Today we’d like to introduce you to Sheri Tate.
Hi Sheri, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
The ACSR Story: In 2015, a group of dancers in San Antonio united to discuss their love of swing dancing. They realized that the public interest in swing dance and support for local swing bands was on the decline.
The already small group of swing dancers & instructors was spread-thin due to different event locations. Additionally, it was difficult to get everybody together due to schedules, different thoughts on swing dance, and the love of different music styles. But that was all about to change.
The group eagerly discussed how swing dancing had changed their lives for the better. Each person told stories of how to swing dance brought fun times, new friends, and an appreciation of American music & history. They also noted the health benefits. Swing dance provided them with exercise, and stress release, and it renewed their joy.
The profound effect that swing dance had on each of their lives gave them energy and countless reasons to start a new non-profit 501c7 dance community in San Antonio, also known as Alamo City Swing Revival (ACSR). With the help of dancers, friends, and family, a club was born in March 2016. ACSR’s first dance was on St. Patrick’s Day, 2016. It was a record-breaking swing dance event for ACSR with over 230 dancers in attendance!
Thanks to the support of you (the members) along with the many amazing board members & volunteers, a swing revival had occurred and has continued since then. ACSR has managed to stay open through multiple relocations and the Covid pandemic! There has been a common saying amongst the group since opening night… “everyone is welcome!” Since its inception, the ACSR swing dance family continues to grow to have a positive impact on our local community.
ACSR Goals: Goals of ACSR include uniting the swing dance community and providing a variety of traditional swing dance lessons. Educating the community about the history of swing dance and playing a wide variety of swing music (1920-today). Welcoming people of all levels, and promoting good health through swing dance.
Providing family-friendly events. Supporting local groups and participating in dance fundraisers for high school bands, veterans, first responders, seniors, and small businesses. Being inclusive (providing a warm welcome to ALL) and sharing the JOY of swing dance with YOU!
Today, we have over 300 members and we are growing fast! Every Monday night at the San Antonio Firefighters Association banquet hall, our doors open at 6:30 pm. We teach swing dance lessons from 7 pm-8 pm. Then we dance to fabulous music until 10 pm. This year we hosted the Clark High School Jazz band.
They provided fantastic high-energy swing performances for us multiple nights! The swing dancers enjoyed being a part of their successful fundraising event.
Our founders and board members welcome you to be a part of this exciting and growing swing dance scene. We invite you to be a part of the family! Come and experience the joy (and the many other benefits) of this amazing dance!!!
HAPPY SWING DANCING!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Alamo City Swing Revival has faced many challenges, including the Covid pandemic. But two main challenges are keeping dancers interested, and finding venues.
Keeping dancers interested: Interested in the dance: A lot of people think if they take a few lessons, they will go out and dance like a pro. It takes practice, dedication, and time. In fact, it can take new dancers up to a year to get comfortable on the dance floor. We don’t want people to give up too soon.
Classes can make you a better dancer, but*** dance classes offer other benefits as well. Dancing is great exercise! Classes can improve a person’s memory, mental health, balance, stability, socialization skills, and core strength! Classes can help spruce up your dance moves, get rid of old habits, and meet new people. And the list goes on… There are so many reasons to continue with classes!
Interested in learning about swing music: We all have our favorite tunes, but when people join us, they will hear SWING music. They may not be familiar with these amazing songs. Swing music comes from the roots of blues and jazz, but its upbeat tempo could not be ignored by the dancers.
“You just have to tap your toe when listening to it!” people would say. The bands played to the dancers in the 30s-50s, and an amazing partnership was born. The music is what ignited my passion to dance. We want to encourage curiosity and a desire to step back into the swing era. We want people to ask “what makes swing music swing?” Because…”It Doesn’t Mean a Thing if it ain’t got that Swing!”
Interested in learning the history of the dance. Swing dance has an amazing history behind it! It came from Harlem New York. Just as blues came from African Americans, so did swing dance! Frankie Manning is considered the father of Lindy Hop Swing, but many other important people played a role in spreading this dance which is now enjoyed by people all over the world.
Venue: Location/venue has also been a struggle. Bars/dance venues may want to partner with dancers at first because we are fun and full of energy. But they quickly realize that it’s not your regular “bar scene crowd”. Dancers just don’t spend a lot of money. Simply put, they come to dance(and drink lots of water).
Alcohol is not a priority, so bars usually don’t want to offer up their dance floor. Furthermore, dance halls/wedding venues are way too expensive for a swing dance 501c7 that has limited funds. We always needed an inexpensive venue to host our weekly events. This has been very challenging.
Since ACSR’s opening in 2016, we have been in 5 different locations! But our newest one has been the best by far! We have partnered with the San Antonio Firefighters association to rent out their banquet hall. Here, we can support first responders and keep the tunes spinning for you every Monday night!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
What sets Alamo City Swing Revival apart is that we strive to be inclusive of all dance levels and all people. You do not need previous knowledge of dance, you do not need a partner. When you join us on Monday Nights, you are family. We play a large variety of swing songs/music. We are family-friendly.
Alamo City Swing Revival has 9 board members. All are amazing people offering up their gifts/talents to keep this organization going. Dancers/club members also volunteer for us each week to help with set up and break down. Below is a little about myself personally. But it took a dedicated team of people each week to keep this going, ALL of which deserve equal recognition. We have an amazing team!
My name is Sheri Tate, I am one of the founders of ACSR and a dance instructor. Swing dancing is a love for me and a side hobby. My main career is in emergency medicine. After graduating from the Kanas City University of Medicine in 2006, I had the privilege to specialize in emergency medicine and internal medicine.
Like most physicians, I hit a period of burnout in my career. After recovering, I went on to study burnout and its effects of it on physicians, nurses, and first responders. I now provide lectures to residents and colleagues on how to prevent burnout.
What I look forward to each day is: providing people with ‘tools’ to stave off exhaustion and live a healthy life. Dancing is one of those “tools!” It has been a lifesaver for me, so it is my honor to pay it forward. What a joy it is to see all of the dancers smiling and having a good time!
And I am most proud of those(colleagues, friends, dancers, family) who keep moving forward despite their hardships! We have so many inspiring individuals in San Antonio!
The amazing ACSR team, and current board:
Gilbert Carrizales: President
Karen Guz: Treasurer
Gloria Fenske: Hospitality Coordinator
Heidi Price: Secretary
Isis Thiel: Volunteer Coordinator
Julie Vogler: Music/Sound Coordinator
Evan Guz: Secretary Assistant
Leslie Kortz: Dance Instructor Coordinator
Sheri Tate: Founder/Treasure Assistant
We’d love to hear what you think about risk-taking?
It’s a big risk to start a non-profit 501c7 swing dance club! It takes time. It takes money and donations. It doesn’t pay. It asks you to give of yourself each week to see that others are enjoying themselves.
But the rewards are priceless:
Seeing the joy of others, enjoying close friendships, and making a difference in our community. Supporting small businesses and local groups. And encouraging good health practices in SA.
All the risk is worth it if the love/passion is there.
Pricing:
- Band nights: Members $12
- Band nights: Non-members $15
- Annual membership $40/year
- 1st Responder/Veterans $35/year
- Students with ID $35/year
Contact Info:
- Website: https://swingrevival.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alamocityswingrevival/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/acswingrevival
Image Credits
Vincent Quaranto, Super Q photography
