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Lindy Hop and West Coast Swing on One Dance Floor |
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“Shoeless” Peter Zellner: As the President of the Tall Atlanta Leads Club, Peter is all things Swing: dancer, performer, choreographer, and DJ. Peter began dancing in 1998 and is a lover of Lindy Hop, West Coast Swing, Balboa, and the sorts of duo Charleston patterns which make people ask if he’s on spped. His theory on swing dancing in general is, “Just keep it simple… Keep it Basie.” As well as placing in a number of national events over the years, Peter is a co-fonder of the lindy dance troupe Big George Savoy Bouncers, where everyone dances hard core and falls down a lot. Peter will represent the Lindy Hop community while DJing.
Stacy “Turbo” Zellner: Stacy began dancing at the age of 3 because she was tired of walking. At the age of 14 she began dancing country & western because we all know that an urban city such as Chicago is well known for its country western music, history, and lifestyle. The truth is, she really loved the sparkly clothes and those rhinestone cowboys. In 1999, after all the farmland in Chicago was turned into high-rise buildings and 7-11 convenience stores, she moved to Atlanta. Stacy, still with a passion for dance, continued teaching dance. While teaching, she focused her energy on west coast swing competing individually, winning the Strictly Swing Division at the U.S. Open Swing Dance Championships in 2001. As much as she calls herself a “westie,” she has ventured to the dark side and studied Lindy Hop and Balboa. While continually working to perfect her swivel, she is known in the Lindy Hop community for the “butt-and-go.” Don’t worry, you can ask her about it. Oh yeah, she married one of those lindy hoppers as well… What’s next, pirates and ninjas socializing?
Erica DeBlasio: Erica is the proud mother of Alanna, her three year old daughter. Her daughter is nearly as tall as she is. This is extremely useful for Lindy Hop aerials. Erica flies through the air with ease. She once attempted to set the record for hang time during an aerial, and did, until the Gunniess Book of Records indicated that an updraft held her up an extra 8 minutes. She floats like a butterfly on the dance floor and is extremely passionate about sharing her love of the dance with you!
Alan A. Annicella: A little known fact about Alan is that he was tricked into dancing. His first experience with partner dancing was at a country western bar and a free lesson. It was 2-Step, he didn't get it, and wasn’t going to come back for the rest of the class series. But, the 50 something English woman that he got partnered with stated that if he did not come back, she would have no one to dance with. Her guilt trip made him come back the following week. Nine years later, he is still dancing. Even though he started with country western and line dancing, he most closely associates with the westies. But, he enjoy the energy, passion, and enthusiasm of the Lindy Hop world. Alan will represent the West Coast Swing community while DJing. He commiserates in both worlds and is the creator of WestieHop. |
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WestieHop is owned by Wicked Westie and is sponsored in part by the Atlanta Swing Dancers Club and the Atlanta Swing Era Dance Association
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