Chris & Kellie's
Fresno Swing Dance!
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The Home of Lindy Hop in Fresno, CA
About Us
About Chris & KellieKellie Townsend & Chris Pluhar have been dancing together for the past eight years, and they love to share the joy! They moved to Fresno in 2007 after being a part of the Santa Cruz swing scene for many years, and now they are committed to seeing Lindy Hop thrive in the Fresno area. Chris and Kellie often travel to Sacramento, the Bay Area, and Los Angeles to dance and to learn from some of the world's most notable Lindy Hop instructors, including Carla Heiney and Nick Williams from "So You Think You Can Dance". They are currently teaching at Studio 65 in Fresno and hosting their new weekly "Wednesday Night Swing" event. They also recently co-founded the Fresno State Swing Dance Club.
About Lindy Hop
What is Lindy Hop??Lindy Hop is the ORIGINAL swing dance, evolving out of the Charleston and other big-band-era dances in the late 1920s. All other forms of swing, such as East Coast and West Coast, later developed from Lindy Hop. Lindy Hop uses 8-count basic footwork, also incorporating some 6-count patterns and leaving a ton of room for improvisation and personal flair. What really sets it apart from other forms of swing is its versatility and the general exuberance with which it is performed--and, of course, the aerial moves!If you know East Coast Swing, Lindy Hop can be the next step, moving you into move advanced dancing and fun improvisation. If you know West Coast, you'll catch on fast because the basic footwork is similar, but with some sweet vintage styling. Check out these video clips:One of the most famous old movie clips: Hellzapoppin'!Recent clips—this is social dance (not choreographed!) Peter Strom & Jo HoffbergMax Pitruzzella & Alice MeiNick Williams & Carla Heiney Local Lindy Hop Scene*UNDER CONSTRUCTION*Worldwide Lindy LinksDance CampsThe #1 best way to skyrocket your skills! Most camps last from 3-7 days. You will have lessons all day and dances with live music in the evenings--you can dance all night if you want!Lindy Hop Camps on the West Coast:Camp Hollywood Los Angeles, late July-early AugustCamp Swing Mendocino, CA, OctoberCamp Jitterbug Seattle, late MayClick here for a comprehesive list of US & international campsLindy ExchangesLindy Hoppers the world over travel to dance. A Lindy Exchange is an event where one Lindy community opens itself to people from everywhere, scheduling special dances and events. It is designed to be affordable, and local folks often provide housing for travelers.Lindy Exchange Website
Classes
Group Classes & Private LessonsLesson & Dance Every Wednesday _ Studio 65New! Beginning Lindy Hop Swing 4-Week Series Starts the FIRST Wednesday of each month (4 consecutive weeks)7-8:15pm No partner and no experience required! Intermediate Lindy Hop 7-8:15Social Swing Dance 8:15-9:30pmPractice your moves and get extra help from the instructors, AND learn moves from the Shim Sham, Big Apple, Charleston and other vintage dances during the "Lindy Line-up"!Lesson & Dance $8 ($5 for students), without lesson $5 ***A lot of new people ask "What should I wear?" Most people go pretty casual, and our only recommendation is on footwear: bring leather-soled or slick-bottomed shoes if you have them--it makes turning fun & easy! And ladies, wear low heels or no heels when first learning***Private & Semi-private LessonsChris and Kellie also teach private and semi-private lessons at Studio 65 or at your own location. It's the perfect way to step up your Lindy Hop game or to prepare for a wedding or other special event. Group choreography is also available if you have a crowd you want to "WOW"!Call for details: 831-247-5354, or email fresnoswingdance_gmail.com.
Gallery
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Photo Gallery
Here are some of our shots from around Fresno and out of town!
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Lindy Worldwide
Worldwide Lindy LinksDance CampsThe #1 best way to skyrocket your skills! Most camps last from 3-7 days. You will have lessons all day and dances with live music in the evenings--you can dance all night if you want!West Coast Camps:Camp Hollywood Los Angeles, late July-early AugustCamp Swing Mendocino, CA, OctoberCamp Jitterbug Seattle, late MayClick here for a comprehesive list of US & international campsLindy ExchangesLindy Hoppers the world over travel to dance. A Lindy Exchange is an event where one Lindy community opens itself to people from everywhere, scheduling special dances and events. It is designed to be affordable, and local folks often provide housing for travelers.Lindy Exchange Website
Hire Us!
Dancers for Hire!Chris & Kellie are available to perform and teach lessons at just about any type of event: parties, weddings, quinceneras, anniversaries, retirements, birthdays...you name it!We can customize something for YOUR special event, with performance numbers ranging from 1920's Charleston through 1930's and 40's swing, up through 1950's rock & roll, and even early 1960's standards. All numbers will be performed in period costume and with vintage attitude!Beginner lessons for events will be simple enough for everyone to learn something in an hour and have a good time doing it.To arrange your event today, call 831-247-5354 or email fresnoswingdance_gmail.com.
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Official Bio
Kellie Townsend & Chris PluharDance Performers & InstructorsIn 2002, Chris and Kellie came together to form a dynamic dance partnership that has brought joy to them and to audiences around the country. They pride themselves on their musicality, connection, and the inviting spirit with which they dance, and also on the welcoming, fun attitude they cultivate in their classes and dance community. Kellie Townsend has been dancing, performing and choreographing for over 20 years. Early swing, Charleston and other vintage dances became her passion starting in 1998, when she and her partner won their first swing dance contest. With the revival of the Lindy hop, Kellie became a local favorite in Santa Cruz, CA, and she now teaches and coaches young dancers in Fresno, CA. She brings many flavors of inspiration to the Lindy dance floor including ballet, jazz, modern, ballroom, African, Samba, Salsa, Bhangra, and Middle Eastern dance. Improvisation is her forte, and she does it with flair!In her colorful and varied dance career, Kellie has choreographed many modern, jazz, Charleston and Lindy hop pieces for the stage. In addition to performing Lindy hop, Charleston and balboa with her current partner, Chris Pluhar, Kellie has performed with several modern and bellydance companies, and has worked with such notable modern dance choreographers as Joe Goode, Deborah Hay, and Sara Shelton Mann. Chris Pluhars early clarinet and baritone sax training instilled in him a love of Dixieland and Big Band music. His interest in social dance then made jitterbugging an obvious transition into the world of performance. He learned to swing at the Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association, an organization that helped spearhead the swing revival of the 90s, and has been growing his Lindy hop aptitude ever since. His creativity on the dance floor stems from his command of musicality and partner connection.Together, Chris and Kellie specialize in swing dance from the 1920's through today, particularly Lindy Hop, Charleston, and Balboa. Recently, they have been focusing their performance energy in California, dancing to sold out houses at the Improv Comedy Club in San Jose and other venues in central California. They currently teach at Studio 65 in Fresno, CA, where they form the nucleus of the San Joaquin Valley Lindy Hop scene.
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