The Alfred Swing Dance Network

Do you love to Swing Dance? Have you always wanted to learn but never had a partner that was interested? Rochester and Buffalo too far to drive for a dance? To remedy this situation, Graham Marks, Megan Staffel and Nancy Meyers have formed The Alfred Swing Dance Network (ASDN). The first dance will be held on Friday, Sept. 12 in the beautiful restored theatre on the second floor of the Alfred Village Hall, 7 West University St., Alfred, New York. The evening will start with a class for beginners at 7:00 pm and the Dance will start at 8:00 and go till 10:00pm. This event is open to everyone, all ages and all levels of experience. Beginners are especially welcome!

You do not need to know how to dance to attend. The beginning class will be taught by Gloria Betlem and Kent Divers, wonderful dancers, who have a dance studio in S. Lima, NY. This class will introduce the basics so that someone dancing for the first time will learn enough to have fun at the dance. The class is open to all, those with some experience who want a refresher and those who have never danced before.

It is not necessary to have a partner to attend the class or dance. The Alfred Swing Dance Network strives to create a friendly atmosphere, where dancers of different levels feel comfortable mixing and asking others to dance. Most swing dancers like to dance with many different partners in the course of the evening and in the swing dance world, it is common and welcomed, for women to ask men to dance.

Swing is not a single dance, but rather a family of related dances and has evolved into many expressions over the years. This includes Charleston, Lindy Hop, Jitterbug, East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing and Balboa. The introductory class will teach the basics of East Coast Swing, also known as Jitterbug. Graham Marks will DJ, and the musical selections will feature Big Band, Classic swing, Rhythm and Blues, and a variety of tempos.

Dress is casual . Dancers are asked to bring clean, soft-soled, non-marking shoes to protect the dance floor. There are plenty of chairs and it will be easy to change from your street shoes.

In consideration of people with allergies, ASDN asks that dancers please do not use fragrances: perfumes, colognes. aftershaves, etc.

There will be an $8.00 donation for admission. ASDN is run by unpaid volunteers and the admission will go to the cost of renting the hall, hiring teachers, and hopefully to be able to dance to a live band in the future. Please join ASDN at their inaugural dance and bring your friends!

ASDN can be contacted at evalley@frontiernet.net or call 607-478-8178

Contact: Graham Marks : evalley@frontiernet.net Tel. 607-478-8178