Community outreach

As evidenced by the information below, Mike & Mary and the Hepcats love to collaborate with other organizations on events that help promote swing dancing/Lindy Hop and Balboa, and the great music of the swing-era!  The Hepcats have provided DJ music, swing dance demonstrations, swing dance classes, swing-era history and cultural programs, and other special programs to a variety of organizations.  The Hepcats are available to assist your school, organization or civic group – contact Mike at 859-420-2426 or [email protected] for more information on a possible collaboration!

Collaborations with Schools, Colleges, etc.

o Collaboration with the UK School of Music/Kentucky Jazz Repertory Orchestra/UK Jazz Ensemble to bring authentic swing-era Big Band Swing Dances to the Lexington/central KY area on a regular basis.

o Collaboration with the UK Jazz Ensemble and UK Music Professor Miles Osland for a Big Band Swing Dance to support UKJE’s fundraising efforts for their Summer 2011 tour of European jazz festivals.
o Northern Elementary School, Lexington, KY:  Swing Dance lesson and demonstration for Cultural Arts Class.  Mary Richardson also taught over forty 4th and 5th graders the Shim Sham, which they performed for the school’s annual spring arts events.  The kids did great!
o Swing dance lesson for Fayette’s County School System School for the Creative and Performing Arts (SCAPA).
o P.L. Dunbar HS, Lex., KY:  Swing dance workshop for Cultural Arts Class.
o Tates Creek HS, Lex., KY:  Swing dance workshop for Cultural Arts Class.
o Swing dancing on stage at the UK Singletary Center for the Arts during the Kentucky Jazz Repertory Orchestra’s concert programs.
o UK Homecoming Gala:  Swing Dance Demonstration.
o Demo at the Singletary Center for the Delta Zeta Mr. UK Pageant fundraiser.
o Dance lesson and Demo at Memorial Coliseum for the Dance Blue fundraiser.
o Rhythm Cats demo and jam circle at the landmark Lyric Theater in Lexington as a part of the UK Cultural Diversity Festival.
o Swing dance lesson and DJ dance for Centre College, Danville, KY.
o Provided Lindy Hop and Balboa demo for the UK Medical Center Humanities Festival.
o DJ and swing dance lesson for Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY swing dance events.
 o Breckinridge Co. HS, Harned, KY:  Swing Dance workshop and swing dance in preparation for Senior Prom.
o Oldham County HS, Buckner, KY:  Swing Dance Demonstration for Cultural Arts Class.
o Dance program and demonstration for the cultural arts program at Rockcastle County HS, Mt. Vernon, KY.
 o Swing dance workshop for Pike County Central HS for their “In the Mood” marching band program.
 o Scott County HS, Georgetown, KY:  Swing Dance workshops for the High School swing dance club.
o Lexington Traditional Middle School:  Swing Dance demonstration and lessons for 8th graders.
o Swing Dance lesson at Lafayette High School Band Association Annual Jazz Band fundraiser dinner & dance.
o DJ and swing dance lesson for swing dances atTransylvania University, Lexington, KY.
o Workshop for Berea College students and the local community.
o East Jessamine Co. High School, Nicholasville, KY:  Swing Dance workshop for the High School swing dance club.
o Beaumont Middle School, Lexington, KY:  Swing Dance demonstration & lessons to 6th, 7th and 8th graders.
o DJ and swing dance demo for UK Alumni AssociationGolden Wildcat Reunion.
o DJ and Dance Lesson for the Univ. of KY United Way Campaign Swing Dance.
o UK Newman Center Swing Dance Lesson and Dance.
Collaborations with Government and Community Organizations

o Swingin’ on Main, Lexington’s annual street dance, downtown, Lexington, KY.  The Hepcats are one of the sponsors for this annual event with Lexington Parks & Rec.  We coordinate the live music, provide the pre-dance lesson, and help judge the dance competition.

o Swingin’ on Main, special swing dance event for the World Equestrian Games, part of the Spotlight Lexington Festival, in downtown Lexington, KY.

o Swingin’ at Moon Dance, special swing dance event for Lex. Parks & Rec. “Summer Nights in Suburbia” series.

o Provided swing dancers and music for Kentucky Educational Television’s (KET) summer 2011 “Swingin’ at KET” fundraising gala.
o Collaboration with Keeneland to bring swing dancers to the Opening Day, Fall Meet after-party event, Swinging at Sunset, which featured the Kentucky Jazz Repertory Orchestra.
o Pre-dance program and swing dance demos for Big Bad Voodoo Daddy at a Lexington Philharmonic concert.
o DJ and swing dance lesson for Nicholasville-Jessamine County Parks & Rec swing dances at High Bridge Park, Outdoor Pavilion, High Bridge, KY. Coordinate the live music, provide pre-dance lesson, and judge the dance competition.
o Downtown Lexington 4th of July festivities:  Swing Dance demonstration.
o Provided DJ music and swing dance demos for the Autism Society of the Bluegrass annual “Bluegrass Autism Walk”.
o Frankfort, KY Area Arts Foundation, swing dance demonstration and lesson for fundraiser.
o Swing Dance workshops & dances for Laurel County Public Library Adult Activities program, London, KY.
o Studio Players production of “Swingtime Canteen“.  Provided costume and hair design support and provided dance entertainment at intermission.
o Provided dancers and character players for Lexington Philharmonic Ball, “Icons of Americana“.

o Swing dance demo for the Susan G. Komen fund raiser.

o Swing dance demo at High Bridge Festival, Wilmore, KY.

Other Collaborations

o Friday Night Flicks, Jacobson Park, pre-movie activities: Swing Dance lesson & demonstrations.

o DJ for the Hospice of the Bluegrass Holiday Party:  “1920’s Stork Club“; and “1940’s Copacabana Club” theme dances.
o DJ and Dance Lesson for Immanuel Baptist Church’s New Year’s eve singles party.
o DJ and Dance Lesson for Kidney Foundation of Central Kentucky Swing Dance and Fundraiser.
o DJ and Dance Lesson for Timmy Foundation Fundraiser event.
o Dance lesson and DJ for Bluegrass United Christmas Dance.
o Swing dance demos and music for several assisted living facilities in Lexington/central KY.
o Swing dance demos for the International Equestrian Festival convention during the World Equestrian Games.
o Coordinated the entertainment for the “Let Us Never Forget” annual fundraiser in Cincinnati, OH.  Let Us Never Forget provides scholarships in the name of military service members that have provided the greatest sacrifice in service to our country.