Swing dancing high school?

Last night a friend of ours was DJ'ing at Strutter's Ball so we decided to go. It had been like 2 or 3 months since we had been there as the music is normally not really to our liking. But with Morgan DJ'ing we figured it would be a fun night.
We really did have a good time. Morgan's set was good but I didn't know most of it, so playing with the music was a little hard for me. But over all a lot of fun. The place was kinda empty for some reason... Not really sure why.
Strutter's is such a odd place to me. It has such clearly defined "zones". Really good people in the front, beginners in the back. One of my friends I think nailed it on the head when she said "Its like high school. They are the seniors and you are the freshman. " It really does feel like that. Honestly though I think its only part their attitude. The other even bigger part is my own feelings of... well sucking. When you dance with someone a lot better then you, you feel like your boring them or its a bad experience for them.
My goal most nights is to dance with one of the "seniors". I know it will help my dancing so I try very hard to wait for a song I know, at a tempo that won't make a fool out of me, and then I try really hard to get up the nerve to ask one of them.
The ridiculousness of the whole things amazes me. A few of my friends are really good, yet even they intimidate me. However after my wife so kindly reminded me what a idiot I am for not dancing with Janine (our good friend who is really good) I summoned up my nerve I walked up and asked her to dance... It really was on of my best dances of the night and she told me to not stop asking. That meant a lot to me and I'm happy my wife reminded me of the fact that they are just people. Friends or strangers... they are just people who share the same love of dance. They just happen to be better then you at the moment.

Here are a few pics of the night....

Here is DJ Morgan and Janine..
Des(my wife) and I...
Des and Amy shagging...
Make sure you ask these girls to dance.... They are always fun!

-X

When I grow up I want to be Nick Williams....

So last night my wife and I were at Memories. Augie was DJ'ing last night so it was all pretty fast stuff. A lot of quick Bal. Seeing how I wasn't really feeling 100% and my Bal sucks... I just ordered a glass of wine and sat back to watch the crowded dance floor most of the night. I don't know if it's normal or not, but I really do like just watching the floor. Memories is always a great place for that too. They have such a wide range of dancers. From the people that just learned their rock step to the pros that show up now and then.

Let me tell you... last night was better then youtube!
Nick Williams showed up. Watching that guy is amazing. He always seems so in control. So smooth. So clean. He danced with a few different follows last night most of which I didn't know(which isn't really saying much because I know so few people) and made all of them look fantastic. I sometimes forget how lucky I am living in SoCal and being able to see and if I ever get the nerve, talk these people at local dance venues.
Although I know I will never be Nick Williams or those like him, at least its nice to see them in real life. It helps inspire us novices to clean up our footwork!


-X

First time at the Cicada Club....

I would first and for most, I would just like to say.... WOW!
The Cicada Club is one of the most interesting theme places I have ever been. From the second you step off the grimmy LA sidewalk into the magnificent entry way you are in another time. Looking at the incredible entrance with all the art deco marble you quickly realize this isn't just some normal high end restaurant or club. Then as you are about 10 feet away from the etched glass doors they open... as if by magic. Well actually its the rather tall doorman wearing a very cool uniform including the small little hats you see bellhops wear in movies.

Saying the interior is anything less then mind blowing is really an understatement. The look and feel really does blow you away. As you look around you will see many people of all walks of life and age ranges, but you will not see a single pair of jeans or even a gentleman not in a tie. The strict dress code is enforced but for good reason. If someone was not dressed for this place it would really ruin the feel. It would take away from the great feeling of being IN the 20's. I personally was dressed in slacks, shirt, tie and blazer and couldn't help but feeling a little under dressed as I was standing in line to get my drink at the bar flanked by two men in tails.

Really, from the old style microphones to the 20's elevator(with elevator boy and everything) to the cigarettes girls walking around this place really does give you a wonderful time traveling experience. One of the people I was with said she was going to open a saving account the next day to start saving to have her wedding there... I just hope I'm invited.

The Cicada Club is run by Maxwell DeMille... and you can tell. He really looks like he is part of the Club. From the fedora to the two tone shoes Mr DeMille is the living essence of this place.

So now that I have talked about how great this place is.... I'm going to hit the very few things I didn't really like about it...

Like I said this place IS Mr. DeMille.... this hold true on a few different levels. It looks great... and dances a little.

The Cicada Club really didn't feel like a dance venue. They have 2 small dance floors. One down stairs and one up. However most of the people that were dancing were VERY much beginning level. There were a few that were very good... but they were the glaring exception! The place was also very hot once you started dancing. I understand the problem because you have a lot of people there to eat and drink, not to dance and you can't freeze them out.

All things considered... if your wanting to dance all night with good dancers this may not be the best choice... But if you want a great evening of drinks, atmosphere and a little dancing this is by FAR the place for you.

Cicada Club

617 S Olive St
Los Angeles, CA 90014

(213) 361-6186‎

maxwelldemille.com


-X


PS...
Word to the wise... If you follows do go and are looking for a good dance go try and steal the elevator boy for a dance... I hear he is a good lead.

Who would have ever thought.....

So I've been thinking about this for some time. Its seems like every time I come home from a night of dancing I always have something to say. Either about the DJ or the venue or follows of the night. Sometimes good, sometimes bad. But I just think I would like to have a place to put those thoughts down. Anyway... stay tuned...err... rss'ed? How would you say that in the world blogging...I'll have to think about that.

-X