24 Cancer Dance-A-Thon March 13 – 14, 2010

It is with great pleasure that I introduce the fabulous Nikki Marvin.  Nikki is a Lindy Hopper, teacher, wife, mother, and, along with Shesha, a founder of the 24 Hour Cancer Dance-a-thon (which I think makes her Mrs. Grand Poobah).  This busy lady is also co-owner of the ATOMIC Ballroom, a member of the dance troupe The ATOMIC Cherry Bombs, and a top-ranked competitor on the world dance circuit.

1.    Tell me a little about yourself as a dancer and teacher.

What a tough question!  I don’t think I’ve ever thought about who I am as a dancer before.  I think that I was always meant to be a Lindy Hopper.  I even have a home movie of me watching a documentary on the 1940’s when I was about 6 years old.  I was introduced to Big Band music at a young age thanks to my mom and grandfather, Pap.  My Pap would say, “Big Band music makes you smart” and he would give me his Glen Miller CDs and laugh at my vintage clothing.

I think that the first Swing dancing I ever saw was in A Day at the Races by the Marx Brothers.  It just happened to be on TCM one day.  When I realized that was the dance done to the music that I loved so much I knew I had to learn.  I grew up in Victorville, Ca where there is absolutely no Swing Dancing.  After I graduated high school I started driving all the way to Whittier twice a week to take classes.  Eventually I had to stop because it was to far and expensive for a broke college student.  It wasn’t until I moved to Orange County in 2003 that I was able to take dancing seriously.  The first thing I did was register for classes and it just so happens that those classes were taught by my now husband, Shesha Marvin.  Ever since my first class with Shesha I have been fulfilling a dream.

Nowadays I am fortunate enough to travel the world teaching the dance that I love so much.  Nothing is more rewarding than teaching a room full of beginners and seeing how excited they are about the dance.

2.    What inspired you to start the 24 Hour Dance-a-thon?

Shesha mentioned the idea of the Dance-a-thon to me not long after we began dating and I remember thinking that it was a genius idea.  My mom is a pediatric oncology nurse so I have heard many stories of the children who have affected her life.  The first year we were just hoping to pull it off but we were completely overwhelmed and inspired by the support from the community.

3.    What class will you be teaching during the Dance-a-thon?

At the Dance-a-thon I’m teaching “New Ideas” with my partner Mikey Pedroza.  This will be a class about thinking outside the box and trying new ways to move and connect.

4.    What is your favorite dance move?

The Swing-out!  But more specifically swiveling on count 1 and 2 on a fast song.

5.    What is your strategy for staying awake during the 24 hours?

As an event organizer I usually end up going without sleep for almost 36 hours.  Now that I have a baby I’ll have to sneak away now and again for sleep.

6.    What is the one dance tip that you think every dancer needs to know?

1.  Your footwork is a utility to get you where you need to go so make your weight changes confidently!

2.  Always bring backup shoes!  Especially if you plan on dancing for 24 hours.