Hey, y'all, I had a great time Thursday! I hope I didn't miss any follows--I think I danced with half of the leaders, too.

On my way out the door, I want to give a plug for traveling:
I can't encourage you enough to travel to weekend-long workshops and Lindy exchanges. When you travel, you dance with wide assortments of styles and dance with the more-dedicated dancers from each scene, which greatly enhances your improvement and enjoyment. Lindy hop is a growing success today because it's a social dance with compatible variations, and one doesn't need to have practiced with a new partner before having a fantastic dance on the fly. I've been traveling almost once a month to workshops and exchanges for two years. I mostly stay in the Southeast, but I'll keep Hawkeye Swing Festival in mind next year.

I'm not saying that y'all need the polishing I'm just sharing my experience because traveling is serious F U N. Swingoutoftown.com and Lindyexchange.com have national calendars.

Final plug: Lindy Focus (lindyfocus.com) is an awesome 4-day camp after Christmas, culminating with a New Year's Eve bash. It's in the mountains of North Carolina.

My parents are in Marshalltown, IA, so whenever I'm back I'll see if I can find another dance.

Thanks again and dance well,
Kirk Eisenbeis (on Facebook & MySpace)

It was great that you were able to find us! We love it when dancers from other areas are in town and look us up. I know I go to dance almost every time I go traveling it is such a fun way to meet new people and learn more about swingin'

Good luck with things, keep in touch!

I almost went to LF this year. Maybe I can convince some folks to make the trek this year. Got a place for us to crash

Kirk,

I'm glad you were able to do some traveling to Iowa and remind yourself of your own advice.

That brings up a good question for forum members! What was the last and/or best out of town dance event you've traveled to?

MaryX:
Out of Town: Hawkeye Swing Fest
Best Event (as of today): Either ULHS 2006 or Cowtown 2007

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Dear Baby, Please be independent. Love, Mom -SAC

Ooh yeah. Agreez. ULHS 2006 was epic. It may have also made a big impact because it was my first showdown. And Cowtown never fails to impress me.

My most recent event was Hawkeye Swingfest 2008. And this year at HSF I experience two very profound moments that moved me probably more than any other dancing moments I've had. So that's effing cool.

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"What is within shall now be without. / Don't just dance - you must throw down."

| Sarah |

The 2008 Hawkeye Swing Festival was the last and best workshop ever! I wish I had more time to dance with the lovely Sarah Carney and Mary Woodruff. but we shall meet again!

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I don't do Blues but I'll Shag with anyone.

Hey, isn't this the Thursday Night Swing Social thread?

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See ya, boys. Have fun stoimin' the castle!

It certainly is, Larry. Thanks for getting us back on track. This week is gonna be sweet. Everybody who is anybody is going to be there. We probably have around 10 Hepcats from Des Moines coming down and the Des Moines Jitterbugs will be well represented. Gonna be a hellava time! See you then!

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I don't do Blues but I'll Shag with anyone.

Did the Thursday venue downtown get flooded?

I'm flying into DSM on Thursday at 8:45. If there's a dance, I think I can get there by 9:30. I'll spend the weekend in Marshalltown and am leaving again Sunday evening.

(I see there's a First Saturday dance, too. We'll see about making that.)

Dance well,
Kirk