AARP Studio 50+ Nightclub: Line and Hand Dancing

Source: AARP.org | May 3, 2005

Riley Wimes, Jr. and Margot McGraw Toppen
As a professional DJ, dancer and dance instructor, Riley Wimes, Jr. attributes his national love for music to his great gift of reading and pleasing his crowd. Wimes is one of the best-known faces on the Chicago swing scene. He began dancing socially at a young age and grew up in a family and community surrounded by music and dance. Wimes continues his dance and musical education by taking workshops and private lessons with internationally known instructors in a variety of dance styles. Wimes' athletic grace and subtle strength are unparalleled in the world of "hand dancing" and it's those attributes that have helped maintain him as not only Chicago's but one of the world's Lindy Hop specialists.

Margot McGraw Toppen will share the dance instruction with Riley Wimes. Together they have won a number of swing dance competitions including first place in the Great Lakes Regional for the American Lindy Hop Championships for four years running (1999-2002). They have appeared live on stage with Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. They perform and teach Lindy Hop, East Coast Swing, and Collegiate Shag throughout the Chicago-land area.

Rolland Pudil and Mary Monica
Rolland Pudil is one of Mid-America's best known DJs. His reputation for filling dance floors is legendary and well-deserved among the countless nightclubs in downtown and suburban Chicago and the New Year's Eve celebration in the Grand Ballroom of Navy Pier.

Whether it is "stepping" line or good old-fashioned slow dance, award winning actress, singer and dancer Mary Monica is Rolland's dancing partner. They will work in tandem with each other to fill the floor with folks looking to do the Electric Slide or the Macarena or the Stepper's Delight and have fun.