No RetroGlide is not something naughty… it’s about being in the retro scene and gliding across the dance floor. Although after speaking with the International Dance Instructor and Performer and owner of Retroglide Dance Studio, Chandler Smith, in March, he does have a wink in his eye when he talks about Swing Dancing in L.A.
About Chandler Smith
Chandler Smith, co-owner and co-founder of Retroglide Dance Society in Santa Clarita, California, teaches and performs his favorite styles of Swing dance — Lindy Hop (both Savoy and Smooth style), East Coast Swing, Charleston, Shag, and Balboa — at numerous Southern California high schools and universities, private parties and corporate events, and at local Los Angeles swing nightclubs, including the world-famous Derby in Hollywood, the Hollywood Athletic Club, Pointe 705 in Hermosa Beach, and Suzy Q. s in Westwood. He has recently returned from teaching workshops and classes at the Autumn Swing Out in Melbourne, Australia, and at Swing It Out in Perth, Australia. As an instructor, he is known for his warmth, for his attention to detail, and for his ability to break down steps into their basic elements, including the lead and follow for each move. As a performer and social dancer, he is known for his clear lead and for the musicality he brings to the dance.
About Retroglide
“We can accomplish more through collaboration than through competition” is our motto. Retroglide Dance Society’s mission is to create a dance community of all ages in the Santa Clarita Valley by providing affordable, high-quality social dance instruction and events, where people will feel welcome and safe to learn the skill of dancing and to socialize with others who also value that skill.Further, Retroglide is based on the belief that partner dancing is a necessary social skill, like being able to carry on a conversation or having good manners, that helps one to be at ease in social situations, to reach out to other people in a kind and respectful way, and to share their enjoyment of life and its opportunities. There need be no impassible lines of demarcation between dances or styles of dance; the more one knows, the better.
Dancing well is one of the supreme joys of life, and the more people we can get dancing, the happier we and they will be. We strive to promote unity through dancing and NOT to encourage an “us” versus “them” mentality, demonstrating that there is room for all. We encourage our students to try new things, to use their dancing socially as often as possible, and to meet new friends who share in this wonderful hobby.
Music Playlist
- Theme Song: “Miracles From Molecules” by the Sherman Brothers (Available only at Disneyland!!!)
- Calendar Song: “Sorta Blue” The Music from Peter Gunn composed and conducted by Henry Mancini
- Closing Song: “Soul Bossa Nova” by Qunicy Jones off the album Martini Madness
