ANCHORAGE DANCING

IN A

WEEK OF

May 5 – May 12, 2008

I.  Dance Alerts: 

 

NEW FORMAT- 1) DANCE ALERTS (lessons & club music); 2) LESSONS; 3) Future Lesson Events; 4) CLUBS FOR DANCING & LISTENING UNTIL YOU LEARN TO DANCE (Latin, and country, swing, R&B etc.)!

 

Thursdays: Nellee & Bobby’s Beginning thru Intermediate East Coast & Lindy Hop Lessons @ Club Soraya from 7 to 9 p.m. - $5!  Spark up your dancing (swing, salsa, geez even your hip hop) with some great new flashy moves – The bar and restaurant are closed during our lessons and dance (9 p.m. to 10+ish) – we furnish ice water & snacks – you can bring your own non-alcoholic beverages etc. and even your kids (let ‘em do their home work or play video games on their laptops while you learn some great new dance moves or how to swing dance from scratch!).  If you’ve caught the Lindy Bug – We’ve got the moves for you!

 

May 6, 2008 – Jeanette starts teaching cued latin ballroom dances. First dance is Cha Cha and the first lesson is only $3!  Location:  The Square & Round Dance Center on Government Hill.  7:30 – 9 p.m.

 

May 9, 10, 11, 2008:  Alaska Dance Group presents a Dance Workshop featuring Jerry Morrison.  3 days of lessons and ADG's monthly Dance (Saturday May 10).  Location:  Fred Astaire Dance Studio, 1300 E. 68th Avenue.  http://www.akdancegroup.com/ or go to www.akswing.com & clic on Jerry's pic to link to his info.  Workshop discount packages and single class payment plans.

 

WEEKLY ANCHORAGE DANCING: 

II.  Lessons:

Monday: Beyond Basics lessons with Liv & Van @ Club Soraya = Night Club 2 Step Lessons in May- ($7), from 7 to 8 p.m (http://www.wcsalaska.org).  Club Soraya is located in the Ship Creek Mall on 4th Avenue & D Street (Drive down D Street, cross over 4th Avenue and you’ll drive right into the Club’s front door.  We don’t recommend or encourage you to drive through the front door...).

 

Monday & Tuesday: Beginning lessons with Dave (8 types, "new" type each month) at the Golden Lion from 7 to 8:30 p.m. ($7). April Lessons: East Coast Swing on Mondays; Night Club 2 Step on Tuesdays; May Lessons: Country 2 Step on Mondays; Night Club 2 Step on Tuesdays; June Lessons: Waltz on Mondays, Cha Cha on Tuesdays.  The Golden Lion is located on the corner of 36th Avenue and the New Seward Highway.  The dance floor is on the 2d floor in the hotel’s bar.

 

Tuesdays:  Salsa Level I Lessons with Ritmovida Partnership at UAA Building PSB 162 (www.ritmovida.com)

 

May 6, 2008:  Round Dance style Cha Cha, called by Jeanette. Jeanette will teach cued choreographed ballroom (round dancing) beginning Tuesday, May 6, from 7:30-9:00 p.m.  The first rhythm will be Cha Cha, then Mambo and Swing/Jive.  No prior experience necessary.  This is a good way to learn latin basics for social dancing.  $7.00 (The May 6th lesson is $3 pp.  For more info:  344-9256.  (www.thedancingbears.com)

The Square & Round Dance Center is located at 432 East Harvard Avenue on Government Hill in Anchorage.

 

Wednesdays: 

Learn beginning line dance at Eddie's Sports Bar, 6300 Old Seward Highway (563-3970)- no cover & you can get free stuff (like CDs & T shirts & restaurant coupons) from the sponsoring radio station.   Eddies’ usually has live music on Wednesdays after the Country radio stuff is over. 

Tango Lessons ($5) and Milonga ($5) at Club Soraya with Dan & Hiroko- starting at 7 p.m. Club Soraya is located “on the corner” of 4th & D in the Ship Creek Mall.

 

Nellee & Bobby teach East Coast Swing & Lindy Hop from 7 to 9 p.m.  at the Buckner Fitness Center on Fort Rich.  Free lessons, if you are military (retired, active or a military dependent or come with a military buddy).  We also teach other dances on request at the Fitness Center on Wednesdays.  Questions?  Call Nellee at 907-223-0387. 

 

Wednesdays & Thursdays: Charlotte gives Ballroom Dance lessons from 7 to 8 p.m. ($7), and after Charlotte's lessons, Don Walker plays great dance music at the Golden Lion (no cover, and be sure to tip Don), located upstairs in the hotel’s bar (36th & New Seward Highway).  May Lessons: West Coast Swing on Wednesdays, Cha Cha on Thursdays; June – stay tooned!

 

Thursday:

East Coast Swing & Lindy Hop lessons with Nellee & Bobby  from 7 to 9p.m., at Club Soraya ($5 for one or both lessons) - also free beginning line dance lessons at 9 p.m. (on request).  April special:   Dancers with April birthdays get $2 lessons the whole month of April!  Sort of New! Come before 9 p.m. and either Nellee will supply dance music for all styles of dancing (you help determine the music we play!)  Come and top off your evening with us!  Dance Alert:  If the front door is locked, come around to the side door to get in.  We have the flashy moves to spark up your east coast swing, west coast swing & Lindy Hop!  Gee, you can even spark up your salsa & hip hop with them!  If you’ve caught the Lindy Bug – We’ve got the moves for you! (www.akswing.com) Club Soraya is located in the Ship Creek Mall “on the corner of 4th & D Street.”  Questions?  Call Nellee @ 907-223-0387.

 

Beyond Basics "Swing" (Westcoast, Hustle, or Night Club 2 step) with Jim & Jennon at The Flight Deck (corner of International and Arctic Blvd. - sort of), 7-8 p.m.($7), Intermediate "Swing" 8-9 p.m. ($7) – OR stay & take both lessons for only $10!    (http://www.akdance.com/index.htm)

Salsa Lessons Level II with Ritmovida Partnership at UAA Building PSB 162. 8:30 p.m. ($10 – or $7 with student ID) (http://www.ritmovida.com) 

 

Don Walker plays at the Golden Lion at 8:30 p.m. - following Charlotte’s lesson – no cover (be sure to tip Don).  (http://home.gci.net/%7Edwguitar/)

Friday: 

 

Beginning Hustle, Westcoast, or Night Club 2 step swing lesson  at the Golden Lion from 7 to 8 pm with Jim & Jennon or Liv & Van ($7)  and dj music afterwards starting at 8 p.m. April Lessons are Hustle. (May: West Coast Swing; June: Hustle).  The Golden Lion is located at the corner of 36th Avenue & the New Seward Highway.  Lessons are in the hotel’s bar on the 2d floor.

 

The Senior Center 1300 East 19th St. has a dance (cover varies)  on Fridays 8-11 p.m. and live music on the 4th & 5th Fridays of each month (good wood dance floor). Ballroom Dance Lessons by Barbara Morgan (type varies) 7-8 p.m.  (http://www.ballroomwithbarbara.com/)/; May 16:  Strictly Swing Dance (Lesson by Nellee & Bobby. Dj TBA). (http://www.strictlyswingak.com)

 

Club Soraya has latin dance lessons at 9 p.m. ($5) and a dj’d latin dance starts at 10 p.m. ($8) – Special deal: Lesson & Dance is still $10 – Ritmovida Dance Partnership (Katya & friends) gives the latin dance lessons on Fridays. (www.ritmovida.com)

 

Saturdays: 

 

The Golden Lion has a dj’d dance that starts at 8:30 - $8 cover for the dance.

The First Saturday of the month is Paul's Mostly Waltz dance at the Fred Astaire Studios on E. 68th, 8-11p.m. $5. 

WCSA's monthly dance is the 3rd Saturday each month at the Fred Astaire Studios.

 Sundays –

Ritmovida Dance Partnership’s latin beyond basics lesson (8-9 p.m., $5) & dance 9- 11 p.m. (free) at Platinum Jaxx's (www.Ritmovida.com)

 

Change Point Church – Dance Connect’s free dance in the cafeteria, 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 ish.  Dj music for swing, salsa and ballroom.  6689 Seafood Drive, Anchorage.   (http://danceconnect.org).  This dance is taking a break during the summer, so stay tooned for when the dance starts up again this fall.

 

III. Future Lesson and non-club dance events: 

 

May 16, 2008:  Strictly Swing presents its third Swing Dance at the Anchorage Senior Center, 1300 East 19th St. $5 BUCKS! Lesson 7-8 (Beginning Lindy Lesson by Nellee & Bobby), DJ’d Dance from 8 to 11 p.m. (Djs TBA) – All ages welcome – Music for East & West Coast Swing, Lindy Hop and Swing related Dances.  Future Dances:  The Senior Center provides free popcorn & coffee and sells bottled water and soft drinks!

 

May 17, 2008:  Fred Astaire Studio’s Aurora Ball.  Live music by The Blue Notes.  Semi Formal, hors d’ouvres, $25 pp ($20 pp if tix purchased before May 10).  1300 E. 68th Avenue.  8:00 – 11:30 p.m.

 

May 18, 2008:  Frank & Janice's Sunday Tango Workshop!  Registration starts at 12:30.  Location: Anchorage Senior Center, 1300 E. 19th Avenue.  All ages welcome, observe for free.  More info:  243-3840 or danceelegance@ak.net or www.akswing.com (all the classes and prices are listed at www.akswing.com).

 

Coming soon:  Once a month Line Dance & Country Music at the Arctic Chill on Fort Richardson.  Swing Dance & Line Dance Lessons by Nellee & Bobby.  Stay tooned for more info.

 

IV.  Club Events (Dancing & Music)

 

A.   Latin Dance Music – Live & Dj’d:

 

Club Soraya in the Ship Creek Mall, located at the west end of the mall, at the corner of 4th & D Streets – walk thru the club’s restaurant to get to the dance floor & bar (and pool tables).  Club Soraya has the biggest club dance floor in Anchorage – it’s wood and crafted to be supportive, yet springy.  The Restaurant is open daily for breakfast thru dinner (Puerto Rican and American cuisine) and on Friday thru Sunday during the dances for meals & hors d’oeurves (aka snacks).

Friday at Club Soraya:  Dj latin dance after Ritmovida’s basic latin dance lesson.  Dance starts at 10 p.m. and is $8 (come for the lesson & dance & the price is $10 pp). 

Saturday at Club Soraya:  Hector and his band, El Combo Tropical play latin dance music starting at about 10 p.m. (only $8 cover!). Ask Hector for a free Latin dance lesson @ 9 p.m.

Sunday:  Club Soraya's latin dance with Dj Miguelito 10 p.m. - 2:30 a.m. ($3 cover - ladies free, if you come before 10 p.m.).

 

Platinum Jaxx Restaurant, located at the corner of I street & 6th Avenue.  Latin dj dance 9- 11 p.m. (free after Ritmovida’s latin dance lesson).  FYI: The club’s dance floor is a raised concrete floor surrounded by a cozy concrete enclosure.  For more info: www.Ritmovida.com

 

B.    Country, Swing & Blues:

 

The Peanut Farm Restaurant, in the Sports Bar area, clears the tables from their dance floor and has live music for dancing - rock & blues (groups like Soulman Sam and Silver Train)- music starts at 10 p.m. (no cover). They play great music to dance to – just tell the waitpersons you want to dance & they’ll move the tables off the floor.  The floor is a little small, but great to dance on.  Schedule:  May 9 – Full Tilt (a great swing band), May 10 – The Aquanets (another great band!), May 15 – Bidondo Brothers (check them out & let Nellee know what you think of them!); May 16 – Silver Train (what can I say – another great band).  Usually there is no cover.

 

The Golden Lion upstairs in the hotel’s bar and restaurant area – has a large wooden dance floor.  Live music by Don Walker on Wednesdays & Thursdays after Charlotte’s Ballroom dance lessons.  8:30 – 11:30 p.m.  May 30 & onward:  Don Walker plays at the Golden Lion on Fridays too!  Great music for swing dancing!  For Don’s schedule:  (http://home.gci.net/%7Edwguitar/).  No cover charge.

 

Eddies’ Sports Bar:  Wednesdays thru Saturdays, Eddie's Sports Bar has live dance music in the club’s cozy basement bar.  Past & current performers:  Brook Faulk, Don Walker, Ken Peletier, Mike Olson.  You know you’ll have a good time!.  Usually no cover charge.

 

The Carousel Lounge on Spenard Road:  Fridays & Saturdays, dance to performers like the Mike Olsen Band.  Wood dance floor (larger than some, smaller than Club Soraya).  FYI: Ladies, bring a friend to dance with you.  J  Usually no cover charge.

 

The Flight Deck, located on International Airport Road near Arctic Blvd.  Jack & Richie are appearing April 25-26, May 2-3, 9-10, & 16-17 and then from June until further or other notice Wednesdays through Saturdays.  These guys have an amazing repetoire of country, swing, R&B – and Jack is vision impaired, so he’s got it all memorized!  Jack is on keyboard & swings (I mean sings), and Richie plays guitar and trumpet.  Good-sized dance floor, $3 soft drinks (the club has a full bar, but Bobby & I just drink cokes...).  No cover charge.

 

Blues Central, located at 825 West Northern Lights Blvd, has music to groove to almost every night of the week.  It also has the legendary Chef’s Inn restaurant.  The wood dance floor is postage size, but occasionally the crowd will part and you’ll get to dance to some great music.  For info on the current live music:  907-272-1341.  Cover charge varies.

 

QUESTIONS?  CALL NELLEE AT 223-0387 OR JUST CHECK OUT THE MAIN PAGE ON MY WEBSITE FOR

MORE INFO (www.akswing.com).  Want to be on my swingmail list?  Email me at admin@akswing.com.