.
Dance Is Everything!
Dancing in the mid-Hudson Valley, NY (and nearby)
Look Ma, no hands!
A free-style swing dip with MYM, one of my favorite partners
people have waltzed through here since 2 March 1999.
WHAT'S HAPPENING?
Mostly swing, C&W, Cajun, Zydeco and Latin --
Contra dancers, please go to the Fiddle and Dance News Dance Calendar
updated 8 May 2008
Some Hudson Valley dancing
No partner necessary for any of these dances!
Every Tuesday Richie Colan's Blues Revue at the High Falls Café, Rte. 213 & Mohonk Rd., High Falls, NY. You can West Coast to some of it, East Coast to some of it, and some of it is just plain Rock. 8pm, $5. For info call 845-687-2699.
Every Tuesday Latin Night at Eldas, 207 Lark St., Albany, NY. For more info Christine@albanyhotspots.net.
Every Tuesday Latin, with a bit of East & West Coast Swing at Skyline (formerly Big House), 4 Sheridan Ave., Albany, NY. Lesson 7-8pm, $10; Dance 8-11pm, $7; Both $15. For more info danceclubinfo@yahoo.com or call 518-782-0608.
Every Wednesday Swing Dance (to live music!!) at Savannah's, 1 South Pearl St., Albany, NY. 9pm-12am. For more info call 518-426-9647.
Every Wednesday West Coast Swing Wednesday at the First Presbyterian Church of Highland, Grove St., Highland, NY. Dance 9pm-?, $5 or $2 with lesson; Basic lesson 7-8pm, $10; Intermediate lesson, 8-9pm, $10. For more info swingdance@earthlink.net or call 845-679-4464.
Every Wednesday California Mix at Malt River Brewing Company, at Latham Circle Mall, Latham, NY. Lesson 6:30-7:30pm, $5; Dance 7:30-11pm, $6; Both $10. For more info danceclubinfo@yahoo.com or call 518-782-0608.
Every Thursday The Muddy Lindy (Swing) at The Muddy Cup, 516 Broadway, Kingston, NY. For more info muddylindy@gmail.com.
Every Thursday -- cancelled starting May 8th, until it finds a new home!! West Coast Swing Dance at Skyline (formerly Big House). For more info swingdance@earthlink.net or call 845-679-4464.
Every Thursday Blues Jam at Daniel J's, 2970 Rte. 22, Patterson, NY. 9pm, no cover. For more info call 845-878-3838
Every Thursday Salsa practice at AlbanySalsa Dance Studio, 20 Learned St., Albany, NY. $1. For more info call 518-445-5177.
Every Friday Latin at Chef Ef Latin Cafe, 48 Raymond Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY. 10pm. For more info call 845-454-1105.
Every Friday Latin at The Wave Dance Club, behind Motel 8, New Paltz, NY. 10pm-???. For more info call 845-485-1390.
Every Friday Latin at Bombay Garden at the Quality Inn (formerly Holiday Inn) on Rt. 17K, Newburgh, NY. 10pm, ladies free before 11pm, $5 after, gents $10.
Every Saturday Latin at El Coqui Latin Jazz Cafe, 21 Broadway at the Strand, Kingston, NY. 10pm, $3. For more info call 845-340-1106.
First Tuesday Richie Colan's Blues Revue Now every Tuesday
First Thursday Hyde Park Argentine Tango Practica (practice, practice, practice) at Moose Lodge 904, NYS mleage marker 9G 30 61, Hyde Park, NY. 8-10:30pm, $5. For more info call 845-229-7269.
First Friday Albany Swing Dance (June 6: Alan Thomson's Little Big Band) at the Albany Elks Lodge, 25 South Allen St. (just one block South of Rt. 20 -- So. Allen is where Western and Madison meet), Albany, NY. 8:30pm, $12, basic workshop at 7:30pm. For more info su_chick@yahoo.com or call 518-292-0133.
First Friday Woodstock Cajun Dances moved to Second Sunday!!
First Friday Albany Milonga (June 6) at The Center for Body Mind Awareness, 4 Central Ave., Albany, NY. 8:30-midnite, lesson at 8pm, $8. For more info cherylfisher@mac.com
First Saturday Fishkill Milonga (June 7) at the Fishkill United Methodist Church, Broad & Smith Streets, Fishkill, NY. 8pm-midnite, $10. For more info call 845-896-4166.
First Sunday Poughkeepsie Swing Dance Jam (June 1; Sept. 7; Oct. 5; Nov. 2; Dec. 7) at the Arlington Reformed Church, southeast corner of EASTBOUND Route 44/55and Raymond Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY. Lindy and West Coast to favorite CDs. 6-6:30pm beginner's lesson, 6:30-9 dance, $5. For more info, contact Arlene at 845-339-3032.
First Sunday Schenectady Swing Dance at 1020 Barrett Street, Schenectady. West Coast, Lindy Hop, East Coast, Jitterbug and Foxtrot to a "request-responsive" DJ. 6:30-10:15pm, $8 ($4 students), air-conditioned. For info call Jana at 518-435-8042.
Second Tuesday West Coast Swing Jam (May 13) at the Muddy Cup, 305 Main St., Poughkeepsie, NY. 8pm, free, beginners lesson 7:30pm. For more info dancerali36@yahoo.com
Second Wednesday Second Friday Salsa at the Rosendale Cafe, 434 Main St., Rosendale, NY. 9:30pm, $5. For more info call 845-658-9048.
Second Saturday Swing Dance Party (May 10) at the Reformed Church of Port Ewen, Atrium Hall
(off 9W), Port Ewen, NY. $10, $6 students w/ ID, 7:30-10pm, 7pm basic workshop. For more info call 845-236-3939.
Second Saturday Milonga (May 10) at Strictly Ballroom, 5208 Rte. 9W, Newburgh, NY. $10, 8pm-midnite. For more inf call 845-783-6002.
Second Sunday Woodstock Cajun Dances with Cleoma's Ghost (May 11; June 8) at the Colony Cafe on Rock City Road in Woodstock, NY. 3pm lesson, 3:30-5:50pm dance, $10. For more info call 845-384-6673 or e-mail faisdodo2@hvc.rr.com.
Second Sunday Albany Dance at DDB, 724 Watervliet Shaker Rd.
(Albany Med. Prof. Bldg.), Latham, NY. Swing, cha cha,
mambo, samba, waltz, foxtrot, etc. to recorded music, 7-10:30, $10 ($7 students). For info call
518-786-7780 or 518-783-9829.
Third Tuesday Richie Colan's Blues Revue Now every Tuesday
Third Thursday Hyde Park Argentine Tango Practica (practice, practice, practice) at Moose Lodge 904, NYS mleage marker 9G 30 61, Hyde Park, NY. 8-10:30pm, $5. For more info call 845-229-7269.
Third Saturday West Coast Socials (May 17) at Strictly Ballroom, 5208 Rte. 9W, Newburgh, NY. $10, 8pm-midnite. For more info denisandlee@cs.com or call 845-569-7192.
Third Sunday Kingston Swing Dance Jam (May 18; June 15; July 20 -- with live music!; Aug. 17 -- with live music!; Sept. 21; Oct. 19; Nov. 16; Dec. 21) at White Eagle Hall, 487 Delaware Ave., Kingston, NY. 6-9pm, $5, Beginner lesson, 6-6:30pm. For more info, contact Arlene at 845-339-3032.
Fourth Tuesday West Coast Swing Jam (May 27) at the Muddy Cup, 305 Main St., Poughkeepsie, NY. 8pm, free, beginners lesson 7:30pm. For more info dancerali36@yahoo.com
Fourth Wednesday Fourth Friday
Poughkeepsie Swing Dance (May 23: Huguenot Slim and the Shuffle Kings; June 27: Teresa Broadwell and Thrivin' on a Riff; July 25: Sonny and Perly's Jive Five; Aug. 22: Big Joe Fitz & the All Star Review; Sept. 26: The Solomon Douglas Quartet; Oct. 24 [$15]: Paul Tillotson Trio; Nov. 28: The Blue Rays; Dec. 26: The Saints of Swing) at The Poughkeepsie Tennis Club, 135 S. Hamilton St., Poughkeepsie, NY (see link for directions). 8:30pm, $13 / $8 students with ID, 7:30 beginner's workshop. For more info call 845-454-2571.
Last Friday Salsa (May 30) at the Rosendale Cafe, 434 Main St., Rosendale, NY. 9:30pm, $5. For more info call 845-658-9048.
Fourth Saturday Swing at the Gym! at Healthplex Fitness Center, 1673 Route 9, Clifton Park, NY. 8-11pm, 7pm lesson, $6, $10 with lesson. For more info hlcoleman2002@yahoo.com.
Last Saturday Woodstock Milonga (Apr. 26; May 31), at Mountain View Studio, Mountain View Ave., Woodstock, NY. 9pm-1am, intro lesson 8-9pm, buffet, $15. For more info call 845-246-1122.
Fourth Sunday Lefty's Sunday Salsa Socials at Maximum Fitness/Dance Studio, 59 North Plank Rd., Newburgh, NY. $5, 1-5pm, must have dance shoes or sneakers, 17 or older. For more info call 914-527-5075.
Fifth Sunday Albany Dance at DDB, 724 Watervliet Shaker Rd. (Albany Med. Prof. Bldg.), Latham, NY. Swing, cha cha, mambo, samba, waltz,
foxtrot etc. to recorded music, 7-10:30, $10 ($7 students). For info call 518-786-7780 or 518-783-9829.
Fifth Sunday Schenectady Swing Dance at 1020 Barrett Street,
Schenectady. West Coast, Lindy Hop, East Coast, Jitterbug and Foxtrot to a "request-responsive" DJ.
6:30-10:15pm, $8 ($4 students), air-conditioned. For info call Jana at 518-435-8042.
Fifth Tuesday Richie Colan's Blues Revue Now every Tuesday
The Road Gang (Louisianan mix), Friday, May 9th, at KeeganAles, 20 St. James St., Kingston, NY. 7pm. For more info call 845-331-BREW.
Shorty King's Clubhouse (swing), Friday, May 9th, at La Puerta Azul, 2510 Rte. 44, Millbrook, NY. 8pm, no cover. For more info call 845-677-AZUL.
Mambo Kikongo, Sunday, May 11th, at KeeganAles, 20 St. James St., Kingston, NY. 7pm. For more info call 845-331-BREW.
Li'l Anne & Hot Cayenne (Zydeco), Friday, May 16th, at the White Eagle Hall, 487 Delaware Ave., Kingston, NY. 8pm, beginners lesson 7pm, $12. For more info 845-255-7061.
Leroy Thomas & The Zydeco Roadrunners, Sunday, May 18th, at Let's Zydeco at Connolly's, 121 West 45th St., New York, NY. $22, 7:30-11pm, lesson at 6:30pm. For more info zydecolaura@hotmail.com or call 212-685-7597.
Leroy Thomas & The Zydeco Roadrunners, Saturday, May 24th, at the Ossining Eagles Hall, 7 Old Albany Post Rd., Ossining, NY. 8-11:30pm, 7pm workshop, $20. For more info laurarice26@yahoo.com or call 914-528-7612.
The Billy T Band (rock & blues), Sunday, May 25th, at the High Falls Cafe, Rt. 213 & Mohonk Rd., High Falls, NY. 8pm. For more info call 845-687-2699.
Roddie Romero & The Hub City Stars (Cajun, Zydeco, Swamp Pop), Friday, May. 30th, at Let's Zydeco at Connolly's, 121 West 45th St., New York, NY. $22, 7:30-11pm, lesson at 6:30pm. For more info zydecolaura@hotmail.com or call 212-685-7597.
If you know any other dances or events that could be listed here, please contact me
at FeatherSite -- questions and comments (I had to link this in to my Poultry Page web form as
I was getting much too much spam off the address that was here).
Here's a few links to dance information on the web.
LindyRick's Dance Connection has a bias toward Lindy events in the Hudson Valley area.
Wanna Go Shopping?
"We are fools whether we dance or not,
And now for some band and music info . . .
Here's some general historical info on Western Swing.
Direct questions and comments to Barry at FeatherSite -- questions and comments
Other Dances and Special Events
Information on Country Western
dance floor
etiquette.
West
Coast Swing, anybody?
Westiemonkey is another West Coast Swing site.
Michael Yusim's dance student site, with West Coast Swing moves demonstrated.
Here's a site with a history of Swing Dance.
lindyhopper.com links to several histories of Lindy Hop
And for another favorite dance form (of mine), here's
The Clogging Page.
Here's Henry Neeman's great
Dance Hotlist!
Dance Me
Tonight has links to lots of dances and live music, all by area.
The SAVE AS: DANCE page has links to a variety of dance resources.
Yehoodi.com leans toward Lindy info. There's a calendar here for various areas of the country.
Here's the Hudson Valley
Community Dance page of the HVCD. It includes their swing dance schedule, along with contra information.
MHV Dance Connection
has a page of Hudson Valley links.
The
Dance Floor: Dancing in the Mid Hudson Valley leans toward ballroom.
Ballroom dancing in the Albany, NY, area
Where to go
Ballroom Dancing in Berkshire County, MA, and the Capital District, NY.
Ballroom Dancing Resource in the Berkshires, MA: Berkshire County USABDA
Lindy in the
Valley -- a site for Lindy Hoppers in Western Massachusetts.
This is Aria's list of places to
dance in New York City.
Carlos has put together a
Calendar of Swing Dance events
for New York City.
Here's Swing
Out -- another NY swing site.
SwingCraze! is a site promoting independent swing bands. Some great music available
here.
And for you Argentine Tango fans, here's the
Hudson Valley Tango page.
And a Capitol District (Albany-Troy) Swing Dance calendar.
And since you're in the area, check out the home page of
Hudson-Mohawk Traditional Dances.
If you're in the western New York State area,
check out the Rochester,
Syracuse and
Ithaca dance calendars.
Here's the New York (City)
Cajun Connection's dance schedule.
Or check out Arn Burkhoff's Northeast USA Cajun and Zydeco Schedule.
Let's Zydeco! Zydeco and Cajun in NYC.
And here's another site on Cajun/Zydeco Music and Dance.
Somebody Scream NY: Zydeco and Cajun in Ossining, NY.
For summers in NYC, here's where to find out about Lincoln
Center's Midsummer Night Swing.
This is the site of the
Connecticut Swing Dance Society.
Hartford Country Dance keeps schedules for Contra,
Swing, Cajun and Zydeco in central Connecticut.
The Mid-Hudson Valley (and beyond) Dance Calendar covers contra, square, swing
and Cajun dancing. This great listing is part of the Fiddle and Dance News (spam: of which
I'm the production editor).
Ashokan:
Friends of Fiddle and Dance sponsors
three great weeks of dance in the summer: Western and Swing Week, Southern Week
(clogging, Cajun and Old-Timey) and Northern Week (contras and French Canadian).
Check out their pages for further info on these camps and other dance events
held at the Ashokan Field Campus in Olive Bridge, NY, home of "Ashokan Farewell."
More great dance can be found at the Augusta
Heritage Center's Dance Weeks.
And finally, here's the Dance Connection -- maybe you can find a dance partner here.
Skirts, tops and things at the Take Me Dancing Storefront
so we might as well dance." -- Japanese proverb
For some great radio listening in the Hudson Valley, try
tuning in WHVW, 950 AM (Yes! AM!) They play great old music, old country, Western
Swing, R&B, some fifties, some Old Timey and "hillbilly." The stuff you never get to hear almost
anywhere else.
Also, you might want to check out Mike Gross's program Swingin' West, WVOF, 88.5 FM, Fairfield, CT, every Sunday from 6:30-8:00 A.M.
This is the Cajun & Zydeco Radio Guide - Louisiana's Cajun and Zydeco music resource.
Bob
Wills was the King of Western Swing, and here's a page with a lot of biographical info and some
discography.
Here's the cyberhome of Asleep At The Wheel, a modern Western Swing band.
Fans of old Western Swing music might want to drop
by the home page of the Light
Crust Doughboys.
For some local American Roots music . . . Delta Blues, Country, Western Swing, Bluegrass, Gospel, Hawaiian and more . . . check out the Hudson Rhythm Boys.
For the Cajun oriented, Balfa Toujours also has a page.
Here's the home page of the Cowboy Junkies. This isn't danceable music, but I can listen to Margo
Timmins sing for hours.
If, like me, you play a Kay acoustic upright bass,
there's now a registry for them.