Cornell Swings: Workshop & Live Music Weekend

Swing into spring with our 2-day Lindy Hop Workshop and Live Music weekend on March 9th and 10th! This event features a total of 8 hours of Lindy Hop workshops taught by Tony and Jaime of the Hell’s Kitchen Kilowatts, aimed at dancers of many levels. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, there will be something for everyone! But wait! There’s more -- on Saturday evening, we'll be turning up the heat with an amazing social dance featuring live music from the Hot Toddies Jazz Band featuring vocalist Hanna Gill & pianist Gordon Webster! With over 3 hours of music, this night of swing dancing will truly be one to remember. This event is open to everyone, so don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn, dance, and connect with other passionate Lindy Hoppers in Ithaca and surrounding communities. Save the dates now and join us for a weekend of fun, creativity, and unforgettable swing dancing! SCHEDULE Saturday Workshops 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM Check-in 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Intro to Swing and Lindy Hop 11:30 AM - 12:30 AM Basic Lindy Hop Swing 2:30 PM - 3:45 PM Closed Position Basics 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM Charleston Fundamentals Saturday Dance 6:00 PM - 6:45 PM Crash Course -- FREE! 6:45 PM - 10:00 PM Live Music & Dancing Sunday Workshops 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Lindy Hop Clinic 11:30 AM - 12:30 AM Musicality and Improv 2:30 PM - 3:45 PM Fast Dancing 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM Flashy and Fancy PRICING Workshops: $15 one-day pass OR $25 two-day pass Dance: $25 general, $15 student Crash Course: FREE – first-time swing dancers welcome! We will accept cash or Venmo; all payments are to be made at the event. LOCATION The entire event will be hosted in Willard Straight Hall, located on Ho Plaza of Cornell’s campus. The workshops will be in room 414 (International Lounge) while the main dance will be in room 407 (Memorial Room). Signage will be put up at the main entrances to help find the correct rooms. PARKING There is a small lot behind Willard Straight Hall, but it often fills up quickly. The most reliable option will be to park in the parking garage ("Hoy Garage") next to the football field, which is free on the weekends. It is a few minute walk between the garage and Willard Straight Hall. MASKING Masking is optional, and we will have extra masks on hand for those who want or need one. We ask that attendees respect each other’s decisions on whether or not to wear a mask, including if someone is only comfortable dancing with a partner who is also masked. THE BAND The Hot Toddies Jazz Band are a fun loving hot jazz & swing band based in NYC. They play all around town with an eclectic mix of styles perfect for dancing, lindy hop & good times! The band has quickly become one of the top swing bands on the scene in NYC, the birthplace of the dance. They most recently headlined the beloved outdoor swing dance at Lincoln Center in front of over 2,000 people during “Summer for the City” (formerly Midsummer Night Swing) on July 6, 2023. This also was the pre-release of their debut full length album which came out on July 28th on all digital platforms. The album was not only praised by critics, but was on the Jazz Charts for 3 weeks, hitting #11 on the NACC Top 30 Jazz Chart, and playing on over 50 radio stations nationwide. Their wacky music videos for "Dunkin Bagel" and “Five O’clock Coffee” off their debut EP "Quarantine Tracks" (2021) each hit over 100k views on Facebook, and over 10k on YouTube! The band was founded by by Grammy nominated violinist GABE TERRACCIANO (Turtle Island String Quartet) and noted composer, producer & drummer PATRICK SOLURI. It also features some of the top musicians in the swing & jazz worlds including JUSTIN POINDEXTER (Jazz at Lincoln Center), DAN LEVINSON (Mel Torme, Woody Allen, The Aviator, Boardwalk Empire), RON WILKINS (Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Dizzy Gilespie); plus noted vocalists QUEEN ESTHER (James “Blood” Ulmer), and HANNAH GILL (Post Modern Jukebox); as well as special guest pianist GORDON WEBSTER. INSTRUCTORS NYC master swing dance teachers TONY FRASER and JAIME SHANNON are some of the most sought-after dance coaches and instructors around the globe. As a partnership, they represent an extremely intricate, complex, and hyper-connected jitterbug style. As teachers, they are known for bringing up dancers quickly, as well as training champion competitors, and they teach all over the US, Canada, and Europe. As performers, they are frequently invited to share their style with such notable theater and dance organizations as Jacob's Pillow, The Group Theatre Too, Jazz Choreography Enterprises, American College Dance Festival, Lincoln Center, and the Hofstra University Department of Drama and Dance. This event is funded by the Cornell GPSAFC and is open to the Graduate Community and larger public. Please contact Neil Stilin at [email protected] for any special arrangements you may require to attend this event.