Hot Mess 2011 (July 8th-10th, 2011)

Instructors

Nina Gilkenson (Baltimore, MD)

Lindy Hopper. Belly dancer. Hair-removal Laser Technician. The mysterious figure that is known only as "Nina" (and sometimes "Naomi") has many titles from prestigious dance competitions. But that’s only a small part of her accomplishments. For instance, she can swivel in midair. She can simultaneously create vintage-style dresses and then destroy them while dancing. She can make 12-minute biscuits in 10 minutes. She writes upbeat musical theatre involving funeral homes. And last, but not least, she is a part of the award-winning Lindy Hop team the Silver Shadows, which sounds like it’s a group of super heroes. And that’s what she is. A Super Hero--one whose main super power is doing swivels in midair. And one day, they might save the world. Until then, she lives in Baltimore, MD and falls down a lot.

Nina is also a co-organizer of The International Lindy Hop Championships, which happens next August 25-28, 2011.

Mike Faltesek (Seattle, WA)

Mike Faltesek brings to the dance floor an incredibly diverse social and performance dance talent that includes not only Lindy Hop but also Cakewalk, Black Bottom, Traditional Jazz, Tap, Charleston, Breakaway, Balboa, Big Apple, Blues and many other Authentic Jazz dances. Mike has been dancing for over a decade, in that time he has traveled to instruct, compete, and perform internationally. From Harlem to Los Angeles and all throughout Europe. Mike is well known for his charismatic personality, approachability and passion for the essence of Authentic Jazz dance and music. He possesses an enthusiastic ability to convey ideas and movements explicitly, making him a popular instructor wherever he goes. He teaches workshops internationally, each time leaving a lasting impression on his students. Mike’s main source of inspiration are the greats of yesteryear, dancers and performers like Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers, the Nicholas Brothers, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, John Bubbles, Earl "Snakehips" Tucker, and the Berry Brothers. Mike resided in Sweden for 2 years as a member of the world’s foremost Jazz Dance Company, The Harlem Hot Shots. He has since moved back to the states and can be found wherever people love swing music.

Michael Seguin (Baltimore, MD)

Michael Seguin’s love of Lindy Hop was born in the streets of Harlem in the mid 1930s, when he and his young friends used to sneak into the Savoy club (despite their tender age) by bribing the doormen with nickels, which Michael earned by performing his tapdancing mime act in the New York City subways. Michael is best known for choreographing The Big Apple, personally digging out the Grand Canyon, and winning the Nobel Peace Prize for physics in 1972 for his theory of superconductivity (jointly developed with John Bardeen). He currently lives in Baltimore, MD, and teaches Lindy Hop and other vernacular jazz dances with Nina Gilkenson.

Adam Boehmer (Seattle, WA (guest instructor, MC, Hot Mess Comp judge/participant))

An avid jazz dancer for over a decade, Adam invokes the spirit within. He is often sought after as an entertaining instructor and performer, or sometimes just to show up; his positive energy is relentless.

As a teacher, he presents an honest and fresh perspective on dance and boils down advanced concepts into graspable, concrete information. He believes that a good instructor is one-part dancer, one-part comedian and one-part poet. As a competitor and performer, he brings a jovial and effervescent feel to the floor. Confident in Jazz Dance as a path to one’s overall individualism, Adam stresses the break-down of preconceived notions concerning style, culture, and gender roles in dance.