Lady Day Productions

April 17-19, 2009

2008-09-23T09:49:00.000-07:00

Yep, that's what I said.

Moving to the T.

2008-05-16T10:56:00.000-07:00

Next week I'm relocating to Toronto, quite a distance from Vancouver. I'm getting married in July. My fiance, my family and his family all live in Toronto, and I did grow up there. So it's somewhat familiar territory for me.

It will be difficult to leave the friends I have made here and the Lindy hop community I have grown up with. Thank you to everyone I have had the pleasure of dancing with, performing with, practicing with and especially the people I have worked with to organize dances, classes and events. From UBC Swing Kids classes at the SUB and St.James to Lindy Bout - the biggest and best weekend of dancing in Vancouver - I'm proud of how far we've come and that I was around to lend a hand.

Lindy Bout is still on - April 17-19, 2009 in Vancouver. Stay tuned for updates throughout the year.

I'm not good at goodbyes.
I hope to see everyone at Lindy Bout!
Stephanie

Thank you!

2008-04-24T13:36:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

Lindy Bout was an incredible weekend of dancing, competitions and cupcakes!

The results are posted on-line on lindyhopper.ca and on facebook. We’ll be updating the Lindy Bout site in the near future, in the meantime join the facebook group for updates on Lindy Bout Round III, April 17-19, 2009 in Vancouver, BC.

Competition footage is posted on youtube and Justin’s incredible photographs are online at justinlee.ca/lindybout

We’ve got an idea about how things went this year and some ideas that will make next year even better but we’d also love to hear from you. Please drop me a line at this address, or talk with me next time you see me if you have any feedback or suggestions. In particular I’d like to know what you thought about the DJ Battle on Friday night, the daytime classes, the amount of social dancing, the schedule and registration for both the weekend and the matches.

I could not put on such an event by myself and I had a ton of help from friends and dancers from across Canada. A special big huge thank you to the following people who helped make this year a great success:

- all the local and visiting dancers from across the world, Seattle, Eugene, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and elsewhere
- Susan, Pawel, Kat, Edina, Devon, Dan, Stephanie, Josh & Tim, the door & make it happen volunteers
- Catie the interior decorator who transformed the Legion into something lovely
- Eric the car volunteer
- Jordan lighting guy extraordinaire
- Dave Hall the super awesome unsuspecting car volunteer
- Stuart Manahan the awesome cupcake acquirer
- Daniel & Professor Smack the video presentation wonders
- Justin Lee the wonderful photographer
- the fabulous music makers that make up Georgia's Hot little Number & the Wetcoast Wallabies
- Afonso, Justin, Dave, Kyle, Alan and Birkley, Western Canadian DJ competitors
- Alan Cheung competition & dancing DJ
- Birkley Wisniewski (aka Smith) the webmaster
- Dave Henderson, sound master
- Dan Amores head judge and great teacher
- Mandi Gould fabulous teacher and judge
- Chris Chapman American fabulous teacher and judge
- Mark Kihara the best emcee ever

An even bigger thank you to Lisa Marks, Hayley Newell, Eileen Jones and Lucy Falkner for taking care of design, matches, volunteers and music (respectively) as well as support, feedback and sanity checks.

Sincerely,
Stephanie McKernan

Only a Week and a Half

2008-04-02T20:32:00.000-07:00

Time is flying by. Less than two weeks until my favourite event ever - Lindy Bout!

This is the time when the rest of my life goes on hold. No one answers my e-mails or calls soon enough. I start to lose sleep. My mind is not really able to focus on anything else. My event is inevitable, there is no going back. I can't sit still. I've taken a huge risk and I'm almost close enough to see the results. I love it. I hope you are close to as excited as I am. Luckily I can get out all this bottled up energy in the Solo Charleston class I teach on Thursday nights.

Some things you may not know:
Last year I listened to the Tragically Hip leading up to and during Lindy Bout. I think this was because I was so excited and nervous I had to reconnect with the rockin' out music I'd listen to while preparing for exams. I have not settled on what I'll be listening to this year.

We have more Americans and Albertans than ever before registered. Last year we had Liv from Norway, this year we'll have two Aussies!

People will be wearing very old swing dance event t-shirts on Saturday during the daytime. Don't feel left out, remember to pack yours.

There will be Emerald City Blues Festival passes for the winners of the Blues Match on Sunday night.

I plan to wear at least 7 different pairs of shoes over the three days, two pairs may or may not be suitable to dancing. Help me to find out.

I've decided on my dress for Saturday night- a very important decision.

Vancouver will be choosing our 2 DJs to represent this Saturday at the Legion.

Facebook says 70 people will be at Lindy Bout.

We have trophies this year. (That may be giving away too much.)

see you soon!
Stephanie

Here's a peek at the schedule. Be advised that it may change. A final version will be waiting for you at the door on the 11th.

Friday
20:00: Doors open
20:30: Competitors Meeting
21:00 - 2:00: Welcome to Lindy Bout! Western Canadian DJ Battle, Preliminary Rounds of Everlast Jack & Jill, Title Jack & Jill and Inter-Regional.

Saturday
Classes at EDAM dance (303 East 8th Avenue)
12:15 - 13:15: Rhythm in Vintage Jazz with Mandi
13:30 – 14:30: Lindy hop with Mandi and Chris

At the Legion - Wear your oldest and dearest swing event t-shirt.
15:00 – Doors open at the Legion
15:30 – 17:30 – Welterweight, Flyweight, Featherweight and Solo Jazz preliminary rounds with dancing in between.

20:00 - 2:00: Swanky Saturday Night dance with music from Georgia's Hot Little Number and DJ Larry Low. Match finals for all Jack and Jills, Inter-Regional, Flyweight, Featherweight and Welterweight.

Sunday
At the Legion
11:00 – 12:00 – Solo Blues with Lucy
12:10 – 13:10 – Lindy hop with Dan
13:20 – 14:20 – Swing ‘n Soul with Dan
14:30 – 15:30 – Lindy hop with Lucy and Chris

16:00 – 18:00 - Performance Match, Blinner Party (food and party hats included), Vintage Clip Presentation with Professor Smack, Awards

20:30 - 2:00: Grand finale dance with Wetcoast Wallabies. We’ll get a bit crazy with the Solo Jazz Match and then we'll dim the lights and turn up the heat with the Partner Blues Match.

More about Lindy Bout (and me)

2008-03-18T15:18:00.000-07:00

Alain Wong interviewed me about my dancing life, including Lindy Bout.

Read the details here.

Thanks Alain!

Thank you - but I'm not gone yet!

2008-03-18T10:07:00.000-07:00

I was in Langley at Fat City Swing on Friday night dancing my heart out to Bria's Hot 6. They played a goodbye song for me. It was very lovely and I had a great time in the jam.
Thank you everyone!

The rumours are true, I will be moving to Toronto in May. My family lives in Toronto, as does my fiancé, his family and both our extended families.

Although I have already moved about half of my things to Toronto it has not sunk in that I am really leaving. One day I'm sure it will, but until then I'm still working on the classes I'm teaching, the performances I have coming up and of course Lindy Bout!

Classes and Some More Time

2008-03-13T13:47:00.000-07:00

The early registration price deadline has been extended until SUNDAY MARCH 23rd.

Housing registration is now open.

Here are some details on what to expect in the classes:

Rhythm in Vintage Jazz class with Mandi

Lindy hop Special with Chris and Mandi

Solo Blues with Lucy: Learn to move with smoothness and control at slower tempos. Squeeze every drop out of those longer notes, and find all those body parts you've been neglecting in your dancing.

Olde Tyme Lindy hoppe with Lucy and Chris: cool moves like Gramma and Grampa used to make, low-down swingouts, swinging kicks, and a whole lotta soul. We stole these moves from the old-timers. If they catch us, we'll all have to do the time.

Swing N Soul with Dan: a fusion of Lindy, WCS, Carolina Shag dancing to Soul and Blues

Lindy hop Goodness with Dan

More people from Alberta have registered than last year!

I'm really excited,
Stephanie

Lindy Bout II: Registration is now OPEN

2008-02-28T11:21:00.001-08:00

Registration is now open for Lindy Bout!
Register Here.

The price goes up after March 15th - in a bit more than two weeks.

The first registrant is from Canmore Alberta! How cool is that? Very cool. It makes me so excited. I'm looking forward to seeing and meeting people from all across Canada at this year's event.

Housing and Match registration will be open soon.

www.lindybout.ca

Charleston

2008-01-29T11:01:00.000-08:00

Please note that the class was postponed we'll be starting on Thursday the 21st.

I'm going to be teaching a solo Charleston class for Jungle Swing on Thursday nights starting February 14th. 8:00pm-9:15pm at 7th Avenue Studios.

More information on the Jungles Swing website.

I'm looking forward to this class! I love dancing with a partner but sometimes dancing without being attached to anyone is what I'm feeling. Solo dancing also helps you gain awareness of your own movement and challenges your creativity.

We're going to be starting from the very basics of the Charleston vocabulary; no solo dance experience is expected.

there's my plug,
stephanie

Memories

2008-01-23T11:07:00.000-08:00

Check it out!
Lindy Bout Round II trailer

Thank you Lucy, David & Aaron!!!

Lindy Bout's a-comin'

2008-01-18T13:12:00.000-08:00

Here's some preliminary info...

MATCHES

This is a Lindy Hop competition to bring it!! Bring your musicality, your partner skills, your flash, your tricks, and your love of this jubilant dance; we want to see it all!

2 Jack & Jills
Flyweight (Fast)
Featherweight (Medium)
Welterweight (Slow)
Inter-Regional (aka Victor-Regional)

!!NEW this year!!
Performance
Partner Blues
Solo Jazz
DJ Battle

SCHEDULE
All events will be at the Legion
(2205 Commercial Drive in sunny Vancouver, BC, Canada)

Friday
20:00: Doors open
21:00: Competitors Meeting
21:30 - 2:00: Preliminary Rounds of matches & DJ competition with dancing to the best music around

Saturday
Daytime: Dance Classes & Match Preliminary Rounds

20:00 - 2:00: Final match rounds possibly some match preliminary rounds & dancing with an incredible live band and DJ

Sunday
Daytime: Dance classes, Awards, Video clip presentation, Brunch party

20:00 - 2:00: Final match round, Partner Blues Match & Dancing with an incredible band and DJ

CONFIRMED PEOPLE

Mark Kihara - Emcee
Dan Amores - Teacher & Judge
Lucy Falkner - Teacher & Judge & Music Coordinator
Mandi Gould - Teacher & Judge
Chris Chapman - Teacher & Judge
Larry Low - DJ
Jungle Swing - Sponsor
The Pinko Swing Collective - Sponsor
Eileen Jones - Volunteer Coordinator
Lisa Marks - Design Master
Birkley Wisniewski - Web Master
Stephanie McKernan - Coordinator
Hayley Newell - Match Coordinator
Joel Schwartz - Video Yoda

Thank you!

2008-01-15T17:46:00.000-08:00

That was an amazing weekend!

Thank you for everyone who came out to the classes! Thank you to Naomi & Peter for coming out & teaching such amazing classes.

Thank you Sarah for hosting Naomi. Thank you Darren for his support & use of his sound equipment. Thank you Lucy for your support & help during the weekend.

Now i'm turning my attention & focus to Lindy Bout - 3 months away!!
I'll be posting developments & news here until the site is ready. Lindy Bout is happening right around my birthday so expect more than just an incredible weekend of dancing.

Class Schedule

2007-12-30T16:13:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone!

I hope your holidays have been wonderful. I'm having a crazy busy time in Toronto with family & friends. It's quite distracting and hard to sit down and get work done for both the weekend with Naomi & Peter as well as Lindy Bout.

I finally have the class schedule confirmed and ready. It is included below.

Remember that the price goes up on New Year's Day to $140 for both days of classes. So If you're interested in getting back to dancing with some new ideas & material drop me a line & drop the cheque in the mail (or paypal me).

I hope everyone has a good time bringing in the New Year & I'll see you soon!

Stephanie

Saturday at EDAM studio (303 East 8th Ave)
12:20-1:20: Fundamentals
1:30 - 2:30: Partnering
(Girls relocate to Broadway Ballroom-1050 West Broadway)
3:00 - 4:00: Boy's Solo Class at EDAM
4:10 - 5:10: Boy's Oh So Necessary at EDAM
-----------------------
3:10 - 4:10: Girl's Solo Class at Broadway Ballroom
4:20 - 5:20: Girl's Oh So Necessary at Broadway Ballroom
(Boys relocate)
5:50 - 6:50: Napoleon Skills at Broadway Ballroom

Sunday at the Legion
12:30 - 1:30: Partnered Charleston
1:45 - 2:45: Cool Lindy Moves
3:00 - 4:00: Slow Dancing

Who are these people?

2007-12-17T13:35:00.001-08:00

Naomi Uyama
Naomi didn't realize swing dancing still existed until one night in late 1997, she attended a dance in her hometown of Washington DC, witnessed her first jam and was instantly hooked. Over the past decade she has taught workshops across the globe, and performed for dance and music legends alike. As a competitor, Naomi can lay claim to numerous champion titles from prestigious national competitions, such as the Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown and the American Lindy Hop Championships. Naomi’s expertise in subtle musicality and focus on following skills are points she loves sharing with dedicated dancers around the world.

Peter Strom
When he is not teaching Lindy Hop, Peter Strom roams the earth personally recommending what music people should listen to. He has been a featured instructor at workshops all over the world from Australia, to Korea, to Sweden, to France and more, as well as all over the States. He has won titles from such competitions as ALHC, NADC, NYLHO, ULHS, and the USOSDC, some of the fanciest acronyms in Lindy Hop. He is also a 2006 Finnish wife-carrying champion (seriously). Specifically, Peter is most passionate about social dancing and its technique, in both Lindy Hop and Finnish wife-carrying, and he is a member of the fancy-footed Silver Shadows Lindy Hop reenactment group. Ask Peter how you can pay him in guacamole.

More Details

2007-12-13T13:01:00.000-08:00

With Lindy hop (and any partner dance) you've got inspiring music, an exciting partner and some basic moves. This weekend of classes and dancing with Naomi and Peter will blend all three elements in a style that Vancouver dancers have never experienced.

Naomi & Peter are two of the best known teachers and dancers in North America. They are both known for their distinctive styles, inspiring musicality, great classes and love of the dance.

These classes are suitable for intermediate & more experienced dancers. Basic moves such as the Swing Out, Tuck Turn & basic Charleston are your close friends.

Lindy hop Fundamentals – What it says. Learn how Naomi & Peter approach Lindy hop and how you can add some of their sweetness to your own dancing.

Lindy hop Partnering – This class will focus on dancing dynamic Lindy hop – not simply leading and following. Dance with your partner, not around them.

Partnered Charleston – Charleston variations and moves.

Outta Sight Lindy Moves – Increase your repertoire and expand your imagination with inventive variations and surprises. Uptight.

Slow Dancing – Sweet as Molasses.

Flyin' Solo girls class with Naomi – A Naomi Charleston routine focusing on a bit of vocabulary and a whole lot of moving like a woman. This class is only for women.

Flyin' Solo boys class with Peter – A Peter Soul routine just for the men with a focus on style, balance, isolations and body movement. This class is only for men.

Oh So Necessary Follow Skills - Only for the women. Taught by Naomi.

Oh So Necessary Lead Skills – Only for the men. Taught by Peter.

Napoleon skills – Just like nunchuck skills and bowhunting skills, these are good skills to have. This class will put together the Oh So Necessary Follow & Lead Skills.

$140 for the whole weekend
Classes will run approximately from 10 - 5:30 on Saturday & 11:00 - 3:00 on Sunday.
Locations will be announced asap.

You can register by dropping Stephanie a line at lady.day.productions@gmail.com or talking to her.
Payment by cheque, cash (only in person) or paypal.

Look Who is Coming to Town!

2007-11-22T10:25:00.000-08:00

Yep, that's Naomi Uyama & Peter Strom!
January 11-13th
Vancouver, BC

We're working on the details but expect registration to open soon.

What a day!

2007-11-19T13:26:00.000-08:00

Thank you everyone who came out to the workshops this weekend! Thank you Sister Kate for a fabulous set of classes for us girls! Thank you Mark, Michael & Léo (from what i hear) for a great day of classes for the boys!

I really enjoyed having classes that focused on moving as a woman and only having girls in the class.

GREAT work everyone who performed in the evening! I had a great time with the Singin' in the Rain routine & I really liked seeing all the boys rocking out. Saturday night was a blast - great music, entertaining performances, fun dancing & exciting energy. Thank you to Darren & Jungle Swing for letting me put together the performances & giving everyone a venue to perform & dance.

Holding and taking workshops with out of town dancers is inspiring in many different ways. As dancers we are pushed to do something different or new. As an organizer it makes me think of what strengths and weaknesses we have as a dance scene. It also inspires me to hold events that will inspire veteran and new dancers to learn more about dance, be it different styles, different dances, the history, the music, moves, techniques or repertoire.

Drop me a line if you have any feedback about this weekend or any ideas about what will keep you dancing. Stay tuned for announcements about upcoming classes, workshops & Lindy Bout news.

Sister Kate & Her Brothers - Update

2007-10-30T11:24:00.000-07:00

The Sister Kate classes are nearly full! These will be excellent classes, as well as a chance to get to know other follows a bit better. Drop me a line to register.

There is still room in the classes with Mark, Dargoff & Léo. Leads do not miss this opportunity to take classes designed specifically for you.

Please note that the prices are now $15 a class or $55 for the whole day.

Sister Kate and Her Brothers

2007-09-27T11:00:00.000-07:00

November 17th in Vancouver, BC
Lady Day is pleased to bring you classes with Sister Kate and her Brothers

Sister Kate

Sister Kate, Seattle’s only performance troupe dedicated to vintage chorus girl dancing, was formed in 2006. With routines inspired by everything from flapper Charleston to vintage burlesque, Sister Kate’s performances keep the spirit alive of the female dancers who preceded us and will always entertain.

Sister Kate’s members include locally, regionally, and nationally-known swing dancers and instructors. Our classes focus on developing strong solo dance skills, feeling comfortable in our skins, capitalizing on our own natural strengths, and most importantly – having fun!

Sister Kate is Sarah Harrison, Madeline Hopkins, Robin Nunnally, Lorraine O'Neal, Eva Robinson and Casey Schneider.

Class Descriptions – all classes are at EDAM Studio 303 East 8th Ave. -

1:45 – 2:45 You Dance like a GIRL! Prettifying your Movement
with Eva and Sarah
Dancing well isn't all about footwork and partnering. You also have to hold yourself well and move in ways that are most attractive to your own body type and desired style. This class will cover posture, creating pleasing shapes with your feet and body, and how to take your place on the floor to get noticed! Wear comfortable clothes because we'll be lying down, and please be barefoot or wear socks.

3:00 – 4:00 Shake it and Break it: Shake Blues with Robin and Sarah
Shake blues finds its origins in West African rhythms and movements in the early 20th century. This class will cover the essentials of dancing solo to vintage blues music. Learn how to use your body to express sultry and slow tempos, as well as moves that help with your blues musicality, while allowing for a variety of individual musical interpretation.

4:15 – 5:15 Hot Licks Charleston: Improvisation and Musicality
with Casey and Madeline
Dancing solo without choreography can be intimidating for even the most experience dancer. After all, you know the moves, but how do you put them together on the spot? Learn to improvise with confidence as Madeline and Casey lead exercises to expand your repertoire while developing musicality, creativity, and thinking on the fly!

5:30 – 6:30 The Cat’s Meow: Singin' in the Rain Choreography
with Lorraine and Madeline
Who can resist Debbie Reynolds jumping out of a cake? Certainly not us, and not you either! This class will cover the first half of the adorable “All I Do” routine, singing and all. Easy and fun, this we’ll prepare you for an optional performance with Sister Kate at the Saturday night Legion dance.

These classes are open to GIRLS only. These classes are meant for Intermediate to Advanced dancers. You should be comfortable with basic solo jazz and Charleston moves.
Classes are $15 each or $55 for all 4.

To register & pay talk to Stephanie or e-mail her at lady.day.productions at gmail.com

Michael ‘Dargoff’ Darigol, Mark Kihara
and Léo Newman
are three of the Pacific northwest’s finest leads.

Michael Darigol, more commonly known in the Lindy Hop community as "Dargoff," has been dancing for nearly five years. He may have started with East Coast Swing, Latin and Ballroom at Eastern Washington University, but the first time he encountered the swing out, he knew he would never look back. Dargoff brings an ever-expanding vocabulary of moves and a seemingly limitless energy to the dance floor.

Although he is known for his crazy Charleston style and variations, his dynamic take on Lindy Hop attracts the eyes of all those around him and has follows lining up to dance with him. Dargoff's energy and style is inspired by anyone and everyone who loves Vintage Jazz Dancing and fueled by amazing jazz composers and arrangers such as Fletcher Henderson and Bix Beiderbecke. When teaching, he focuses on the basic movements, connection and communication that take your social dancing beyond lead and follow into a cooperation of ideas.

When Léo Newman’s sister dragged him kicking and screaming to a swing dance in January of 2003, he vowed that nobody would ever endure such coercion by his hand. Much to his surprise, he found that he actually enjoyed himself. Léo has since gone on to learn a variety of dances, such as Charleston, authentic jazz and tap, and has become an active teacher and DJ. He has travelled to the Herrang Dance Camp in Sweden (the "Mecca of Swing") where he studied with the Harlem Hot Shots as well as the master himself: Frankie Manning.

He was a founding member of Hot Koko, an awardwinning Vancouver swing troupe. Léo is also a fierce competitor who recently placed 1st in the American Showcase Division at the 2006 Pacific Northwest Lindy Hop Championships. As a social dancer and teacher, Léo draws his inspiration from the music, the rhythms of the dance, his partners, and the birthmark on his left shoulder.

Mark Kihara is well known for bringing incredible passion and enthusiasm to his dancing and instruction. Mark shares his joy for swing dancing on the social dance floor, the performance stage, and in all of his classes. Never passive, always energetic, Mark loves swing dancing.

Mark has trained under some of the legends of lindy hop, and danced in over ten countries. He has won or placed in numerous local, regional, and national competitions. Additionally, he has also served as the Master of Ceremonies for various local, national, and international dance events.
Just don’t ask him to sing.

Class Descriptions – all classes are at the Grandview Legion Auditorium, 2205 Commercial Drive -

1:00 – 2:00 & 2:15 – 3:15
Now you has jazz, jazz, jazz...: Jazz Routine part 1 & 2
Léo, Mark, & Michael bring the noise with a solo jazz routine guaranteed to increase your overall sweetness factor with fun rhythms and creative movement. Shoes that slide with a heel are highly recommended for maximum fury.
Two parter class, you need to take part 1 to take part 2.

3:30 – 4:30
Satisfaction Guaranteed: Lead's Forum
Léo, Mark, & Michael are some of the most sought after leads on the social dance floor. Here they will talk about their philosophies of leading and how they make their partners come back for more. Guaranteed to make you more pleasing to the ladies.

4:45 – 5:45
Make Your Own Kind of Music: Lindy Hop Styling
Find your inner kick-ass leading style. Léo, Mark, & Michael will share exercises for how they approach and style their lindy hop differently. Use these individual elements to create your own kind of awesome.

These classes are open to BOYS only. These classes are meant for Intermediate to Advanced dancers. You should be comfortable with basic solo jazz and Charleston moves.
Classes are $15 each or $55 for all 4.

To register & pay talk to Stephanie or e-mail her
lady.day.productions at gmail.com

Be sure not to miss special performances by Sister Kate, Dargoff, Mark, Léo & others at Stomp It Off November 17th!

November 17th - Something for Everyone

2007-09-18T19:54:00.000-07:00

For the Girls
For the Boys

More information by the end of the week.

I Like Buttons

2007-09-14T11:00:00.001-07:00

That's right folks - Lindy Bout Round II is starting to gear up with new colours! Thank you to Lisa for all her wonderful design work.

This here is the button spreading the word far and wide. They will be available next weekend.

If you have any comments about last year, or suggestions for this year or would like to be involved, let me know. Especially if you have web experience.
lindybout at gmail

Save the date!

2007-09-05T10:57:00.000-07:00

November 17th
You'll want to be there - especially if you're a girl.

There will also be something special in January...

Getting Back to Vancouver

2007-08-29T19:48:00.000-07:00

I've come back from a trip to Herräng, Sweden full of ideas for events, dances, workshops, cabarets and more. We'll see how much will come to fruition.

First i'm working on administration details as well as getting used to a semi-regular schedule. Expect some event announcements in the next few weeks!

That's me working at Herräng with Daniel and Lennart.