Category: West Coast Swing

Mr Jonathan’s West Coast Swing events and services

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Take Time To Take Time

Take Time to Take Time

Independence Day means a lot to many people, myself included. One of the things it means is that I get to spend time with one of my favorite people…My younger brother. We grill together, we enjoy cigars together, and we ride our dirt bikes together. Its always fun and we have amassed quite the collection of memories over the years.

This year I started a new tradition quite by accident. I locked my phone in my car for the entire visit at first it was so I wouldn’t loose it on the trails. Later it was that my car was too far away to justify breaking the conversation. By the end of our 4pm lunch I had enjoyed not being beholden to the devise so much that I left it were it was.

On one hand I could make the argument that my phone doubles as my camera and I could be documenting the afternoon with pictures and videos. The flip side is that it also has too much other stuff (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) that may tempt me away from such a special time. By days end I had interacted so much more with those around me that my brother let me know that for some reason this 4th of July seemed different in such a good way.

July has 3 or so weeks left and I plan to make the most of them and my interactions with those around me. The phone is staying in the car as much as it can while I am busy living.

Is anyone down to try this experiment with me? Don’t tell anyone that you are doing it. Leave the phone behind/in the car. Take an active roll in conversations, make eye contact, and experience the life that is around you…In other words Take Time to Take the Time! See if anyone notices that the experience has been enriched.

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Leveraging and Compressing Your Partnership

Deb and I are very excited to be teaching this Saturday and Sunday at Longfellows. West Coast Swing has two basic energies. One is leverage or leaning away from each other and the other is compression or leaning toward each other. They each have their importance in the dance.

Leverage gets us started on nearly every pattern. Without leverage you are line dancing next to or in front of your partner while holding their hand. This “away” energy often referred to as “V-frame,” can only be accomplished if both partners are on the same page. Saturday at 7pm Deb and I will get you on that page!

Compression, in WCS, happens less often but in a much more dynamic way than Leverage. It too relies on you and your partner being on the same page but it also requires more commitment and trust to really hit maximum power effectively. This “Toward” or “A-Frame” is what gives this dance its flair. Get Dynamic with Deb and I at 8pm.

Friday Night May 11th
WCS With Tessa Antolini
$10
Beginner WCS 7:45pm
Intermediate WCS 8:30pm
Social Dancing 9:30pm
Forte Dance
123 Muller Rd.
Burlington, Ma

Saturday May 12th

WCS With Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan (Debby Monk)
7-8pm All Levels Leveraging Your Partnership ($20 Both lessons and dance)
8-9 Intermediate Compressing  Your Partnership ($15 this lesson and dance)
9-12am $10 DJ Mr. J
Longfellow’s Club JoEllen
524 Boston Post Rd
Wayland, MA
Sunday May 13th
$20
California Mixer
6:00pm Two-Step Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan
6:45pm  WCS Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan
7:30-11ish DJs Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan

Longfellow’s Club JoEllen
524 Boston Post Rd
Wayland, MA

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John Festa Swings In To Boston

John Festa Is Back!

Yes John Festa is coming Back to Longfellow but lets take a mental field trip out side of dancing and think about thrill rides for a moment. Why do more people ride roller coasters than Ferris wheels? Both rides go up and down but only one takes the rider right to the edge of out of control without going over. The Ferris wheel does not pack much of a punch for the thrill seeker. Roller coasters are the big draw at the amusement park because they are fast, intense, and no two parts of the ride are ever the same. This is what makes them so much fun!

When John Festa learned how to swing, the music was the draw. Dancing faster, holding your slot, and discovering new footwork variations drove dancers right to the edge without going over. They danced with speed, power, and needed tremendous control in their connection to keep the dancers on their feet and in time with the music. Pushing the envelope meant faster and more intense music. It meant giving more of your self to the partnership. It meant you could no longer do it alone. You needed your partner as much as they needed you and the only communication was good connection. Even if the song was the same, with the same partner, no two dances where ever the same and the scene exploded with dance junky thrill seekers.

In 2018 the music has gone the way of the Ferris wheel and dancers have taken to less footwork, less technique, and interpretive movements over speed, power, and control. As the song slows down your reliance on connection lessens. You can begin using visual clues and body language to lead and follow. There is less risk, more time to fix mistakes, and in my opinion way less fun to be had. You see, when you learn how to dance fast and accurate then choose to dance slow, you bring your connection skills with you.

Real Understanding

If you are tired of feeling like you just don’t “get it”or that you have been riding the wrong kind of ride, its time to experience the real thrill that is West Coast Swing. This is how I have asked John Festa to approach to this Saturday and Sunday’s workshops. You will leave having felt what “On the Edge” feels like. He opened my eyes over 15 years ago and he will open yours on Saturday and Sunday!

Here is the Facebook invite: https://www.facebook.com/events/434686613611907/?active_tab=about

Please click the link and say you are coming and share it on your own page. I would love to have a full audience for my favorite coach!

Saturday April 14th  WCS with

 John Festa!

7-8 PM All Level Class: Swing IT!

8-9 PM Intermediate WCS: Swing IT Harder!

2 Workshops $20 (includes Dance)

1 Workshop $15 (includes Dance)

($10 for beginner class or dance only)

9-12 WCS Dance with DJ John Festa

Sunday April 15th more great moves with

 John Festa!

6:30 -7:30 PM WCS with John Festa:

Connection with the Floor, Yourself, and then Your Partner

6:30 – 7:30 PM Beginner 2 Step with Steele Shane

7:30 – 11 PM Country Mix Dance

$15 any lesson(s) includes dance

$15 Dance only

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Tessa, Larry, and Mr. Jonathan Oh My!

Friday, Sept 8th, 2017 (tonight)

Its the  Mr. Jonathan Show at Tessa’s Forte Friday Fun Night. She has come down with a high fever and does not want to infect the dance community. She will be home resting while we swing our butts off! I have a new 32 count pattern cycle that is easy and fun to dance. Plus over these last few years a great new partner passing WCS game, centered around the very patterns you will learn, has surfaced…Be prepared to be dancing (and possibly rolling) in the isles after this one of a kind experience!

$10

Beginner WCS 7:45pm
Intermediate WCS 8:30pm
Social Dancing 9:30pm
Forte Dance
123 Muller Rd.
Burlington, Ma
Saturday, Sept 9th, 2017

$10
8pm Intermediate Lesson W/Larry Mongeau
9pm -12ish General Dancing DJ Larry Mongeau
Longfellow’s Club JoEllen
524 Boston Post Rd
Wayland, MA
Sunday Sept 10th, 2017

6:30 – 7:00 PM Intermediate 2 Step with Mr. J

7:00 -7:30 PM Intermediate WCS with Mr. J

7:30 – 10:30 or 11PM Country Mix Dance with Mr. Jonathan

(Music will be a mix of Country, Ballroom, and WCS until we run out of people!)

$15 any lesson (s) includes dance
$15 Dance only

 

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This Saturday I am DJing and Teaching for NHABDA in Milford, NH

Saturday, August 19, 2017

Milford Town Hall, 1 Union Square, Milford, NH

Directions:
Take Rt. 101W to exit for Rt. 101-A West (Milford/Keene) OR Daniel Webster Highway (Route 3) to exit 7W (Rt. 101-A West). Follow to oval (center of town) and proceed around the right, but take your first right into the rear of the town hall. Parking is here and easier access for elevator to 3rd floor.

6:45 to 7:30 p.m. Country Two-Step Lesson by Mr. Jonathan
8:45 p.m. Showcase by Students of Anne Fleming’s Studio
7:30 to 11:00 p.m.  General Dancing to Mr. Jonathan, DJ

Singles welcome – dance hosts usually provided. Complimentary ice, coffee and desserts. Water will be available at a nominal fee. You may bring your own beverage and snack, however, alcohol and smoking are not allowed.

Make reservations NOW! Seating limited to 100 attendees.
CALL Betty at (603) 716-6791 (normal business hours) or e-mail to: getinstep@comcast.net

Admission:  $12. NHABDA members – $17. Non-members
Become a member at the dance for only $20. for the year and you’ll receive Footnotes, our monthly newsletter.
Late reservations and admissions at the door: $2.00 additional