| The Strutters' Ball |
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| by Matt Deckard | |
| Thursday, 15 November 2007 13:26 | |
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My feet were in the mood to fidget the digit and scuff some shoes, and though Los Angeles is rife with hip-hop, groove, punk, and trance/slam/goth/jump/blues places, I needed to dance with a partner and not in that ‘shake it like a Polaroid picture while I watch’ sort of way. Sure, I often frequent the local thump-thump rooms but flailing about in the throes of brain seizure wasn’t what I wanted to do on this night. I knew this time I would need a syncopated rhythm to satisfy my dancing gene. I needed to stretch my legs and swing out. I needed to have a girl in my arms and focus on technique yet still have a loose mind to give in to the music while I guide her across the floor. What I needed to do was go out and jitterbug, and by luck of the unexpected ringing phone I was summoned to just the needed place.  The Strutters’ Ball Is a new dance venue in Orange County organized to replace Tia Juanas bar; a long time staple in the OC community of swing dancers that was annexed by the growing Hispanic western scene; apparently, the management had finally realized swing dancers don’t spend much at bars. Nevertheless, founded by Shesha and Nikki Marvin, the new weekly jitterbug hideout has already become a warehouse of sweaty dancers of which I had heard neither hide nor hair of till tonight.When I walked in, I felt steamy atmosphere, the floor was bouncing, and on stage was Dean Mora, himself, leading his Modern Swingtet with Kayre Morrison on vocals. The most well-known swing band leader in LA, Mora was clad in a brown jacket black shirt and black patterned tie and waving his arms every which way while facing the band. I grabbed a girl and hit the floor and stole as much time as I could till I broke a sweat. In a world where hearing real music next to a dancefloor is becoming hard to find this is a sight to behold any day of the week. The Strutters’ Ball is held at a very wholesome looking women’s club. The layout of the place has all the amenities one needs for a good dance venue (except alcohol which you can find at any bar within a block distance). Large dance floor, chairs all around, free water, couches in an out of the way lounge area, and an outdoor section with pathways where you can wander with a date yet still be part of the venue. If you are the casual swing dancer, seeing a place like this is what will turn you into a regular. If you are not a swing dancer, I suggest you take free lessons as this place is fully equipped to teach them before the dance begins. I danced and broke a sweat, taking in every song I could, resting between sets and rotating dance partners on a semi-regular basis while staying mainly with the gals that gave me the ring to come over. I lindy-hopped to the last song and then with my friends beat the rush to the door, following them for a midnight Meatlover’s skillet at the local Denny’s (hey it’s the OC… where else are you going to eat at 1:00 am). I congratulate Shesha and Nikki for setting up a great dance venue, and if you, the reader, are going to go, I suggest you dress up. I have to say it’s the second time I’ve ever been really impressed with a first time look at a place to swing dance. The cover is $7 at the door and they tag per the usual custom. Strutters' Ball is open every Wednesday at 7:00 starting out with classes then onto the main dance. More information can be found at StruttersBall.com 121 S. Center St. Orange, CA, 92866
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