This post is overdue but fun, so only slight apologies for the delay! 😉

After long anticipation, Disney’s California Adventure opened its newly retrofied Buena Vista Street and Carsland on June 15th, and the day before they closed the park for final preparations and a private party for press and employees. To add some fun to the street inspired by Los Angeles in the 1920’s & 30’s, Chris & I joined some friends in dancing to Dean Mora’s Modern Rhythmists. So much fun to be there at the re-opening of Buena Vista Street, dancing to LA’s best and most authentic early jazz band!

Chip & Dale dancing the Charleston

Dancers en route to California Adventure

Twilight on Buena Vista Street

Dean Mora introducing his Modern Rhythmists

Chris and I joined dancers from Pasadena Ballroom Dance

and the Hollywood Hotshots for the event

Hollywood Hotshots Minn Vo & Stefanie Klausman performing “Campus Capers”

After the first band set I changed outfits and got a quick photo with the Red Car Trolley.

So neat to see this bit of LA history recreated!

Chip (or is it Dale?) dancing with some visitors.

With Katie, Hollywood Hotshot and fellow FIDM graduate!

Pluto getting down!

Dancing at Carnation Plaza – Disneyland

May 3, 2012

Last Saturday we went to Disneyland – this was a bittersweet event because it was the last night of swing dancing at Carnation Plaza. They’ve had live music and swing dancing there since the late 50’s, with top name acts performing like Louis Armstrong, Gene Krupa, Count Basie and Harry James. Oh, yes, and yours truly – I played at Carnation with my high school band. 🙂

I never really danced at Disneyland – until we moved recently it was just a little too far away to make buying a pass worthwhile – but Chris started dancing there in the late 90’s. It was the first place he saw swing dancing in person, and he started taking lessons because dancing at Disneyland looked like fun. How cool is that?! My first swing dance was in a church basement, and his was at DISNEYLAND!