Underhill's Swing and Shag Dance Collective

Who says dance is just for kids? As adults, we often get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life, forgetting the simple joy of movement. Dance, however, offers a delightful escape, inviting us to reconnect with our playful side and experience the numerous benefits it brings. Why Dance is the Ultimate Playful Pursuit Dance is more than just physical exercise; it's a holistic experience that nourishes both body and mind. Here's how: Physical Well-being: Stress Relief: The rhythmic movements of dance release endorphins, natural mood elevators, helping to reduce stress and anxiety. Improved Mood: The combination of physical activity and music can uplift your spirits and boost your overall mood. Enhanced Creativity: Dance encourages creative expression, allowing you to explore different movements and styles. Boosted Confidence: Learning new dance moves and performing them can increase self-confidence and self-esteem. Social Connection: Shared Experience: D...

We're thrilled to share some fantastic updates about the Colonial Heights Swing Dance Club! First, the good news about our fundraising efforts: We're so close to our goal of $4,500 for the SnapLock portable dance floor! Thanks to your generous contributions, we're currently at $3,950. We're hopeful that we'll be able to order and receive the floor before the end of December. New Venue and Class Schedule: To accommodate our new dance floor, we're excited to announce that we'll be moving our classes to the  Colonial Heights Optimist Building  starting in January 2025. This new venue will allow us to make some exciting improvements to our class offerings: Earlier Start Time:  Classes will now begin at 6:00 PM, giving you more time to enjoy the evening. Extended Beginner Lesson:  The beginner lesson will be extended to an hour and a half, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. Flexible Class Structure:  The Optimist Club is graciously allowing us to set up the dance floor on Wed...

Exciting News!   We're thrilled to announce our plans to purchase a  Snaplock portable dance floor  for the Colonial Heights community. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we're one step closer to making this dream a reality. Our Vision Our goal is to create a valuable asset for the local dance community by establishing the Colonial Heights Swing Dance Club as a 501c(7) nonprofit organization. This will enable us to: Own the dance floor:  The floor will become a club asset, ensuring its long-term availability. Manage club finances:  We'll establish a board and a checking account to handle business transactions efficiently. Offer rentals:  The dance floor will be available for rent to the public for private events, dances, parties, and more. How Rental Income Will Be Used: Reimbursing Donors:  If requested by our donors, our top priority is to repay the generous individuals who have contributed to this project. Funding Club Activities:   Once i...

We are the leaders of Colonial Heights Swing Dance Club, and we are passionate about bringing the joy of swing dancing to our community. However, we are currently facing a challenge that is hindering our ability to provide a safe and enjoyable dancing experience for our members. Our current dance floor is made of concrete or tile-covered concrete, which is a very hard and unforgiving surface, this can be further complicated when the floor is not well maintained and becomes sticky. This surface can cause injuries, such as ankle sprains, knee problems, and hip pain, especially when dancing for extended periods of time. We are committed to providing a safe and enjoyable dancing experience for all of our members. To achieve this, we are raising funds to purchase a Snaplock portable dance floor. This dance floor is made of polypropylene  base with various commercial grade laminate top surfaces that look like wood  that is designed to absorb shock and reduce stress on dancers' ...

This past weekend, we had the privilege of attending the Summer Instructors Ball in Philadelphia, PA. This incredible event brought together dance instructors from across the region, from New York to Virginia, showcasing a diverse array of dance styles. What truly struck me was the power of dance to bridge cultural gaps and foster a sense of community. A Melting Pot of Dance The Summer Instructors Ball was a vibrant celebration of dance, featuring everything from Detroit Ballroom to Carolina Shag. Instructors, accompanied by their students, took turns performing short showcases, providing a glimpse into their unique styles and the rich histories behind them. A Social Dance Haven Between the showcases, the social floor was a bustling hub of activity. Dancers of all levels and backgrounds came together to share their passion for dance. The blend of different styles created a mesmerizing tapestry of movement, as dancers communicated through lead and follow, exchanging steps and rhythms. B...

Denise and I had the opportunity and a fantastic time presenting a workshop to over 40 dancers this past Saturday, May 18th, at the Colonial Heights Moose Lodge as a fundraiser for their Ballroom Renovation Project! As a part of this project they are planning to install a solid wood dance floor in order to support dancing as a way to promote and build the community at large. This workshop was our first attempt at bringing together a group of dancers from the Colonial Heights area and taking them on a journey to explore the origins of the dances they love. In this blog post, we'll be outlining the basic structure of the class and sharing some additional notes. We're excited to continue offering these educational workshops in the future! 8-Count Charleston: The Root of Swing The energetic Charleston dance, with roots in the rich tapestry of African American social dances, originated in the coastal communities of South Carolina, particularly around Charleston , the very city that ...

This 2-hour workshop is your chance to explore the rich history of swing dance through its footwork evolution . Get ready to tap your toes and learn how swing dancing transformed across the decades! Here's what you'll get for your $25: Charleston Craze: Master the iconic Charleston steps of the 1920s, including the side-by-side and the shimmy. *To learn more about the history, here a quick video:  Abbreviated Charleston History - Lindy Hop and Swing Dance Partnered Charleston: Learn how the Charleston transitioned into a fun and flirty partnered dance in the 30s. Balboa Basics: Discover the smooth and close-bodied Balboa style from California, known for its lollies, paddles and more. Swingout Showdown: Explore the footwork differences between East Coast Swing and Lindy Hop, two major swing variations. Timeless Fun: Socialize with fellow swing enthusiasts, learn from experienced instructors, and most importantly, have a blast! Gourmet Pizza: Choose your favorite pizza...

Have you ever watched a couple swing dancing and been captivated by their effortless twirls and infectious energy? Swing dancing is more than just a fun activity; it's a gateway to a more flourishing life.  While achieving ultimate fulfillment involves various aspects, here's how swing dance can significantly contribute: Body and Mind in Harmony: Swing dancing isn't just about fancy footwork, think the Carolina Shag. It's a full-body workout that gets your heart pumping, improves coordination, and boosts flexibility.  The rhythmic nature of the music and the focus required to learn the steps can also elevate your mood and combat stress.  Find Your Tribe: Swing dance classes are a fantastic way to meet new people who share your enthusiasm. This fosters friendships, creates a sense of belonging, and combats feelings of isolation.  Imagine a room filled with individuals eager to learn, laugh, and celebrate the joy of movement together. Confidence Through Movement: Le...

  Last night's intermediate class was pure magic!  As we guided our students through building dances in layers and linked patterns,  we witnessed something truly special:  the seed of  collaboration  blossoming within our dance community. It wasn't just about mastering moves (though those footwork combos were on point! ),  it was about  connecting ,   responding ,  and  building together .  Watching them  weave improvisations into each other's sequences ,  supporting each other with  encouraging smiles and playful energy ,  and  creating spontaneous moments of shared joy  filled our hearts with so much warmth. This is exactly what we dreamed of when we introduced this teaching approach.  We wanted to  encourage communication through movement ,  to  break down barriers between dancers ,  and to  spark a sense of shared ownership in the creative process .  And last ...