"23 Skidoo" - Revival Performance

The amazing results of hard work and persistence. Our first performance of "The Great Unknowns"

We performed this routine on Thursday and Sunday at the Mercury Cafe dances and at the Savoy Ballroom for the Intercollegiate Swing Battle event. Our official group name is still pending.

The song is "Hand Clappin'" By - Red Prysock

Rockin' n Rollin' at Skylark Lounge

Another awesome night at the Skylark Lounge. I made a new friend as well.

Photos by: Laura Loredo

Enchantment Under the Sea Dance

Fun dance put together by Regis's swing dance group "Swinging in the Rain".

A.K.A. Ritchie Valens

Me singing La Bamba with the Atomic Drifters

My newly acquired nickname. Shoot I'm not complaining...

Learning to dance has opened me up to whole new world and opened doors that I thought would always be shut and locked. Life surely proved me wrong again.

A while back during a car show. I was talking to Rusty, the singer for the band "The Atomic Drifters". I told him that I really liked that song he sings "Come On Lets Go" originally sung by Ritchie Valense. I also told him I have been a fan of Ritchie Valens since the movie "La Bamba" Came out back in the 80's. Within that conversation I mention the I can play a few Ritchie Valens tunes on my vintage guitar.  He then got excited and and asked if I knew how to sing La Babma. "Hell Yeah I sing La Bamba" were the first words out of my mouth. He then asked I want to sing the song on stage with them. I obviously said yes.

About a month later Rusty had called me and asked me to come and rehears with them. I agreed and set a date meet up. That following Wednesday I meet them at their studio where they practiced. He asked, "Are you ready to try it?" I said, "Let's do it".  Michael (The bands lead guitarist) started playing the intro riff, the then Joe (the drummer) started the drum riff. They hit it perfect, so I just started singing. I sang through whole song and  Rusty a satisfied look on his face. When the song was over he said, "That was perfect". At that moment he offered me to sing in the next show in Central City, Co. (He usually don't do this, since I hit it perfect he was all for it). I said, "Hell Yeah.

That following weekend at their show he called me up stage with a nice introduction and I ROCKED IT. Now every show I attend he calls me up to sing.

I never would of thought I would have the opportunity to sing in a live band on stage, now here I am.

After I sang, it was pure dancing the rest of the night. Yet another fantastic night.

Wendi and I Dancing to Stray Cat Strut

Some great photos from the night too.

Lindy Hoppin' San Diego

The beginning of march, I went to San Diego to visit my best friend Meghan. She had moved to Brazil for a year then came back and settled in San Diego.

That Saturday, Meghan had to work so I went to hang out in Mission Bay. To my surprise I see a sign that read "Swing a Rama". I talked to the people setting up and they said there is going to be a Lindy Hop dance event called "Lindy by the Bay". Put together by the local Lindy Hop dance scene.

So I stuck around and joined the dance. Everyone was so welcoming and nice. They even gave me a welcome steal dance where I am in the middle and all the ladies steal me for a dance. It was great fun.

1940s WWII Christmas Ball 2011

Just like the summer event. Lots of dancing, great bands, look-alikes, vintage item auction, performances, vintage costume contest, and a great time.

2012 Lindy Hop Student Showcase

Photo by: Mahala Gaylord

Every year the Mercury Cafe puts on this event to give student a chance to experience performing. For two months everyone learns a routine and at the end of the classes Tiffiny puts on a great show with numerous performances in all the vintage dance styles.

Laurie and I Dancing in the Showcase

I asked my friend Laurie to be my partner. She is an excellent dancer that dances very well and learns fast. A week before the final dress rehearsals the students were asked to volunteer for a solo dance in the middle. I of course jumped on that. We had the option to come up with our own solo. Looking on the internet I browsed for reference. I saw a 16 count dance combo done by Max Pitruzzella and Anny Trudeau. I presented it to Tiffiny and she said it was okay but it will be hard. So Tiffinys partner Ceth spent a day and broke down the steps. When our first dress rehearsal came he taught it to me and another couple who volunteered for a solo. The solo became a duet and we all worked on it and timed it until perfect. After the last dress rehearsal the whole routine was perfect and we were read

During the performance we rocked it. The whole show was fun and entertaining for the audience that filled the Mercury Cafe.

After the showcase was over the dance started. It was a fun night of dancing and a really great freestyle jam circle. At the end of the night I went home with smile on my face.

Jam Circle

Laurie and I are the fourth couple to go in.

I cant forget there was a fun bad dancing contest as well that I dominated. For someone who is a good dancer, bad dancing is very difficult, so yes I am proud of my win.

Bad Dancing Contest