Smoother than Smooth Hand Dance Co.

New Classes in Stafford on July 31!

admin — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 12:03:29 +0000

Smoother Than Smooth, the company that brought Hand Dance instruction to Fredericksburg, is now offering classes in Stafford. Classes will be held Saturdays (6 pm – 7 pm) and Wednesdays (8 pm – 9 pm) at the Liberty Center Bowling Alley located at 20 Green Spring Drive, Stafford (Garrisonville), VA. Classes will be held for 12 weeks at a cost of only $10.00 per class with a one-time registration fee of $5.00.

Click here for a printable flyer.

Hand Dance Social Saturday July 17!

admin — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 03:23:32 +0000

Smoother than Smooth Hand Dance Company and Las Palmas Cafe

Come Together to Present A

Saturday Night Hand Dance Social

Saturday, July 17th • 9:00 pm-1:00

Join us for Hand Dancing, Line Dancing and R&B with music by The Notorious DJ Freckles

The luxurious Las Palmas Cafe is located at 409 William Street, Fredericksburg, VA. Click here for a flyer with details and directions.

Please note: We will also hold another social on August 21. We hope to see you at both events!

Smoother than Smooth Makes a Showing at TRI-State 2009

admin — Sun, 16 May 2010 02:21:07 +0000

Kevin L. Tisdale and Vicky Davidson – Just Dance – Hand Dance Intermediate

Kevin L. Tisdale and Dana Martin – Performing Arts

New Classes at Ft. Stevens Recreation Center

admin — Fri, 14 May 2010 10:38:36 +0000

Beginning May 27, 2010 Kevin will be teaching with Tippi Mavritte on Thursdays* at Ft. Stevens Recreation Center (1327 Van Buren St., NW, Washington, DC). The six week session will run until July 15, 2010. Classes will be held from 7:30PM until 8:45PM. For more details and to enroll contact Tippi Mavritte at (301) 559-3364.

*Classes will not be held at Ft. Stevens on June 17 and June 24.

Recent Class Photos

admin — Tue, 11 May 2010 03:54:33 +0000

Smoother than Smooth classes are challenging and fun! Each class is taught a brief routine that incorporates the skills they have acquired in both the Beginner and Intermediate classes.

See below for some pictures of Intermediate Class #6 practicing for their graduation.

(Click on an image to enlarge)

New Classes Begin on May 8!

admin — Wed, 05 May 2010 17:45:03 +0000

Join Smoother than Smooth for a new Beginner and Intermediate class session beginning on May 8, 2010. The session will run for 15 weeks until August 28, 2010*. If you are new to Hand Dance and/or Smoother than Smooth, check out our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information. Click here for a complete class schedule.

We hope to see you on the dance floor!

*No classes will be held on the following dates: May 29 (Memorial Day), July 3 (Independence Day), September 4 (Labor Day), December 25 (Christmas Day).

Hand Dance Graduation – May 2, 2010 – Photo Gallery

admin — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 04:51:58 +0000

Classes 7 & 8 held their Graduation on Sunday, May 2, 2010 at the Fredericksburg Hospitality House & Conference Center (2801 Plank Road, Fredericksburg, VA). The graduation featured a live performance by Deonna Ball and DB’s MVPs and the graduates themselves. See below for pictures from the event.

Hand Dance Graduation
Classes 7 & 8
Sunday, May 2, 2010 ❖ 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Fredericksburg Hospitality House & Conference Center
2801 Plank Road, Fredericksburg, VA
Food ❖ Refreshments ❖ Cash Bar
Dancing ❖ Class Performance ❖ Unique Dance Performances
Tickets are $35.00
h a n d d a n c e c o m p a n y
Directions: Coming from North, take I-95 South to exit 130B (Culpepper). After taking this exit,
stay far right; bear right at the large red Central Park sign into the Central Park shopping complex.
Once you bear right into Central Park, travel approximately 100-150 feet, turn right onto the first
street on the right, Commerce Street. The Hospitality House and Conference Center will be the 2nd
building on the left. Park in the rear of the building and enter into the Banquet area; signs will be
placed in the facility.
Coming from South, take I-95 North to exit 130B (Culpepper). Go towards the first light; bear right
at the large red Central Park sign and follow the same directions as above.
Coming from Rt. 3 West, drive east on Rt. 3 until you reach the Central Park shopping complex.
Make a left into Central Park and follow the same directions as above.
Coming from Rt. 3 East, drive west on Rt. 3 until you reach the Central Park shopping complex.
Bear right at the light at the large red Central Park sign and follow the same directions as above.
For event information contact: Kevin L. Tisdale at 301-903-3685 or
tis2@verizon.net or go to smootherthansmooth.com

Testimonial: Bill Ruark

admin — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 23:57:15 +0000

I really enjoy the Hand Dance lessons taught by Kevin. Everyone is so sociable, friendly, and non-judgemental. Classes are challenging, but in a good way. So when I’m on the dance floor, my partner won’t be bored.

In addition to classic moves, Kevin also teaches good technique that is just as relevant in other dance styles like Latin and ballroom. I used to have what some ladies called a “soft” lead. It was a nice way of saying, “you aren’t leading.” Now, I have more confidence that I can lead so my partner will be the “picture,” and I will be her “frame.”

I really appreciate all the friends I’ve made in class and especially thank Kevin for bringing this dance opportunity to the Fredericksburg area.

ATEC Invites Kevin Tisdale to Speak on Hand Dance and Economic Empowerment

admin — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 23:05:36 +0000

On February 26, 2010 our very own Kevin L. Tisdale was invited to speak at the Army Test and Evaluation Command Headquarters (ATEC) Black History Month celebration. After a speech tying Hand Dance to the celebration theme of “History of Black Economic Empowerment” Kevin and Julia Steward, Lloyd Franklin, Ronda Gaines and Tippi Mavritte performed new school and old school routines to an enthusiastic crowd. Below is an excerpt from the article featured in The Pentagram (a military publication), highlighting Kevin’s speech. To view the article go to http://www.dcmilitary.com/stories/030410/pentagram_28363.shtml.

Kevin Tisdale, owner of the dance company, thanked ATEC for being invited to the African-American History Month celebration and described the role swing dancing has played in African-American heritage.

“They called it Jitterbug, Shim Sham, The Charleston. Whatever the name, swing dancing has always played an intricate part in the African-American Community,” Tisdale said. “We can trace the dance back to the 1800’s when they first called the dance the cake walk. This was actually the first time African-Americans had the opportunity to mix and mingle with caucasian Americans through dancing. This was also a time the Emancipation Proclamation came into effect.

“Swing dancing has been a part of our culture since we can remember, and we have struggled for years as Black Americans to own homes, own land and for equal employment” Tisdale said. “But, economic empowerment has been available to us the whole time through dancing, swing dancing and what we call it in D.C., hand-dancing. Here is to social growth and integration through black economic empowerment. Here is, to swing dancing. Let’s keep on dancing.”

Tisdale’s remarks were followed by a big round of applause and the song “Flip, Flop and Fly” filled ATEC’s conference room, and dancers, including Tisdale, jumped out in front of the crowd to show ATEC’s guests what swing dancing is all about. It wasn’t long until members of the audience were invited to join the dancers in learning the steps it takes to swing dance.

Testimonial: Carrol Brown

admin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:48:12 +0000

I am delighted to submit this letter to Smoother than Smooth as a testimonial about my participation in Hand Dancing.

In January 2008, I read an advertisement in our local newspaper here in Fredericksburg about Hand Dancing classes. At that time, the classes were being conducted in a small coffee shop in town. Out of curiosity, I went to the coffee shop one Saturday and observed the dancing by Intermediate students. From the moment I walked into the shop, heard the music and saw the instruction, I knew this was something I wanted to participate in. My new adventure took off with my signing up for the next Beginner classes.

My instructors, Kevin Tisdale and Dana Martin, always made the dance lessons enjoyable and they helped wherever someone had difficulty. Whenever we have mastered learning a particular dance step, our instructors are complimentary and happy to see us succeed; their encouragement is so appreciated by everyone because all are so eager to learn. I completed the Beginner classes, then the Intermediate classes, and continue attending the Intermediate Workshops.

I love the graceful and stylish moves of Hand Dancing. Any of the dancing events I have attended with other graduates and followers of the dance have also been enjoyable and fun. Our class field trip and graduation events were two highlights for me; I loved being a part of it all!

I truly wish to express my appreciation to Kevin and Dana, for their encouragement and direction in my learning process … and I want to continue learning and becoming more skilled. I also want to mention my classmates; we have developed wonderful friendships, enjoy the dance and each other’s progress.

Sincerely … but with a SMOOTH step,

Carrol Brown