboa). Many of these instructors were at the Beantown Lindy Hop Summer Camp or Summer Hummer, and you might want to check out other events sponsored by Hop to the Beat Dance Studio or Dance Pros. Naturally, none of these folks are responsible if I step on your toes or Charleston into you on the dance floor, and wouldn't be equally so in any case.
A great place to get information about Lindy Hop and other dance events in New England is Benson Wong's DanceNet site. (Also see dance links at NEDV.) Check out Swingmonkey and Yehoodi for more ways to waste time hanging out with your fellow dancers. I buy my shoes at dancestore.com. (They're not perfect, but you do get a human on the phone when you call.) And, though I've been known to spin a disc or two (tune in to my live365.com show), I kowtow to Jesse Miner, King of Lindy Hop DJs! I just think he should play more selections from Jennie Löbel & Swing Kings. Shouldn't we all?
If I could leave you with only two words of advice on this subject it would be this: have fun. That's what it's all about folks, and don't let anyone make you forget it!
Last Update: 16 Apr 05
webmaster@szarka.org©2001-2005 Robert Szarka, except photo by Ellen Leffingwell 2002 & Lindy Hop Clip Art by Laura McEntyre
ALL YOUR SWINGOUT ARE BELONG TO US!