8th ANNUAL YEAR'S ENDING DANCE CONTEST

STRUT YOUR STUFF

A DECADE OF MEMORIES

DAZZLE OUR AUDIENCE

OUR LARGEST FIELD TO DATE

HIGH FLYING AERIAL ACTION

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITORS

8th ANNUAL SWING REMIX DANCE CONTEST

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS!

1st PLACE Akemi kinukawa & Ari Silburt
2nd PLACE Hussain Jaffery  & Nicole Zuckerman   
3rd PLACE Ellie Sato & Tim Abrahamsen 

LOOK OUT FOR OUR RECAP coming soon!

 

SATURDAY DECEMBER 7th, 2019 is The 8th Annual Year’s End Dance Contest & Party where we crown The SWING REMIX Dance Champions of 2019. Winners receive currently over $1,500 in PRIZES & CASH. Prizes include Gift Certificates to Local Restaurants, Special Events & Dance Camps, Swing Remix T-Shirts, Dance Shoes & Accessories, and 6 months of FREE entry to the Swing Remix.

RULES & WHAT TO EXPECT

  1. You must enter with a partner.
  2. Contestants will have several rounds to dance to at the Prelims. Judges will Tap out dance couples as the rounds go by.
  3. The Final Round will include a “Spot Light Jams” , where each Finalist couple will get the floor to solo for several phrases of music.
  4. “Anything Goes” during the Spot Light rounds.
  5. We encourage a diverse selection of Dance Styles.

PRELIMS & FINALS

We plan to run the Preliminary Rounds starting at 10:30pm. Please sign up at the volunteer desk by 9:40pm to ensure you will be included in contest. Preliminary Rounds begin during the Second Band Break (at 10:30pm). We recommend you arrive early to sign up for the contest! The FINAL ROUND will be held at approx 11:00pm and LIVE to the BAND!

COST TO ENTER

$10 Per Couple – Entrance fee for this competition. You may sign up the night of this event. Please SHOW UP BY 9:30pm to insure your inclusion.

JUDGING

We have distinguished Judges on our panel for this Contest (See Further Below). They will be judging based on the following 3 criteria:

  1. Musicality and Improvisation
  2. Skill and Technique (Related to: The Lindy Hop, Collegiate Shag, Balboa and/or Vernacular Jazz Dances. Extra points may be awarded to those that demonstrate a multitude of styles.)
  3. Entertainment Value (Audience Reaction)

THE PRIZES (Current value $1,500)

FREE TICKETS TO:


Swing Remix Dance Spectacular @ The JCC in Manhattan
VALUE $200
6 Months of FREE ENTRY to our dance parties
from JANUARY – JUNE 2020
www.swingremix.com


The Boston Tea Party MARCH 20-22, 2020 CONFIRMED
VALUE $340
Top Couple will receive Swing Passes to The Boston Tea Party that takes place March 20-22, 2020 at the Boston Newton Marriott Hotel. The Boston Tea Party is a four day celebration that includes 80 swing dance workshops taught by over 50 of the world’s top instructors in all levels of swing dance.
teapartyswings.com


Lincoln Center’s Midsummer Night Swing 2020 Season CONFIRMED
VALUE $240
Top Two Couples will receive Swing Passes to Midsummer Night Swing, New York City’s hottest outdoor dance party presented by Lincoln Center.
MidsummerNightSwing.org

THE SALON: New Year’s Eve Eve CONFIRMED
(doors at 7:30 / ends at 1am) 21+ (ID required) get tickets and more info at prohibitionproductions.com VALUE $100
Top Winning Couple will receive Passes to this swanky affair. More details coming


Swing 46 Jazz Club on 46th Street (8th/9th ave)
VALUE $200
Swing46.com

PRODUCTS / SERVICES:

ARIS ALLEN SHOES | DanceStore.com
Winning Dance Couple will receive Gift Certificates good for TWO PAIRS of ARIS ALLEN SHOES
VALUE $200
Aris Allen


SWING REMIX T-SHIRTS (PENDING – Based on Stock Available)
We are pleased to include T-Shirts for the winning couple. Note that our stock is running low so our
VALUE $40
tiptopshoes.com


Wollman Rink in Central Park
Winning couple will receive Admission for a Group of friends (includes Skate Rental) to WOLLMAN RINK in Central Park. This beautiful rink located in the southern edge of Central Park features public skating hours, a skating school, hockey and more.
$150 VALUE (based on adult admission & skate rental fees for group of 5)
wollmanskatingrink.com


Tip Top Shoes
Tip Top Shoes 155 W 72nd Street New York, NY 10023 (212) 787 4960
Winning Dance Couple will receive Gift Certificates good for products of Tip Top Shoes along with CASH.
VALUE $200
tiptopshoes.com

           
Lindy Hop All-Stars Designer sneaker bag
Our First Place Contest winners receive these playful shoe bags styled as a vintage canvas Sneaker. These bags are the first of a line of products sold under the Lindy Hop All-Stars brand. These are available for sale at all of our dance parties.
provided by LindyHopAllStars.com/shop
$60.00 VALUE

CONTEST MASTER OF CEREMONIES

Roddy Caravella

Brooklyn born Roddy Caravella is Charleston Charlie. He has been teaching and performing social jazz dances for the past 20 years. Trained under world-renowned dance greats, such as Frankie Manning and Sandra Cameron, Roddy is a choreographer who specializes in many early jazz dances. Known not just for the historical authenticity of his dancing, Roddy has a reputation for meticulous attention to accurate period attire. Mr. Caravella and his ensemble, The Canarsie Wobblers, regularly perform dances of the 1920’s with Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra. In fact, the group was born at the inception of the Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governor’s Island. Roddy is also a member of the Lindy Hopper All-Stars.

Mr. Caravella’s dance career has brought him all over the United States and abroad where he has performed in TV specials with Tony Bennett, three seasons of a stage tour with Swing Dance America, the show Swing on Ice in Hong Kong, Lincoln Center’s Midsummer Night’s Swing, a PBS Veteran’s Day special aboard the USS Intrepid, Sleigh Bells Swing on Broadway at the Edison Ballroom with the George Gee Orchestra, and the presidential inaugural show Let Freedom Swing at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC with Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.

THE JUDGES

CARLA CROWEN (FKA Carla Heiney)

Carla Crowen (FKA Carla Heiney) has been teaching Lindy Hop and other forms of Vintage swing dancing for over 15 years. She lays claim to some of the most prestigious competition titles including American Lindy Hop Champion, US Open Lindy Hop Champion, World Lindy Hop Champion, and International Lindy Hop Champion. She has also choreographed for the well-known and well-loved hit dance show, “So You Think You Can Dance.” In 2011 Carla was creative director for a new hit dance show featuring several full-sized orchestras and professional dancers entitled “Let’s Dance” which toured parts of the US and Canada. She has traveled all over the world teaching dance including numerous times at the infamous Herrang Dance Camp in Sweden. She has performed on the prestigious stages of Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. Social dancing and teaching are passions for Carla and she thinks that learning to dance is something everyone is capable of doing. She has an amazing ability to communicate movement and partnering in her teaching. Her dancing is grounded in technique and improvisation which coincides with the jazz music she loves to dance to. Carla is an avid fan of having fun while learning and not taking yourself too seriously. Carla relocated to Pennsylvania and has been working hard on creating a new, up and coming swing dance community there. If you are ever in the Central PA area, go visit them at www.LindyCentral.com.

  • 2005 World Lindy Hop Championships – Freestyle Division – 1st place
  • 2005 American Lindy Hop Championships – Champions Jack & Jill – 1st place
  • 2005 Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown – Champions Jack & Jill – 1st Place
  • 2005 Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown – Slow Tempo Division- 2nd Place
  • 2005 Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown – Medium Tempo Division- 3rd Place
  • 2005 National Jitterbug Championships – Pro Jack & Jill – 3rd place
  • 2004 US Open Swing Dance Championships – Lindy Showcase – 1st place
  • 2004 US Open Swing Dance Championships – Strictly Swing Team Battle – 1st place
  • 2004 Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown – Team Division – 1st Place
  • 2004 National Jitterbug Championships – Pro Jack & Jill – 1st place
  • 2003 US Open Swing Dance Championships – Strictly Swing Challenge – 1st place
  • 2003 US Open Swing Dance Championships – Strictly Lindy – 1st place
  • 2003 North Atlantic Dance Championships – Lindy Showcase – 1st place
  • 2002 US Open Swing Dance Championships – Lindy Showcase – 1st place
  • 2002 American Lindy Hop Champion – American Showcase – 1st place
  • 2002 North Atlantic Dance Championships – Lindy Showcase – 1st place
  • 2001 US Open Swing Dance Championships – Lindy Showcase – 1st place
  • 2001 American Lindy Hop Champion – American Showcase – 1st place
  • 2001 Virginia State Open
    • Open Showcase Lindy Hop – 1st place
    • Open Showcase Hollywood – 1st place
    • Open Showcase Jitterbug – 1st place
    • Open Classic Lindy Hop – 1st place
    • Open Classic Hollywood – 1st place
    • Overall Showcase – 1st place
    • Overall Classic – 1st place
    • (set new record for Virginia State Open by winning both overall showcase and overall classic dance divisions for a second time)
  • 2000 US Open Swing Dance Championships – Team Division – 1st place
  • 2000 American Lindy Hop Championships – Team Division – 1st place
  • 2000 North Atlantic Dance Championships – Open Showcase – 1st place
  • 1999 American Lindy Hop American Showcase – 1st place
  • 1999 Virginia State Open
    • Open Showcase Lindy Hop – 1st place
    • Open Classic Lindy Hop – 1st place
    • Open Classic Jitterbug – 1st place
    • Overall Showcase – 1st place
    • Overall Classic – 1st place
    • (set new record for Virginia State Open by winning both overall showcase and overall classic dance divisions)
  • 1998 Virginia State Open – Open Showcase Jitterbug – 1st place

Todd Yannacone

Todd Yannacone has taught Lindy Hop, Balboa, Shag, Charleston, Vernacular Jazz, and other jazz era dances both nationally and abroad since he was 16. His love and appreciation for various forms of swing dancing allows him to bring innovative versatility to the dance floor while simultaneously respecting the roots of each dance. He has been honored for his contributions by being inducted into both the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame and the Camp Hollywood Hall of Fame. He holds countless titles from such prominent competitions as – The International Lindy Hop Championships, The European Swing Dance Championships, The American Lindy Hop Championships, The U.S. Open Swing Dance Championships, The National Jitterbug Championships, The Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown, Lone Star Championships – to name a few. Todd has been interviewed for Swing Dancer Magazine, “The Track” podcast, and various other publications. His demand as an instructor, performer, and judge has taken him to hundreds of festivals spanning 32 countries and five continents. He specializes in connection and musicality, which is apparent every time he steps on the dance floor. He has worked with dance and music legends alike – from Frankie Manning to Aretha Franklin – and is a member of the acclaimed dance troupe, the Silver Shadows. 
 

 
​”Todd’s creativity in dance is a reflection of the music he dances to, pushing his own artistic boundaries with a knowledge of dance that spans over 20 years. From the fastest songs of the swing era, to slowest of grooves, few dancers can rise above the ranks of Lindy, Swing, Balboa or Shag and just simply become dancers, and no other person fits this description better than Todd Yannacone.”
– Jazz Dance Historian, Peter Loggins
 

Awards
1st Open Balboa, National Jitterbug Championships 2018
1st Invitational J&J, Lone Star Championships 2017
1st Pro-Am, International Lindy Hop Championships 2017
1st Invitational J&J, Fog City Stomp 2016
​1st Balboa Strictly, International Lindy Hop Championships 2016
1st Invitational J&J, Lone Star Championships 2016
1st Invitational Strictly, International Lindy Hop Championships 2015
1st Pro Classic, International Lindy Hop Championships 2014
1st Invitational J&J, Lone Star Championships 2014
1st Balboa Strictly, International Lindy Hop Championships 2013
1st Invitational J&J, Midwest Lindyfest 2013
1st Pro Classic, International Lindy Hop Championships 2012
1st Invitational J&J, Lindy Focus 2011
1st Invitational J&J, International Lindy Hop Championships 2011
1st Invitational J&J, International Lindy Hop Championships 2010
1st Invitational J&J, Midwest Lindyfest 2010
1st Invitational All Star J&J, Lone Star Championships 2010
1st Pro Strictly, Lindy On The Rocks 2010
1st Revolution (Medium), Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown 2008
1st Strictly Lindy, US Open Championships 2007
1st Partnered Charleston, Rhythmic Arts Festival 2007
1st Strictly Lindy, US Open Championships 2006
1st Strictly Swing Couples, US Open Championships 2006
1st Strictly Swing Team Challenge, US Open Championships 2006
1st American Showcase, American Lindy Hop Championships 2006
1st Team, American Lindy Hop Championships 2006
1st Freedom (Slow), Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown 2006
1st Balboa, Rhythmic Arts Festival 2006
1st Strictly Lindy, US Open Championships 2005
1st American Showcase, American Lindy Hop Championships 2005
1st Lindy Hop, Rhythmic Arts Festival 2005
​1st Liberation (Fast), Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown 2005
1st Team, Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown 2005
1st Mid Tempo, Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown 2005
1st Lindy Hop, Rhythmic Arts Festival 2004
1st Champions Strictly, Sizzlin’ Lindy Slam 2003
1st Freedom (Slow), Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown 2002
1st Place, Golden Gate Lindy Championships 2002
1st Teen Lindy, National Jitterbug Championships 2002
1st J&J, Frankie 88 2002
1st Lindy Hop Open, Frankie 88 2002
1st Junior, American Lindy Hop Championships 2002
1st J&J, Jitterbug Jam 2002

2nd Invitational Draw, Lone Star Championships 2019
​2nd Wild Card Classic, California Balboa Classic 2019
​2nd Invitational J&J, Lone Star Championships 2015
2nd Pro Showcase, International Lindy Hop Championships 2014
2nd Balboa J&J, International Lindy Hop Championships 2014
2nd Pro Classic, International Lindy Hop Championships 2013
2nd Invitational Strictly, Lone Star Championships 2012
2nd All Star Strictly, Lone Star Championships 2010
2nd Balboa Classic, American Classic Balboa Championships 2009
2nd Couples Blues, Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown 2009
2nd Invitational J&J, International Lindy Hop Championships 2008
2nd Freedom (Slow), Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown 2008
2nd Champions Strictly, American Lindy Hop Championships 2007
2nd Champions J&J, American Lindy Hop Championships 2007
2nd American Showcase, American Lindy Hop Championships 2007
2nd Team, American Lindy Hop Championships 2007
2nd Liberation (Fast), Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown 2006
2nd Revolution (Medium), Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown 2006
2nd Performance, Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown 2006
2nd Champions J&J, Reno Dance Sensation 2006
2nd Showcase, Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown 2005
2nd place Liberation (Fast), Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown 2004
2nd Champions Strictly, North Atlantic Dance Championships 2004
2nd Golden Skillet, Sizzlin’ Lindy Slam 2003
2nd J&J Pro, National Jitterbug Championships 2002
2nd Champion’s Forum, Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown 2002
2nd Classic, American Lindy Hop Championships 2002
2nd Power to the People (All Tempo), Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown 2002
2nd Strictly Lindy, Boogie by the Bay 2002
2nd J&J, Broadway Studios Grand Finale Jack & Jill 2002

3rd Balboa Strictly, International Lindy Hop Championships 2018
​3rd Invitational Strictly, Lone Star Championships 2015
3rd Pro Classic, International Lindy Hop Championships 2015
3rd Strictly Balboa, International Lindy Hop Championships 2015
3rd Balboa Strictly, International Lindy Hop Championships 2014
3rd Invitational Strictly, Lone Star Championships 2014
3rd Pro Showcase, International Lindy Hop Championships 2013
3rd Slow Dance, International Lindy Hop Championships 2013
3rd Invitational J&J, European Swing Dance Championships 2011
3rd Strictly Blues, European Swing Dance Championships 2011
3rd Invitational Strictly, Lone Star Championships 2011
3rd Strictly Balboa, International Lindy Hop Championships 2010
3rd J&J, Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown 2009
3rd Balboa Strictly, International Lindy Hop Championships 2009
3rd J&J, Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown 2008
3rd Freedom (Slow), Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown 2007
3rd Lindy, Rhythmic Arts Festival 2007
3rd Champions J&J, Camp Jitterbug 2006
3rd Freedom (Slow), Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown 2004
3rd Strictly Lindy, Reno Dance Sensation 2004
3rd Balboa, National Jitterbug Championships 2003
3rd Strictly Lindy, Boogie by the Bay 2003
3rd Lindy Hop, Triple Crown Championships 2003
3rd J&J, Triple Crown Championships 2003
3rd Slow Swing, Triple Crown Championships 2003
3rd Champions Strictly, North Atlantic Dance Championships 2002
3rd Place, Golden Gate Blues Championships 2002
3rd Jack & Jack, American Lindy Hop Championships 2002
3rd Advanced J&J, American Lindy Hop Championships 2002
3rd Junior, Jitterbug Jam 2002

4th Open Classic Lindy, National Jitterbug Championships 2019
​4th Invitational J&J, International Lindy Hop Championships 2013
4th Champions Strictly, International Lindy Hop Championships 2010
4th Champions Strictly Lindy, International Lindy Hop Championships 2009
4th Invitational J&J, International Lindy Hop Championships 2009
4th J&J All Star, American Classic Balboa Championships 2007
4th Champions J&J, Reno Dance Sensation 2004
4th American Showcase, American Lindy Hop Championships 2002

5th Invitational Draw, International Lindy Hop Championships 2018
5th Pro Classic, International Lindy Hop Championships 2018
5th Invitational J&J, Lone Star Championships 2012
5th Champions Strictly, International Lindy Hop Championships 2011
5th Invitational Strictly, European Swing Dance Championships 2011
5th Champions Balboa, International Lindy Hop Championships 2008
5th Balboa Classic, American Classic Balboa Championships 2008
5th J&J, Sizzlin’ Lindy Slam 2003

6th Invitational J&J, Lone Star Championships 2011

7th Invitational Strictly, International Lindy Hop Championships 2018
7th Champions Strictly, International Lindy Hop Championships 2008

8th Balboa Classic, American Classic Balboa Championships 2007

Paolo Pasta Lanna

Paolo is a 20 year veteran of Swing Dance specializing in the Lindy Hop, Balboa, Collegiate Shag, and Charleston. Back in 1999 Paolo and his partner Janice Wilson were the first Lindy Hoppers to TOUR with with Wynton Marsalis & The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. In 1998 they won the American Swing Dance Championships. They performed with shows “Swing Dance America” and “Forever Swing” The Musical Revue featuring Michael Buble. Over the years, Paolo has founded and launched events such at The Summer Jamboree Dance Camp in Italy, The Shake, Rhythm & Roll Festival in Asbury Park, and is the creative director of Swing Remix in NYC. He founded dance teams The Lindy Hop All-Stars and Rhythm Stompers, and continues to hone his skills of the American born social dance and recently completed shows at The Umbria Jazz festival in Perugia and JALC’s Rose Theater in NYC. Paolo is on staff at You Should Be Dancing NYC & Westchester Ballroom Briarcliff, NY.

Bill Kline

 Bill has been dancing and teaching for over 25 years. He has taught, choreographed and performed nationally and internationally. He was fortunate to study for many years with lindy hop legend Frankie Manning and three-time U.S. Professional Ballroom champion Sandra Cameron. He was the director of the swing dance program at the Sandra Cameron Dance Center during the height of the swing revival.  He is also fluent in all the ballroom dances and has a special love for samba de gafieira.

Highlights of his career include performing (or teaching and performing) on American Movie Classics Swings with Cherry Poppin’ Daddys, Good Morning America, Good Day New York, Midsummer Night Swing (at Lincoln Center), the Vicki Lawrence Show (w/ the Average White Band), for the Crown Princess of Holland at the Peter Stuyvesant Ball (w/ Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks), the IDMC Dance Festivalin Budapest, Hungary, being featured in Smithsonianmagazine, and promoting monthly swing dances at the 92nd Street Yfor over a decade.

Bill Kline
www.swingandsamba.com
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Margaret Batiuchok

Margaret Batiuchok won the 1983 Harvest Moon Ball with Savoy legend George Lloyd, began teaching and then co-founded the New York Swing Dance Society (NYSDS) in 1985, when there was no organized Swing dancing in New York. The NYSDS became a mecca for all generations, races, and level of dancers, with the weekly dances consistently drawing 300-500 dancers. Margaret, a volunteer board member who has hired the bands for over 30 years, has also been president since 1996.
Partnering Frankie Manning, Margaret launched the Lincoln Center Midsummer Night Swing series, where she consults, teaches, and performs each summer. She helped conceive the tribute to Illinois Jacquet and the Ambassador’s Prize Swing Competition in honor of Frankie Manning which are repeated each year in their honor.

Margaret holds a BFA, and also MA in Dance for her thesis and DVDs on the Lindy. She was inducted into the WSDC Swing Dance Hall of Fame, National Living Legends of Dance, and received the Torch Award and the Gotham Swing Club’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

http://www.dancemb.com

GOOD LUCK CONTESTANTS!