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Swango Blues is a dance style based on the fusion of Smooth Lindy Hop, West Coast Swing, Argentine Tango, and Blues. It can be danced to a lot of contemporary music, including Swinging Jazz, Blues, Soul, and modern WCS & NeoTango style remixes. We have even enjoyed dancing it to 70's style Funk, and 80's style Goth music. Come out to a Swango Blues workshop or dance to check out the new mix; it's a lot of fun!
Music
The main thing that drives me to dance is a love of the music. My unique playlist has been heard at most of the Swing/Blues venues in Orlando, including UCF's Swing Knight's Friday dance, Late Night Blues at Salsa Heat, Dance Orlando, Whirl & Twirl, and The Zebra Room. I have also been a guest DJ at regional events such as SOFLEX, ORLX, Vero's Beachin’ Swing Weekend, Gaineseville's Stompin’ at the Swamp, and Tampa's Swing Centro. When I DJ, I always emphasize quality, variety, energy, and flow. I believe that the music should sound as close to a live performance as possible, so I play a lot of contemporary artists in each genre, as well as classics that pass my sound quality test. You will never hear an old scratchy mono recording when I DJ. More info and clips of the music I like for dancing on the Music page at swangoblues.com
Movies
Television
Books
Heroes
Some local Orlando instructors that I recommend are: Rob & Dawn (Lindy), Joel & Lanka (Lindy), Steve Swingbearblue Stone (Lindy-Blues), Mark Traynor (WCS), Shawn & Donna (WCS), Johnny & Lisa (WCS), Jen Deluca (WCS), and Richard & Mariel (Tango). Some of the national or international dance instructors I have taken classes, workshops, or privates with are (I also highly recommend these instructors!): Frankie Manning (Lindy), Kevin & Carla (Lindy), Natalie & Yuval (Lindy), Steven & Virginie (Lindy & Blues), Ryan & Jenny (Lindy), Marcus & Barble (Lindy), Eric & Sylvia (Lindy), David Reim (Lindy & Balboa), Sylvia Sykes (Lindy & Balboa), Chester Whitmore (Lindy), Nick Williams (Lindy & Balboa), Doug Silton (Lindy & WCS), Jordan & Tatiana (WCS), Jen Deluca (WCS), Michael Kielbasa (WCS), Mary Ann Nunez (WCS), John Lindo (WCS), Mario Robau (WCS), Fabian Salas (Tango), Miriam & Hugo (Tango), Fernanda & Guillermo (Tango), Colette & Richard (Tango), Solomon Douglas (Blues), Charlie & Heidi (Blues), Ogden & Amanda (Blues), and Jerry & Kathy (Blues).
My name is Chris Maraffi, and I am a dancer, DJ, and instructor formerly of Orlando, FL (now relocating to the SF Bay area). I was involved in the Orlando dance scene for more than 7 years. I began organizing Lindy Hop & Blues dance events 4 years ago; starting the first weekly Orlando Blues dance at Café Annies downtown, and then later teamed up with orlandoblues.org to hold workshops and dances. I have experience in a wide range of improvisational partner dances, including Lindy Hop, West Coast Swing, Blues, Argentine Tango, Charleston, Balboa, Tap/Jazz, Popping/Locking,etc. I am currently teaching dance fusion classes with my dance partner Jessica. More info: swangoblues.com
Who I'd like to meet:
Other open minded dancers who are interested in these dance styles, and want to experiment with combining them. Swing-Blues dancers find mixing Argentine Tango style weight changes into their dancing both fun and challenging. Argentine Tango dancers find adding Swing-Blues movements equally challenging and “Nuevo”. It can truly take your dancing to the next level. Fusion dance scenes are currently popping up around the world, including in Orlando, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Knoxville, New York, Houston, Toronto, and Buenos Aires.
More info on Swango Blues dance fusion: www.swangoblues.com
It's the way you play that makes it . . . Play like you play. Play like you think, and then you got it, if you're going to get it. And whatever you get, that's you, so that's your story. -- Count Basie
THANK YOU for lighting the path to Richard's great instruction, my new dance partner (also named Chris), tango nuevo, and Silvia's amazing coffee (just so happen to be wired from Friday practica as I type this). I'm havin' a ball!
I had an amazing time volunteering and DJing at the workshop and dance. Thank you for the opportunity. I had a great time! Hope you make it out to PMB very soon!
Thanks for coming by Dexter's last night. You and your dancing crew got the crowd going and everybody was impressed. My band and I thank you so much and will see you again very soon.
I just wanted to publicly endorse what he is trying to do with the fusion of forms. He has the right idea, and it takes some training to start seeing these things. I strongly encourage you to take these classes. They will open new doorways of expression and make your dancing more personal, expressive, and ultimately more rewarding. Guided instruction will certainly expedite your learning and allow you to reach your goals much faster. Sincerely, Forrest Outman (Dance Instructor of 8yrs,full time pro, and partner dancer of nearly 17 yrs.)
Other open minded dancers who are interested in these dance styles, and want to experiment with combining them. Swing-Blues dancers find mixing Argentine Tango style weight changes into their dancing both fun and challenging. Argentine Tango dancers find adding Swing-Blues movements equally challenging and “Nuevo”. It can truly take your dancing to the next level. Fusion dance scenes are currently popping up around the world, including in Orlando, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Knoxville, New York, Houston, Toronto, and Buenos Aires.
More info on Swango Blues dance fusion: www.swangoblues.com
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