WindyHop Blog

Windy Hop Collective Meeting

WindyHop — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 23:41:05 -0400

Oct 28th 7pm-9pm

Come Chat with us about Swing dancing in Chicago and lend a helping voice or hand to make our scene great!

Check out our notes from last meeting:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1S-AVEmUCnWflGCJsjfFwGC_LC3CsQtgJ1jOt3pVPxaE/edit

Windyhop Collective Meeting

WindyHop — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 09:51:35 -0400

Like dancing, awesome people, and making the Chicago dance scene even more amazing? Then be sure to join us at our next meeting at

Next Door
659 W. Diversey
June 3rd 11am - 1pm

Are you thinking about sponsoring a class, workshop or dance events? Do you need help promoting your performing dance company? Would you like to create or help create partnerships with local schools, libraries, and non-profits to raise awareness about Lindy Hop and the Swing Dance Era? How can you help our local community make a significant contribution on a national scale in raising public awareness and participation in this cultural and historical pastime?

The Windyhop Collective is an organization of dedicated individuals who have a common appreciation and love of the music & dances of the Swing Dance Era. We are proud to be a part of the local arts community that makes Chicago a richer place to live and visit.

Previous meeting minutes can be found here:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xOM0rd1c9WD3qkMm8ziHs_DOIVMTFJrbmwlKctTVhWk/edit

Please come to the meeting & please share this invite with anyone who might be interested! Hope to see you there! :)

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/322402564498886/

Windyhop Collective Meeting!

WindyHop — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:05:51 -0400

A few days ago, this not too recent video made the rounds of lindy hop blogs, tweets and fb walls alike -

My life has changed completely & positively from learning & dancing lindy hop & this too short video resonates deeply for me. I can\'t express in words my thanks for the vision, diligent work & determination of local organizers, teachers, fellow dancers & musicians for encouraging and growing this community.

Though I may be at a loss for words, I (and YOU!) can help the community grow & flourish by getting involved (with your time, your creative ideas, your experience & contacts) and volunteering!

Maybe you\'re thinking about sponsoring a class, workshop or dance events and need some help? Do you need ideas on promoting/finding rehearsal space for your performing dance company? Would you like to create or help create partnerships with local schools, libraries, and non-profits to raise awareness about Lindy Hop and the Swing Dance Era? How can you help our local community make a significant contribution on a national scale in raising public awareness and participation in this cultural and historical pastime? Let\'s help each other!

The Windyhop Collective is an organization of dedicated individuals who have a common appreciation and love of the music & dances of the Swing Dance Era. We are proud to be a part of the local arts community that makes Chicago a richer place to live and visit.

Please join us at our next meeting at

Next Door
659 W. Diversey
April 29 11am - 1pm

Previous meeting minutes can be found here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1czBy2XEguvqQzGT0fCO6obD36WExohnueA0RNrzE71U/edit

Please come to the meeting & please share this invite with anyone who might be interested! Hope to see you there! :)

Windyhop Collective Meeting!

WindyHop — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:02:42 -0400

A few days ago, this not too recent video made the rounds of lindy hop blogs, tweets and fb walls alike:

My life has changed completely & positively from learning & dancing lindy hop & this too short video resonates deeply for me. I can\'t express in words my thanks for the vision, diligent work & determination of local organizers, teachers, fellow dancers & musicians for encouraging and growing this community.

Though I may be at a loss for words, I (and YOU!) can help the community grow & flourish by getting involved (with your time, your creative ideas, your experience & contacts) and volunteering!

Maybe you\'re thinking about sponsoring a class, workshop or dance events and need some help? Do you need ideas on promoting/finding rehearsal space for your performing dance company? Would you like to create or help create partnerships with local schools, libraries, and non-profits to raise awareness about Lindy Hop and the Swing Dance Era? How can you help our local community make a significant contribution on a national scale in raising public awareness and participation in this cultural and historical pastime? Let\'s help each other!

The Windyhop Collective is an organization of dedicated individuals who have a common appreciation and love of the music & dances of the Swing Dance Era. We are proud to be a part of the local arts community that makes Chicago a richer place to live and visit.

Please join us at our next meeting at

Next Door
659 W. Diversey
April 29 11am - 1pm

Previous meeting minutes can be found here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1czBy2XEguvqQzGT0fCO6obD36WExohnueA0RNrzE71U/edit

Please come to the meeting & please share this invite with anyone who might be interested! Hope to see you there! :)

Swinger's Ball 15

WindyHop — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 08:37:14 -0400

Come One, Come All to the 15th Annual Swinger's Ball!!!

The Swinger's Ball is an event that is broader than the scope of just dancing. It is about styling ,attitude, sipping wine, cosmos, martinis and things. It is about conversation, hanging out, and being social. It is about being with that someone special or treating yourselves especially nice. A date is not necessary. This event has traditionally had a lot of singles in attendance. It might be a good place to find a dinner date for the following weekend! There will be a King and Queen of the Ball, which is a very random choice by the promoters. They do not know what they are looking for until they see it! It is a dressy affair with great-looking folks. Once the live music gets underway it will not stop until the event ends. There will always be a live band playing somewhere in the building from 8:15 until 1 AM

Willowbrook Ballroom
8900 S Archer Ave
Willow Springs, IL

The price of the event is $25.00. All tickets will be purchased at the door.

Doors open at 7 PM
Dance Lesson 7:15-8:00 PM Main Ballroom

Tentative and Subject To Change

7 PM-Doors Open

7:15-Dance Lesson Begins (main ballroom)

8:15-The Fat Babies-Main Floor

9:15-The Rhythm Rockets-The Bunkeris
Performances, other highlights-Main Floor

9:45-The Fat Babies-Main Room

10:15 -DJ\'d music in Bunkeris

10:45-The Rhythm Rockets-The Bunkeris
Performances, Other Highlights-Main Floor

11:15 -The Fat Babies-Main Floor

12:15-DJ\'d music and wrap-up-Main Floor
The Rhythm Rockets -Bunkeris

1:00 AM-Event Ends-Thank You! Drive Carefully!

Windyhop Collective

WindyHop — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 23:02:11 -0500

Hey Folks, Check out the Windyhop Collective\'s (formerly known as the Chicago Dance Collective) latest meeting notes!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yZ6Fb3V6L03i7dIju1CjjW1rHIU6vhuA0my1YI4iSc8/edit

Like dancing, awesome people, and making the Chicago dance scene even more amazing? Then be sure to join us at our next meeting on March 24th, 2012, 3-5 pm at Next Door 659 W. Diversey

Also, great job to the folks representing Chicago for Project Q

www.youtube.com/watch?v=XycUtttrSHU&feature=youtu.be

Dance Collective Meeting Sunday

WindyHop — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:41:39 -0500

Interested in participating further in the dance scene? Have amazing ideas you want to share? Just interested in hanging out with other wonderful people?

Join us for the dance collective meeting this Sunday:
Date: Sunday, Feb. 12th
Time: 10am-12am
Location: Next Door, 659 W Diversey

We\'ll be choosing a name for the group, figuring out some structure and benefits of being part of the group and much more...

Want to catch up? Check out the notes from the previous meetings.

1/15/12 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QbMLdUJdfG3OHNIHWZ4NHY16mCxGWv3yOrpL_zv3c-w/edit

12/4/11 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GyVC8vOUV9Q8793HflEBErbJXUFne_pSY6SYsq78B8g/edit

hope we\'ll see you Sunday!

WindyHop needs you!

WindyHop — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:30:31 -0500

I hope that you've had a chance to check out the new Windyhop and like what you see! We're looking for volunteers to help us monitor the calendar and forum and help with some projects going forward. We're not looking for huge time commitments, just an interest to be part of the Windyhop team. So, if you've got a bit of time, enjoy checking out an amazing website and want to be part of the action drop us a line at windyhop.volunteer@gmail.com with the following info:

Name:
Interest: (Forum, calendar, or original content)
Preferred email: (if different from what the one you emailed with.)
Level of interest:
a) less than 30 min a week
b) an hour a week
c) more than an hour a week
d) occasional help

Thanks!
The Windyhop Team

Dance Collective Meeting Notes

WindyHop — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 14:07:01 -0500

Hey All! Here are the promised notes from the most recent meeting of the Chicago Dance Collective (working title). Check them out, and post here if you have any questions. We're super excited to involve anyone and everyone in the plans that are being created. More info to come regarding the next scheduled meeting (tent. mid january)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GyVC8vOUV9Q8793HflEBErbJXUFne_pSY6SYsq78B8g/edit

New Site!

WindyHop — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 17:18:21 -0500

New life has been brought to WindyHop! A new batch of volunteers and contributors are maintaining the site and it has been given a total revamp, front end & back end. So welcome, enjoy, and let this post serve as your introduction to the brand spanking new WindyHop.

What can you expect to find on the new site?

A new "Learn To Dance" page helping those who are new to the dance scene.
A new sortable calendar, now with a special listing for B.Y.O.P. dances.
(Bring Your Own Partner) Not an organized dance
A venues page providing you info on dancing hot spots in Chicago
A brand new forum. I know what you are thinking, "crap, a new forum, now I need to make a new profile." Don't worry, this new and improved forum allows you to simply log in with your facebook or google account!
A new bands page. Chicago has some amazing jazz bands to dance to and the new WindyHop is showing them some love.
A new "Get Inspired" page. Check out some sweet videos of the pros, past and present, and learn a little bit more about Lindy Hop and Blues.
And last by not least, drum roll please... WindyHop now has a sweet mobile version for your smartphone!

Secret Show

WindyHop — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 17:29:47 -0500

The new WindyHop presents you with a gift, a gift of awesomeness in the form of live music. This Monday at Fizz, BEFORE the main dance, we bring you the one, the only, Solomon Douglas! The band plays from 8-10 and admission is only $10!