Hong Kong Swings
Learn to swing dance in a relaxed, fun and friendly group
If you're trying swing dancing for the first time, we warmly invite you to join our free Beginner class every Weds 8.30-9pm at Grappa's Cellar, Jardine House, Central.
SPECIAL WEEKEND WORKSHOP!
with JANDI KIM, KOREA
March 27-28, 2010
Saturday 27 March - 3.30pm-7pm - DanzStage, 20/F, 148 Electric Road, Tin Hau (studio tbc)
1. Open (All) Level - Technique "the Korean Way"
Even if you think you got it - you probably don't. Learn the 'Korean secret' - what all Korean swing dancers learn that gives them their famously excellent technique and connection from the very beginning. Learn the technique, then take it away and burn it into your muscle memory. This may forever change the way you dance. Dancers of all levels will find this very beneficial and something new here. You will find that dancers that know and use this technique dance together much more naturally and fluidly than those who don't.
Sunday 28 March - 3.30pm-7pm - DanzStage, 20/F, 148 Electric Road, Tin Hu (studio tbc)
2. Intermediate and above - Movements that create 'Moves'
Personal style is what gives each person's dancing their unique 'signature', but forget 'moves' and learn 'movement' instead. You will find that good technique and timing, and knowing how to best use body movement will produce natural and good-looking style that is unique to you. This will show you how to use technique to create your own moves, hit musical breaks and make people say "wow, that's got style". Styling and Musicality, The 3 swingouts that everyone should know, Powerful lead and follow, Cool movement.
Saturday can be taken alone, but if you take Sunday, you are strongly recommended to take Saturday as well, as Saturday's techniques will be used on Sunday.
1. Open (All) Level - Technique "the Korean Way"
Even if you think you got it - you probably don't. Learn the 'Korean secret' - what all Korean swing dancers learn that gives them their famously excellent technique and connection from the very beginning. Learn the technique, then take it away and burn it into your muscle memory. This may forever change the way you dance. Dancers of all levels will find this very beneficial and something new here. You will find that dancers that know and use this technique dance together much more naturally and fluidly than those who don't.
Sunday 28 March - 3.30pm-7pm - DanzStage, 20/F, 148 Electric Road, Tin Hu (studio tbc)
2. Intermediate and above - Movements that create 'Moves'
Personal style is what gives each person's dancing their unique 'signature', but forget 'moves' and learn 'movement' instead. You will find that good technique and timing, and knowing how to best use body movement will produce natural and good-looking style that is unique to you. This will show you how to use technique to create your own moves, hit musical breaks and make people say "wow, that's got style". Styling and Musicality, The 3 swingouts that everyone should know, Powerful lead and follow, Cool movement.
Saturday can be taken alone, but if you take Sunday, you are strongly recommended to take Saturday as well, as Saturday's techniques will be used on Sunday.
Jandi Kim, from Seoul, Korea, is an experienced teacher, leader, follower and performer, competitor and social dancer. She may be small but she packs a BIG punch of personality! A versatile and popular, fun teacher. Here she is at the HK Swing Festival!
2008
ULHS Solo Blues Final
KSF Slow division, 3rd
KSF Medium division, 2nd
2007
ULHS Endureance Lindyhop, 3rd (with Thomas Blacharz)
2006
ALHC Pro-Am, 1st (with Peter Strom) (www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuzFcGsATNs)
ALHC Open Jack & Jill, 3rd
ALHC Strictly Lindyhop, 5th
Korea Swing Contest - Team division, 1st
2008
ULHS Solo Blues Final
KSF Slow division, 3rd
KSF Medium division, 2nd
2007
ULHS Endureance Lindyhop, 3rd (with Thomas Blacharz)
2006
ALHC Pro-Am, 1st (with Peter Strom) (www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuzFcGsATNs)
ALHC Open Jack & Jill, 3rd
ALHC Strictly Lindyhop, 5th
Korea Swing Contest - Team division, 1st
MARCH-APRIL 2010 CLASSES
Beginner Lindy Hop Swing (6 weeks)
Thursdays 4/3, 11/3, 18/3, 25/3, 1/4, 8/4. 9.00-10.00pm.
Come learn to swing dance! This class is your introduction to the world of lindy hop and swing. Our Beginners series is a 6-week course that teaches basic connection all the way to the swing out, focusing on the original swing dance the Lindy Hop! You'll learn to dance socially with 6 and 8 count steps.
In each 6-week course, we will cover new and different material, so we suggest you take this class more than once and until you are comfortably social dancing with what you learn. We also suggest that those wishing to hone their basics come to the Beginner class to improve their technique. Practicing both in class AND on the social dance floor will give you the best results!
No experience necessary. No partner required. Everyone is welcome!
Beginner Charleston (6 weeks)
Thursdays 4/3, 11/3, 18/3, 25/3, 1/4, 8/4. 10.00-11.00pm.
This fantastic basic is one of the building blocks of swing dancing. You'll find Charleston everywhere you look in swing dance. Not only will it improve your pulse but it will let you dance faster and look great, too. This series will introduce you to the basic Charleston and interesting variations in different positions, such as side-by-side and 20s Charleston. We'll teach you to transition in between Charleston and Lindy Hop to focus generally on building good Charleston vocabulary. A fun, energetic class that goes well with Beginner Lindy Hop Swing!
No experience necessary. No partner required. Everyone is welcome!
This fantastic basic is one of the building blocks of swing dancing. You'll find Charleston everywhere you look in swing dance. Not only will it improve your pulse but it will let you dance faster and look great, too. This series will introduce you to the basic Charleston and interesting variations in different positions, such as side-by-side and 20s Charleston. We'll teach you to transition in between Charleston and Lindy Hop to focus generally on building good Charleston vocabulary. A fun, energetic class that goes well with Beginner Lindy Hop Swing!
No experience necessary. No partner required. Everyone is welcome!
Intermediate Lindy Hop Swing (6 weeks)
Thursdays 4/3, 11/3, 18/3, 25/3, 1/4, 8/4. 8.00-9.00pm.
Now that you are comfortably social dancing with 6-count Lindy Hop, using swing outs and Lindy circles, and gaining confidence and balance on the social dance floor, in this course we will cover intermediate connection and further hone your social dancing technique to build into more flashy moves. Learn classic moves and simple-but-effective variations that add flavor to your dancing with styling, rhythm and musicality.
In each 6-week course, we will cover new and different material so you will learn different techniques each time. You'll get more moves and more connection each 6 weeks! However, we encourage all Intermediate dancers not to rush to 'get to the next level' - the mark of a great dancer is not necessarily "1001 moves" but clear, confident movement and good quality basics!
Pre-Req: As a minimum requirement to take this course, you should be able to dance swing outs (on beat) for a whole song. If you are unsure whether this class level is right for you, ask your instructor. No partner required.
Now that you are comfortably social dancing with 6-count Lindy Hop, using swing outs and Lindy circles, and gaining confidence and balance on the social dance floor, in this course we will cover intermediate connection and further hone your social dancing technique to build into more flashy moves. Learn classic moves and simple-but-effective variations that add flavor to your dancing with styling, rhythm and musicality.
In each 6-week course, we will cover new and different material so you will learn different techniques each time. You'll get more moves and more connection each 6 weeks! However, we encourage all Intermediate dancers not to rush to 'get to the next level' - the mark of a great dancer is not necessarily "1001 moves" but clear, confident movement and good quality basics!
Pre-Req: As a minimum requirement to take this course, you should be able to dance swing outs (on beat) for a whole song. If you are unsure whether this class level is right for you, ask your instructor. No partner required.
Dancing Faster: Charleston and Lindy Hop Combo (Intermediate) (6 weeks)
Tuesdays 2/3, 9/3, 16/3, 23/3, 30/3, 13/4. 9.00-10.00pm.
Need to get your Charleston and Lindy Hop up to speed? Ready for some higher level Charleston variations? Improve your pulse and take yourself to higher tempos. The focus of this course is all about getting faster and doing it with ease. We'll teach you to dance to the fastest tempos without much effort. Add to that speed drills, Charleston and some great moves that work well when the song is blazing and you've got Lindy in the Fast Lane! This class goes well with Intermediate Lindy Hop Swing.
Pre-Req: For Intermediate level (and up) Lindy Hoppers (i.e. you should be able to dance swing outs on beat for a whole song). If you are unsure whether this class level is right for you, ask your instructor. No partner required.
Need to get your Charleston and Lindy Hop up to speed? Ready for some higher level Charleston variations? Improve your pulse and take yourself to higher tempos. The focus of this course is all about getting faster and doing it with ease. We'll teach you to dance to the fastest tempos without much effort. Add to that speed drills, Charleston and some great moves that work well when the song is blazing and you've got Lindy in the Fast Lane! This class goes well with Intermediate Lindy Hop Swing.
Pre-Req: For Intermediate level (and up) Lindy Hoppers (i.e. you should be able to dance swing outs on beat for a whole song). If you are unsure whether this class level is right for you, ask your instructor. No partner required.
Advanced Lindy Hop Swing (6 weeks)
Tuesdays 2/3, 9/3, 16/3, 23/3, 30/3, 13/4. 10.00-11.00pm.
This class is for advanced dancers only. If you have an open mind to expand your Lindy Hop to the next level, this class is perfect for you! We focus on the more intricate, subtle and complex side of the Lindy Hop. Refine and hone your dancing skills with advanced connection in multiple points. Be ready to explore jazz footwork to integrate into your Lindy Hop. At this point you should be ready for competition and be judged by your peers!
Pre-Req: To take this class, you should be able to dance partnered on beat and on balance to songs of all tempos (very fast and very slow), and have a good grasp of solo movement. This class will require a try-out by the instructor. If you are unsure whether this class level is right for you, ask your instructor. No partner required.
This class is for advanced dancers only. If you have an open mind to expand your Lindy Hop to the next level, this class is perfect for you! We focus on the more intricate, subtle and complex side of the Lindy Hop. Refine and hone your dancing skills with advanced connection in multiple points. Be ready to explore jazz footwork to integrate into your Lindy Hop. At this point you should be ready for competition and be judged by your peers!
Pre-Req: To take this class, you should be able to dance partnered on beat and on balance to songs of all tempos (very fast and very slow), and have a good grasp of solo movement. This class will require a try-out by the instructor. If you are unsure whether this class level is right for you, ask your instructor. No partner required.
Studio, Registration and Cost
Our studio classes are held at DanzStage, Room 1-2 20/F, 148 Electric Road
(near Causeway Bay Market). Click here for map
Tin Hau MTR exit A2, then walk straight along Electric Road, 8 minutes.
HK$680 per course/$600 for full-time students with ID.
HK$580 per course if taking 2 or more courses at the same time/ $500 for full-time students with ID.
Drop in: HK$200 per drop-in class.
(near Causeway Bay Market). Click here for map
Tin Hau MTR exit A2, then walk straight along Electric Road, 8 minutes.
HK$680 per course/$600 for full-time students with ID.
HK$580 per course if taking 2 or more courses at the same time/ $500 for full-time students with ID.
Drop in: HK$200 per drop-in class.
Hong Kong Swing Dance