tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13132912594741824412024-02-18T23:05:38.040-05:00ZEN OF DANCEIncreasing Your Dance-AbilityLinda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14189965483624431510noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1313291259474182441.post-77038120476779897722015-01-25T19:07:00.000-05:002015-01-25T19:07:40.242-05:00Legendary BetrayalThere probably isn't anyone in this country who doesn't feel betrayed by the recent news surrounding Bill Cosby. How could a man who so many considered the kindly father of comedy be the same man accused of raping so many women? What is it about the position of power that some men find themselves in that gives them a sense of immunity?<br />
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In the last few days the Lindy Hop world has been reeling with similar allegations against one of our teaching legends: Steven Mitchell.<br />
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In the hierarchy of Lindy Hop, Frankie Manning--one of the originators--had two direct descendents: Steven Mitchell and Ryan Francois. Chester and I considered ourselves lucky to have studied with all three of these men for many years. Some of our own students have had the advantage of studying more recently with Steven at Swing Out New Hampshire. <br />
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Here's the post that started it all:<br />
<a href="https://ssullivan410.wordpress.com/2015/01/22/3/"><b>https://ssullivan410.wordpress.com/2015/01/22/3/</b></a><br />
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Since this post other women have come forward with accounts of their own personal encounters with Steven Mitchell. What they all have in common is the absolute abuse of power: An older (in some cases decades older) "famous" dancer preying on those with less self esteem and taking advantage of his status to force himself on them.<br />
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I find the entire situation entirely sad, and entirely believable. What makes it so sad is that the situation is not rare. Is so believable. Is, in fact, almost imbedded in our society. Just the players are different. When Chester was in High School his band director was fired for having an affair with a student. The list can go on and on: the football players, the actors, the bosses, the wealthy, the teachers, even the relatives. Just about anyone in a position of power or authority can lord it over someone for sexual favors. For far too long it was considered the cost of doing business. It is abhorrent and abusive.<br />
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It is not okay. And I am proud of the women who are standing up and saying no. Of the women speaking out and taking back their power.<br />
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There are those who blame the dance community, who blame the women, who blame Steven. But I say it is society at large and the environment we have created that allows such things to happen. We will never stop worshiping and idolizing the famous. But we can pull back and say, "I am just as important." And that will make all the difference.<br />
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<br />Linda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14189965483624431510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1313291259474182441.post-43887672011044495552014-12-02T14:21:00.001-05:002014-12-02T14:23:50.823-05:007 Habits of Creative Freedom for DancersAt a writers' conference this year, I was given a list of the <i>7 Habits of Creative Freedom</i> by Dara Lurie (inspired, of course, by Stephen Covey's<i> 7 Habits of Highly Effective People</i>). Lurie's list was intended for writers, but I find it equally applicable to dancers. So I've elaborated on each of her headings to create<b> 7 Habits of Creative Freedom for Dancers.</b> Applying these seven habits to your dancing will propel you further and faster along your own growth path.<br />
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1. Be open to not-knowing.<br />
I'm always surprised when people contact me for a private lesson before taking their first group class. It seems they think they should already know something even to call themselves a beginner. The truth is each of us should always be in a state of not-knowing. It's only from that state that you can learn.Too often students who think they know what they are doing are unable to adapt. This is what creates bad habits. But if you are open to not-knowing you are open to learning.<br />
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2. Be willing to suspend judgment.<br />
We are our harshest critic. Make dance class the no-judgment zone. In fact, don't even think, "This is right" or "This is wrong." Instead think: "This is what I've got right now." You'll be surprised at how much faster you can improve if you don't get stuck in judging your ability.<br />
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3. Allow yourself to make mistakes (you are a work-in-progress).<br />
I love this! Remember Swing Dancing has been around since the late 1920's and many of the moves originated as mistakes. There are no mistakes, just innovations. Make a "mistake" and we might be teaching it as your cool move in the next class!<br />
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4. Forgive yourself for any perceived failures.<br />
Ditto above. If you don't fail you can't succeed.<br />
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5. Allow your ideas to percolate.<br />
This is where the dance starts to become really exciting. Start to add your own personality to the dance and incorporate your own ideas.<br />
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6. Acknowledge your fear of failure and keep moving.<br />
Nobody is looking at you in class except the teachers. If all of you saw what we see, you'd realize you have nothing to worry about. You're not the only one "not getting it." Fear of "doing it wrong" can be paralyzing. Just go for it.<br />
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7. Tell the truth. Hiding it takes too much energy.<br />
This is interesting. I once failed a dance audition quite spectacularly. I was so nervous I couldn't stop shaking, which greatly inhibited my ability to follow what my partner was leading. I was nervous mostly because I wasn't practicing any of the habits I've itemized here. In fact, I was doing the exact opposite--judging myself, afraid to make mistakes, feeling like a failure, and pretending I could learn quicker than I can--what a disaster! It was probably the most painful experience of my life. After the audition, the director said I should "Face the truth about my dancing." And at that moment I realized how wrong he was, that the "truth" about my dancing had nothing to do with what he saw at the audition. The audition had absolutely nothing to do with my dance ability. It had only to do with the crap in my head that was keeping me from displaying the truth about my dancing. So if you don't get something, it's worse to pretend you do. Everyone learns at his or her own pace and in his or her own way. I will always envy dancers who can see something once and replicate it perfectly. I am not that kind of a learner. I'm more of the fine wine variety. I get better with time.<br />
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See you on the dance floor!<br />
Linda<br />
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<br />Linda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14189965483624431510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1313291259474182441.post-23549087486998817202014-10-28T18:39:00.000-04:002014-10-28T18:40:42.429-04:00Moving from the Desk to the Dance Floor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>On November 1, 2014 we will be hosting our <a href="http://got2lindy.com/SwingDances.html" target="_blank">Ten-Year Anniversary Celebration</a>. Ten years of turning non-dancers into dancers and strangers into friends.</b><br />
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<b>This is the story of how that came to be...</b><br />
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I had everything an employee could want. A virtual office (yes, I was a lucky telecommuter), a staff of employees around the country, global responsibilities, an attractive steady income, and a wall of awards I had received over the years. I had a great boss and was an exemplary employee. An over-achiever. I put together global conferences and spoke before 500 people. I wrote speeches for the CEO. I had total creative license and a large budget. I had autonomy. I had creativity. I had a full and vibrant career and two master's degrees. For many years as I climbed the corporate ladder, this was where I thought I wanted to be.<br />
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Until I started dancing. Then a strange thing happened. I no longer wanted to stay late for meetings or work through the weekend. I wanted to get to my dance classes. I wanted to spend my weekends at dance events. I wanted to read about dancing. I wanted to study dance videos. I was enthralled with learning everything I could about swing dance--not only how to do it well, but also about its origins and history.<br />
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I became a swing dance nerd.<br />
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And I wanted to share everything I was learning and everything I was doing with others. So in 2004, I gave up the part of my life that guaranteed a steady income, awards and corporate perks. My collegues were dumbfounded, but also, I think, awed. <br />
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Ten years ago I made a leap that most people find impossible. I was lucky. My husband was as passionate about swing dance as I was...and he was a gifted choreographer and performer by then (he had joined a performance team in NYC while I supported us). I had years of marketing, communications and teaching experience (my somewhat lofty titles had ranged from Vice President of Marketing to Executive Director of Global Communications and Employee Learning). Now I could use those skills to promote a service I truly believed in: us. <br />
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I was lucky. I had always been a saver and had a much-needed nest egg to cushion us during our first year in business. By our second year word of mouth had spread. Our students told their friends and more people came to learn to dance.<br />
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And ten years later they are still telling their friends. Most of our business is built on word-of-mouth. Happiness is easy to spread.<br />
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Our success is based on two simple premises:<br />
1. Share what you love.<br />
2. Love the people with whom you share it.<br />
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Do I miss the corporate perks and big salary? Not really. Nothing can compare to the richness and rewards of turning non-dancers into dancers and strangers into friends. What can be better than transformation on a weekly basis?<br />
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Join us on <a href="http://got2lindy.com/SwingDances.html" target="_blank">Saturday, November 1</a> as we celebrate with our friends and honor our students who have been with us for five years or more. Here's to 10 years and counting...<br />
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Linda<br />
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<br />Linda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14189965483624431510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1313291259474182441.post-92072180180638320162014-07-22T12:14:00.001-04:002014-07-22T12:14:12.113-04:00Personal Tips for Partner Dancing<br />
Last night in class I gave what has become my standard speech in every beginner swing dance class about the importance of bringing extra shirts to change into during social dances. Swing dance is a highly engaging activity and the music is addictive. You go to a dance and dance, dance, dance. But after awhile, you might sweat, sweat, sweat.<br />
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This is healthy for you. But not the best thing to enhance your partner connection. Here's a typical scene from when I first started dancing:<br />
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<b>Guy:</b> (shirt so drenched it's sticking to him, sweat pouring off forehead dripping down onto follower's skirt) <i>Would you like to dance?</i><br />
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<b>Me:</b> <i>Um, ok.</i><br />
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Not to be stereotypical, but guys can get drenched and dripping after just a few dances. But new dancers simply don't realize how wet they might get, so when I started teaching I decided to incorporate social dance awareness into my class instruction. It's made a world of difference.<br />
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Here are some tips to make your dancing experience a pleasure for you and your partners:<br />
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1. Bring extra shirts and use them. (See above).<br />
2. Bring a small towel or handkerchief to wipe your brow if needed.<br />
3. Use deodorant (this is not always as obvious as it seems. We've had to have "the talk" more than once with students).<br />
4. Have breath fresheners or gum available if needed.<br />
5. Do not douse yourself with perfume. Less or none is better.<br />
6. If you have long hair and wear it in a high ponytail, be aware if you are whipping your leader in the face with every spin (this has happened to Chester) and make adjustments.<br />
7. Avoid spike heels that could injure those around you. (This has happened to me. Her heel sliced my ankle! Those rock steps can be dangerous!) <br />
8. If you have a skirt that twirls up make sure you are wearing shorts underneath.<br />
9. Avoid wearing bangles, big rings, long necklaces and heavy jewelery/earrings. (I was asked to do an unexpected demo and was wearing a long necklace that whipped around my neck like a lasso. Quite distracting!)<br />
10. Drink plenty of water. Water is available at most dances, but a water bottle is a good thing to have at all times. Bring water to class.<br />
11. Dress appropriately. Swing dance classes are always casual as are most of the dances. Cute dresses and skirts are always appropriate. Unless noted for special events, there is no need for a shirt and tie or "formal" attire. Our 2nd Friday Swing Salon is dressier than our 1st Saturday dances. Look at the photos of people who attend. Comfort is always key.<br />
12. Dress to dance. Beware of flying scarves, shawls and clothing that gets in the way of dancing.<br />
13. Wear layers. You may get warmer while dancing and cooler when sitting in air conditioning. <br />
14. Have fun and keep dancing!<br />
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Anything you'd like to add??<br />
In my next post, I'll talk about the Swing Dance Culture and Etiquette.<br />
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Join me at next social dances, classes and workshops:<br />
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<b>SOCIAL DANCES </b><br />
Aug 2. <a href="http://got2lindy.com/SwingDances.html" target="_blank">1st Saturday</a> Swing Dance at Mac Fitness in Kingston with Speigeltent Performance Sneak Peek!<br />
Aug 7. <a href="http://got2lindy.com/LindyPracticeSessions.html" target="_blank">1st Thursday</a> Swing Dance at the Newburgh Brewery with lesson & live music. <br />
Aug 8.<a href="http://got2lindy.com/SwingSalon.html" target="_blank"> 2nd Friday</a> Swing Salon at Uptown Gallery in Kingston with lesson. BYOB & snacks!<br />
Aug 14. LIVE AT THE <a href="http://got2lindy.com/SponsoredEvents.html" target="_blank">SPIEGELTENT! </a><br />
Aug 21. <a href="http://got2lindy.com/PracticeSessions.html" target="_blank">3rd Thursday</a> Hep Cat Lindy Hop Practice in Red Hook<br />
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<b>CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS</b><br />
July 26 Saturday<a href="http://got2lindy.com/SpecialWorkshops.html" target="_blank"> Beginner Swing Dance Workshop</a> on Liberty Street in Newburgh 6-7:30pm<br />
July 30. New<a href="http://got2lindy.com/classes.html" target="_blank"> Blues class</a> series in Highland <br />
Aug 2. Technique Clinic <a href="http://got2lindy.com/TechniqueZen.html" target="_blank">Stops & Drops</a> before our 1st Saturday dance <br />
Aug 4. <a href="http://got2lindy.com/classes.html" target="_blank">Monday night classe</a>s begin in Kingston<br />
Aug 5. <a href="http://got2lindy.com/classes.html" target="_blank">Tuesday night classes</a> begin in Wallkill<br />
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HAPPY DANCING!<br />
Linda <br />
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<br />Linda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14189965483624431510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1313291259474182441.post-42545112051450229542014-06-29T17:51:00.001-04:002014-06-29T17:53:28.665-04:00Why I write this blog.When I first began learning to dance I found the most difficult thing was not learning the steps. The most difficult thing was getting past my own belief that I was never going to be a good dancer. After all, I was already an adult (Belief #1: "You can't teach an old dog new tricks") and had never had a dance lesson in my life. On top of that, I had never played a musical instrument and couldn't even carry a tune. I was one of those people who only pretended to sing in chorus. And forget about clapping to the beat. I would wait till everyone else was clapping and then simply join in. (Belief #2: "You gotta have rhythm and I don't.")<br />
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Meanwhile my husband, Chester, had been a drum major in marching band in High School and had gone on to a music program in college. He had what I envied as natural rhythm. <br />
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So there I was in 1999, an adult with no rhythm and two left feet. Who else is out there with those same issues?<br />
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For some reason I thought dance lessons would be fun. So I signed us up. It was totally my idea. Something to do besides watch TV.<br />
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Turned out Chester's natural rhythm came in handy, but so did his innate sense of style and his ability to learn moves with lightning fast accuracy. He loved it. Soon he was the leader all the followers wanted to dance with. The trouble was that none of the leaders wanted to dance with me. Enter Belief #3 "I'm not good enough."<br />
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Then we went away to dance camp and Chester was put in a level above me (actually we were supposed to both be in that level but I had never actually been taught to follow, didn't know what any of the leaders were doing, couldn't grasp the new moves fast enough and got demoted...awwww.) Talk about an inferiority complex! (Belief #4: "I totally suck.")<br />
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So Chester kept getting better and I kept feeling worse. But he loved it. He excelled at it. So I was determined to become a better dancer. I made goals, I practiced, I went to class. Trouble was everywhere I went I carried around with me the belief that I would never really get any better. So even though I progressed, I was still convinced deep down that no one wanted to dance with me and that I totally sucked as a follower. In fact, when anyone tried to teach me anything, say in a private lesson, my mind was so busy telling me I couldn't get it that I couldn't even take in what the teacher was saying. I had no room in my clogged mind and made everything way more complicated than it really was.<br />
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Anyone out there have those issues?<br />
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It was only after a while that I realized that the biggest challenge I had in learning to dance was NOT my dance ability, or my learning ability, but getting past my belief that I would never be a good dancer. Since I'd already decided that subconsciously, I could never relax, never just enjoy myself. (Belief #5: "Dancing is hard and complicated.")<br />
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It was only after I realized that I was my own greatest critic that I began to realize I wasn't always the only one in class who was struggling. Sure, there were those who got things as quickly as Chester, but there were also those who got things even slower than me!<br />
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Then some guy told me he was afraid to dance with me because he was intimidated by the fact that Chester was my regular partner. So it turned out I wasn't getting asked to dance because the leaders felt inferior, not because they thought I was inferior! (Holy cow.)<br />
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I began to realize that my frame of mind was as important as my dance frame. <br />
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As a dance teacher, I see hundreds of students go through the same internal struggle that I did. I see how it paralyzes them. So I created this blog to let them --and everyone--know that I know how it is. I've been there myself. It's not something to hide. It's something to uncover. So we can dance. <br />
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This past month, Chester and I had the privilege of teaching a Zen of Swing Dance workshop at Omega Institute for Holistic Studies in Rhinebeck, NY. We spent the whole weekend working with students not only on dance moves, but on issues like these that get in the way of our ability to take in new information. It was an incredible weekend. And we got to see a group transform from people who believed they couldn't dance to people who believed they could. And were having a ball doing it.<br />
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I ran into two of them at Lincoln Center last week where Chester was performing with the Big Apple Lindy Hoppers for opening night of Midsummer Night Swing. These two people hadn't known each other before our weekend, and the woman said she'd wanted to go to Midsummer Night Swing for years but had always felt too intimidated. "Your workshop gave me the courage to come tonight," she said. "And it also gave me someone to come with. I am loving it!"<br />
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That is my goal for everyone and why I am so passionate about the Zen of Dance blog. Be in the moment, not mired in the mind. Follow this blog. And get into the Zen of Dance!<br />
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<b>LEARN TO DANCE WITH US THIS JULY!</b><br />
Four-week blues series in Highland on Wednesday nights starts July 2 <br />
Four-week swing series in Kingston Monday nights starts July 7 (three levels available)<br />
Four-week beginner swing in Wallkill Tuesday Nights starts July 8 <br />
Four-week blues series in Highland on Wednesday nights starts July 2<br />
Summer class info:<a href="http://got2lindy.com/classes.html" target="_blank"> http://got2lindy.com/classes.html </a><br />
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Saturday workshop <a href="http://got2lindy.com/TechniqueZen.html" target="_blank">Nimble Feet </a>in Kingston July 5 before our dance at Mac Fitness<br />
Saturday workshop <a href="http://got2lindy.com/SpecialWorkshops.html" target="_blank">Beginner Swing</a> in Newburgh 6-7:30pm July 26<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">DON'T MISS THESE JULY DANCE PRACTICE OPPORTUNITIES!</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Thursday, July 3, <a href="http://got2lindy.com/LindyPracticeSessions.html" target="_blank">Swingin' Newburgh</a> at the Brewery</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Saturday, July 5, <a href="http://got2lindy.com/SwingDances.html" target="_blank">1st Saturday</a> Swing Infusion at the Mac in Kingston</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Friday, July 11, 2nd Friday <a href="http://got2lindy.com/SwingSalon.html" target="_blank">Swing Salon</a> at Uptown Gallery in Kingston</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">SEE YOU DANCING!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Linda</span><br />
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<br />Linda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14189965483624431510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1313291259474182441.post-22706748399701993962014-05-28T17:27:00.002-04:002014-05-28T17:29:14.991-04:00The BEST PARTY EVER!! Frankie100 in NYC May 22-26<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For someone like me who lives in fear of missing out on <span style="font-size: small;">any</span> great happening (which is why I nudge my students to attend events--it's all about my not wanting anyone to miss out on anything), I am SO GLAD I spent the weekend at the Frankie100 event in NYC. It was hands down the best party ever! Since many of you were not able to attend, I'm going to give you a backstage pass... Follow along with us...<br />
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<b>Thursday, May 22.</b><br />
This was opening day of the five-day extravaganza. As volunteers, Chester and I went our separate ways for most of the weekend. He taught a couple of workshops at Alvin Ailey on Thursday while I helped check people in. After a full afternoon at our respective duties, we met two of our dance students Susan Simon and Beth Jones for dinner uptown in preparation for our NIGHT AT THE APOLLO. <br />
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<b>Chester & Linda Waiting For the Show to Start!</b></h3>
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The Classics Club! Dancers who started teaching in the '80s.</h3>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Friday, May 23</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">A full day for both of us. Chester performed with the Big Apple Lindy Hoppers in Central Park. Here's a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tbS25NP2Sc&sns=em." target="_blank">link to the performance</a> taken with someone's phone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I ushered all day at panel discussions and film festivals. Those who know me know that I am a total dance nerd when it comes to dance history and information. I can't get enough, so I was thrilled to be up close and personal with dance greats and history all weekend. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">From left, panel moderator Manu Smith, Chazz Young (Frankie's son), Norma Miller (last surviving member of Whitey's Lindy Hoppers) and Dawn Hampton (Caberet singer & dancer)</span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Close up of Chazz Young. Frankie & Chazz performed on the road together for the last 30 years.</span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: small;">After all the educational panels, it was a pleasure to head over to the dancing! Friday night kicked off four nights of dancing with amazing bands.The venue, Terminal 5 had three floors of dancing! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Over 2000 Dancers from 47 Countries.</span></h3>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Saturday, May 24</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Front page of the NY Times notes Frankie100! <a href="http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/05/24/nyregion/lindy-hop-is-back-thanks-in-part-to-sweden.html" target="_blank">Read it & see the photos!</a> </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Another day of panels for me, and two performances for Chester and the Big Apple Lindy Hoppers. One at a Youth Program at Lincoln Center and another at the evening dance put out by the Frankie Trifecta. (Yes, we weren't even at the same dance that night!). </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Of course we all did the Shim Sham, and they opened up the floor to everyone who knew the Lindy Chorus! I joined the fun with a partner from Germany. Here's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mdgagcr5DsY" target="_blank">a link to the official video of our Lindy Hop class doing Frankie's Lindy Chorus that was posted for Frankie100</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Bands were George Gee and the David Berger Band till 4am (I made it till 3!)</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Sunday, May 25</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Countdown to Frankie's Birthday! At midnight hundreds of balloons were released over the dancers, and we all were served Frankie's favorite: Sweet potato pie (even vegan and gluten free versions were available! The organizers thought of everything!). Band was Gordon Webster. (I made it almost to 4am!)</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Monday, May 26</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Happy Birthday Frankie! We gathered at the Savoy Plaque where the Savoy Ballroom once stood. There was an official proclamation of May 26 being World Lindy Hop Day read by NY dignitaries. We then paraded through the streets of Harlem, passing all the important sites, and waving at people hanging out their windows to see what all the music and dancing was about. It was AWESOME to be part of this parade and the best was when a woman came out of a building, tossed her cane aside and started lindy hopping with a random dancer from the parade. The parade culminated with the Harlem Renaissance Orchestra playing at a school yard on Malcom X Blvd and W 135th Street.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">See you Dancing!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Linda</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">DON'T MISS THESE JUNE DANCE OPPORTUNITIES!</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Thursday, June 5, <a href="http://got2lindy.com/LindyPracticeSessions.html" target="_blank">Swingin' Newburgh</a> at the Brewery</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Saturday, June 7, <a href="http://got2lindy.com/SwingDances.html" target="_blank">1st Saturday</a> Swing Infusion at the Mac in Kingston</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Friday, June 13, 2nd Friday <a href="http://got2lindy.com/SwingSalon.html" target="_blank">Swing Salon</a> at Uptown Gallery in Kingston</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.eomega.org/workshops/zen-of-swing-dance#-workshop-description-block" target="_blank">ZEN OF SWING DANCE WORKSHOP AT OMEGA</a>! June 20-22nd. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Register Today! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Plus June <a href="http://got2lindy.com/classes.html" target="_blank">Classes</a> & <a href="http://got2lindy.com/SpecialWorkshops.html" target="_blank">Workshops</a></span></div>
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<br />Linda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14189965483624431510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1313291259474182441.post-34778148146029644002014-05-01T13:37:00.002-04:002014-05-15T13:05:58.144-04:00Remembering Frankie 1914-2009<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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As thousands of swing dancers around the world get ready to commemorate the legendary swing dancer Frankie Manning in this the month that marks his centennial year celebration, I turn inward to my personal reflections on the man and what he brought to me and to so many people.<br />
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We were lucky. Frankie was here to hold our hands and count us in when we were learning how to swing dance. It is his voice I hear in my head when I dance, like so many of our students say they hear Chester's.<br />
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I feel it is part of our job as dance teachers to not only teach the dance, but the legacy behind it. Frankie Manning is that legacy.<br />
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For those of you who have not read his book, the <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Frankie-Manning-Ambassador-Lindy-Hop/dp/1592135641/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398959462&sr=8-1&keywords=frankie+manning" target="_blank">Ambassador of Lindy Hop</a></i>, which I had the great fortune of editing in manuscript form, or who have not seen the documentary,<i> <b>Frankie Manning: Never Stop Swinging</b> </i>(airing on <a href="http://pbs.org/" target="_blank">PBS</a> on May 16 at 10:30pm), or were not swing dancing yet when he was still teaching up until almost his 95th birthday, here is a synopsis of Frankie:<br />
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Frankie was eight years old in 1922, the heart of the jazz age. His mother loved to dance but she couldn't afford a baby sitter so she took her young son around to her "social events", which mostly included rent parties (dance parties held in someone's apartment in which a 25cent admission would be charged and bathtub gin was 10cents a mug to help pay the rent) and dance halls. Soon Frankie had one aspiration: to be a dancer. But the first time he tried to show off to his mother, she admonished, "You'll never be a dancer, you're too stiff."<br />
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Boy, did he prove her wrong. He became one of the leading dancers of Harlem's Savoy Ballroom, selected by the ballroom's bouncer-turned-businessman Herbert "Whitey" White to be a part of the cats corner (an invitation-only area of the ballroom) and eventually to be part of Whitey's Lindy Hoppers, the award-winning performance troupe. Segments of the troupe performed at various venues around the world, including the Cotton Club and in films, including famous dance sequences in the movies<i> <b>Hellzapoppin</b></i> and in the Marx Brothers'<b><i> Day at the Races</i></b><i> </i>(join us for a special screening of <i> Day at the Races</i> on May 11 at 2pm at the Rosendale Theatre).<br />
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He created the first air step, tossing his partner in the air and landing in time with the music. He won awards. He choreographed. He toured. He performed professionally into the 1950s, when with a family to support he retired from professional dancing and got a job at the post office, where he worked for the next 30 years.<br />
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We should all have multiple chapters to our lives. The 1980's brought Frankie's.<br />
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A strange thing started occurring all over the world. After decades of independent body flailing that people called dancing, late night movies started sparking an interest in what looked like a really cool way to dance with a partner. People began rediscovering this old dance called Lindy Hop. And they wanted to know how to do it. So they reached out and found some of those dancers and brought them back to the dance floor.<br />
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When dancer Erin Stevens found Frankie's name in the phone book and called him, the famous phone call went like this:<br />
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<i>Erin:</i> Is this Frankie Manning the dancer?<br />
<i>Frankie:</i> No, this is Frankie Manning the postal worker.<br />
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It took a lot of convincing to get him to teach her and her then-partner Stephen Mitchell. Some of you may know the sweatshirt our student Chris Cullen had specially made for me that says. "The Only Count I Know is Count Basie." That was is a famous quote of Frankie's when he was asked to teach. He was a performer, not a teacher. And he hadn't done that in thirty years.<br />
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But ultimately he did teach and in doing so, he changed our history, leading a tidal wave of dance enthusiasm around the globe. So huge that no matter where you go in the world, you can find swing dancers.<br />
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He changed our lives and the lives of so many people as more and more became swing dancers and some of those he taught became teachers. Global change. One man. Not bad. How did he do it? With wisdom and grace.<br />
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He was a performer with a personality that lit up a room. He had astounding energy. He was 92 when we brought him to teach and share stories in the Hudson Valley, but you would never have guessed his age.<br />
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He was also modest. It was never about him. It was about the dance. He did what he loved and he loved what he did, and everyone loved him, and he loved everyone and it showed.<br />
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Here's one of the best film compilations I've seen about Frankie made for his 95th birthday celebration in NYC, which was held shortly after his passing. <br />
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Working on his manuscript was a terrific honor for me, and I am forever grateful for the privilege to play a small part in bringing Frankie's book to light. Cynthia Millman, his co-author, had been working diligently on the book for years. I was eager to read it, eager to find out how such a famous man could have gone underground for thirty years, how people all over the world suddenly wanted to know how to swing dance, how it all happened. By lending my editorial skills, I was able to read it all in manuscript and help shape Frankie's huge number of terrific stories and Cynthia's incredible research.<br />
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Frankie's voice lives on in the pages of his book, in the many films (like the one I've included here), documentaries and video clips that people shot of Frankie both personally and professionally over the years. Frankie lives on in every dance move we do, and every dance move we teach. And most of all, Frankie lives on as a voice in our heads, a picture in our minds, with love in our hearts, and as we spread our passion for lindy hop every time we hit the dance floor.<br />
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And he lives on in you and in each and every one of the students we teach to swing dance.<br />
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FRANKIE EVENTS IN MAY IN THE HUDSON VALLEY<br />
1. May 2. Frankie Tribute Dance in <a href="http://got2lindy.com/Specialevents.html" target="_blank">Albany</a> by Chester's Cool Cats & Kittens<br />
2. May 3. <a href="http://got2lindy.com/TechniqueZen.html" target="_blank">All About Frankie</a> Workshop in Kingston, NY 6-7:30pm <br />
3. May 3. Frankie Tribute Dance at <a href="http://got2lindy.com/SwingDances.html" target="_blank">2nd Saturday Swing Dance </a>Infusion 7:30-10:30 performance at 9pm<br />
4. May 5-June 2. Frankie-inspired swing outs in<a href="http://got2lindy.com/classes.html" target="_blank"> Lindy Hop class series Monday nights</a> 8-9pm in Kingston<br />
5. May 11. <a href="http://got2lindy.com/FRANKIETRIBUTE.html" target="_blank">Frankie Tribute Day</a>. Screening of Marx Brothers A Day at the Races, Video Tribute & Q&A with Judy Pritchett at the Rosendale Theatre, followed by a Swing Dance Party at the Belltower.<br />
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FRANKIE EVENTS IN NYC<br />
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: 12pt;" style="font-size: 12pt;">Weekend of May 22-26. <a href="http://frankie100.com/" target="_blank">Frankie 100 Centennial Bash</a> in NYC.</span><br />
<span data-mce-style="font-size: 12pt;" style="font-size: 12pt;">May 23-25.<a data-mce-href="http://frankietrifecta.com/" href="http://frankietrifecta.com/"> Frankietrifecta</a> in NYC. </span><br />
<span data-mce-style="font-size: 12pt;" style="font-size: 12pt;"><br data-mce-bogus="1" /></span>
<span data-mce-style="font-size: 12pt;" style="font-size: 12pt;">BUY THE BOOK! <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Frankie-Manning-Ambassador-Lindy-Hop/dp/1592135641/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398891021&sr=8-1&keywords=frankie+manning" href="http://www.amazon.com/Frankie-Manning-Ambassador-Lindy-Hop/dp/1592135641/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398891021&sr=8-1&keywords=frankie+manning">The Ambassador of Lindy Hop</a>. </span><br />
<span data-mce-style="font-size: 12pt;" style="font-size: 12pt;">SEE THE DOCUMENTARY! </span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 12pt;" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span data-mce-style="font-size: 12pt;" style="font-size: 12pt;">May 16, 10:30pm: <i>Frankie Manning: Never Stop Swinging </i>channel 13, <a data-mce-href="http://www.pbs.org/" href="http://www.pbs.org/">PBS</a>. </span> </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chester Freeman, Cynthia Millman, Linda Freeman, Frankie Manning</td></tr>
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: 12pt;" style="font-size: 12pt;">SEE YOU ALL DANCING!</span><br />
<span data-mce-style="font-size: 12pt;" style="font-size: 12pt;">Linda </span><br />
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<br />Linda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14189965483624431510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1313291259474182441.post-8770339172666674752014-04-15T12:47:00.000-04:002014-05-15T15:49:40.883-04:00We Fall Down. We Get Up.I'm posting a fantastic video of the performance that the New York City-based dance troupe THE BIG APPLE LINDY HOPPERS did recently at our dance. I'm posting it because I'm proud of it on so many levels, but even more importantly, because of what it has to teach us about life, expectations, performing and dancing.<br />
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First sit back and watch. Enjoy. Observe. And then I'll share six quick insights into what you are seeing.<br />
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1. <b>Chester's Dancing.</b><br />
When Chester and I met in 1997, neither of us danced aside from independent body flailing that we thought looked pretty good. That is to say we were not "born" dancers. We learned as adults. Like most of our students. Look at him now.<br />
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He's not alone. I constantly see students walk in the door convinced they have two left feet who become dancers. <br />
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2. <b>Chester's Age.</b><br />
He'll kill me for pointing this out, but Chester is more than twice the age of every other performer in the Big Apple Lindy Hoppers. But he doesn't let it stop him. Not a bit. Before we started dancing Chester had a bad back. He'd throw it out opening a window. Fifteen years later, he's throwing girls over his head. Go figure. <br />
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He's not alone. I constantly see students grow "younger" before my eyes the more they dance. <br />
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3.<b> Chester's Choreography. </b><br />
This video marks the world-debut of Chester's choreography for the Big Apple Lindy Hoppers. Prior to this only Frankie Manning, Ryan Francios, and Laura Jeffers ever choreographed for the troupe. He started small by first choreographing for us and our friends, and then started a performance class in 2006. He got better and better at choreographing with each routine. You can see his evolution by watching the <a href="http://got2lindy.com/PerformanceClass.html" target="_blank">performance clip</a>s on our website. This is not idle work. Believe me, he spends hours and hours listening to music and watching performances to hone his creative ideas.<br />
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He's not alone. I have had the pleasure of seeing some of our students go on to create their own choreography. Here's a video of Dorrie Boice performing her award-winning <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaY-Qxt95iI" target="_blank">choreography</a> with Chester.<br />
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3.<b> Chester's Performance.</b><br />
Notice that it's Chester up there, not me. Performing was Chester's dream, not mine. For me it was a challenge to overcome. It's one of the reasons we started our performance class. So he could choreograph and perform and I could get over my fear of performing. I've been doing every performance class since 2006 and have performed countless times with Chester on cruise ships and major venues. Participating in a performance class makes you a better dancer because
you have to practice. It raises the stakes. It makes you understand the
moves inside out. <br />
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I'm not alone. Many students have joined our performance class with the same fears and trepidations I had.<br />
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4.<b> Hard Work Makes it Look Easy.</b><br />
A three-minute routine takes months and months of practice. All the work behind what looks like just fun is mind boggling. When you watch a performance, realize how much work is involved (physically, mentally and emotionally) to bring you what you are seeing. Performers get energy from the crowd, so hoot and holler. There's nothing worse than performing to a silent audience.<br />
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Don't make them feel alone up there. Next time you see a performance show your appreciation. Clap harder.<br />
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5. <b>Only Three Couples are Performing.</b><br />
Only a small percentage of the troupe performed Chester's choreography. Why? The rest weren't ready. Everyone learns at a different pace. I used to get so frustrated because Chester learns quicker than I do. He can look at a move and copy it in an instant while I'm still trying to figure out what happened. His musical background also made it easier for him than for me.<br />
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I'm not alone. There will always be those who learn quicker and easier and those for whom it takes a bit longer. No judgement. Especially of yourself. <br />
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6. <b>A Girl Falls Down. And Gets Back Up.</b><br />
It's nearly off the screen, but one of the performers falls out of a flip. And gets right back up and keeps dancing. Chester said she never fell in rehearsal, and of all the dancers, she was the one who had the move the most solid. So what does it mean that she fell? She fell. That's all it means. <br />
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She's not alone. We all fall down figuratively or literally. The secret in being a success in life is not to be afraid to make mistakes, and to get right back up after falling down. It's all part of learning to dance, and living.<br />
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<b>LIFE LESSONS:</b><br />
1. NO ONE IS A BORN DANCER. Take our <a href="http://got2lindy.com/classes.html" target="_blank">Classes</a> or <a href="http://got2lindy.com/SpecialWorkshops.html" target="_blank">Workshops</a> or <a href="http://got2lindy.com/TechniqueZen.html" target="_blank">Technique Clinics</a><br />
2. YOU'RE NEVER TOO OLD. Take our <a href="http://got2lindy.com/classes.html" target="_blank">Classes</a> or <a href="http://got2lindy.com/SpecialWorkshops.html" target="_blank">Workshops</a> or <a href="http://got2lindy.com/TechniqueZen.html" target="_blank">Technique Clinics</a><br />
3. GET OVER YOUR FEARS. Take our <a href="http://got2lindy.com/PerformanceClass.html" target="_blank">Performance Class</a> or our upcoming <a href="http://www.eomega.org/workshops/zen-of-swing-dance#-workshop-description-block" target="_blank">Zen of Swing Dance</a> <a href="http://www.eomega.org/workshops/zen-of-swing-dance#-workshop-description-block" target="_blank">Workshop at Omega.</a><br />
4. SHOW APPRECIATION. Clap hard at our upcoming Cool Cats & Kittens <a href="http://got2lindy.com/PerformanceClass.html" target="_blank">Performances</a>.<br />
5. LEARN AT YOUR OWN PACE. Take our <a href="http://got2lindy.com/classes.html" target="_blank">Classes</a> or <a href="http://got2lindy.com/privatedancelessons.html" target="_blank">Privates</a>.<br />
6. KEEP ON DANCING. Attend our dances. <a href="http://got2lindy.com/LindyPracticeSessions.html" target="_blank">1st Thursdays</a>. <a href="http://got2lindy.com/SwingDances.html" target="_blank">1st Saturdays</a>. <a href="http://got2lindy.com/SwingSalon.html" target="_blank">2nd Fridays</a>. and <a href="http://got2lindy.com/FRANKIETRIBUTE.html" target="_blank">May 11</a>.<br />
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See you all dancing!<br />
xoxo <br />
LindaLinda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14189965483624431510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1313291259474182441.post-84442788851093646872014-03-13T22:47:00.000-04:002014-05-15T15:50:58.491-04:00Introducing the REVIVED 2014 Zen of Dance! After a four-year hiatus (yes, my mother's illness and passing dragged me through the mud the last few years), I am proud to announce the return of the Zen of Dance. A lot has happened in the last four years in our swing dance world, including many new friends and students joining the Got2Lindy classes and the ever-expanding Hudson Valley Swing Dance Network. Let's just say we've been very busy. Please enjoy the archives on this site, which contains very valuable information about learning to swing dance that doesn't ever get stale.<br />
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And here are just 10 quick highlights from recent times:<br />
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1. We sold out performances at the SPIEGELTENT for three years in a row.<br />
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On Thursday, August 14 we return. Mark your calendars.<br />
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2. We had amazing classes as the head swing dance teachers at the 2014 Dance Flurry Festival in Saratoga<br />
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3. We taught on a Holland America Cruise Ship through Asia and the South Pacific for 75 days during September, October, November and December of 2013.<br />
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4. I published an article about how I changed my life by leaving the corporate world and becoming a swing dance teacher. <a href="http://www.chronogram.com/hudsonvalley/first-impressions-in-the-swing/Content?oid=2148784" target="_blank">READ THE ARTICLE</a><br />
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5. We had a huge number of amazing choreography by the wonderful Chester Freeman performed by our amazing students.<br />
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6. We taught and danced at dozens of events including the Chronogram Block Party<br />
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7. We raised over $6000 for Haiti soon after the earthquake with a HOP FOR HAITI Swing Dance with such incredible guests as Dawn Hampton.<br />
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8. We had a whole cabin full of students join us at Swing Out New Hampshire, where I was the SWOGA Teacher (Yoga for Swing Dancers).<br />
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9. We had a radio show for three years <a href="http://got2lindy.com/SwingShiftRadioShowLibraryArchives.html" target="_blank">The Swing Shift </a>and debuted a seven episode TV series on Swing Dance available for viewing at <a href="http://www.pandatv23.org/" target="_blank">http://www.pandatv23.org/ </a><br />
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10. WE TAUGHT HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HOW TO DANCE AND WE HAD A BLAST DOING IT! Join us as we continue the fun into the new year! And be sure to follow the all-new ZEN OF DANCE.<br />
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xoxo<br />
Linda<br />
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<br />Linda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14189965483624431510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1313291259474182441.post-42601680453968314372010-05-31T20:10:00.002-04:002010-05-31T20:21:38.236-04:00The Power of CommunityIt is the eve of the end of what I've come to think of as the month of the vote. Every day in May, our dance community--and frankly anyone who came into our range--were encouraged to vote for Hudson Valley Community Dance's Pepsi Grant Proposal to bring professional swing dance instruction to two Poughkeepsie High Schools.<br /><br />Ed Berkel and the grant organizers worked very hard, collecting proxy votes and driving the message home. To vote was to make a difference in the community...and in the lives of neighborhood teens.<br /><br />It's the eve of the end of the vote. By tomorrow it will all be over and we will have won the grant or we will have lost it. But either way, I want to take the time now to acknowledge those who worked so hard to organize the grant, to collect and enter proxy votes and to amass a large enough amount of support that for most of the 31 days we managed to stay in the top 10, most of those days hovering in the 5-6 range. That is no small feat.<br /><br />In the last few days, everyone who has been involved knows that we've been teetering on the edge of 9 & 10.<br /><br />If it is still May when you are reading this, and you did not vote today, please pause and do so now. Every vote still counts until midnight. If it is June already then visit the pepsi site to see the outcome of the vote. If you voted along with us, we thank you.<br /><a href="http://www.refresheverything.com/hvcdswingdance">http://www.refresheverything.com/hvcdswingdance</a>Linda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14189965483624431510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1313291259474182441.post-77492192616600074392010-04-30T11:29:00.002-04:002010-04-30T12:57:21.329-04:00Swing Dance: Creating Community in the SchoolsWhen Chester and I began teaching swing dance full time in 2004, it was mostly my idea. Burnt out from corporate life, I wanted to do something that brought us joy. Little did I realize how much joy it would bring to others.<br /><br />Now our passion has grown to become the passion of so many others throughout the Hudson Valley. As word of mouth spreads our classes continue to swell with smiles.<br /><br />Since 2006, we've been bringing those smiles to the faces of children as well as adults through our <em>Teaching in the Schools</em> program. Our 2010 program at the Violet Avenue Elementary School was profiled in the <a href="http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20104270315">Poughkeepsie Journal on April 27</a>, along with over 30 photographs of the kids in action posted on the Poughkeepsie Journal website <a href="http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=BK&Dato=20100426&Kategori=NEWS01&Lopenr=4260802&Ref=PH">Gallery of Photos</a>.<br /><br />We love being part of the transformation that happens when people of all ages learn to dance together.<br /><br />And now, the Hudson Valley Community Dance has taken our mission of spreading the joy of swing dancing and made it part of a Pepsi grant proposal.<br /><br />Join us in voting every day in the month of May to bring professional swing dance instruction to two high schools in Poughkeepsie, NY.<br /><br />Truly every vote counts in this endeavor as only 10 proposals will win the May grant and winning is by popular vote. The top ten with the most votes win the grants.<br /><br />The voting starts May 1 and ends May 31. That's 31 days to make a difference.<br /><br />Vote for Swing Every Day in the Month of May. Visit the <a href="http://hudsonvalleydance.org/">Hudson Valley Community Dance </a>website for more information.Linda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14189965483624431510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1313291259474182441.post-40979049331256489462010-03-27T16:21:00.003-04:002010-03-27T16:58:47.174-04:00To Register or Not To Register: That is the QuestionHow many times in your life have you intended to do something and it just never happened? I'm one of those people who wants to do everything--I have a dreaded fear of missing out! When I was in college I could never be the first one to leave any party, even if the "party" was just hanging out in the hallway, because I was always sure the minute I left something incredible would happen.<br /><br />And so it goes with dance. Workshops, classes, dances, there's so much happening near and far and I wish I could do it all!! But we can't. These days the decision making is a lot easier since it invariably boils down to one question: are we available? And since Chester and I are normally booked months in advance, available time is usually at a premium.<br /><br />Every time I find out about an event, class or workshop I really want to attend, I mark the dates in my calendar and hope that nothing bumps it out of the way. Since we make our living teaching dance, the most common bumper for us is a paying gig. You would think we could schedule our classes around things we want to do, but it isn't that easy when we teach consecutive weeks. It took us years to find the available time to go to the <a href="http://2plyswing.com/">Balboa Rendezvous </a>in California, even though it was on my most-want-to-do list forever. (This year it falls on our <a href="http://got2lindy.com/SwingDances.html">Second Saturday Swing Dance</a> date -- April 10!).<br /><br />So step number one is to find the date available on my calendar.<br /><br />Step number 2 is to register.<br /><br />If I have the room on my calendar and I know I want to do something, I register for it. This makes the commitment real for me so that I know anything else that comes up will have to work around that commitment.<br /><br />It also helps the organizer.<br /><br />Registrations are crucial to helping to make a successful event. They tell you who to expect so that you can create a class or workshop suited to those people. For us, when we know who are taking our classes, we can take into consideration their skill level when developing the curriculum and draw students from other classes if we have a leader/follower imbalance.<br /><br />And sometimes it means the difference between a class being held or cancelled. When outside agencies sponsor us to teach, they need to know that they will get sufficient enrollment through their registration process. The <a href="http://got2lindy.com/BallroomClasses.html">Ballroom series</a> we teach at SUNY Ulster is always packed, but one year they wanted to cancel because they only had six students the week before the first class. I convinced them to hold the class open and sure enough six more registered the day of the first class.<br /><br />When I was involved with Landmark Education we used to say that there was no such thing as trying. You either commit to something or you don't. And once you commit to something, the world will open up to assist you.<br /><br />So when you see a class, event, or workshop you want to take--register for it. You'll be amazed how that commitment will enhance the experience.<br /><br /><a href="http://got2lindy.com/classes.html">Classes begin week of April 5</a><br /><a href="http://got2lindy.com/BallroomClasses.html">SUNY Ulster Ballroom Series begins April 9</a><br /><a href="http://got2lindy.com/TechniqueZen.html">Technique clinic Intermediate Concepts April 10</a><br /><a href="http://got2lindy.com/SwingonSundays.html">Balboa April 11 and 25</a><br /><a href="http://http//got2lindy.com/LauraJeffersRegistration.html">Laura Jeffers & the Big Apple Lindy Hoppers Workshop Weekend April 17 & 18</a>Linda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14189965483624431510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1313291259474182441.post-86677713520006698442010-02-27T19:20:00.012-05:002010-02-28T10:10:03.390-05:00How I Raised $6000 for Haiti in Two Weeks (10 Lessons you can apply to your dancing)<em>Oh no! It's already almost March and I haven't blogged since the end of last year. But I do have a darn good excuse...</em><br /><br />Chester and I spent the last part of 2009 visiting his family in Louisiana. On the drive down we were waylaid by a major snowstorm in Virginia and spent two days holed up at a Days Inn. And we were so lucky! Many others caught on the highway only had their car roof over their heads.<br /><br />We returned early in the new year to the rush of new classes and dances and then on January 12, 2010 the earthquake hit Haiti. On February 5, I held a major Swing Dance Fundraiser and raised over $6000.<br /><br /><strong>In this blog I outline how I created such a successful event in such a short amount of time, and the 10 lessons from it that we can use as dancers.</strong><br /><br /><strong>Lesson #1. Commit to It.</strong><br />On January 20th I received an email from a swing dancer in California, <a href="http://rustyfrank.com/">Rusty Frank</a> sharing her idea to create <a href="http://rustyfrank.com/haiti/haiti.asp">HOP FOR HAITI </a>a multi-city effort by swing dancers to raise money for Haiti.<br /><br />I loved the idea. Why not do what I do best...and do it for Haiti? I looked at my calendar and found I had one free Friday coming up in two weeks and immediately committed to organizing a major swing dance fundraiser here in the Hudson Valley with all proceeds going to Doctors without Borders.<br /><br /><em>As I've written about so often in my Zen of Dance, once you fully commit to something, the world opens its doors to you. Have you truly committed to your dancing? Increasing your skills, going beyond your self-imposed limitations?</em><br /><br /><strong>Lesson #2. Envision it.</strong><br />First I called the church where we usually have our <a href="http://got2lindy.com/SwingDances.html">2nd Saturday night dances</a>, a beautiful church hall with a terrific 2000 square foot wood floor. It was a shoe-in that they would donate the space--after all they were a church, and of course they said yes. But as I got off the phone I didn't feel joyous. I wanted this event to be out-of-the-ordinary and so I asked myself where in all the Hudson Valley I would want to hold this event if I could hold it anywhere....<br /><br />I closed my eyes and envisioned having an extraordinary location and band and within two hours I had secured them both: the beautiful <a href="http://www.lgny.org/visiting/hours.html">LOCUST GROVE</a> Samuel Morse Historic Site in Poughkeepsie and the wonderful <a href="http://www.saintsofswing.com/">SAINTS OF SWING</a> band to play.<br /><br /><em>When was the last time you closed your eyes and envisioned yourself dancing in the best possible way? Have you ever? How about now?</em><br /><br /><strong>Lesson #3. Get Help.</strong><br />Then I remembered I should mention my intention to Chester. After all, I was also committing him by implication. Luckily he also thought it was a wonderful idea. I was on a roll.<br /><br />Now I had a venue, a band and we'd be teaching the lesson. But I envisioned more. I wanted a silent auction, a bake sale, a 50/50 raffle, performances.<br /><br />I called a local dancer who had run a <a href="http://swingmonkey.com/node/4839">Dance For Peace </a>fundraiser in the summer and asked for advice (thank you, Sherrill). Her major suggestion was that I get help. I formed a small committee (you can move faster with a small committee) of silent auction coordinators (thank you, Lauranne and Beth) and a bake sale coordinator (thank you, Susan) and sent out an announcement and asked for volunteers. In the next two weeks we had nearly <a href="http://got2lindy.com/SilentAuction.html">60 goods and services </a>donated for the silent auction (thank you Hudson Valley businesses).<br /><br /><em>The dance world is full of help to make your dancing better. <a href="http://got2lindy.com/classes.html">Classes</a>, <a href="http://got2lindy.com/Weekendworkshops.html">workshops</a>, dance camps, <a href="http://got2lindy.com/SwingDances.html">social dances</a> and lots and lots of other dancers. All out there. Waiting for you. Check out our full schedule on <a href="http://www.got2lindy.com/">http://www.got2lindy.com/</a></em><br /><br /><strong>Lesson #4. Let People Know.</strong><br />You can't create in a vacuum. Rusty Frank kept me updated on what she was doing and supplied art work. I wrote a press release and called the reporters I knew. We got covered in the Poughkeepsie Journal and Southern Dutchess News. Chester and I talked it up on our radio show The Swing Shift on WHVW 950AM (1st and 3rd Mondays 10-11am). I sent announcements out to all 1000 people on my email list. Our students posted flyers and told others.<br /><br /><em>Have you let other people in your life know that you dance...or do you keep it hidden? Let everyone know. You might even find a new dance partner that way!</em><br /><br /><strong>Lesson #5. Get out of your Comfort Zone.</strong><br />A night of entertainment has got to include great performances! Chester and our long-time student, Dorrie, would perform <a href="http://http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaY-Qxt95iI">JEEP JOCKEY JUMP</a>, which had won Dorrie second place in the pro-am divsion of the American Lindy Hop Championships. Thank you, Chester and Dorrie.<br /><br /><br />We wanted to have the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/http//got2lindy.com/LauraJeffersRegistration.html">BIG APPLE LINDY HOPPERS</a> perform but enough of them weren't available on such short notice. (They'll be here on <a href="http://www.blogger.com/http//got2lindy.com/LauraJeffersRegistration.html">April 17 & 18</a> though!!)<br /><br />I had received a few queries from local west coast swing dancers asking if there would be WCS music played at this event. At first I was surprised that they would put the music before the cause, but then I realized I would wonder the same thing if the dance shoe was on the other foot--so to speak. If a WCS Dance was putting on a benefit I might donate, but did I want to dance?<br /><br />This, I realized, was a time to bridge the divide. A cross-over dancer (who dances both east and west coast) volunteered to DJ the break (thank you, Jun), and two noted WCS dancers/instructors, <a href="http://www.denisandlee.com/">Lee and Denis </a>agreed to perform. Thank you, Denis and Lee!<br /><br />Then I really reached out. <a href="http://http//www.centurymasters.com/b_dawn_hampton.html">Dawn Hampton</a> is probably the most famous performer in the lindy hop world. She is an icon. She also happens to adore Chester. She once said there were only three people she loved to dance with--and he is one of them. So it wasn't a stretch for me to ask her if she would come and perform, even if the Hudson Valley is a good two hours from where she lives. And come she did. This 81-year-old firecracker popped everyones eyes out with her Bonghra performance. Thank you, Dawn!<br /><br /><em>What are you resisting doing? Taking a <a href="http://got2lindy.com/PerformanceClass.html">performance class</a>? Trying <a href="http://got2lindy.com/SwingonSundays.html">Balboa</a>? Breaking out of 6-count into <a href="http://got2lindy.com/TechniqueZen.html">8-count lindy</a>? Learning the <a href="http://got2lindy.com/giftcertificates.html">Shim Sham</a> or other line dances like the <a href="http://got2lindy.com/classes.html">Jitterbug Stroll? </a>Asking a certain person to dance? Taking a class at the next level? What are you sure you can't do?</em><br /><em></em><br /><strong>Lesson #6. Learn from Mistakes. And Turn them into Something Even Better.</strong><br />I had worked hard on the press releases and made sure that the newspapers received them on time to print them, so I was surprised when the week of the event came to see that my own local newspapers hadn't picked up the story. So I contacted the paper directly to see why. Turns out the release hadn't made it out of the calendar reporter's folder. So I took the next step. Since it was too late to promote the event in the paper (it was the day of the event) I asked if he would send a reporter to cover it instead. As a result we had a full-page extremely well-written and researched article with photos about the event in the Southern Ulster Times. Thank you, Carl and Mark.<br /><br /><br /><em>Some of the best social dance moves were created because someone made a mistake and it became a new cool move. Don't be afraid to try out the moves you learn in class or see on the dance floor. Take risks and play. As Chester always says, "If you don't fall down and you don't hurt your partner, you meant to do that."</em><br /><br /><br /><strong>Lesson #7. Lead AND Follow. Just Not at the Same Time.</strong><br />Once I had help I still needed to take the lead. After all, it was my vision. However, I wisely knew when I had to follow as well. I turned to others who had more experience than me in putting together and running silent auctions and bake sales and followed their lead. This created a perfect partnership of skills and experience to make the event go smoothly.<br /><br /><br /><em>When you dance are you allowing your leader to lead or your follower to follow? Leaders must develop the decision-making skills to plan and clearly guide your follower through moves. Followers must have the confidence to not anticipate, help or take control. And both must have the frame and connection necessary to execute the moves. Mark your calendar for our next Intermediate Concepts Technique Clinic before our dance on April 10 and for our Frame & Connection Technique Clinic before our dance on June 12.</em><br /><br /><br /><strong>Lesson #8. Set a Goal. And Make it Outrageous.</strong><br />One of my committee members asked me what my financial goal was. I told her I wanted to surpass what Rusty had accomplished in California, which at the time was $6000. She looked at me and smiled and said, "Great. Now what's a realistic goal? How about $3000?"<br /><br /><br />I nodded. Now I had a realistic goal and an outrageous one and I set out to manifest the outrageous one.<br /><br /><br />And we did. We raised $6020.84. All of it for Doctors without Borders for their work in Haiti.<br /><br /><br /><em>What is your unrealistic dancing goal? And when will you achieve it by?</em><br /><br /><br /><strong>Lesson #9. Follow up.</strong><br />You can't just show up and be done with it. You need to follow up. We worked as hard after the event was over as we did prior to the event. We had to tally up and let everyone know the results and send tax statements to all our donors.<br /><br /><br /><em>Do you just show up for class and hope to be able to dance better or do you follow up and practice at home or at social dances? In the Hudson Valley you can lindy socially at least once a week, sometimes more without leaving town! From our second <a href="http://got2lindy.com/SwingDances.html">Saturday Swing Dance Socials </a>to <a href="http://www.hudsonvalleydance.org/">Hudson Valley Community Dance </a>1st Sunday and 4th Friday dances to the weekly dance at <a href="http://www.potownswing.com/">Po'Town Swing.</a> And if you venture to <a href="http://www.yehoodi.com/">NYC</a>, <a href="http://danceflurry.org/new/capitalswing.html">Albany</a>, <a href="http://www.fairwestswing.com/">Westchester</a> or <a href="http://www.swingmonkey.com/">Connecticut</a>, you can dance even more!<br /></em><br /><strong>Lesson #10. Thank the People Who Made a Difference.</strong><br />I could not have done this event without the help of all the people I have mentioned in this blog and all the additional volunteers who brought in silent auction items and services, hawked raffle tickets (thank you, Lois and Karen), sat at the front desk (thank you, Deb), came early or stayed late to carry tables and chairs (thanks Steve, Patrick, Ron), missed out on dancing to help during the evening (thanks Stacie, Amie and Mindy). And so many more who pitched in and pulled out their wallets. Your generosity is really how I raised over $6000 for Haiti. We did it together.<br /><br /><em></em><br /><br /><em>Who has made a difference in your dancing? Have you thanked them?</em>Linda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14189965483624431510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1313291259474182441.post-16916315103870839062009-12-24T12:07:00.003-05:002009-12-24T12:35:47.132-05:00New Year GoalsAs the year draws to a close and the new year begins I always get a sense of excitment, a feeling of a new, clean slate upon which to create my year--a sense that I can do anything, start over, begin anew.<br /><br />Last post I talked about the importance of looking back over the past year and creating goals for the new year. This post I want to share our goals with you.<br /><br />Long-time readers will recall that a few years ago my personal goal was to perform. The problem was that I was terrified. Why? I am a perfectionist and I was afraid I would screw up.<br /><br />But I wanted to conquer that fear and now after a good many years of performing with Chester's Cool Cats and Kittens, I have. I still make mistakes and forget pieces of choreography--we all do. But the important thing is that we have a blast. Focus on the fun and the fear resides. Plus I've found that challenge of learning new choreography helps me in all sorts of ways.<br /><br />So what do I envision for 2010 in terms of dancing? I want our growing community to explode with even more fun and laughter and joy in dancing. We are making important changes to help facilitate that.<br /><br />Here's what we're doing:<br />1. Expand the community of celebration.<br />Everyone has those friends with whom they would love to share the joy of dance. Now we're making it easy. Celebrate your birthday at our dance for free. And bring up to five of your friends who have never been to our dance to celebrate with you--also for free.<br /><br />2. Expand learning opportunities.<br />We now have classes in Poughkeepsie, Kingston, Stone Ridge and Highland every night of the week! This allows maximum flexibility for all those who want to take classes but couldn't fit it into their schedule.<br /><br />3. Offer free practice sessions.<br />We have a possible Kingston location for free practice sessions, now all we need is a team of volunteers to help run it. Contact us if you are interested and let's get this baby on the road.<br /><br />4. Generate more excitement.<br />A successful dance is made up of great people and great music. We continue that pledge for our dances in 2010.<br /><br />5. Offer the best.<br />We continually strive for the most satisfied students. 91% of our students reported they were <em>highly</em> satisfied last year. That's a statistic to be proud of. <br /><br />What are your goals for dancing in 2010? And how can we help you achieve them?<br /><br />Visit <a href="http://www.got2lindy.com/">www.got2lindy.com</a> for our January schedule.Linda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14189965483624431510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1313291259474182441.post-28616482395936705922009-11-29T10:46:00.006-05:002009-11-29T13:14:44.686-05:00Goal Setting for the New Year: The Dance of LifeOne of my long-time readers and dance students requested that I write my annual goal-setting issue this month. Over the years he has shared his goals and accomplishments with me. Since this blog allows comments, I invite each of you make a posted commitment to your goals this year.<br /><br /><br />Goals for the new year? Notice I didn't say resolutions. Resolutions are not goals. Goals are specific and measurable. Here's 10 steps to develop goals that you can and will want to live up to.<br /><br /><br />1. <strong>Work backwards first.</strong><br />Take the time to reflect over the past year. Did you set goals? If so, what results did you achieve? As I look over my goals for 2009 I realize that I did very little toward accomplishing them. Does this mean I failed? No, it just means that 2009 sent some whoppers my way that I did not envision. So I need to acknowledge that 2009 was an off year, be thankful for the things that I did <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">accomplish</span> or start to put in motion, and recommit to the things I want to have happen in 2010.<br /><br /><br />2. <strong>Acknowledge the surprises good and bad.</strong><br />2009 was not a healthy year for our families. We lost Chester's dad and my mom has been in a scary spiral since she broke her hip in August. Although I didn't achieve all my goals, I did take steps toward achieving them and that should be acknowledged. Half my house is painted. My yard is no longer choked by weeds and bushes. We had fantastic classes and workshops and were blessed by so many students and teaching opportunities. And we had some great surprises: Chester and Dorrie competed nationally and placed. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">We got</span> to go to San Diego for the Balboa Rendezvous (which had been on my list for years). We taught an optional class at Swing Out New Hampshire. I reconnected with almost my entire elementary school class on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Facebook</span>. I fell in love with having a dog.<br /><br /><br />3. <strong>Acknowledge the gaps.</strong><br />We don't want to live in the gap between what we have and what we want in our lives, but by acknowledging the gaps we create a tension that springs us toward what we want.<br /><br /><br />4. <strong>Believe that you can create the future in advance.</strong><br />What do you want? You have the power to create the future of your dreams. But first you have to dream it and believe it before you can live it. Take a moment to envision the future you want, now make it real and write it down.<br /><br /><br />5. <strong>Create a goal list.</strong><br />Base your list on your vision of the future and your gaps between what you have now and what you want. Be as specific as possible. (i.e. Lose 5lbs vs. lose weight).<br /><br /><br />6. <strong>Choose goals you have control over.</strong><br />You can't have a goal that is dependent on another person. For example, my goal for the last two years has been to have my house painted and it is getting painted. I wish very hard that the painting will be completed in 2010 but unless I am willing to pick up a brush myself, I can't make the completion of the project my goal (but it certainly can be my painter's goal--hint, hint).<br /><br /><br />7. <strong><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Categorize</span> your goals.</strong><br />What goals fit under what categories of your life? For example, if you are a reader of this newsletter than you likely have a category called DANCE.<br /><br /><br />8. <strong>Write your action plan and outcomes.</strong><br />It's not enough to just say you want to be a better dancer. You need to write down how you plan to become a better dancer (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">i.e.</span> take more classes, practice more, etc), and write down how you know when you have <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">achieved</span> that goal (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">i.e.</span> I danced with so and so and we had a great dance or I performed with Chester's Cool Cats and Kittens -- a great goal by the way).<br /><br /><br />9. <strong>Revisit your list throughout the year.</strong><br />I admit, I forgot to revisit my list. Even though it was posted on my desk. So I never made time to focus on the things I wanted to achieve. No surprise I didn't achieve most of them. You need to take the time to focus and recommit weekly.<br /><br /><br />10. <strong>Live by my favorite couplet by Goethe</strong><br />(which one of our students thoughtfully put on a sweatshirt for Chester's <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">BD</span>!)<br /><br /><em><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Whatever</span> you can do, or dream you can, begin it.</em><br /><em>Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>PUT MORE DANCING ON YOUR GOAL LIST: January classes begin week of January 4. Second Saturday Swing Dance January 9.</em>Linda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14189965483624431510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1313291259474182441.post-7971892296508954472009-11-07T10:54:00.007-05:002009-11-07T12:56:28.693-05:00Practice Good Habits--More Than Just Dancing<strong><em>"Cover your mouth when you sneeze!"</em></strong><br /><br />We've been told this for as long as we can remember. So we automatically put our hand over our mouth when we sneeze. Problem is the germs are now on our hands, which we use to open doors, pull out chairs--and in dancing--offer to our partner.<br /><br />So how do we continue to safely enjoy dancing in this coming flu season--especially with the spread of Swine Flu?<br /><br />1. <strong>Sneeze into your arm, not your hand.</strong> This will contain the germs on a less-spreadable part of your body.<br /><br />2. <strong>Sanitize your hands.</strong> Immediately after sneezing excuse yourself and wash your hands or use hand santizer. Do the same before and after class and periodically throughout the night at a dance. We have a big bottle of hand sanitizer available at all classes and dances.<br /><br />3. <strong>If you don't feel well stay home</strong>, even if it's a class or dance you really want to take. There's no way around the fact that dancing is a contact sport. Another dance will come. If you're taking classes with Got2Lindy Dance Studios, we allow students to begin up to the second week and you have the opportunity to make up missed classes in our other locations (Stone Ridge, Kingston, Highland) at any time during the four-week series. And even if you can't make up the missed class, we always review to make sure you have the material.<br /><br />4. <strong>Don't rotate.</strong> If you come to dance class with a partner and you suspect you might be coming down with something or just getting over something, stay with your partner for that night.<br /><br />5. Read the article below, share it and follow it! It was emailed to me by one of our students.<br /><br /><br />PREVENT SWINE FLU--GOOD ADVICE based on an article by Dr. Vinay Goyal<br /><br />The only portals of entry for the virus are the nostrils, mouth and throat. In a global epidemic, it is almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 so in order to prevent proliferation practice the following good habits:<br />1. Frequent hand-washing.<br />2. Hands off the face approach. Once you become aware of how often you touch your face, you'll be amazed. Resist all temptations to touch any part of your face until you've cleaned your hands.<br />3. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water or Listerine. H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/nasal cavity to proliferate so gargling is a great preventive.<br />4. Clean your nostrils at least once a day with warm salt water. If you are not familiar with the yogic method of doing this using a Neti pot, you can simply blow your nose hard once a day and swab your nostrils with cotton balls dipped in warm salt water.<br />5. Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C or take a supplement that also contains Zinc to boost absorbtion.<br />6. Drink warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc). This has the same effect as gargling except the viruses are rinsed from the throat to the stomach where they cannot survive.<br /><br />By following this good advice, and making the extra effort to protect yourself, you'll be protecting all your fellow dancers.<br /><br />By the way, if you haven't already heard, Chester and Dorrie won 2nd Place at the American Lindy Hop Championships Pro/Am Division. Read about it in the <a href="http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009911040301">Poughkeepsie Journal article</a>.<br /><br />UPCOMING DANCE EVENTS<br />Saturday, Nov 7 <a href="http://www.jivepatrol.com/alzdance08.html">Alzheimer's Benefit Dance </a>with Swingin' Jive Patrol<br />Monday, Nov 9 <a href="http://got2lindy.com/classes.html">New Kingston Series </a>begins (FINAL FOR 2009)<br />Wednesday, Nov 11 (my birthday!) <a href="http://got2lindy.com/classes.html">New Highland Series </a>begins (FINAL FOR 2009)<br />Saturday, Nov 14<a href="http://got2lindy.com/TechniqueZen.html"> Swing Out Intensive </a>Technique Clinic 5:30-7pm<br />Saturday, Nov 14 <a href="http://got2lindy.com/SwingDances.html">Second Saturday Swing Dance </a>Port Ewen 7-10:30pm<br />with New Paltz Food Pantry Drive (bring a can of food to donate)<br />Sunday, Nov 15 & 29 <a href="http://got2lindy.com/SwingonSundays.html">Balboa Sunday</a>, Poughkeepsie 3-5pm<br />Saturday, Nov 21 <a href="http://got2lindy.com/Weekendworkshops.html">Fill-in-the-Memory-Blanks </a>Workshop 2-4pm for 2009 Got2 Lindy Students<br />Tuesday, Nov 24 <a href="http://got2lindy.com/classes.html">New Stone Ridge Series</a> begins (FINAL FOR 2009)<br />Friday, Dec 4 <a href="http://danceflurry.org/new/capitalswing.html">Capital Swing Dance,</a> Albany with Cool Cats & Kittens & Dorrie & Chester performances<br />Saturday, Dec 5 & Sunday, Dec 6<a href="http://got2lindy.com/BAHL.html"> Big Apple Lindy Hoppers Weekend </a>Worshop, Dance, Performance Extravaganza<br />Saturday, Dec 12 Second Saturday Swings Port Ewen Holiday Swing Dance & Performance<br />Saturday, Dec 12 Technique Clinic 5:30-7pm (FINAL FOR 2009)<br /><strong>MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR 2010</strong><br />Classes begin week of January 4<br />First dance of the year January 9Linda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14189965483624431510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1313291259474182441.post-6047106198235822282009-10-09T09:43:00.008-04:002009-10-10T08:17:36.152-04:00How to Lead & Follow with Confidence<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1hwhHchE7vQAODjSw5nD6YXLJCbJ-Pl5DZ3jbRCXMg8oDyVFXisPh1rgc0anSrGfM2Y9brJD2POoRukkF7nuyu3PbHaLYjp2Oh7o_ohBlEQo6BTwD9zKjdhBEaSJq4CXUXI42j132PkWo/s1600-h/linda+close+up+1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 270px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390681327281252770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1hwhHchE7vQAODjSw5nD6YXLJCbJ-Pl5DZ3jbRCXMg8oDyVFXisPh1rgc0anSrGfM2Y9brJD2POoRukkF7nuyu3PbHaLYjp2Oh7o_ohBlEQo6BTwD9zKjdhBEaSJq4CXUXI42j132PkWo/s320/linda+close+up+1.jpg" /></a><br /><div><strong><em></em></strong></div><div><strong><em></em></strong></div><div><strong><em>"What's the signal for that move?"</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br /><em><strong>"So, if he lifts his arm that's my cue to go under it, right?"</strong></em><br /><br />Our students know that we cringe when we hear the words "Signal" or "Cue" in relation to leading and following. Why? Because we believe that there are no signals or cues, only clear leading and following.<br /><br />For instance, if the leader lifts his arm and the follower interprets this as the signal to go under it there might be a collision if he goes under it at the same time she decides to. Signals and cues are open to interpretation and, therefore, misinterpretation.<br /><br />My favorite comment a follower once made in class was: "I know when he's going to lead the move because he makes this <em>I'm concentrating really hard</em> face so I know it's coming."<br /><br />From my personal experience, you cannot read minds or faces accurately. Years ago when I was just starting out and dancing with a very good dancer he shook his head the entire time we were dancing together, which I interpreted as "everything I'm doing is wrong," when in fact, that's how this particular dancer got into the groove of the music.<br /><br />So what is the difference between signals and cues and true leading and following?<br />1. Signals and cues are filtered through your mind.<br />2. Leading and following comes from your body.<br /><br />Since we want our dancing to be a zen-like experience, we want most of our leading and following to be kinestetic. In order for that to work you must depend on your frame and connection, not on your mind.<br /><br />Depending on your mind leads to anticipation. But using your frame and connection allows followers to dance to moves they don't even know. And since there are as many moves and variations as there are leaders, this is crucial to the enjoyment of both the leaders and followers.<br /><br /><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">What Makes a GOOD Lead?</span></em></strong><br /><br />LEAD verb 1. to guide someone or something along a way.<br /><br />A good lead GUIDES the follower through the move. When we say use your body to lead, we mean your frame not your muscles. This ensures you are guiding and not pushing, shoving or jerking. A good lead/follow is like a good converstation, you don't need to yell. If you move from your center to engage your arms, instead of moving your arms independent of the rest of your body you will offer a smooth and clear lead. Just remember that leads start in the body, not just the arm.<br /><br /><strong>Be aware of your follower.</strong> Where is her weight? What foot is she on?<br /><br /><strong>Be aware of your hand connection.</strong> Are you clasping her hands? Are your thumbs pressing down on her delicate flesh?<br /><br /><strong>Be aware of your follower's dance experience.</strong> Partner dancing is not about showing off all your cool moves in two minutes. It's about having a great dance. So always be aware of your follower's level of experience and dance accordingly to ensure that both of you have a great time.<br /><br /><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">What Makes a GOOD Follow?</span></em></strong><br /><br />FOLLOW verb 1. to go, proceed, or come after.<br /><br />Just as a good lead guides, a good follow is always slightly behind not ON TOP OF the lead. Not anticipating a move is probably the most difficult skill to build for followers, but the more you learn to improve your frame and connection, the better your ability to follow will become.<br /><br /><strong>Be aware of where you keep your free hands.</strong> If you drop your hands to your side or hold them near your chest they are going to be difficult for your leader to use.<br /><br /><strong>Don't hold on, don't let go. </strong>Dance frame extends to the fingertips. Don't grasp or clutch your partner's hand. At the same time, don't straighten or relax your fingers. Don't reach for your partner. If your arms are extended and you are using your frame, you will always be available.<br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Don't anticipate. Don't anticipate. Don't anticipate.</strong> Wait until you feel the lead.<br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Go in the direction you are sent until redirected.</strong> Don't hit a spot on the floor and stop or turn yourself. Keep going until your combined frame redirects you.<br /><br />Having good frame and connection will greatly enhance your ability to lead and follow anyone. But developing good frame and connection is certainly a "Goldilocks" experience. What's too rigid? What's too soft? What's just right? To help you experience it for yourself, we'll be offering a <a href="http://got2lindy.com/TechniqueZen.html">Frame & Connection Technique Clinic </a>from 5:30-7:00 before our next dance on Oct 10 at the Reformed Church of Port Ewen.<br /><br />OCTOBER EVENTS<br /><a href="http://got2lindy.com/TechniqueZen.htmlhttp://got2lindy.com/TechniqueZen.html">Technique Clinic: THE POWER OF FRAME & CONNECTION</a>, Saturday, Oct 10<br /><a href="http://got2lindy.com/SwingDances.html">PORT EWEN SWINGS + PERFORMANCE,</a> Saturday, Oct 10<br /><a href="http://www.fairwestswing.com/calendar/view_entry.php?id=261&date=20091011">DORRIE & CHESTER PERFORM</a>, Sunday, Oct 11<br /><a href="http://got2lindy.com/classes.html">NEW CLASS SERIES KINGSON, POUGHKEEPSIE, HIGHLAND</a>, Oct 12, 13, 14<br /><a href="http://got2lindy.com/PerformanceClass.html">PERFORMANCE CLASS BEGINS,</a> Tuesday, Oct 13<br /><a href="http://got2lindy.com/classes.html">NEW CLASS SERIES STONE RIDGE,</a> Tuesday, Oct 20<br /><a href="http://got2lindy.com/SwingDances.html">CHESTER'S COOL CATS & KITTENS PERFORM</a>, Oct 10, Oct 24<br /><a href="http://got2lindy.com/SwingonSundays.html">BALBOA WORKSHOP</a>, Sunday, Oct 18<br /><a href="http://artspectrum.org/artspectrum_005.htm">AMERICAN LINDY HOP CHAMPIONSHIPS</a>, Oct 22-25<br /><a href="http://got2lindy.com/Halloween.html">HALLOWEEN SWING DANCE</a>, Saturday, Oct 31</div>Linda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14189965483624431510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1313291259474182441.post-90794021482534010512009-09-10T14:25:00.005-04:002009-09-10T16:34:15.856-04:00Feedback: Helpful or Harmful?<em><strong>Welcome to my first BLOG post. After a number of years of publishing ZEN OF DANCE as a monthly newsletter, I am now converting it into this ongoing blog.</strong></em><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379917015478408882" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 181px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 198px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggEkzyEMJQaVvsS3wEmvSd0iLSd54wdqQFKXThamvaHMaEPzRdMFl41anq4986NvFzrzhqlLVOtqh-AZuqjJw66SCMMruEhNlnkkYpAstK8Apq7oVELm1JoEybjBnq4B7kFLDMd1YMb0el/s320/linda+close+up+1.jpg" border="0" />I just got back from <em>Swing Out New Hampshire</em> a five-day dance camp that Chester and I have attended for six years now. We -- along with a bunch of our students (the Hudson Valley was well-represented with 12 campers!)-- had a great time social dancing and attending classes...(yes, the best teachers continue to learn and remind themselves what it feels like to confront new material) and this year we were thrilled to teach one of the optional classes as well.<br /><br /><br />This issue of ZEN OF DANCE I want to talk about something that happened to me--and likely to too many others--while I was there.<br /><br /><strong></strong><br /><br /><strong>NIGHTMARE ROTATION.</strong> Every time I got to a particular leader in the class rotation he would say, "May I make an Observation?" and then, without waiting for my reply, would proceed to tell me everything he deemed I was doing wrong. He did this <em>every</em> time we rotated together for three classes a day for five days. Did I want to kill him? <em>Yes.</em> Did I hate rotating to him? <em>Yes.</em> Did I appreciate or learn from his feedback? <em>No.</em> Did it seem odd that I could do any move with all the other leaders? <em>Not really.</em> Between his picking apart everything I did (I could do nothing right) and my tensing up everytime I got him as a partner, things couldn't get any better.<br /><br /><br /><strong>FEEDBACK: HURTFUL OR HARMFUL?</strong> As all of our students know, Chester and I have five commandments that we ask our students to follow during dance class. Commandment #1 is: Thy shall not blame nor cast stones at thy partner. This experience in dance camp reminded me why we instituted that rule. No one can learn in an atmosphere of blame.<br /><br /><br />Someone who would never think of saying to a complete stranger something as awful as: "You're fat" doesn't think twice about saying, "You're doing this wrong." But really, to the recipient the words are just as harmful.<br /><br /><p><strong>YOU'RE BOTH LEARNING.</strong> When an instructor shows a new move, students usually don't already know it, which means they have to learn how to do it, which means that unless they are brilliant or lucky, they probably won't get it right for a while. To complicate matters, in a swing dance partnership, both of you are learning the move at the same time so neither of you knows how to lead it or follow it. And the only way you are going to learn is to keep trying it with each new partner in the rotation--working it out together and focusing on doing your part the best you can.</p><strong>DOING YOUR PART.</strong> For the follower, doing your part means really trying to follow what he is leading, even if you think it's wrong. It doesn't help him if you backlead yourself to where you think you're supposed to be. He'll never learn how to lead it if he never gets a clue as to how you are responding to what he is doing.<br /><br /><br />For the leader, it means focusing on doing the move while trying to remember that you have someone attached to your arm. In other words, it helps to look at her. I've seen so many leads who are so focused on where they are putting their arms and feet that they never even look at their partner.<br /><br /><br /><strong>COLLABORATIVE FEEDBACK.</strong> Does this mean you must remain mute during the learning process? Not at all. Collaborative feedback is always welcome. Colloborative feedback comes from the attitude of working out the move together. "That feels right" or "That feels great!" Or even, "That feels wrong" is fine because that is not blame. It could feel wrong because of something you are doing and then you can work it out together. Learning to dance together is a colloborative process and it should be approached as a partnership. If you are starting your sentence with YOU it's blame.<br /><br /><strong>SEPTEMBER EVENTS:</strong><br /><a href="http://got2lindy.com/SwingDances.html">SWING DANCE </a>Saturday, Sept 12<br /><a href="http://got2lindy.com/TechniqueZen.html">SOCIAL LIFTS & TRICKS TECHNIQUE</a> Saturday, Sept 12<br /><a href="http://got2lindy.com/classes.html">KINGSTON CLASSES </a>Mondays starting Sept 14<br /><a href="http://got2lindy.com/classes.html">HIGHLAND CLASSES </a>Wednesdays starting Sept 16<br /><a href="http://got2lindy.com/Specialevents.html">MIKE JAGGER WORKSHOP</a> Saturday, Sept 19<br /><a href="http://got2lindy.com/SwingonSundays.html">BALBOA</a> Sunday, Sept 20<br /><a href="http://got2lindy.com/classes.html">STONE RIDGE CLASSES</a> Tuesdays starting Sept 22<br /><a href="http://got2lindy.com/KidsClasses.html">KIDS CLASSES</a> Tuesday starting Sept 22Linda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14189965483624431510noreply@blogger.com0