Instructors, DJs and Judges - 2024
Stephen Sayer is dedicated to preserving the great American partner jazz dances of the 1920′s-1950′s. Originally from Dayton, Ohio Steve began dancing in 1998 at the age of 16. Falling in love with lindy hop and other dances of the swing era he traveled to the east and west-coasts to dance, study and learn the different styles of swing dancing.
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Karine Hermes is a Brazilian dancer, with a background in Ballet, Jazz and Belly dance before Rockabilly and Swing dances, such as Lindy Hop, Collegiate Shag, Blues and others.
She gathered experience from learning many different styles and approaches from around the world, and after teaching Swing in Brazil since 2014, she started teaching in L.A. and internationally with world-renowned swing champions Stephen Sayer and Chandrae Roettig in 2016. Together they provide group and private classes, coach award-winning competition teams, organize festivals, perform in events/film, and more.
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In 2005, Stephen moved to Los Angeles and soon began teaching weekly at Joe’s Bar and Grill in Burbank. In 2009 he began competing, winning many Los Angeles contests such as the Bayside Lindy Battle and the Paladino’s Jitterbug contest. In 2010, 2011 and 2012 he won 1st place in the Collegiate Shag division at the National Jitterbug Championships with partner Fancy Dougherty. Also in 2011 he won 1st place with partner Chandrae Roettig at the National Jitterbug Championships and the US Open Strictly Lindy Hop divisions. In 2012 he and Chanzie won the Camp Jitterbug Strictly Lindy, US Open Strictly Lindy and came in 2nd at the International Lindy Hop Championships. In 2012 Stephen was inducted into the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame.
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Today Steve teaches weekly at Madilyn Clark Studios in North Hollywood and has started the California Jubilee performance teams. He is committed to improving and pushing the limits of his own dancing as well as those who take his classes. His focus of connection to partner and music are what makes his dancing and teaching so unique.
Jeff started ballroom dancing in college and pursued it for nine years. He discovered Lindy Hop and other forms of swing dancing, including his favorite, Balboa, throughout the 90’s. He started teaching Balboa nationally and internationally starting in 2003 with no end in sight. Jeff was drawn to dancing in the first place because of his love for jazz and big band swing music. It is therefor no surprise that he is an active swing music DJ as well, with a special place in his heart (and in his feet) for Western Swing.
On the bar tending front, Jeff has been planning menus and shaking up spirited libations for nearly a decade for corporate and private events. His tent at the Gatsby Summer Afternoon is legendary. He trained for a short time at one of the nation’s top tiki bars, Forbidden Island, and was head bartender at the speakeasy themed bar Capone’s, both in Alameda, CA.
Hailing from the state of Arizona in the great Southwest, Dj el Dedo has amassed a fantastic album collection of authentic raw rockabilly, country and hillbilly boppers. A perfect fit for the Western swing out! Renowned as one of the foremost Rockabilly Roots Dj's in the country, El Dedo has been a mainstay Guest DJ at viva Las Vegas and The New England shake up where he has co hosted many hillbilly boppers sets late into the night. Get ready to shuffle and bop on the honky tonk hardwood floor!
DJ Doug LeClair (San Diego) is a preservationist of classic jazz, western swing, big band, R&B and jump blues music. He began with a college radio swing program in the late 90s and is considered San Diego's "first swing DJ" where he started as the house DJ for The Rocket Swing Club in El Cajon, California. He has performed at regular venues around town and this is his first time back out of retirement in almost six years.
Dj Jame is a staple of the Los Angeles rockabilly scene.
He is a DJ, Promoter and Western swing Out fan favorite! He will be spinning your favorite and rare Honky Tonkin, and Hillbilly Trax on wax. DJ James keeps the Jivers, Boppers and strollers coming all night long. This will be his 5th year as a Western Swing Out DJ.
Charlotte Del Rose has been involved with vintage clothing since the young age of 14. She got her first job in a vintage clothing store in 1981 and has worked in 11 different vintage stores in Los Angeles and back home in Texas. She has also worked for the producers of the Vintage Fashion Expo. Charlotte does hand sewing work & repairs of clothing, accessories, and jewelry for stores and private clients. She has produced, directed, styled many 1920's thru 1940's era fashion shows for the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles and the Egyptian Theatre. She has also styled 1930s & 1940s era weddings for clients, performers, and musicians. Charlotte is an avid WWII reenactor and former Cowboy Shooter. Produces multiple pop-up vintage sales and acted coordinator of the WSO's 2017 vendor room & fashion show. Everything vintage clothing and Western Swing Music are her passions. She is pictured here with Mr. Tiny of Tiny and Mary from 2017's Western Swing Out.
As Owner of Skirt Chaser Vintage-Burbank, CA Christina is fresh from judging the Vintage Swimsuit Competition at Viva Las Vegas, Christina will bring her enthusiasm for early western wear to the Western Swingout costume contest! She has a special place in her heart for all things western, especially the Mexican-influenced details on clothing, inspired by memories of the splendor of Mexican Rodeos and her Charro Grandfather. Growing up, she collected scratchy old records of hillbilly and western swing and fell in love with these uniquely American styles of music… As a clothing collector and dealer for 20+ years she’s bought and traded some of the best and can’t wait to see what fancy duds you bring to the Swingout!
DJ Dr. Nate grew up in Texas hearing his talented dad sing Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison and Elvis songs. Sadly, he did not inherit his dad’s singing voice, so he spins the tunes instead! Dr. Nate has been the Joe’s Tuesday night DJ & host for almost 6 years, before Covid hit, and tries to create the atmosphere that the late great Mark Tortorici did that made Tuesdays there so popular. Nate loves spinning the mix of genres that made dancing back in the “swing revival” days so fun, including Swing, Rockabilly, Western Swing, Jump Blues, and Doo-Wop.
Nate also DJ'd regularly at Clifton’s Republic & Pacific Seas Tiki Bar in Downtown LA, and will be returning to DJ at Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend #24 this September. He is a DJ for the online station Rockin247Rado.com and has a channel at Mixcloud.com/DJDrNate
Marshall Watson, AKA Professor Watson, is a vintage vinyl and swing era music DJ. He is founder and producer of Swingtronic, a vintage nightlife event company established in 2013. Swingtronic runs a monthly event at The Airliner in LA where Watson is the resident DJ. Professor Watson also DJ’s at various vintage style events in Los Angeles and swing dance events throughout the nation. Along with being a DJ, Watson is also a professional swing dancer and dance instructor.
Professor Watson is proud to be returning to the Western Swing Out Weekender and looks forward to spinning his Western Swing, Honky Tonk and vintage Country tunes for your listening and dancing pleasure!
Christopher Burkhardt is an Orange County-based collector of vintage cowboy boots. He and his wife Cathie Ann currently own over 4 dozen pairs of unique collectible leather art.
In 1980, Burkhardt opened his first Western store in Kalamazoo, Mich. dubbed the Tumbleweed Connection.
His Western boutique featured kickers from many of the top manufacturers during the Urban Cowboy craze. He soon became an avid collector, visiting boot-making sites like Mexico, El Paso and Santa Fe where he had custom boots made for him and his wife. Most of the boots in the collection have well-worn soles from two-step and swing dancing over the past 40 years.
He also published the nationally-distributed Western lifestyle magazine, "That’s Country," which featured numerous pictorials and interviews on cowboy boots.
At the WSO Boot Contest at 3 pm on Saturday, you will find several categories of competition - and it’s all in fun!
Prizes for Best Vintage Pair, Flashiest Boots and Most Beat-Up Boots allow patrons to show off their favorite kicks while the audience determines the winners by applause.
Dj Jump Blues Richard
has been playing for over 20 years in Southern California at different vintage style events like Tom Ingrams Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender, Christina Coffey’s The Western Swing Out, Mando Dorame of Royal Crown Quartet’s Resident DJ at Secret Island Tiki in Long Beach, California and various Rockabilly events all over So Cal. DJ Jump Blues Richard plays the musical styles of 40’s Jump Blues, 30’s & 40’s Swing, 50’s Rockabilly, 30’s & 40’s Western Swing.
WSO is excited to share, a uniquely curated Tequila tasting experience. In true south west vintage spirit, we invite you to explore the world of Tequila and uncover the complexity and beauty of this ancestral spirit. Immerse yourself in
the cultural history and production of Agave tequiliana, Blue Weber Agave, the only variety of agave that produces Tequila. Our discussion will include cultivation practices, roasting and fermentation techniques, along with
distillation styles. Learn the fundamentals of the Tequila industry, while exploring and tasting the flavor profiles of newly introduced expressions of Blanco, Resposado. Añejo and Extra Añejo. You can expect to get to know your own palate, be confident in what to purchase for your home bar and what to ask for in a cocktail. Embark with us, on a tequila tasting journey to discover all there is to appreciate about Tequila and Agave spirits.