Shawn Lavelle, Head Honcho

“I helped out with my first event in 2004, the Twin Cities Lindy Exchange, and I have been hooked on hosting ever since. Since then I’ve hosted ForePlex, OctoPlexy, North Star Blues, Midwest Lindyfest and several more local events while also assisting the Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown, Uptown Swing and the Welbourne Jazz festival. Over the years I developed a unique vision for a recurring Swing Dance. After two previous attempts, I am finally prepared to bring this night to you.

“My love of Lindy Hop predates my 2003 Lindy Hop birth. In 1998, without the aid of the Gap commercial, I learned this dance called “East Coast Swing” and danced occasionally through 2002 never feeling like this was “the swing dance” – even though at one point a hockey crowd of 4000+ cheered for myself and partner while we danced to Jump, Jive, and Wail during a break in the action. With this gut feeling of “there’s more to swing dance than this,” I eventually discovered Lindy Hop in 2003 and have been hooked ever since. My experiences include trips to the Great Southwest LindyFest, South Florida Lindy Exchange, TriPlex, Madison, Chicago & WCLX, Re-Enter the Blues in Atlanta, GA, Show Me Blues in St Louis, the Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown in New Orleans, and Herrang Dance Camp in Sweden. This is in addition to numerous local events, including Sving Du Nord, Midwest Lindyfest, and the Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown when it was in Minnesota.

“Rhythm Junction is all about good music and my travel and local event hosting have connected me with many great vocalists, musicians, and DJs. I want to bring these great folks to you to create great music and fill you with inspiration, motivation, and the joy of the dance.”

Site Managers: Laney Barnaugh, David and Amy Engelhard, Eryn O’Neil, Anna Sutheim
Volunteers: Starting in October, this could be you!