SHIMMYTOWN
Shimmyteams
We run a variety of dance teams ("shimmyteams") throughout the year. Each team focuses on a different topic: switch lindy hop (dancing both roles), lindy hop, balboa, or solo jazz.
Our teams are formed via audition and are made up of hard-working dancers who are willing to rehearse once a week and put in extra practice time between rehearsals to hone their performance skills. Team members pay monthly dues to cover expenses such as rehearsals, coaching fees, and competition registration fees. Team members get into our social dance for free!
Our goals for the teams are to create exciting reasons for dancers in our community to work on their dancing, strengthen our community by creating bonds between team members, and inspire the Bay Area swing dance communities (and beyond) by performing unique choreographies that push the boundaries of swing dancing. Join us!
2 Seasons
May to August,
October to February
4 Teams
Lindy Hop,
Solo, and Balboa
Cost
$90 / month for 2h of rehearsal + social dance per week
Rehearsals
7:45 - 9:45pm
in San Francisco
Shimmytown Shakers - Lindy Hop Team
Ann and Ryan have been performing and competing together for 7 years. They are both musically-inclined people who understand the relationship between music and dance, and they care deeply about swing dancing as a unique mode of self-expression. This routine is sure to be challenging, artistic, and contain sections of solo choreography. There will be no aerials in this routine.
Lindy Coaches: Ann Mony & Ryan Calloway
Shimmytown Shines - Lindy Hop Team
We’re thrilled to have Hannah and Sean join Shimmytown to choreograph and coach one of our two lindy hop teams. These two very talented and musical performers are planning a fun, quirky routine for us. The routine will showcase the wonderful world of lindy hop and will include sections of solo choreography. There will be no aerials in this routine.
Switch Coaches: Hannah MacKenzie-Margulies & Sean Krazit (in video skip to 4:26)
Shimmytown Shouts - Solo Jazz Team
We are so very lucky to have Shannon choreographing and coaching for us again this season. Shannon is such a talented and creative dancer, performer and musician, and we’ve all loved the choreographies she’s already taught for Shimmytown. To quote Shannon about this upcoming routine, “Get ready to throw down.”
Solo Jazz Coach: Shannon Lea Watkins
Shimmytown Shufflers - Balboa Team
Come get your shuffle on with the Shimmytown Shufflers! Carissa and Tor are coaching their second season and creating a unique performance piece just for you. The choreography will be designed as primarily socially lead/follow-able - with a few twists thrown in! There will be strong emphasis in Balboa technique and refinement during each session.
Looking to take your Balboa to the next level? Want to help show everyone how awesome Balboa is? Dying to figure out how to make your feet look good when you do that one move? We'd love to have you!
Balboa Coaches: Carissa Koo & Tor Helmer
Team Coaches
Lindy Hop
Hannah MacKenzie-Margulies
Hannah is an award winning lindy hop, balboa, blues, and solo jazz dancer. Also an active contemporary dancer and choreographer, Hannah has a penchant for animal masks and gold lamé and has appeared onstage with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, as well as at Portland’s Time Based Art Festival and the Philly Fringe Fest.
Lindy Hop
Ann Mony
Known for her playful style and the joy that she exudes while dancing, Ann travels as often as she can to share her love of lindy hop through classes, competitions, performances, and social dances. She is committed to preserving the improvisational link between lindy hop and jazz, empowering followers, and celebrating the cultural wealth of vernacular jazz dances.
Balboa
Carissa Koo
Carissa and Tor are a dedicated partnership committed to spreading the love of Balboa in the Bay Area. They love to teach Balboa in a manner that is both fun and easy to understand - with a heavy emphasis on connecting to your partner and conveying the music. They believe very strongly in mastering the basics and have a good understanding of the fundamental aspects of the dance.
Solo
Shannon Lea Watkins
A spirited dancer, Shannon seeks joyful conversation in every dance. Whether it's a lovely tuck turn or throwing down in a solo jam, she strives for rhythm and creativity on the dance floor. As a teacher and coach, she inspires students to find their own voices in jazz dance and music.
Lindy Hop
Sean Krazit
When Sean Krazit was 5, he was an avid dancer at his relatives' weddings. Then, he didn't dance much until 2012 when he joined the University of Delaware Swing Club. When dancing, Sean focuses on creating rhythms, as well as strange shapes, better known as "wiggles."
Lindy Hop
Ryan Calloway
Ryan Calloway shines on the dance floor. His enthusiasm, buoyant rhythm and boundless creativity make him one of San Francisco’s best known Lindy Hop leaders. Most nights you’ll find him pounding the floor or leading the band at one of the city’s local jazz and swing clubs.
Balboa
Tor Helmer
Carissa and Tor are a dedicated partnership committed to spreading the love of Balboa in the Bay Area. They love to teach Balboa in a manner that is both fun and easy to understand - with a heavy emphasis on connecting to your partner and conveying the music. They believe very strongly in mastering the basics and have a good understanding of the fundamental aspects of the dance.
Shimmyteams History
Our Shimmyteams have performed / competed at the following events:
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ILHC (International Lindy Hop Championships). Washington DC. 2017
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Camp Hollywood. Los Angeles, CA. 2017
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Inspiration Weekend. Fullerton, CA. 2018
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9:20 Special. San Francisco, CA. 2017 & 2018
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Swingin' at the Savoy. Oakland, CA. 2018
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Wednesday Night Hop. Palo Alto, CA. 2017
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The Breakaway. Oakland, CA. 2017
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Woodchoppers Ball. San Francisco, CA. 2017