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Future dates: Nov 14-17, 2024 at Dulles Hyatt Regency

HISTORY

The 1st annual DCSX weekend was held at Hyatt Regency in Reston Virgina’s Town Center. Thursday night began with a West Coast Swing workshop and the party that followed attracted over 200 dancers many of which danced into the wee hours. In total over 750 dancers attended the weekend. This turnout immediately established DCSX as one of the largest events of it’s kind. Three adjacent ballrooms hosted a total of 40 daytime workshops and social dancing all night. Each room had a different swing style. Lindy Hop, West Coast Swing and Carolina Shag. West Coast Swing was by far the largest. Contests all took place in the largest ballroom which was spectacularly lit and decorated in the weekend’s red color theme.

Saturday night guests were awed by amazing performances in the superstar show. These routines were presented by the teaching staff, many of whom are current world and national champions. There were also Strictly Swing and Jack & Jill contests with multiple levels offered so anyone could participate. Jack & Jill contests all had elimination rounds or “prelims” preceding a final round. For the first time ever all of these final rounds were danced in “spotlight” format meaning each couple danced briefly on their own rather than in a group or “heat”. This was wildly popular so it has become an integral feature of DCSX. Also especially popular that first year was the swing team division which featured nine groups dancing choreography in costume. The fun concluded with an overnight Sunday farewell party.

For nearly 2 decades Dance Jam Productions has earned a solid reputation for producing high quality, fun dance events of all kinds. This particular weekend began over 20 years ago as Craig Hutchinson’s Virginia State Open Swing Dance Championships “VSO”. In 2005 Barry Durand assumed ownership and presented VSO from 2005-2010. In 2010 Barry left for the west coast and left Dave Moldover’s Dance Jam Productions in charge. It was decided a name change was in order and new resources and talent have been recruited to expand and improve on the existing foundation.

West Coast Swing has been evolving since the 1940s, as a stylistic variation on Lindy Hop. It is a slotted and danced to a wide variety of music including: blues, pop, rock and roll, country western and jazz. It is popular throughout the United States and Canada but was uncommon in Europe and much of Asia until the 21st Century. West-coast-swing communities are now growing quickly in major metropolitan areas across the world.

MANAGEMENT & SUPPORTING STAFF

Dave Moldover (executive director)
Kay Newhouse (co-director)
Casey Daniels (data science & graphic design)
Alyssa Arter & Tammy Davis (support)
Amy Daniecki (customer care)
Alex Brand (contest coordinator)
Dawn Garrish (chief judge)
Tim Johnson & Becky Larson (broadcasting & video production)
Paul Stoddard’s Event Express Pro (scoring & data)
The Dance Jam Productions Team (A/V, Lighting, Dance floors, decorating, logistics)