Underhill's Swing and Shag Dance Collective

Alright, swing dancers, let's be real. How many of you, when the music kicks in, immediately turn into a human calculator, counting "one-and-two, three-and-four" like your life depends on it? Ditch the drill sergeant approach Yeah, we've all been there. But guess what? While counting has its place (don't ditch it entirely!), the real magic happens when you stop crunching numbers and start feeling the dang music in your body. Seriously. We're talking about a whole new way to approach swing dancing – less like a math test and more like, well, dancing ! From Brain Drain to Body Bliss Imagine this for a second: Instead of your brain yelling "MOVE NOW!", you just chill out, loosen up, and let the music kinda flow through you. For dances like Philly Bop, East Coast, West Coast, Carolina Shag, and Hand Dancing, this "feel-it-in-your-guts" thing is HUGE. It's about: Getting Groovy: Not just hearing the beat, but feeling that pulse and flow ev...

  Have you ever had a dance where everything just clicked ? The music seemed to move through you, your partner's intentions were crystal clear, and your feet just knew what to do without a moment's thought. Time seemed to melt away, and you weren't thinking about the next step or how you looked, but simply being the dance. If you've felt that, you've touched upon what psychologists call the Flow State , a concept pioneered by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. My wife and I often experience this, and it's exhilarating. What's even more fascinating is when people watching Denise and I dance, they describe that exact feeling – a seamless connection, an effortless joy – they're describing us in flow. But what exactly is this 'flow,' and how does it manifest itself on the social dance floor? What is the Flow State? The Psychology of Optimal Experience Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, a renowned psychologist, dedicated his life to understanding what makes people trul...

Do you love music and want to learn some fun new moves? Get ready to groove! Underhill's Swing and Shag Dance Collective ( www.swingandshagdancecollective.com ), in partnership with the War Memorial Cultural Arts & Community Center, a valued hub for arts and community engagement in Powhatan , is thrilled to announce FREE beginner Swing dance classes starting on Monday, September 22nd, 2025! Whether you have two left feet or are looking for a fun way to get active, this welcoming and energetic 6-week series is the perfect place to learn the foundational steps of lively Swing dancing. The Carolina Shag, a smooth and stylish dance popular in the Carolinas, is actually a derivative of Swing. This beginner Swing class is a fantastic first step on a journey to mastering either (or both!) of these classic American dance styles. Our experienced and enthusiastic instructors, Roger & Denise Underhill, are dedicated to creating a fun and supportive learning environment for everyone....

Have you ever heard a song that just feels like it’s been simmering on a back porch on a hot summer night? A sound that’s equal parts heartache and joy, grit and groove? If so, you’ve likely stumbled upon the rich and resonant world of Southern Soul music . More than just a genre, Southern Soul is a cultural touchstone, a musical tapestry woven from the threads of gospel, blues, and early rhythm and blues, all seasoned with the unique flavor of the American South. It’s a sound that speaks directly to the soul, and its legacy continues to thrive today. The Genesis: Where Did This Feeling Come From? Born in the turbulent 1960s, against the backdrop of civil rights struggles and profound social change, Southern Soul wasn't created in a vacuum. It was a potent musical alchemy: The Gospel Fire: The fervent call-and-response vocals, the emotional intensity, and the soulful cries of the Hammond organ owe a deep debt to the Black church. Many Southern Soul pioneers honed their voices in ...