Festa Fridays!

About 60 people turned up President's Day holiday weekend - including some legacy dancers who have been following John since the North River Bar days - as well as newbies just discovering west coast swing - and lots of  local regulars.

Much of the popularity of this dance has been credited to John Festa.  When Diane Lachtrupp (former owner of Stepping Out) began her studio, she and John offered west coast swing lessons and really sparked this trend.  Then John created the legendary North River Bar dance venue down in Tribeca - when Tribeca was a cool secret. 

Since then, there have been further creations including Jack Rose, Iguana, Chetty Red, Blarney Stone - and more.

When it comes to DJing, John Festa is an artist.  Its not just a playlist - its a tour de force!  There are pieces from different eras, styles and genres - all deliciously west coast swing-able.  We danced to the music of artists that included BB King, Room Full of Blues and even a Patsy Cline. For me, the best was Patty Austin's "Ability to Swing."

Many people commented that they could tell John was DJing because the sound was so distinctive.  And the biggest complaint I heard all night was that people just couldn't seem to stop dancing!

So, if you are a west coastie, this is one event to put it on your calendar.  Festa Fridays are held on the second Friday of each the month at Dance Manhattan located on 19th Street in New York City, between 5th and 6th Avenues - http://www.dancemanhattan.com/

For a monthly dance calendar: http://www.strictlywestie.com/dances/calendar.php