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The Hepcats is a community-focused organization dedicated to the
furtherance of the original swing dances of the
1930’s and 40’s, Lindy Hop and Balboa, and the
original swing music of that great era! While we like to dance to a
variety of musical genres, we especially like the music
of the great Big Bands, such as Duke Ellington,
Jimmie Lunceford, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, Chick
Webb, Artie Shaw; and the jump blues music of
artists such as
Louis Jordan,
Big Joe Turner and Wynonie Harris; just to mention a few!
If you
want to learn the original swing dances of the swing-era, the Hepcats is the place for you! |
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How did you get started dancing? |
Mike & Mary began dancing in 1999 and quickly
discovered their true love was the original
swing dances of the 1930’s and 40’s: Lindy Hop and Balboa. Unable
to find any instruction in Lindy Hop or Balboa in the Lexington area, they
began to teach themselves, view vintage films and movies, and attend
regional and national level workshops and competitions.
By attending Lindy Hop and Balboa workshops, competitions and events all over the
U.S., they have taken lessons and learned from many of the best
instructors (and some of the original swing dancers!) in the swing dance
community.
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Why should someone
take lessons/learn to swing dance from Mike &
Mary? |
 Mike
& Mary Richardson have been teaching swing dancing for over 10 years.
They are the most knowledgeable swing dance
instructors in the Lexington/central Kentucky area and are passionate about
sharing all the great things about swing dancing and swing music!
Not only have they taught thousands of
people to dance, they have also taught at
numerous local and regional swing dance workshops and events.
Mike & Mary believe that learning to
swing dance is a journey, not a destination. They often travel to out
of town swing dance workshops and dances to improve and hone their skills.
They also compete in Couples, Jack & Jill and Performance Group
competitions. Mike & Mary have won and placed in the finals at
numerous local and regional Lindy Hop and Balboa competitions. They
also compete at the national level.
Mary's musical theatre background and
love of swing-era music, movies, fashion and clothes (especially shoes!) is
the catalyst for her creativity, not only on the social dance floor, but as
the choreographer for the
Rhythm Cats performance group, and the "Razz Ma Tazz"
(a
1920's Charleston "Flapper Girls" performance group).
Mary willingly shares her knowledge of swing-era fashions with local swing
dancers. In addition,
 she
has also provided her expertise on swing-era clothes, hairstyles, make-up,
and dancing to area musical theater groups. Mary is a good source of
information on where to obtain swing-era clothes, shoes and accessories.
Mike is also a well known
DJ, respected for his
thorough knowledge of swing-era music, genres and styles.
His
love of swing dancing naturally meshed with his love for the great music of
the swing era.
As a
youngster much of
the popular music of
Mike's day was
the sound of Motown and Stax records (and he sometimes spins
 tunes
from that great era of soul music). But more often than not, Mike was
listening to
the “oldies” music played on the radio, which at that time was the 1930’s
and 40’s big band
and jump blues music, his true loves in swing music.
Mike is the primary DJ for Hepcats
events in Lexington,
and has also DJ’d at numerous regional and local events in Louisville, KY,
Cincinnati, OH and Columbus, OH. For
Hepcats dances, Mike likes to play great music that's really fun for swing
dancing, primarily Big Band and Jump Blues, but also some R&B, 50's, Rockabilly, etc..., at
a variety of tempos from his collection of over 10,000 songs (and still
counting)! The Hepcats play the best music in town!
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How would you
describe your teaching style? |
Mike & Mary's love of swing dancing has
created a teaching style that is based on learning, laughter
 and
fun! They believe that solid fundamentals in movement, connection and
technique are key in partnered swing dancing.
They break down individual steps and patterns
in an easy, step-by-step manner that allows each student to not only learn
the move, but also understand how it works.
If you're a beginner, Mike & Mary's
teaching style will provide you that initial solid foundation and
self-confidence so you can shine on the dance floor! You'll
also develop the skills necessary to continue to learn more intermediate and
advanced steps and patterns.
For swing dancers with more experience, Mike & Mary can help you take your
dancing to the next level, to include learning more complicated material,
developing musicality in your dancing, and even preparing for competitions.
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What about the
swing dance scene in Lexington/central Kentucky? |
Mike & Mary have
been instrumental in establishing and developing the swing dance scene in
Lexington and central Kentucky. They strongly believe awareness of and appreciation for the swing-era as a historical and cultural asset is
important for the Lindy Hop and Balboa dancer. Through their dedication,
vision and leadership, the
Hepcats offer beginner, intermediate and advanced
swing dance classes;
regular
swing dances (1-3 a month, some with
live music!); sponsor weekend and one day workshops; and
sponsor
performance groups, such as the
Rhythm Cats and the
Razz Ma Tazz.
They established a
collaboration with the Univ. of Kentucky (UK) School
of Music for semi-annual
Big Band Swing Dances, with one of two ensembles
providing the music: the Kentucky Jazz Repertory
Orchestra (KJRO), or the UK Jazz Ensemble (UKJE).
These
big band swing dances are a great way to get a
feel for what it was like to dance in the
1930's/40's swing-era!
The
Kentucky Jazz Repertory Orchestra (KJRO) is a 17
piece big band co-directed by UK School of Music
professors
Miles Osland and
Dick Domek and consists of the most talented
faculty, alumni and musicians from Kentucky area
colleges and universities.
KJRO is a band that is especially suited for and
highly skilled at re-creating authentic, original
swing-era arrangements of artists such as Duke
Ellington, Jimmie Lunceford, Count Basie, Benny
Goodman, Artie Shaw, Harlan Leonard, Glenn Miller
and others. Many of KJRO’s arrangements were
transcribed by Dr. Domek from the original
swing-era recording.
Dancers
obviously benefit from these collaborations, but so
do the musicians as they get a chance to see
authentic Lindy Hop and Balboa danced to the great
music they play! As a result of these
collaborations,
KJRO was inspired to record and release a CD
especially for swing dancers,
Flying Home.
KJRO is one of the finest big band orchestras
performing today - - and is the Hepcats favorite band!
The UK Jazz
Ensemble (UKJE) is a 17-18 piece big band that
consists of the most talented students in the award
winning and nationally recognized UK Jazz Studies
Program. UKJE is directed by UK Music Professor
Miles Osland. UKJE plays many authentic
swing-era arrangements and often features UK Jazz
Studies and Voice Program students as vocalists.
The jazz ensemble students always look forward to
playing for one of these events!
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