DC's West Coast Swing dance community enters at new era..

Big changes ahead for the area's Largest Weekly West Coast Swing Party. In recent years Friday dances at Cherry Hill have experienced phenomenal growth. Attendance often exceeds 200 dancers and has even topped 300 on occasion. They have become legendary for their size, diversity and how they bring so much talent and enthusiasm together. All this growth has introduced some new challenges for the organizers, dancers and for Cherry Hill..

May 31st will be the last Friday night West Coast Swing Dance at Cherry Hill Park. Beginning the following Friday, Dance Jam Productions will host weekly West Coast Swing lessons and social dancing at the New Hollywood Ballroom Dance Center just 3 miles away in Silver Spring. This move creates an opportunity to expand the hours and lesson programs and to enjoy a much larger dance floor.  We will once again have room for socializing at tables surrounding the floor and a secondary space for private lessons and practice. A full service snack bar serves beer, wine and snacks and we'll continue to provide ice water, sodas and our own snack & dessert buffet. Lessons will now be 45 minutes each. Basics class begins at 7:30, Beyond Basics at 8:15 and social dancing follows at 9pm. We can play late! June 7th will be a "1st  Friday" so it is the start of the monthly beginner class series. That means 1st time students who arrive in time for the 7:30pm class are invited to stay the whole night for free. There are many more exciting new features being planned. Stay tuned for more details..

Recently I've played the role of primary instructor, DJ and host of Friday night dances but as a long time social dancer in this community I know many other hosts have contributed greatly to the legacy of Cherry Hill. Here's a brief look back at the fascinating evolution..

Since the early 90's swing dancers from near and far have enjoyed Cherry Hill Park's large floating hardwood dance floor. Weekly social dancing began there with Bobbie Fries' singles dances before she went on to open the original Hollywood Ballroom nearby. Craig Hutchinson and Evey Cherow hosted monthly swing dances in the 90's. Frank Stanek and later Dean & Dawn Garrish brought weekly country western instruction and dancing there which continue today. Ken & Donna Roesel, followed by Mike & Debbie Tuttle introduced new energy to the West Coast Swing weekend dances. I hosted my own first public dance there more than 12 years ago. Over the past two decades literally 1000's of students have participated in group classes and special workshop events. I feel honored to have had the support of this community and look forward to moving with you into a new chapter of its history..   See you on the dance floor soon ... Dave.

MAKE HOTEL RESERVATIONS NOW! - TICKETS ON SALE SOON! July 5-7th Dance Jam Productions presents.... West Coast Swing @ Independence Day Ball "WCS@IDB" Rockville Hilton Hotel - Online reservations $104/night (up to 4 people) This year features a much larger staff, many more workshops and FREE Jack & Jill contests done right! FREE entry, Prelims & Finals, Relative placement scoring, WSDC registry points, trophies & cash prizes. Complete schedule and ticket info coming real soon. New webpage is up! - RSVP on facebook   EVENT FEATURES 28 "leveled" social dance workshops Friday & Saturday All Night West Coast Swing dancing Saturday night Social Ballroom & Latin room Novice, Intermediate, Advanced FREE J&J contests Pro exhibitions & group performance 2 hour Advanced workshop on Sunday Private lessons with staff instructors INSTRUCTORS & JUDGES Greg Scott & Lemery Rollins Markus Smith & Trendlyon Veal Rob Jackson & Connie Gauthier Dean & Dawn Garrish Don Herron & Kay Newhouse Debbie Lynn Tuttle & Ken Roesel Lara Deni, Erica Smith DJs Dave Moldover & Louis St. George

Frank Glowczeskie has asked that we remind readers about his weekly west coast swing classes and dances on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. They are all included in the list of weekly local dances at www.dancejamdc.com. If you would like to receive more complete daily emails about those dances and his special events you can contact Frank at Boogieinbethesda@aol.com to get on his list.

On-going regular events are listed in table format here This is only partial list of new and special events.

Tuesdays Int/Adv WCS lessons with Shawn Brennan at Swingtime Ballroom (Fallston, MD). swingtimeballroom@gmail.com

Wednesdays Shag Dance weekly at Elks Lodge Fairfax, 8425 Arlington Blvd., Fairfax VA 6:30-10:30 pm.  Free beginner lessons start at 7:30 pm.  No partners needed.  $4 cover.  www.nvshag.org

Thursdays WCS lessons & dancing at Nick's Nightclub (Springfield, VA). Drop in group lesson 7:45-8:45 with Tim Bowker $5 cover. 642 S Pickett St  Alexandria, VA 22304

Thursdays WCS lessons & dancing at That Cuban Place (Frederick MD) Beginner lesson at 7:15pm, Intermediate at 8pm, Dancing 8:45. $12 cover 506 East Church Street Frederick Maryland. https://www.facebook.com/wcsinfrederick?ref=ts&fref=ts

May 17, Fridays DC's largest weekly WCS party @ Cherry Hill in College Park, MD. 8pm Beginner class. 8:30pm Beyond Basics.  9pm Dancing with DJ Dave Moldover. $12 cover or $6 students includes lessons, buffet and non alcohol drinks, BYOB  more

May 18 (1st & 3rd Saturdays) Ballroom, Swing and Country at Davidsonville Dance Club located at Ford Hall, 3789 Queen Anne Bridge Rd., Davidsonville, MD., 7:00pm Lesson of the month with Ken Roesel Beg/ Novice/Int.(consult Club website for dance of the month), 8:00pm-11:30pm Dance Mixer (Social Ballroom, Latin, Swing, Country and Hustle mix) $6 Members, $8 Non-Members

May 18 Saturday West Coast Swing Workshop at the Promenade with Tammy Brown 1:00 - 2:30 pm Intermediate / Advanced Spins & Turns $15 per person, per workshop http://www.mddancesport.com

May 18 Saturday Hand Dance & Swing Party with Kevin Tisdale at Rendezvous. Hand Dance Students (& their instructors) are especially invited.  Beginner & Intermediate HD Lessons from 7-8PM.  Dance party with DJ & free refreshments go from 8PM-12AM.  Other Social & Swing dancers always encouraged to attend. $12 for HD lessons & Dance Party.  $10 for Dance Only from 8PM onward.  301-468-2582, or  www.dance911.com

May 19  (3rd Sundays) Shag @ JW's Restaurant in Springfield, VA 5:00-8:00 pm, A free shag lesson is offered at 5:00, with dancing to Beach Music from 5:30-8:00 pm.  No cover charge. www.Jwandfriends.com  703-451-4556

May 25,  (2nd & 4th Saturdays) Dance for Everyone at Colvin Run with Ed Cottrell & Gail Crum. DJ variety of contemporary and classic music for West Coast Swing, East Coast Swing, Hustle, Shag, Latin, 2step, Waltz & more plus requests. "Beginner" Lesson 6:30_7:15.  "Intermediate" Lesson 7:15-8:00, dancing til midnight. $12 cover charge includes lessons, dancing and snacks.703.435.5620 www.colvinrun.org

May 30, Thursday West Coast Swing at Fast Eddie's 9687 Fairfax Blvd, Fairfax, VA 22031. Contact Lara Deni Deni Danzco

June 1, (1st & 3rd Saturdays) Ballroom, Swing & Country at Davidsonville Dance Club located at Ford Hall, 3789 Queen Anne Bridge Rd., Davidsonville, MD., 7:00pm Lesson of the month with Ken Roesel Beg/ Novice/Int.(consult Club website for dance of the month), 8:00pm-11:30pm Dance Mixer (Social Ballroom, Latin, Swing, Country and Hustle mix) $6 Members, $8 Non-Members.

June 2, Sunday Fun & Creative Hustle Workshops with Stephanie Risser and Debbie Lynn Tuttle at Rendezvous.
11-12   Cutting Edge Hip Hustle Combos that make you shine!    
12-1 Hustle to ANY music while creating your own style!
1-2 Cool Hustle Choreography adding Shaping and Styling for Leaders & Followers!
2-2:30  Hustle/WCS music for practice & lunch provided by April!
Advanced Admission - $20 each workshop all three for $50. Pay at the door - $25 each workshop, or all three for $65

June 7, Fridays The next big thing for West Coast Swing! Ready for a big change? More details coming real soon!

June 7-9 Disco America in Philadelphia. Donna Boyle & Jouce Szili present a weekend of Competitions, Workshops and Social Dancing. Saturday night dinner show, poolside dancing. $95 group rate at the Clarion. Tickets & info

June 8, Saturday Ladies/Followers West Coast Swing Styling and Spins Workshop with Lara Deni. 10am-11:30am. $25 in advance or $35 at the Door. Deni Danzco Falls Church, VA.

June 8, (2nd Saturdays) Country Dancing at Dance Factory in Arlington VA with Mal & Linda Zerden. Beginning Waltz class at 8:30 p.m. Dancing 9 to 12. $12 includes lesson, dance. Munchies and soft drinks. Music mix: 2-step, waltz, west coast swing, cha, east coast swing, hustle, and nightclub. Smoke-free, alcohol-free, huge wooden dance floor. 703-560-4724

June 8, (2nd Saturdays) Country Dancing at American Legion 206 in Chesapeake Beach, MD. band plays from 8 to midnight. Doors open at 6:45. Dance lessons with Linda at 7pm Line & 7:30pm Couples; Cover $15 includes Dance lessons, Draft beer, soda & snacks. Hot dogs, BBQ & cash bar available. Huge hardwood dance floor; non-smoking. For information & directions, check http://www.alpost206.org/ or call 301.855.6466 or 410.257.9878; For table reservations, information, and directions, email Linda at Lbloyer@yahoo.com  Please include your name, the number of tables, what part of the room, and a phone number for last minute contact if there are conflicts. 3330 N. Chesapeake Beach Rd. (Rte. 260), Chesapeake Beach, MD; 301-855-6466

June 8,  (2nd & 4th Saturdays) Dance for Everyone at Colvin Run with Ed Cottrell & Gail Crum. DJ variety of contemporary and classic music for West Coast Swing, East Coast Swing, Hustle, Shag, Latin, 2step, Waltz & more plus requests. "Beginner" Lesson 6:30_7:15.  "Intermediate" Lesson 7:15-8:00, dancing til midnight. $12 cover charge includes lessons, dancing and snacks.703.435.5620 www.colvinrun.org

June 15, Saturday Afternoon West Coast Swing Workshops with Greg Scott & Lemery Rollins at Dave Moldover's studio (Rockville, MD). Greg & Lemery are the current NASDE tour champions and many time showcase swing dance champions. These classes are designed to help local social dancers learn more advanced concepts.  3 one-hour workshops beginning at 1pm. Advanced Admission - $20 each workshop, or all three for $50. At the door - $25 each workshop, or all three for $65. Registration opens soon.

July 5-7  West Coast Swing at IDB Rockville Hilton Hotel.

August 1-4 Swing Fling at Sheraton Premiere in Tyson's Corner VA. ($95) DC's Summer West Coast Swing & Hustle dance party weekend. All WSDC Jack & Jill divisions, tournament J&J, Hustle competitions, Superstar Show and Over 40 workshops, Live internet broadcasts. www.swingfling.com

Copyright ©2013 Dance Jam Productions Inc all rights reserved. Revised: May 16, 2013