Catalina Island is located 26 miles off the coast of Los Angeles and can only be reached by boat or helicopter. There is one main street with wonderful waterfront shops and restaurants. There are beautiful beaches where you can Swing, rent snorkel gear, parasail, rent a boat and fish, or take a ride on a glass bottom boat and view Catalina’s famous natural undersea gardens.
You can explore the island’s interior by hiking, renting a bike or golf cart, or by taking a ride on a tour bus. There’s a 9-hole golf course and a miniature golf course; tennis and horseback riding are also available. Find some time to just be a tourist here - Catalina itself is quite magical! If you love Australia's Whitsunday Islands, you'll adore Catalina. This is pure Swing Heaven.
Beginner: New for 2000, this level is for those who have had only a few Swing lessons.
Beginner/Intermediate: Must be comfortable with triple steps and be familiar with the basics: Swing Out, Circle, Side-by-Side Charleston.
Intermediate:
Besides knowing the basics, you must have a solid lead or follow and be comfortable dancing to a variety of tempos.
Advanced:
You have been dancing for several years not several months. You "walk the walk and talk the talk". You flow easily between slow songs and fast songs, styling and syncopating to the music. You pick up new steps quickly, and you’re ready for some trickerations.
Advanced Routines (must bring a partner):
You are an advanced dancer who has an advanced partner with whom you are comfortable working. There will be more emphasis on choreography in this class and less on lead/follow.
Other Dance Styles Taught:
Frankie Manning - one of the founding fathers of swing dancing & perhaps the greatest Lindy Hopper of all time;
David Dalmo - winner of 1995’s World Lindy Hop Championships in Norway & former member of The Rhythm Hot Shots;
Steven Mitchell - dancer, teacher, choreographer who’s taught in Sweden, London, Switzerland, France, Germany & across the U.S.;
Sing Lim - Sing, who resides in Singapore, runs her own dance school, but still spends much of her time travelling, working as a guest instructor at dance camps around the world;
Chaz Young - tap dance instructor & performer who’s worked with Sammy Davis Jr., the Nicholas Brothers & Gregory Hines, & appeared in the movie The Cotton Club.
Erin Stevens - world-renowned for her expertise in Lindy Hop, Erin is recognised as one of the best dancers & premiere Swing instructors, teaching across the U.S. & in Europe;
Scott Price - Lindy Hop specialist instructor for the Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association, Scott has been a member of the Swingaroos dance performance troupe, teaching & performing at Disneyland for the Jump Jive Boogie Swing Parties.
Other Teachers Include:
Tami Stevens, Kenneth & Helena Norbelie, Christer & Ann Isberg and, of course....The Rhythm Hot Shots.
Disclaimer
The Workshops
Whatever your Swing dance experience is, Swing Camp Catalina offers classes to suit all levels of Lindy Hop. You'll need to specify your level and the classes you want to attend on your Swing Camp Catalina application form. A word of caution: the dance standard in the U.S. is generally higher than it is in Australia. (After all, they've been doing Swing alot longer than most of us). So, be realistic when making your level selection.
The Teachers
Information about Swing Camp Catalina is correct at the time of publication. The Leap Frog Tour will not be held responsible for any changes made to the Camp's content by PBDA.
