More west coast swing for you

The idea for the club began in 1995 when Michael Harvey began taking West Coast Swing dance lessons from Kerry Frost and Kenny Livingston.  He enjoyed the dance tremendously.  Kerry and Kenny suggested that he attend a dance event called “Boppin’ on Beale Street” in Memphis, TN.  After attending that event these three dancers were inspired to organize a dancers club in Atlanta.   They made plans for an organizational meeting the next week.

The organizational meeting was held on August 19, 1995 with sixteen people in attendance; Kerry Frost , Kenny Livingston, Michael Harvey, Misty Taylor, Fran Ewing, Ron Harris, Rosemary Scalessa, Sue Harrison, Deborah Gilreath, Becky Pearrow, Pat Korn, Jo Jo Topper, Joanne Thompson, Craig Gustin, Bill Sauer and Sonny Johnson.

The group decided the club was to be named Atlanta Swing Dancers Club and dues would be $15 for the first 50 members who would be identified as “charter members” of the club and $25 thereafter.  The group voted to have in-town and out-of-town co-coordinators.  Misty Taylor, and Michael Harvey were elected the in-town co-coordinators and Kerry Frost and Kenny Livingston the out-of-town co-coordinators.  Fran Ewing was elected treasurer and put in charge of membership.  The group planned to hold Saturday night parties at Carey’s Corner, in Marietta, twice each month.

The second meeting was held one week later on August 26, 1995.  Twelve people were in attendance at the second meeting, including four who had not been present at the first meeting; Rick Anderson, Tom Scott, Mary Garone, and Anne Phillips.  Becky Pearrow agreed to do a newsletter with husband Rick Anderson assisting.  A membership kickoff party was scheduled for September 25, and plans were made for free practice parties on Monday nights.

Michael Harvey was elected the first president and he served until February of 1996.  Pat Korn was elected President for 1996 and Flamingo Joe’s became new home of ASDC.  Kenny Livingston and Kerry Frost became the club’s instructors.  By December 1996 the club had grown to 125 members and the group was meeting to dance on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

It took a tremendous amount of work to accomplish the goal of organizing a West Coast Swing club in Atlanta.  Through the years, many people have made contributions to the club to ensure its continuing success.  It is impossible to identify all of them.  To quote Pat Korn, “ For every year it’s been the fun of the new and old friends, the joy of the dancing, the delight in seeing new people discover the many rewards of dancing and definitely, the appreciation of all the volunteers and the club’s board members that have kept our club alive, successful and vital.  None of us could have created this club’s 15 years of success alone.”

ASDC enjoyed 7 fantastic years co-hosting Smoky Mountain Boogie and club members have enjoyed many additional parties and dance workshops either free or at a reduced rate because of the financial rewards of our participation in this dance party weekend.

In 2005 the ASDC board of directors elected to sponsor and host a weekend dance event in Atlanta in our own hometown, instead of co-hosting the Smoky Mountain Boogie for an 8th year.

ASDC enjoyed 7 fantastic years co-hosting Smoky Mountain Boogie and club members have enjoyed many additional parties and dance workshops either free or at a reduced rate because of the financial rewards of our participation in this dance party weekend. In 2005 the ASDC board of directors elected to sponsor and host a weekend dance event in Atlanta in our own hometown, instead of co-hosting the Smoky Mountain Boogie for an 8th year. On October 12 through 15, 2006, the Atlanta Swing Dancers Club hosted the first annual Atlanta Swing Classic at the Marriott Atlanta Perimeter Center.  The event featured hospitality with southern Atlanta charm, great workshops from inspiring instructors, vendors for those that like to shop, great DJ’s and one of the best dance floors in the country for your dancing pleasure.

Memories from past Club Presidents
  • 1995 - Michael Harvey: the first President
  • 1996 - Pat Korn: The time was filled with excitement as membership grew and challenges of finding a place to dance
  • 1997 - Rich Kopels: By-laws were written and membership continued to grow. The club started meeting in Reunion's Lounge at the Marriott Perimeter Center Hotel.
  • 1998 - Patricia Stimmel: A young club was anxious to be recognized by other well established clubs. The initial planning stages for the 1999 Smoky Mountain began.
  • 1999 and 2000 - Nancy Bireley: A very successful Smoky Mountain Boogie was held. Rich Kopels became known as Mr. Smoky Mountain Boogie after attendance almost double compared to what was expected. Rich was also nominated to the Amaerican Bop Association Hall of Fame and became the first lifetime member of the Club.
  • 2001 - Janice Haker: We started using wristbands as attendance grew. We also worked closely with ASCAP to waive music fees. The Club dance team performed at the Smoky Mountain Boogie. The Club began using a rotation of DJs.
  • 2002 and 2003 - Pat Korn: The Club dances included some food, Jack & Jill contests, and more. Additionally, the Club brought in out of town instructors for weekend workshops.
  • 2004 - Dixie Stanford: The Club worked to streamline finances and improve benefits for Club Members. The Club brought in out of town instructors for weekend workshops. The Club also created the Dance Improvement program lead by Kirk Richardson.
  • 2005 and 2006 - Seth Pratt: The club enjoyed the consistency of the lessons with the Dance Improvement program, celebrated a 10 year anniversary, and hosted the first ever Atlanta Swing Classic in 2006.
  • 2007 - Glenn Sims: The Club hosted the second Atlanta Swing Classic, had a huge Halloween costume party, and a black tie optional holiday party. The Club also brought in Jordan and Tatiana for a workshop weekend. The Club moved out of the Marriott.
  • 2008 - Jerry Knight: After moving out of the Marriott, the Club was forced to initiate several changes to improve the overall financial condition and dance venue. The Club moved to Nemoe's Bar & Grill .
  • 2009 and 2010 - Alan Annicella: The club focused on growth of west coast swing in Atlanta. There was an updated website, outreach, and extensive marketing. With this, weekly attendance increased significantly. To help facilitiate growth, the Club worked closely with Nemoe's and struck a deal to finance the expansion of the backroom at Nemoe's. This expansion doubled the size of the space.
  • 2011 and 2012 - Chris Lynberg: The memebership experimented, innovated and engaged the WCS community on a world-wide, national, and regional basis. The Club explored hosting multiple dances at multiple locations.
  • 2013 and 2014 - Carol Puza: During this time the dance program was updated and the Atlanta Swing Classic became a WSDC registry event.
  • 2015 - Cindy Frary:
  • 2016 and 2017 - Pamela MacArthur:
  • 2018 - Linda Degutis:

Saturday Nights

Atlanta Swing Dancers Club
  • Hosted by: Atlanta Swing Dancers Club
  • Location: Volga Dance Academy
  • Every Saturday night
You are visiting the official Atlanta Swing Dancers Club website

Tuesday and Wednesday Nights

Jerome and Bonnie Subey
  • Hosted by: Jerome and Bonnie Subey
  • Location: Subey Dojo
  • Frequency: Every Tuesday and Wednesday
  • Time, costs, schedule, click below
Click here for costs and details

Wednesday Nights

Wicked Westie
  • Hosted by: Alan Annicella
  • Location: Volga Dance Academy
  • Frequency: Every Wednesday night
  • Time, costs, schedule, click below
Click here for the official Wicked Westie website

Occasional Friday Nights

Swing Invasion
  • Hosted by: Swing Invasion
  • Location: American Legion Post 201
  • Frequency: Third Friday of the Month
  • Time, costs, schedule, click below
Click here for the official Swing Invasion website

Sunday Nights

Swing Invasion
  • Hosted by: Swing Invasion
  • Location: American Legion Post 201
  • Frequency: Sunday nights
  • Time, costs, schedule, click below
Click here for the official Swing Invasion website
Why this is here:

These 'regional events' are events that are regularly attended by Atlanta area swing dancers. It is fun to travel in with dance friends! Most of these events are in the southeastern United States. Do you attend an event that is not listed here? Please email it to the webmaster to have it added!

Click here to join the Atlanta Traveling Westies Facebook Page

Regional Events

Charlotte Westie Fest
  • Month: February
  • Location: Charlotte, NC
  • Tables: Atlanta has tables
  • Time, costs, schedule, click the image or below
Click here for the Charlotte Westie Fest website
Swing Over
  • Month: April
  • Location: Orlando, FL
  • Tables: No Atlanta tables
  • Time, costs, schedule, click the image or below
Click here for the Swing Over Orlando website
USA Grand National Dance Championships
  • Month: May
  • Location: Atlanta, GA
  • Tables: Atlanta groups have multiple tables
  • Time, costs, schedule, click the image or below
Click here for the USA GNDC website
Trilogy Swing
  • Month: September
  • Location: Raleigh, NC
  • Tables: Atlanta has multiple tables
  • Time, costs, schedule, click the image or below
Click here for the Trilogy Swing website

Creativity, styling, musicality, and more

Dancing is fun! Check out some photos from our past parties!