METRO SWING NYC 2016

Patty Vo and Eugene Golbourne

METRO SWING is an annual WEST COAST SWING intensive, leveled WORKSHOP WEEKEND held in New York City in February.

The event was designed to enhance a variety of DANCE SKILLS in a small group setting. The Global Professional Dance Instructors Association (GPDIA) Teacher Training Course was offered. There was a little bit of competition ... and LOTS of SOCIAL DANCING!

Patty Vo & Michael Kielbasa

Event director, Chrissy Bridgeman, brought the BEST dance professionals from Texas and California, including Michael Kielbasa (who originated the idea of teacher training ideas), Patty Vo and Ben Morris.

Local teachers (and beloved dance community members) Bonnie & Jerome Subey, rounded out the staff.

These people were exactly the right teachers for this event. Friendly, social and fun!

West Coast Swing in New York City is barely surviving these days. The socioeconomic environment is not conducive to social dance.

That's what made Metro Swing sooooo important.

Chrissy & Me

Thanx to Chrissy, who is one of the few bona fide westie dance professionals in NYC, this event provided CPR, life saving surgery, a ventilator and physical therapy!

"Doctor Chrissy" created this workshop weekend specifically to relate to the tri-state dance community's particular needs.

Chrissy responded to the demand for leveled workshops and placed dancers by their earned WSDC points or by audition.

New Jersey pro, Jacqueline Joyner, organized the GPDIA teacher training course.

There is nothing more important than GOOD west coast swing dance teachers.

Sure, Super Star dance teachers make an appearance out here all the time. But that's NOT what we need!!!

Nothing works better than Regular Teachers in the dance community ... teaching and developing their following ... a gift that keeps on giving!

Ayaz Sd (Chrissy Bridgman's husband) Dancing with Leslie Van Arsdale Segebade

On Friday, GPDIA Teacher Training began at The Ball, a dance studio is located on 35th Street near Macy's. Like most dance schools in NYC, the studio is actually rented floors of office space in an older building. The location offers the ambiance of another era.

Leslie (pictured above) said: "The teacher training was highly informative, thought provoking and challenging. Michael Kielbasa was an excellent teacher and presented the material very concisely, serving in the role of a great mentor during the course."

Brian King & Vivian Young

A dance (BYOB) followed at 8:30 pm with DJ Jeanette Holmes ... (one of my personal favorites).

EVERYONE was there!!! 

100+ dancers from all over the tri-State maxed out the space and it was NOT a small ballroom!

Tammy Rosen took over as DJ later in the nite. 

This chick is impressive in that role.

She definitely knows how to read the room. Interestingly, Tammy leans a little more in an edgy, eclectic direction. 

There was also a pro demo showcasing the dance professionals. By Sunday morning, the video had gone around the world on Facebook and garnered over 7,100 views.
https://youtu.be/eBQJ0uTVi3Y

Chrissy Teaching Fri Nite at YSBD

Saturday started with auditions for placement and then workshops which were held at another NYC dance studio: You Should Be Dancing. 

This place has a great dance floor space and offers a bar and bartender in the evenings.
http://youshouldbedancing.nyc

Romero Royster & Alena Mishchenko Ulaner

That Saturday Nite party ... will be remembered for a looooooooong time!

Wes with Patty Vo

The location was very NYC.

From our perch above 8th Avenue near Penn Station ... we could watch the Yellow Cabs pass by and hear the revelry of the weekend party animals.

The place was mobbed with just about every dancer within 120 miles ... which includes New Jersey, Connecticut, New York State, Long Island and Pennsylvania. 

Heck, they even came from as far away as Alberta, Canada and Northern California!

Wes with Lisa Heims

Wes Carrajat DJ'd and did an EXTRAAA special job. 

There was an excellent mix of R&B, contemporary, old skool, up-to-the-minute and local favorites (past & present).

Ric Aubain & Jesse Rosenberg

People we haven't seen in quite a while ... showed up. Several Legacy dancers from the old North River Bar days turned up.

We even had a movie, TV and Broadway Star!

Lance Olds has appeared on TV in "Eye Candy," and several movies including "Far From Heaven" & "Enchanted."

Lance is also a dance professional ... he was formerly with Stepping Out Dance Studio.

Currently, Lance is preparing for a role in an upcoming Gilbert & Sullivan "Pirates of Penzance" production.

James F. & Alison Urban

There was an All American Jack & Jill featuring 6 couples. 

What made this so much Fun was the cross-level dancing between friends!

Michael Pisco (above in Orange) said:

"Thanks for a great weekend. It's been a long while since I left a dance weekend with so much great information. I found benefit in all of it. The workshops were informative & fun, the private lesson time was invaluable, the feedback session was very beneficial, the Jack & Jill was a fun break in the learning process and, of course, all the social dancing!"

Michael Kielbasa & Patty Vo

There were more instructor performances and the videos netted 1000s of views on Facebook. The whole world wants to watch Ben, Patty, Michael and Bonnie & Jerome dance.

Ben & Patty
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20nc80428AM

Patty & Michael
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6UeqN6ydBA

Bonnie & Jerome
https://youtu.be/GSlF256ziV0

Ben Morris is in another class entirely. 

There is a reason he is one of the world's most IN-DEMAND TEACHERS. 

In Ben's hands, there is a Sensitivity that sets him apart. 

My dance with him was a revelation. In the 3 minutes of my dance with him, I had a memorable lesson in connection ... without Ben needing to say a word.

Lance Olds, Anna ChaCha & Lisa Heims

Chrissy Bridgeman ...

for developing Metro Swing ... and for being a steadfast Guardian of west coast swing in New York City. 

(AND for putting on a HeLLuVa PARTY!!!)

http://www.paintedrhythmdance.com