Austin Swing Syndicate general updates and announcements

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Board of Directors Elections

Nominations for the Austin Swing Syndicate Board of Directors elections are now open. Please email elections@austinswingsyndicate.org to declare your candidacy or if you have any questions. If you would like to nominate someone else, please copy the nominated party on your email. They will have to accept the nomination to be included on the ballot. Nominations will close on February 16th.

Important Dates
Jan 27th – Nomination period opens
Feb 16th – Nomination period closes
Feb 21st -Candidate Bios & Photos due
Feb 23rd – Election Town Hall Meeting
March 2nd – Online voting opens
March 9th – In-person voting, polls close at 11 PM
March 10th – Election results (including exact vote counts) sent to members by email

Elections for the four open Board of Directors spots will be held in March. Joining the board is a great way to give back to a community you love, help us decide what our next priorities should be, and get in on the inner workings of the organization.
Not sure what the board does? During the last year, the board worked hard expanding outreach, rolling out new classes, putting on live music events and supporting the local dance community. They help keep you informed by writing our monthly newsletters and posts like this on our website and Facebook. As a bonus, you’ll get to hang with fun people, it looks great on a resume, and you get in free to our dances/events!

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New Classes!

We have two exciting new classes we are going to start offering in January 2023!  People have been clamoring for more advanced classes since we launched our program last year and we are ready to deliver!

Advanced Swing/Taster Class

This class is for anyone who has taken “intro to swing” a few times and is ready to start building on the basics! This class will cover advanced turn patterns, footwork variations, and technique for 6 count swing. This class also functions as a rotating taster class so expect to see other material covered such as solo jazz moves (like those featured in the shim sham), Charleston and more!  This class will be offered every week (except blues weeks, the first Thursday of the month). Cost is $10 per class. Class runs from 8:00 to 9:00 pm.

Advanced Balboa

This is an advanced Balboa class for anyone who is comfortable dancing at a high bpm (190+).  Prerequisite moves should include the Come around, paddles, lollies, out & ins and the toss out.  This class will focus on expanding your current repertoire of moves, learn more variations, continue to work on transitions and flow between moves, and dive deeper into partner communication and musicality.  This class will join our monthly progressive class lineup. Cost is $50 per month. Class runs from 8:00 to 9:00 pm.

 

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December Workshop Series

December Workshops

Time: 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Cost: $25 each, pay at the door

Schedule

12/8 | The Shim Sham! w/ Kari Kron 

Here’s your chance to learn the tap-inspired, solo line dance we all do every Thursday night. Kari will teach you to boogie back and Shorty George like a pro! Level: All levels, no partner required. Room: Art Gallery

12/8 | Fast Dance Mythbusting w/ Amanda Pincock & Zach Lockett-Streiff and Jennifer Reed & Matt Mitchell

“I’m out of shape.” | “The music is too fast.” | “I can’t dance that fast.” | Sound familiar? Don’t sit down when the tempos pick up! Hang out with Amanda & Zach and Jen & Matt as they dispel some common myths about fast dancing and teach you techniques for dancing comfortably at faster (and slower) tempos! This workshop applies to any dance style – whether your favorite is Lindy Hop, Balboa, or Collegiate Shag! Level: All levels, no partner required. Room: Georgian Room

12/15 | Swivels! w/ Holly Kiang & Kevin Wang

Swivels are a dynamic movement in Lindy Hop, primarily used by followers. Holly and Kevin will work with you on body awareness and mechanics to build swivel technique, explore expressions of this movement, and contextualize swivels within a partnership. Please wear shoes that allow you to pivot. Prerequisite: Must be able to transition between 6- and 8-count rhythms. Familiarity with swing outs preferred. Room: Georgian Room

12/15 | Rhythm In Partnership w/ Ale Mier & Misha Zvonkin

It really don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing! This class will connect you to the driving force of the dance – Rhythm. Ale and Misha will work with you on presence, percussion, and communication in a partnership. Prerequisite: 1-2 months of Lindy Hop Foundations recommended. Partner not needed but encouraged. Room: Art Gallery

12/22 | Intermediate-Advanced 6-count Swing w/ Joanna Lucero & Matt Mitchell

Jitterbugs! Come level up your Swing dancing in this 6-count move-focused class. Joanna and Matt will introduce new, fun moves to add to your 6-count Swing and Lindy Hop repertoire! Prerequisite: Familiarity with the 6-count basic Swing rhythm (step, step, rock step). Room: Georgian Room

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Thanksgiving Dance

Are we open on Thanksgiving? The answer is YES!  We will be open from 8:00 pm to around 11:00 pm (whenever people decide to stop dancing).

Since we won’t have our normal staff, the dance will be FREE, as it is every year. However, please consider donating to help cover the cost of renting the venue (yes, we still have to pay on Thanksgiving) and to support our year-round efforts as a local swing dance and music non-profit. You can also donate online here: http://austinswingsyndicate.org/donate/

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3 Weeks until ALX! 7 Live bands and non-stop dancing! Nov 10-13

If you haven’t grabbed your tickets for Austin Lindy Exchange you should sign up now before it’s too late!

Featuring:

  • Four Days of Non-Stop Dancing
  • 7 Outstanding Live Bands Plus the Band Jam
  • Meet & Greet with Cookies and Milk
  • The Lindy Lounge with Snacks
  • Ice Cream Social
  • Social Gatherings Around Austin
  • And So Much More!
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Volunteer for ALX!

ALX is not far off! Want to help make it great?

We have many positions available:

  • Front Desk/Admissions
  • Decorations
  • Hospitality

Sign up here and don’t forget that volunteers get reduced admission!

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Halloween Party! Oct 27th

Our annual Halloween party returns to the Fed October 27th, 2022!

Wear your best costume to win cool prizes in our costume contest, plus bragging rights!  Tell your friends!

$8 for non-members

$5 for members

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Back to School Dance – Sept 22 – Golden Hour Heptet

A new school year is starting and that means now is the perfect time to dance the night away before having to worry about mid-terms!

See our featured band The Golden Hour Heptet playing from 9 PM to Midnight, September 22!

Pricing:

Members: $15

Non-members: $20

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Thursday Dance Cancelled – 8/18 – Fed Closed (Repairs)

Our regular scheduled dance will continue on August 25th.

We’ve been so happy to have you back at our regular Thursday dances these past few months.  That energy has been palpable!  So palpable in fact our floors need some time off for repairs.

The regular Thursday dance will be cancelled on August 18th for floor repairs.  Keep an eye on our Facebook to stay up to date for any alternate opportunities to dance around town that week.  We’ll keep you posted!

 

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