Dancer and Promoter Jack Bridges started dancing as a teenager with his father when his father was a band leader who played for dance venues. Jack would hold dances at his High School as well as local Sock Hops in San Diego, Ca. Later he would learn how to Tap dance and perform at certain Theatres around town. Jack competed in many contests over the years as well and won the IMIG Manor Hotel’s “Mississippi Room” dance championships, for fourteen weeks in a row with Kay Fox. With growing up in the San Diego area Jack would become involved with the West Coast Swing community, eventually becoming President of the San Diego Swing Dance Club in 1977/78. Later he would marry Mary Ann Rogers who would be his right-hand over the years. Mary Ann Bridges began Swing dancing in 1982 when she met the man who later became her husband, Jack Bridges. Mary Ann is virtually known by every Swing dancer in the nation for having been Co-Director of the U.S. Open Swing Dance Championships (along with Jack) from its inception in 1983 through 2000. Her part in running the event for those eighteen years reflects the growth of Swing dancing on a national level and their decisions on divisions, rules, and formats, etc. have had a long-lasting impact, and were quite often at the forefront on the national Swing dance scene. In 1995, Mary Ann expanded her role in Swing dance promoting by founding a second Swing event, The Jack & Jill O’Rama, which she directed and co-directed for eight years. In addition to being a promoter and event director, Mary Ann judged (often serving as Chief Judge) at a variety of Swing dance events for many years.The US Open Swing Dance Championships – Jack had the vision and dedication needed to create the US Open Swing Dance Championships which has been the longest running Swing dance contest. Jack also, initiated NASDE which established a tour of event directors whose mission was to work together to promote Swing Dance competitions across the US. Founded by Jack, Mary Ann and Kenny Wetzel in 1979, on Thanksgiving Weekend of that year, held its first US Open at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV, a dismal turn-out. Not being one to give up he re worked the event and offered it up again in 1982 which was a much more attended event. Making some changes he moved the event in 1983 to the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, California, where it became a huge national and ultimately international success. The word “Open” in the title meant it was ‘Open’ to all forms of swing (West Coast, Lindy, Shag, Balboa, Jitterbug, Dallas Push, East Coast, Jive, Hand Dance etc.) Each style originally competed against the other for many years. Since WCS became the “reigning swing style” at the US Open, they added other categories allowing the other Swing styles to compete in their own respective styles of swing. The US Open Swing Dance Championships is the oldest and largest International Swing Dance competitions of the year. Competitors from all over the country work all year long preparing their routines, in order to dazzle and delight the crowds. The attendees look forward to the US Open knowing they are going to witness some of the most amazing dance performances that will be seen in one place at one time. There is always excitement and electricity in the air. Jack and Mary Ann united the swing dancing community with that passion and purpose in mind. As Jack and Mary Ann were also the founders and organizers of the National Association of Swing Dance Events (NASDE). NASDE is an organization of many Swing Dance Events in a calendar year with common rules and guidelines. Jack and Mary Ann’s intent was to create an association that sponsors and extra pool of prize money to encourage the top swing dancers to travel to NASDE events to compete in Showcase and Classic to help promote, preserve, and improve swing dancing. Jack sold the US Open in 2000 to a group of Shareholders who continue today as investors even though the principal investors have changed hands again around 2013.
Special Achievement Nominee Information
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First name: DONALD
Last name: ESTEP
Accomplishments:
Dance Club (officer), Disc Jockey, Fundraising, Judging, Movie Work, Organizer, Promoter, Teaching (classes), TV Work
Description of how this person has promoted Swing Dancing:
Don Estep was one of my dance partners in the 1980’s & in the 1990’s. While we won several major contests together, this nomination is for Don Estep and all the other things over and above he has done for the swing dance community. He deserves to win the
“special achievement ” award. Please review all the outstanding and unnoticed achievements that would not have been done only with him behind the helm. We put on a fundraiser for “the battered women’s shelter through dancing which was held @ world trade center long beach. We raised $18,000.00 in just 1 day. Don served on the board of the l.a.s.d.c in 1980’s..don has lead fundraisers for n.a.m.i. & st jude’s , children’s hospital raising thousands of dollars through dance. Dj for the c.d.h.o. Fundraisers 1994-2017 pro-bono for all the above . He is our d.j. @ the starting gates that keeps our dancing family together. All of his adult life is devoted to promoting swing dancing. He has placed or won various “jack & jill’s” throughout California . He has appeared on t.v. Shows, “two on the town” also filing at bobby McGee’s . Danced at the “Jarvis” t.v. “eye on l.a. Shows . He has done all of this for the love of swing dance without fanfare unselfishly. He has won so many contests. But this award is not about the better dancer.
He has really given and raised and promoted swing dancing to provide and care for so many causes through dance.
Thank you so much for your considerations . He is still giving and never takes . Linda Cooke
From Fran Tassin nomination: Don has supported West Coast Swing dancing, that I am aware of, since 1977. He and his wife, Shirley, are terrific West Coast Swing dancers and attend and support all activities in California. For many years, Don has been involved in the dance scene: disc jockey, fundraising, judging, master of ceremonies, organizer. Also, for many years, even after moving from Corona to Palm Springs, he has sponsored and is a disc jockey at the Starting Gate once a month – free with no pay. I have been acquainted with Don and Shirley Estep through our membership in the Los Angeles Swing Dance Club. I was President, Newsletter Editor and now Secretary of L.A.S.D.C. I also love Don’s dancing style – one of my favorite.
Special Achievement Nominee Information
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First name: Shesha and Nikki
Last name: Marvin
Accomplishments:
Choreography, Dance Club (officer), Disc Jockey, Fundraising, Judging, Master of Ceremonies, Movie Work, Organizer, Promoter, Teaching (classes), Teaching (other), Teaching (studio), TV Work, Other
Description of how this person has promoted Swing Dancing:
Shesha and Nikki Marvin are the driving force behind ATOMIC Ballroom. Their mission statement is to build con