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LOS ANGELES SWING DANCE CLUB, INC. (LASDC)
Bi-Monthly Newsletter JULY/AUG. 2016 (Volume 46-Number 3)
Website: www.laswingdanceclub.com Club founded in 1970
Visit & “like”: www.facebook.com /LASwingDanceClub
Mailing Address: P. O. Box 2415, Huntington Beach, CA 92647-2415
If you do not receive Newsletter as requested, by U. S. Mail or Email, please contact Fran Tassin,
Newsletter Editor. The L.A.S.D.C. Newsletter is prepared every other month and is distributed at beginning of:
January/February – March/April – May/June – July/August – September/October – November/December
JOIN L.A.S.D.C. TODAY – RECEIVE SPECIAL BENEFITS AS MEMBERS
Save $56 per year in admission fees: 28 Sunday dances x $6 fee for members vs. $8 fee for non-
members…Free entry for members at ‘end of summer party’ in August…Special $25 membership
drawing at all Sunday dances…Free entry at our Sunday Christmas party…Application attached.
Los Angeles Swing Dance Club’s 46th
Anniversary
Dinner Dance will be held SUNDAY, July 31, 2016,
Crystal Room, Golden Sails Hotel - Doors Open 5 p.m.
See flyer enclosed.
(No dancing in lounge this 5th Sunday in July)
JULY 4TH
CELEBRATION to be held
Sunday, July 3rd
in Lounge. Dancing to
Band ‘SwingShift’…Yearly celebratory
PARADE showing our loyalty to the red,
white and blue…wear patriotic colors
and/or uniforms if they still fit,
etc.…flags provided by L.A.S.D.C.
FREE ADMISSION TO MEMBERS: END OF SUMMER CELEBRATION
SUNDAY, AUGUST 21ST
AT OUR REGULAR SUNDAY DANCE.
FOOD, DANCING, FUN, FUN, FUN.
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L.A.S.D.C. BOARD MEMBERS @ January 2016
President Bill Parker (562) 927-7575 [email protected]
Vice President Nancy Taylor (310) 837-9501 [email protected]
Secretary Carol Camasta (714) 840-2983 [email protected]
Treasurer Jim Allen (714)894-6822 [email protected]
Entertainment Director Barbara Wallace (562) 597-1345 [email protected]
Ways & Means Martine Whitford (562) 426-4338 [email protected]
Newsletter Editor Fran Tassin (714) 826-6712 [email protected]
Membership Chairperson Karen Smith (714) 403-2125 [email protected]
Historian: Colleen Johnson (562) 694-4951
Webmaster: Larry Kroeze Dance Teacher: Terra Jakobsen assisted by Kent Jakobsen
Please support Los Angeles Swing Dance Club bi-monthly newsletter. We have 300 members
who share an enthusiasm for West Coast Swing Dancing. Our members are interested in
dancing items, businesses, services, real estate, food, etc. The new, reduced rates are:
Full Page $30, One-half Page $25, One quarter page $20, and Business card $10.
To advertise in our Newsletter, please email notification and/or ready to print copy to
Newsletter Editor: [email protected] or call (714) 826-6712
NEWSLETTER DELIVERY by U.S. MAIL vs. EMAIL
We will continue to send the Newsletter by U.S. MAIL but are asking our members to “opt-out” and help
save $$$ (and trees) by requesting your bi-monthly Newsletter by email. The Benefits: your email Newsletter
will be in color, you’ll receive it faster, and it will help us defray postage costs. Please contact your Newsletter
Editor at [email protected] or call (714) 826-6712. Thank you.
L.A.S.D.C. FACEBOOK AND WEBSITE
Please view our Website for current activities. Our Website, Los Angeles Swing Dance Club, is
updated regularly by our Webmaster, Larry Kroeze. Current posts include photos, special events, places to
dance, videos and our current Newsletter.
Also, please “like” us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/LASwingDanceClub for latest news. To sign
up for a new Facebook account, enter your name, birthday, gender and email address into the form on
www.facebook.com. Then pick a password. After you complete the sign up form, they will send you an email.
Just click the confirmation link to complete the sign up process. Now all you need to do is search for the
LosAngelesSwingDanceClub and click on the LIKE button. You will then be notified automatically when we
post something to Facebook. You can also post pictures or news to our Facebook account.
COMPLAINTS
If you have any complaints regarding our dance club,
you must present them in person at the club board meetings.
The board meetings are held at 1:30 p.m. on the first Sunday of each month at the club site.
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HERE COMES DE’ JUDGE
Many of today’s fine young competition dancers
view the rare film of old-time swing dance contests
and wonder: “What in the hell were these people
doing? The footwork is primitive, and what are all
those aerials about?”
It was fifty/sixty years ago! Yes, the footwork was
basic; west coast swing was in its infancy.
Footwork was something one experimented with
while social dancing, but it wasn’t critical in
competition dancing at the time. The emphasis was
on “flash”.
The competition partners of the 40’s and 50’s
created their own steps and routines and fought over
every move with homicidal intensity. They danced
as partners; the Jack and Jill concept was still down
the road. Had they been asked to define
choreography they might have replied: “I dunno’, is
that the stuff in grass?” They danced in street shoes.
They were harder-edged. It was a time before
conventions, centerpieces, and valet parking. The
couples competed for twenty, ten and five in grubby
little clubs that were little more than upholstered
sewers—this was dance noir.
Today’s young competition dancer is more
focused on excellent in their art. They must, for
they are judged on the merit of their skills by
professional dancers trained in the art of judging.
Fifty years ago it was quite common for three
drunks at the bar to judge a contest. The owner
wanted to involve the customers and this is why it
was so important to show flash. Many fine dancers
of the era “danced down” in contests because the
bar audience could not recognize good dancing. It
was better to be fast than good.
Dance routines generally consisted of an opposite-
side entrance, aerials including: hip-rolls,
Dutchman, airplane spin, floor sweeps, rollovers,
pullthroughs, and waterfall. The routine would be
bridged with a “side-by-side”, the most common: a
homemade variation of a “Savoy kick.” All Night
Long and Big Boy were popular bat-out-of-hell
contest songs. The dancers were at the mercy of
house bands that vanished during breaks, and
frequently reappeared (or not) pharmaceutically
refreshed. This was before DJ’s.
Today, competition dancers are trained; they are
good dancers. Their routines are professionally
choreographed featuring new and exciting “tricks.”
The transitions are seamless, with music specially
edited for the routine. But, transport all of this
talent, training, and professionalism back to the 50’s
to a murky license-to-serve toilet with ruts in the
dance floor where one could easily lose a shoe.
How would those three bleary-eyed dipsomaniacs
judge these best of the now generation dancers?
They still wouldn’t have a clue. First place would
go to the last dancer who bought them a bag of Beer
Nuts.
Bert Anderson [email protected]
PAUL RUBENSTEIN was featured on May 27
th in
the Orange County
Register’s story of
Hiroshima.
Paul states: It’s true, I’m a
veteran, but I’m not a hero,
and I don’t proclaim to be a
hero. I just went wherever
they sent me and did whatever they told me to do. I
was a survivor, not a hero. I came home when the
war was over; the real heroes never came home. All
gave some-some gave all. War can’t be described, it
must be experienced.
Paul Rubenstein, 1st Ballaion
6th
Marines, 2nd
Marine Division.
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Our annual General Membership Meeting
will be held at 2:45 p.m. at our regular Sunday
dance on Sunday, August 24, 2016.
Per our LASDC By-Laws, this meeting is
held yearly and always open to all.
The meeting will be in the Lounge at the
Golden Sails Hotel, Long Beach. Your presence is
requested.
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A Swiss Miss and Danny Darryl
In a little village outside of Zurich, there lives a Swiss
Miss named Melanie Stocker-Bucher. She is an
attractive young woman who has influenced the world of
dance in Boogie Woogie and West Coast Swing. In
Boogie Woogie, Melanie was five time Swiss champion,
four time European champion and three time World
champion. After winning so many titles and
championships in Boogie Woogie and teaching Boogie
Woogie, she decided to expand her knowledge and
teaching skills in dance to something new. She fell in
love with West Coast Swing and wanted to learn and
teach this fabulous dance. She did her research and came
to the United States to study with the best, Buddy
Schwimmer, and this is where our story begins of the
Swiss Miss and Danny Darryl.
It was while she was studying with Buddy that I first
met Melanie. Over the next several years she went
between Switzerland and California to learn more about
West Coast Swing. She has taught from San Francisco to
Moscow. She was the first person to bring the most
highly decorated West Coast Swing Classic dance team
of Jordan Frisbee and Tatiana Mollmann to Europe.
Melanie was frequently referred to as the Queen of West
Coast Swing throughout Europe and Russia. She has
coached and encouraged many European and Russian
dancers to come and compete at the U. S. Open, the
“Olympics” of Swing Dancing.
We now turn to Danny Darryl, who is 95 years young
and a longtime member and supporter of the LA Swing
Dance Club. He tells me his goal in life is to live to be
100 years young. His body may not be as strong as it
was in his youth but his mind is still sharp as a tack. He
is well versed on many subjects. During his many years
of dance, he taught and managed Arthur Murray Dance
Studios throughout the United States. His favorite dance
is the American Tango, surprise surprise!
Danny was first exposed to West Coast Swing in 1956
and liked it because, as he says, “it doesn’t take a lot of
space, stays in a slot and is not circular like East Coast
Swing.”
Danny and Melanie first met at LA Swing Club when I
took Melanie to Golden Sails for a club dance. From
their first dance there was an instant connection. Melanie
told me that Danny was the epitome of using body lead.
She marveled at how he was able to put the follower
anywhere he wanted. He did not have to use a lot of
steps or pull and jerk. Less was more.
Melanie told me that she uses Danny Darryl as an
example in teaching the men how to lead. She says,
“Steps are not so important as long as you can bring the
follow to where you want her and the direction you want
her to go.” She tells her students about this man, Danny
Darryl, who at that time was well into his 80’s and still a
superior leader on the dance floor. Danny is one in a
million and will always be one of my favorite dance
partners. He is known by name throughout Europe and
Russia because of Melanie, a Special Swiss Miss.
West Coast Swing is danced throughout the world
substantially because of Melanie’s teachings and what
Danny’s tired legs could still do. They have proven that
the Power of One does exist. Send a card to Danny or
visit him and an email to Melanie thanking them for
spreading our special dance to the world. It is hard to
believe that a dance created in California, by a few
dedicated street dancers, could become the official state
dance of California and end up being danced across the
oceans and continents. Be proud to be a member of the
first West Coast Swing Dance Club and thank the old-
timers for their creativity and passion to this dance.
P.S. Melanie is a dear friend and because of her I have
gone to several WCS events in Switzerland and will be
going to Slovenia and Milan in October for WCS events.
A few of our club members are also attending. Contact
me if you are interested.
Author: Joanne Harrold
Melanie Stocker-Bucher
www.melaniestocker.com
Danny Darryl
714-547-7091
Advanced Rehab of Tustin
2210 E. 1st St., Santa Ana, CA 92705
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J O I N L.A.S.D.C. T O D A Y
NEW & RENEWAL MEMBER APPLICATION – Please return this application to address at bottom with payment
FULL NAME______________________________________________ Member No.________________________
Home Address_____________________________________________ City_____________________Zip_______
PLEASE SELECT U.S.MAIL OR EMAIL FOR DELIVERY OF NEWSLETTER NEWSLETTER: U.S.Mail (yes__no__) or Email (yes__no__) Email address:_____________________________
PHONE NUMBER__________________________BIRTH MONTH__________________ DAY_____________
COUPLES WITH SAME ADDRESS RECEIVE ONE (1) NEWSLETTER
FULL NAME______________________________________________ Member No.________________________
Home Address_____________________________________________ City_____________________Zip_______
AMOUNT ENCLOSED $_______ Check ( ) Cash ( ) Please mail to address at bottom
DUES Jan. thru Dec. – Singles $25, Couples $40; July thru Dec. – Singles $20, Couples $30
LASDC Bi-Monthly Newsletter sent to members (also available on our Website)
SPECIAL MEMBER BENEFITS: Discount on Admission, Special Drawings for members
Sunday Dance Admission: Members $6 and Non-Members $8
(In Case of Emergency, Contact:__________________________________Phone #_________________)
LOS ANGELES SWING DANCE CLUB – P. O. Box 2415, Huntington Beach, CA 92647-2415
www.laswingdanceclub.com Visit & “like” facebook.com/LASwingDanceClub
(April 2016)
JULY BIRTHDAYS
1 Karen Romano
Daniel Schwartz
4 Annette Bynon
6 Carol Camasta
7 Glenn Syrop
8 Chickee Arisohn – Jennie Magdaleno
9 Joseph Pittarelli
10 Robert Travis
12 Laura Peterson – Karen Smith
15 Sandra Allbee
16 Jackie Crowley
20 LeRoy Pendray
21 Shirley Smith
22 Frank DeSarro – Larry Kroeze
24 Tom Boots
26 Fred Baron – Dee Cheston
27 Karma Haltom
28 Joanne Harrold
29 Richard Voltmer
AUGUST BIRTHDAYS
3 Walter Furfey
4 Barbara Dyer
5 Don Estep
9 Salvador Gomez
17 Benita Combs
18 Mejchahl Blackburn – Barbara Wallace
19 Lucia Duffield
20 Lucy Frint
21 Lucy Bravo – Joy Lang
22 Jerry Jacques
23 Michael Lucas
25 Jacquie Watson
26 Stella Cabral – Judy Wilson
29 Bill Parker – Happy Birthday Prez
Our sincerest apologies for not acknowledging Bob
Lanier’s birthday on May 1st and Linda Davis’s
birthday on June 1st. Happy Belated Birthday.
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HAPPENINGS
Are you interested in a cruise? Joe Picconi looking
for interested people for a cruise in Oct./Nov….Jay
n JJ love our band Swingshift…the following
enjoyed marvelous, enjoyable vacations: Tammy –
London and France and Chuck Manzetti very
interesting vacation to South America…thanks
again to Vicki Haywood for delicious cupcakes in
May…Jerry and Jackie Cobb – miss you…5th
Sunday Guest Band: COVER STORY
was great..played sounds of band “Asia”…Blues
Brothers... Chicago….Michael McNeal had foot
surgery but he still came to enjoy
L.A.S.D.C….enjoyed SwingShift first Sunday in
June - great saxophonist, Adrian Capias, filled in
for Pat– used to play with Boz Scaags…thank you
Linda for filling in while Terra is on vacation…
SUNSHINE wishes to: Bill Maloof…Molly
Prager… Flip Phillips… Arnold Aguilar….Fran
Kucha…Romero Mendoza…
CONDOLENCES to Jean Rosano whose niece
passed away recently…to Evelyn Bernstein whose
daughter Sharon Bernstein died after a battle with
pancreatic cancer…
Places to dance
Sundays 1st, 3
rd, & 5
th - LASDC, Great
Western Golden Sails, 6285 E. Pacific Coast
Hwy, Long Beach. Dancing to a Live Band 3:00
- 6:30 p.m. (Dance lessons 2 - 3 p.m. included with
paid admission) www.laswingdanceclub.com
Visit & “Like” Facebook.com/Los Angeles Swing
Dance Club Sundays - SDSDC, 3 p.m. El Cajon - Elks
Lodge - 1400 East Washington Av. (619) 444-1812, or
(858) 274-6422 - www.elks.org
Tuesdays - DSDC 7pm Pavilion Dance Studio,
401 S. Pavilion Way, Palm Springs 92262 (760) 323-
8272
Fridays-Press Box, 8p.m.-12 Westminster
Bob Brewer www.thepressboxdance.com
Saturday - 2nd
Sat. each month – Starting Gate,
Los Alamitos, 5052 Katella Ave.,
1-4:30 p.m. Music by Don Estep
[email protected]
Sundays - OCWCSDC, The Clubhouse 6pm -12
Jumpin' Jack Smith - 733 Dunn Way • Placentia, CA
714-528-8331 - .theclubhousedancestudio.com
Las Vegas - for dancing events, call Lynn
Martinez (702) 239-2268 or Ron Meyer (702) 283-1491
or Lila & John Roberts 310-986-5983
David & Susan from
‘The Valley’ – enjoyed
themselves. They said
it has been 15 years since
their last visit. Come back
again, soon. p.s. they have
come back since…
ABBE FESSENDEN writes:
Dear Members:
Many thanks to the willing members who let me
share their profiles with other Club members over
the past year and a half. Because of the 120 mile
drive I make to join you in dancing at the Club, I
am reluctantly ceasing writing for the Bulletin. The
ever-increasing traffic has become a real chore and I
don’t anticipate it getting any better. I’ll still be in
your midst occasionally but only to dance. Again,
thanks to the members who said “yes” when I asked
for participation for the Profile articles. You have
given me much joy and satisfaction.
Editor’s Note: Abbe, thank you so much for your
time and very warm and professional articles on
our members. We will miss your input.
ANYBODY interested in this fun position?
Please contact Fran Tassin, Newsletter Editor
GENE MADAY Our condolences to the family of
Gene Maday. His son, Brian,
reported that his crossing over was
peaceful and in his own room,
surrounded by his family, which is
the way Gene wanted it. Gene also
said his dad told him to use his
contacts list from his email to send
out a notification. You can reply to
Brian at [email protected] .
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YOU ARE INVITED
LOS ANGELES SWING DANCE CLUB
46TH
ANNIVERSARY DINNER DANCE
CRYSTAL BALLROOM, GOLDEN SAILS HOTEL
SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2016 TICKETS $40
Dinner Dance - Doors Open 5 p.m.
DRESS TO IMPRESS
West Coast Swing Dancing with
BAND “RAY & THE IDOLS” 6 – 10 p.m.
CRYSTAL ROOM, GOLDEN SAILS HOTEL
6285 Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach 90803
Dinner 6:30 p.m. – Petite Filet Steak and Salmon
For more information ask any board member
or call Carol Camasta (714) 222-0171
or call Karen Smith (714) 403-2125
CURRENT HOTEL ROOM RATES (Subject to change without notice)
Number of Guests Type of Bed Room Rate
1 with Breakfast King $95.00 + 12% room tax
2 with Breakfasts King $95.00 + 12% room tax
1 or 2 with Breakfast 2 Queens $102.30 + 12% room tax
3 to 4 with Breakfast 2 Queens $108.90 + 12% room tax
(Ask about discount for ‘over 55’)
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WEST COAST SWING DANCING - ALWAYS A LIVE BAND
Sun., July 3rd Sun., July 17 Sun. July 31st – 5 pm 46th Anniversary Dance
Sun., Aug. 7th Sun., August 21st
West Coast Swing dancing, every 1st, 3
rd, & 5
th Sunday of each month from 3 – 6:30 p.m.
Location: P.C.H. Lounge at Best Western Golden Sails Hotel, 6285 E. Pacific Coast Highway,
Long Beach, CA. 90803. West Coast Swing Dance Lessons at 2 p.m. are included in the price
of admission: Members $6 and Non-members $8; lowest price in town with a
LIVE BAND!! See our Website: www.laswingdanceclub.com, or call Bill (562) 927-7575
and/or “Like” us at www.facebook.com/LASwingDanceClub
HAVE YOU RENEWED YOUR MEMBERSHIP? IF NOT, DO IT NOW! DON’T MISS OUT ON: DISCOUNT PRICE AT DOOR, SPECIAL DRAWINGS FOR MEMBERS.
BI-MONTHLY NEWSLETTER ON WEBSITE AND/OR MAILED TO MEMBERS
L.A.SWING DANCE CLUB, INC.
P.O. Box 2415, H.B., Ca. 92647-2415
ADDRESS-CORRECTION REQUESTED
RETURN POSTAGE GUARANTEED
