The Smooth & Ez Hand Dance 
Institute ( SEZ ), an affiliate of Solar
Eclipse, Inc., was established in November
1992. It first opened its doors to approximately 25 students. Recognized as the oldest and largest school of Hand Dance
in the Washington, D.C. area, it currently averages 150 students per class.
Hand Dance, as it is
affectionately referred to by Washingtonians, can be traced as far back as the 1920's, when Harlem gave birth to the Lindy Hop. From the Lindy Hop emerged the Jitterbug in the 30's and during the 50's D.C. developed
its own version and named it Hand Dance. From the early 50's to mid 60's,
Hand Dance was
the hub of our ( Washingtonians ) dancing experience. It
features hand holding and other forms of graceful embracing while executing simple to complex turns and moves. In the 80's, following an extended hiatus, Hand Dance resurfaced and has gradually moved to reclaim its place in the Washington dance community.
The Founders, Larry Beasley,
President of Solar Eclipse, Inc.,
a membership social club, and Lawrence Bradford, CEO and
Lead Instructor of SEZ, envisioned a gateway to African American
awareness through the art of
dance. They wanted to ensure the
preservation of this African American art form
and to establish it
permanently, in our community, as a dance that promotes social
gentility, graceful intimacy, and partnership. Mr. Beasley
and Mr.
Bradford recognized that their commitment demanded more than
just another oldies club on the market. They needed to bring the
dance to those
less familiar in an effort to guarantee that, this time,
Hand Dance would
remain viable and revered as an art form.
Thus, the idea of the Hand Dance school.
As a direct result of
the ever increasing number of students, community
needs, and wishes, Smooth & Ez's doors are open three nights a
week
and Saturdays, and at several locations in D.C., Arlington,
Virginia and
Baltimore, Maryland. Smooth & Easy also provides private
lessons. Mr.
Bradford's signature style of teaching has proven to be a
remarkable tool
for learning. Students of all dance levels find his
innovative style (smooth
and easy) beneficial to their dance growth.
Smooth & Ez is
the first in the Hand Dance community to initiate an
Instructor Certification Program ( ICP ). The ICP was
developed to
produce the highest quality of instruction in an effort to maintain
the
integrity of the dance.
In addition to the
Instructor Certification Program, Smooth & Ez has
also established a dance troupe, as a means of demonstrating and
promoting the art of Hand Dance when teaching is not practical.
The
SEZ Dance Troupe has performed locally for government, community
organizations, as well as along the east coast from Massachusetts
to
Georgia. The Troupe has competed in numerous competitions as
well;
and the competition circuit has proven to be
an essential venue for
promoting Hand Dance, fortifying individual style development,
expression
and awareness.
In 1993, the
Smithsonian Institute recognized Hand Dance as an
American Art Form. Mr. Bradford was instrumental in
presenting
and demonstrating this dance through open forums, performances
and workshops at the '93 Smithsonian's Folklife Festival and the
Library of Congress Cultural Enrichment Series.
Smooth & Ez and
its Instructors have received recognition from
various media such as The Afro American, The Washington
Times,
The Washington Post, and WUSA's Channel 9 Prime Time.
Recently,
Smooth & Easy was awarded a City Council Resolution for its
outstanding
achievements and community service.
Since its inception,
Smooth & Ez has become a symbol of dance
encouragement. This is largely the result of the hard work of
the
founders, instructors, volunteers and supporters dedicated to the
goals and mission of Smooth & Ez.
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