Strictly Westie - The Return of Tybalt Ulrich!

Alexander the Great conquered North Africa.

Christopher Columbus discovered America.

Tybalt Ulrich went off in search of the legendary riches of Texas – but CAME BACK because there was only Fool’s Gold!

Tuesday night at the regular west coast swing party at Connolly’s in Times Square - a whole lotta people came out to celebrate!

Dancers came from the all over the tri-state area.

Richard Fauerer even came from Germany!

It was a really special night.

Evan Schwartz was the DJ. This guy has a distinctive style.

A little laid back, kinda cool vibe – lots of fresh tunes. It was hard to sit out a dance.

We all had to go to work the next day but it was really difficult to make ourselves leave!

Tybalt gave an excellent and stimulating lesson.

 Quite a few of his former students wasted no time getting back to their west coast swing.

People were really ready to learn from him again.

Probably the nicest part is that Ty works the floor - he dances with all the girls and even a few of the guys!

But he doesn't make his partners feel like he is superior.

Rather, he dances just slightly above their level which makes it a light challenge and more fun.

Connolly’s Tuesday night west coast swing dances held by Strictly Westie, is the standard of quality in New York City. On its worst night – in a blizzard – or a last minute schedule change they'll still get at least 50 people.

As usual, however, there were about 75 dancers in a steady stream throughout the night. It actually felt like there were more leaders than follower. (How about that!)

Even more importantly, the ratio of leaders to followers is usually fairly even.

It is rarely difficult for the followers to find dance partners.

And everyone mingles.

The room is perfect because there isn’t anywhere for snooty people to hide from the rest of us!






I love this venue. It is really Michael Diener and Jennifer Czarkowski’s first child.

Everything that they are – nice people, wonderful dancers, interesting and well rounded individuals – comes out in this creation.



They attract nice people and set a standard of behavior. As long as Mike and Jen are the leaders of the west coast swing community, we will have wonderful dances to look forward to.


There may be a lot of ways to make the world a better place.


It may not cure Cancer or bring world peace – but everyone who comes to Connolly’s on Tuesday night will be a whole lot happier because of it!

Tybalt will be teaching at Connolly’s the 1ST Tuesday of each month.

Come down and make yourself happy!

For more information:

http://www.strictlywestie.com/