So I went to Tracy James’ Do Something Blue last night at the new location at the Pasadena City Dance Center, 1368 N. Lake Pasadena, CA 91104. It’s north of Lindy Groove by a few miles up Lake Ave. Easy to find! Parking is a little more tricky. I missed the tiny entrance to the correct parking lot and ended up in the liquor store parking. The folks there didn’t seem to appreciate my taking one of their spaces. The real parking lot entrance is an immediate right off Rio Grande Street surrounded by a chain link fence. There’s a pedestrian gate door on Lake Ave. Then it’s less than a block to the studio. Street parking is available but not after 2AM. Either way, I’d recommend having someone walk you to your car once it starts getting late just to be safe.
I arrived around 10PM so I missed the lesson with Jessie and Jenny but heard it was great! And apparently it was affective because one of my leads successfully executed a new move and proudly stated, “I learned that tonight!” (Yes, Phil…I mean you! 
The new venue’s fantastic! It’s definitely a step up from where we were before. (Not that I don’t appreciate our former DSB home with it’s cozy atmosphere, funny faded photos on the wall, crazy shoe restrictions, quiet the neighbors might hear us, don’t stand on the balcony ambiance!) To be fair it gave us a place to blues dance every month when there was nothing else but a few house parties. (Which were for the most part also at Tracy, Gwynn and Dettre’s.) And for that, I am eternally grateful! But DSB has grown too big for it’s britches. Shout out to Charlie Hull for pointing Tracy to our new home!
This new dance studio is classy with it’s high ceilings, red walls and decorative fixtures. It certainly has that club-like atmosphere! Cafe tables and chairs in the front and a small sitting area off to the side (comfy couch included) gives us dancers a place to relax, chat and still be in the same room to watch the dancing and enjoy the music. It’s hard to hear the music in certain places. But I’ve been assured that these issues are being addressed.
Now the important thing that concerns all the dancers, the dance floor! A beautiful hardwood floor that can fit 250 people. Our last place could barely fit 90 on the dance floor! Friday night we had 115 people and the place looked packed but we all had enough room to dance! Woo Hoo! The mirrors along the right side and the back also give the illusion of space. (Note: Don’t get too caught up lookin’ at your gorgeous selves while dancing! Remember your partner 
There’s a smaller adjacent studio with wall to wall mirrors that remains brightly lit so you can still hear the music and work on your blues moves there .
On another note, the dj selection was certainly varied with a combination of classic rock, blues and alternative. For some it was hit or miss dance-wise. The more eclectic song selections were interesting to listen to but to dance to, more challenging. Then again, there were others who raved about the music choices. Whatever your preference, the dance floor was ever lively!
FYI: Apparently the AC was set to automatically turn off at a certain time, but Charlie, to the rescue, got it up and running again! It should be fine next Friday, but just in case, wear cool clothing, bring a towel and a couple changes of shirts folks! (You know the drill!)
To sum up…amazing new space…great dance floor… good time had by all! And I can’t wait to come back and dance with you all again next Friday, same bat time, same bat channel! For more details about this venue read our post on Do Something Blue…
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Tracy has done a really, really excellent job putting Do Something Blue together. The event is unmistakeably a labor of love. There are few dances where I have felt it as easy to just melt into my surroundings and simply enjoy expressing the music while connecting with so many exceptional people. AND the new location is somehow both expansive and intimate – AKA perfect.
So much to say, I’m looking forward to next time!
I missed the lesson on Do Something Blue’s inaugural night – Friday, August 21 – at its new home in Pasadena. (In case you missed the memo, DSB now resides at 1368 N. Lake Ave., above Washington Blvd., below the mountains, and a wee bit west of its previous home in San Marino.) I did not, however, miss anything else.
Well, that’s not entirely true: I missed the raffle.
Other than missing a lesson in blues (dancing, that is) by the much-lauded instructors Jesse and Jenny, and the much-coveted raffle for a free weekend of lessons and dancing at L.A. Blues (October 23 – 25), I did not…miss…anything…else?
I had a swashbuckling good time, with no injuries sustained, so who the heck cares if I missed anything else?!
Details? Hmmm. The floor: expansive, smooth, wood-y; The ceiling: taller even than the tallest lead who doth tower over me; The music: capable of lulling some leads into wooing their follows on bended knee (bonus!); The lighting: thank God for low lighting.
Oh, and there were dancers of every level dancing, plenty of corners to fill in and sit still in, and a host of hosts at the front door to help you feel welcome. Tracy and Pals rock!
Just don’t drink the water. Seriously.
In all seriousness, (ahem) Do Something Blue’s new venue is fraught with beauty, music, and the fun one has when the two collide. I, Mitch Jacobson, approve.
Ready for night number two? See you there!
Sounds like a fair review to me.