Underhill's Swing and Shag Dance Collective

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' ...

As a dance instructor, I’ve been fascinated by the journey dancers take from beginners to experts. It's more than just learning steps; it's about developing a deep connection with the dance and growing as an individual. Recently, while attending a USTA (United States Tennis Association) course, I discovered a powerful framework that beautifully aligns with this journey: the 5 C's from the American Athlete Development Model. These principles - Competence, Confidence, Character, Connection, and Creativity - are essential for mastering any skill, including dance. Let's explore how these 5 C's can guide dancers on their path to excellence: 1. Competence The foundation of any skill is competence. In dance, this means mastering the basic steps, techniques, and rhythms. As dancers gain proficiency, they build a strong base upon which to develop their skills further. 2. Confidence As dancers become more competent, their confidence grows. This confidence is essential for ta...

Are you ready to groove to the rhythm of swing and shag? Underhill's Swing and Shag Dance Collective is excited to announce a series of upcoming events that will have you dancing the night away. Beginner and Intermediate Classes Wednesdays starting September 11th: Beginner class at 7:30 PM and Intermediate class at 8:30 PM at the Colonial Heights Community Building. Thursdays starting September 12th: Beginner class at 7:00 PM and Intermediate class at 8:00 PM at the Colonial Heights Moose Lodge. Friday Night Fas' Dancin' Join us for a night of fun and dancing on Friday, September 13th at the Colonial Heights Moose Lodge. Enjoy a beginner-friendly lesson at 6:00 PM followed by a DJ dance until 10:00 PM. Feature Attraction Band Get ready to rock the night away on Saturday, October 12th with the Feature Attraction Band. This talented group will be playing classic beach music, rhythm and blues, and rock-n-roll at the Colonial Heights Moose Lodge. Tickets will be on sale so...

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 ...