Brian Lawton
Brian Lawton is a New York City-based dancer, instructor, choreographer, and director. He has an eclectic background in ballet, jazz, and modern as well as Latin and Ballroom dances with a speciality in the vernacular jazz dances of the 1920’s-1940’s. Brian has performed in Shakespeare in the Park’s Comedy of Errors, with the Red Hot Chili Peppers at Madison Square Garden and in their recent music video “Go Robot”, and Swing! at Gateway Playhouse. He has traveled around the world with his wife, Samantha Lawton (Samantha and Brian), teaching vernacular jazz, Charleston, and Lindy Hop. He was the Assistant Director/Choreographer of the new musical Part of the Plan (TPAC) as well as Assistant Director of Distant Thunder (A.R.T. /New York Theaters) both alongside Lynne Taylor-Corbett, Brian is currently the Choreographer and Resident Director of the A Charlie Brown Christmas National Tour.
with Special Guests
Nathan Bugh
Nathan Bugh “rocked the stage” at Carnegie Hall, dancing Lindy Hop with the New York Pops Orchestra. And he has performed in Harlem’s famous Apollo Theater, in “Swingin’ Frankie’s Way.” Nathan brought the 20’s to life in the “Great Gatsby” episode of David Tutera’s “My Fair Wedding;” appeared on FoxNC’s “Fox and Friends Christmas” with George Gee; and he danced Lindy Hop at the legendary dance mecca, Jacob’s Pillow, as part of the Vanaver Caravan’s “Earth Beat.” He has also danced in several music videos, including the Weepies, “Be My Honey Pie.”
As a national competitor, Nathan has taken 1st place in Lindy, Slow Dancing, Solo Charleston, Team, Jill&Jack, and Cabaret divisions. He is one of the most eminent solo-jazz contestants in the world, having won both the Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown (2012) and International Lindy Hop Championships (2014). He is also the director and choreographer of “Yeah Man,” the 2015 ILHC Team champions. He is based in New York City, where he performs and teaches regularly, in affiliation with Syncopated City Dance Company, and Gaby Galore.