News

Hey Medina Lindy Hop Swing Dancers,

We had an amazing March. Our progressive group lessons saw record attendance as people came out to learn the Charleston. Our “Third Thursday” March dance had a terrific turnout. Now for the super exciting news: we’ve just signed the Gordon Webster Septet swing band to play at Medina Lindy’s first live band event!

In the meantime, we have another wonderful April ahead of us. Here’s April’s news with a Cliff’s Notes version first, followed by the full details.

Cliff’s Notes version:

1. Gordon Webster Septet!! – Our first live band performing at a Medina Lindy dance is scheduled for Thursday, June 15^th. Gordon Webster, global Lindy Hop swing band sensation, will join us at Bent’s with a seven-piece band. This is an event you will not want to miss. Get it in your calendars now.  Check out more details about him below.
2. “Frankie’s Sixes” Lessons – April’s free progressive Lindy Hop lessons will feature “Frankie’s Sixes.” No lessons tomorrow; the next lesson will be Monday, April 3^rd at 7 pm at Bent’s Opera House. Click this link to find info about the lesson schedule.
3. Open Meeting: We’re holding an open meeting this coming Monday, March 27^th at 7:00PM at the third floor of Bent’s Opera House to gather ideas for growing the Lindy Hop community in Medina. We hope to see you there. If possible, ping me back if you think you can make it.
4. April Dance (and new logo!): Our April dance will be held on Thursday, April 20^th with a beginner (6-count) lesson at 6:30 pm and the dance itself from 7:30-10. Bring a friend or three and dance! See the new logo below.
5. Bios On Website: Do you want to learn more about the people that make Medina Lindy happen? Check out our new bio page.
6. Thank You for Your Support: Thank you to everyone who has volunteered and donated at lessons and dances, and also by using our donation link. Details of volunteer opportunities are below.

Details:

1. 

   Gordon Webster Septet!! – Our first live band performing at a Medina Lindy dance is scheduled for Thursday, June 15^th. Gordon Webster will join us at Bent’s with a seven-piece band. Gordon Webster is a jazz musician and bandleader, a favorite in NYC since the mid 2000’s, and famous worldwide for his modern take on vintage swing music. He’s played for dancers in around 100 cities in over 20 countries. He’s a regular at Snowball in Stockholm, and also has appeared in performances at Swingtime Ball in Beijing, Lindy Shock in Budapest, CCX Montreal, and the London Lindy Exchange. US-based Lindy Hoppers will know him well from events like DCLX, Beantown Camp, and Swing Out New Hampshire. If you’ve heard the song “Eight, Nine and Ten,” chances are it was this version, which was recorded by Gordon Webster’s band featuring Australian singer Hetty Kate. So this is a pretty big deal for us. We’re so lucky to have him nearby in WNY. This is an event you will not want to miss. Tickets will go on sale soon, but get it in your calendars now. The music will be amazing, so bring your non-dancing friends and family to enjoy the show and grab some drinks and appetizers (or dinner!) downstairs at Harvest. If you’ve been looking for an excuse to stay at the Boutique Hotel at Bent’s Opera House, here’s your chance: Bent’s is offering 20% off their normal room rates for guests booking for that night who mention Medina Lindy.

2. Frankie’s Sixes Lessons – It’s time for some six count moves. What better way to learn six count than Frankie Manning style?

   

   Frankie Manning was a legendary Lindy Hop dancer and choreographer, known for his innovative dance moves that helped to define the dance style. In the 1930’s he joined “Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers,” a traveling dance troupe that performed around the country and appeared in several films. He danced from then all the way to his death in 2009 at age 94. Frankie’s energetic and dynamic performances helped to bring Lindy Hop to new heights of popularity, and his legacy continues to inspire and influence generations of dancers. April’s free progressive Lindy Hop lessons will feature Frankie’s Sixes. Frankie’s Sixes is a well-known series of six-count swing dance moves that Frankie Manning created. These moves were innovative and helped to expand the vocabulary of the Lindy Hop dance style. Our next lesson will be Monday, April 3^rd at 7 pm at Bent’s Opera House. Lessons are the first three Mondays of every month. Click this link to find info about the lesson schedule.

3. Open Meeting: We need your ideas for how to help Medina’s Lindy Hop community grow! So we’re holding an open meeting this coming Monday, March 27^th at 7:00PM at the third floor at Bent’s Opera House to gather input. Whether you’re an experienced dancer or you haven’t even started yet, we want to hear from you. We are hoping for people to provide feedback on what we have done so far as well as to discuss with us the direction of Medina Lindy in the Village. We will also start planning for the rest of the year. If you are unable to attend but have some ideas please reach out to me and I’ll make sure they are discussed.  If you think you can make it, ping me back if you have a minute. Otherwise just show up. I hope to see you there!
4. April Dance (and new logo!): Our April dance will be held on Thursday,

   

   April 20^th with a beginner (6-count) lesson at 6:30 and the dance itself from 7:30-10. Bring a friend or three and dance! Check out the flyer and see our new Medina Lindy Swing Dance logo that was unveiled in March. Huge shout out to Sally Gardner and Julie Berry who helped to create it.  It will eventually make its way onto our website as well. 😉

5. Bios On Website: Do you want to learn more about the people that make Medina Lindy happen? Check out our new bio page to learn more about our amazing instructors, DJs, organizers, and helpers.
6. Thank You for Your Support: When we switched to Medina Lindy in the Village renting space and hosting our monthly dances as a tenant of Bent’s Opera House, I reached out to you for support and donations. The response has been wonderful and heartwarming. Thank you to everyone who has volunteered and donated at lessons and dances, and also by using our donation link. Details of volunteer opportunities are below.

Ways you can help:

• Make a Donation – If you like to see arts and culture thriving in Medina, bringing more people to our wonderful and historic Main Street, please consider making a contribution to underwrite Medina Lindy in the Village. No amount is too small – or too big! 😊 Also, if you receive group or private lessons and feel able to contribute, please consider making a suggested donation of $5 per person per group lesson or $20 per person or couple for a private lesson here. Although Medina Lindy is not registered officially as a non-profit, 100% of all ticket sales and donations are used toward costs for Medina Lindy in the Village such as venue rental, insurance, equipment costs, etc.
• Attend the open meeting on Monday, March 27^th at 7:00 PM. See the information above for details.
• Set up chairs and tables at the monthly dances (5PM – 6:15PM).
• Decorate for themed dances.
• Work the door to accept payments at the monthly dances.
  • Shifts available:
    • 6:15-7:30 (during the lesson)
    • 7:15-8:00
    • 8:00-8:45
  • Assist with marketing to help more people learn about Medina Lindy in the Village lessons and dances.
  • Attend a group lesson as a more advanced lead or follow to assist other learners with their progress, either before the dance, or at the Monday night lessons.
  • DJ a dance
  • Teach a lesson.

If you are interested in volunteering in any of the above ways, please email me at info@medinalindy.com. Please also email me if you have ideas about ways Medina Lindy in the Village can better serve the community or if you would like to help in other ways.

This is an exciting time in the growth of Medina Lindy in the Village. We learn and grow every month. I’m grateful for all who have come out and who continue to come out and support what we are building here together.

I’ll see you all on the dance floor!

Thanks,

-Phil Berry