CORNELL SWINGS: Dance & Workshops
Hot Toddies Jazz Band + Tony & Jaime
Join us for a swing dance weekend with two full days of workshops, plus the big dance - featuring THE HOT TODDIES JAZZ BAND (from NYC) and international swing dance instructors TONY & JAIME!
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 Jamie 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!
More information on the detailed schedule and workshop topics will be announced soon!
PRICING
Workshops: $15 / day OR $25 both days
Dance: $25 general, $15 student
Crash Course: FREE – first-time swing dancers welcome!
Cash or Venmo, all payments to be made at the event.
We will accept cash or Venmo; all payments are to be made at the event.
LOCATION
The main dance will be hosted in Willard Straight Hall, located on Ho Plaza of Cornell’s campus. Specific room details for workshops will be coming soon! Stay tuned! Signage will be put up at the main entrances to help find the correct rooms.
MASKING
Masking is optional but encouraged. 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.
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.
Pianist GORDON WEBSTER is one of the most sought after musicians in the lindy hop world. His tremendous musicianship and passion, supported by his first-hand knowledge of social dancing, have inspired lindy hoppers at hundreds of dance events worldwide. Drawing on influences as diverse as Fats Waller, Count Basie, Oscar Peterson and Gene Harris, Webster serves up a smorgasbord of styles unified by one characteristic: irresistible danceability.
DANCE INSTRUCTORS
NYC master swing dance teachers TONY & JAIME 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. As international swing dance instructors, Tony and Jaime 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 Ent., American College Dance Festival, Lincoln Center, and Hofstra University Dep. of Drama & Dance.
TONY FRASER is a seventeen year veteran of swing dancing, competition, coaching, and teaching. He’s a best-of-breed technical instructor, a specialist in Collegiate Shag, Lindy Hop, Aerials, Tricks, and Partner Charleston. He’s been on television and stage many times, and is an ALHC and US Open champion.
JAIME SHANNON is a classically trained dancer having earned her dance degree from Hofstra University. She has worked with several New York City based modern dance, contemporary, and jazz dance companies such as Azul Dance Theatre, Dance Cat-Alyst, Lauren Hale Dance, HalloHallo Inc, Kelley Donovan and Dancers, and the Bronx Opera Company.
Tony and Jaime have teaching and performing together since 2010.