Betty's Ultra Swing NYC Weekender
THE FINAL LOWDOWN (cont'd)
By this time Lee Ann Westover and I had found each other -- I had recognized
her from The Camaros website, she had noticed me because I was wearing a
lavendar dress as was she. A fashion catfight was averted (j.k.) when I
introduced myself as Joya from Barflies and we started chatting about
various goings-on, and about her future trip to Montreal (hope it happens!).
Definitely a gal after my own closet
Merideth (whose apt. I was staying at) and Steve were soon found, as was
Manu (I never did get a dance in with you!) fresh off his victory in the
Jack and Jill competition. It didn't take them long to join in with the
hundreds of other dance couples on the floor!
Ryan François and Jenny Thomas took the stage to teach a Savoy Style Lindy
class and shared some cool little moves with the crowd, who all got right
into the swing of things and whose mass coordination must have impressed the
hundreds of onlookers outside the stage. Ryan and Jenny have such a effusive
teaching style and really impart their love of dance both onstage and when
just dancing socially...a joy to watch.
Following the short lesson it was time for the Bill Elliott Swing Orchestra
to take the stage. I was eagerly awaiting this performance, having never
seen BESO perform live but loving their CDs since I first started swing
dancing. They didn't disappoint. Their sound was so clean, so pure vintage
(with great lyrics that give a pomo nod to everything from Taco Bell to
Arthur Murray) and a dancer's delight. The vocal stylings of the Lucky Stars
quartet were a delight to my ears, and I found it hard not to grab idle
lindy hoppers and take the dance floor. This is exactly what I did for
"Mildred Won't You Behave" which I cannot *not* dance to! During the set I
wandered outside the dancefloor proper and found a dozen circles of dancers
enjoying the open space afforded by the large patio area surrounding the
ticketed area. Saw some fantastic young dancers from DC who made all of us
jealous. Met Roddy Caravella, who I must say has some of the brightest, cool
threads of any dancer I've seen. Also met the charming Mike whose company I
couldn't enjoy for long but left with promises of another meeting upon my
return to NYC.
Midsummer Night Swing drew to a close, and I was quite earnestly starting to
feel sick (the oncoming cold) but was determined to see Lavay at the Supper
Club despite everyone's decision to retire for the evening. Said my
goodbyes, got some last-minute group shots (including a great shot with
Bailey, Merideth and Steve) and got a ride over to West 47th. Upon arriving
I found Lavay sitting with Lee Ann and pal Lulu at a plush booth, and joined
them for some conversation about the Montreal Jazz Fest, where to buy
vintage clothing and how to make last-minute adjustments to tight-fitting
dresses (the miracle of the safety pin!). Lavay went to start her gig and we
moved down to a floor-side table and were joined by none other than J.
Walter Hawkes from Jet Set Six. Hoping that we could avoid the $12 drink
minimum, we ordered drinks and sat in to enjoy the show. Got in some dances
with NYC record-holder Michael Ingbar, and several with J. Walter, who
provided me with the perfect means of staying awake (I was so exhausted that
during the latter part of the show I started to nod off at the
table)...dancing! Following another one of Lavay and the Red Hot Skillet
Lickers' awe-inspiring performances, we congregated at the bar to be joined
by the band and Steve Lucky and Carmen Getit, who came over after their gig
at Windows on the World. We chatted more about the Jazz Fest in Montreal
(Steve/Carmen, we have to get you here next year!), scene politics, Canadian
accents (apparently there IS one -- Carmen is often mistaken for a Canadian
having grown up in Michigan near the border and all) and the state of swing
in San Francisco. Carmen was exactly who I thought she'd be...a sweet, fun
gal who knows her stuff and can get down with the BEST of 'em! Lavay took a
keen interest in my love life
continued...