Swing Dance!

This Thanksgiving Weekend: 

The US Open Swing Dance Championships

Benji Schwimmer and Torri Smith perform their Showcase routine at the US Open in 2014
Photography by Liza May, 2014.

For 33 years, this event has brought together the best of the best in swing dance. From Lindy Hop and Shag, to the ever popular state dance of California, West Coast Swing. The US Open has a wide variety of swing related functions. This weekend serves as a world-champion-defining competition event for swing routines, swing dance teams, theater arts numbers, and purely lead-follow based competitions. There’s also a plethora of dance classes, and workshops that are open to all levels of dancer.

Each day of the weekend has it’s own highlights to follow so be sure to check out a more detailed version of the schedule on the US Open Website.

When: All day, Thursday, November 26 through Sunday, November 29.
Where: The Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport
              Click Here for a Map
Tickets: Depending on the desired event you wish to take part in, ticket prices will vary,
               Tickets may be purchased at the door.
               Click Here for Ticket Information

Want to know more about the US Open Swing Dance Championships? Visit their website at: http://usopenswing.com/

See below for highlights from last years' US Open.

Meet Benji Schwimmer & Torri Smith (Benji won "So You Think You Can Dance" Season 2). This dance is categorized under Showcase because it is a routine that is done between two pros and involves lifting above the shoulders. And yes Benji will be at The US Open this year as well. These dancers are the US Open Showcase Champions of 2014.

This is Jordan Frisbee & Melissa Rutz. This dance is a strictly swing. There is no choreography, and the dancers don’t know the song that will be chosen for them. This dance is only lead and follow based. Melissa and Jordan are the first place winners of this division for 2014.

The US Open showcases all different kinds of swing. This is a purely lead and follow based Shag danced by Brennar Goree and Krystal Bravo. These dancers are the Strictly Shag Champions of 2014.

Meet Cameo Cross and Weston Kukrow. This dance is under the Cabaret division. This is a non-swing based dance. Dancers have the ability to choreograph almost anything they really want to. This Cabaret number won this division in 2014.

Hope to see you all there!

- Brittany -