Venue Profile: Lindy Hop Stop Rocks with Johnny Boyd!

This is the first in a series of “venue profiles” that I hope do to on every major swing dance venue in Los Angeles and Orange County.

When Lindy Hop Stop started on a Thursday night in 2010, I thought “there’s no way it can compete with Lindy Groove!”  But over two years later, it not only is still around, but has expanded from being a bi-monthly event to a weekly event!  The recent night with Johnny Boyd’s band caught my eye on Facebook.  It looked like a ton of fun, and it seemed to me that Lindy Hop Stop had reached a high point in its history with this event.

I asked Teresa London, the creator of Lindy Hop Stop, some questions about her event:

• When did you start Lindy Hop Stop?
  I started Lindy Hop Stop October 7th, 2010
• Why did you start it?
  Because I love to dance and wanted to offer the dance community in Orange County a venue on a Thursday night. Many people said that they liked my choice of music when I would DJ parties and weddings, so I thought I would give it a go.
• So many swing dance venues start and then fail. How did you succeed? On the same night as Lindy Groove, no less!
  Luckily people do like my choice of music. My friends have supported my venue over the past two years and have helped spread the word about Lindy Hop Stop. The other thing that helped was, and is, my constant marketing and getting the word out for every event. I figured I was far enough away from Lindy Groove that it wouldn’t be a conflict and that Thursday would be a better night than Monday. All the other nights of the week were being used by surrounding swing dance locations and I certainly didn’t want to have a conflict with them.

• How has Lindy Hop Stop been doing, as far as attendance? Is it growing? Staying the same?
  I originally had Lindy Hop Stop on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month. When the attendance grew I decided to go weekly as there were many people that had been asking me to do so. Of course the attendance decreased a little, but now it’s building back up and we get a nice crowd on a weekly basis.
• How long do you intend to keep it going?
  As long as people still attend and have a good time, I’ll keep it going.
• What was it like to have Johnny Boyd and his band play at your venue?
  It was the most AWESOME night I have ever had. Johnny played his heart out and the bands were amazing. Everyone I spoke to afterwards had nothing but good things to say and that they had an amazing time. I can’t wait to have him back again!
• What were they like on a personal level to work with?
  They were all great people and very professional. Johnny was very nice and a pleasure to work with.
• What are your plans for the future of Lindy Hop Stop?
  I am planning on having more live bands.
• Besides Lindy Hop Stop, what other swing venues do you like to dance at?
  I like to dance at the Sky Room, Rusty’s, Joe’s Bar and Grill and other obscure bar type venues.
• Anything else you’d like to share?
  I wish everyone sore feet in the morning, because they danced the entire night before.

Here are photos from that fantastic night with Johnny Boyd’s band:

All photos by Tom Irwin and Mary Arnold.

Lindy Hop Stop is on the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month. Free beginner lesson from 7:00 – 7:30 pm, and dancing from 7:30 to 10:00 pm.  It is located in The Press Box Lounge inside Westminster Lanes.  6471 Westminster Blvd., Westminster, CA 92683. Check out their Facebook Page for the latest details!

What did you think of Johnny Boyd’s band at Lindy Hop Stop?  Leave a comment below.  – Brian 12/19/2012