WELCOME
We are Retro Rhythm, an online source for all things that Swing!
Currently located in the Triangle area of North Carolina but always available for online lessons & travel.
We are passionate about all of the dances from the 1920s through the 1950s and have provided
you with the history, music and moves of that exciting time period of Jazz and Swing.
Retro Rhythm was created to help ensure that these exhilarating dances are not forgotten. Of course as each new generation learns they will make the dances their own, but we feel it's important to remember where they came from and how they were originally danced.
Travel through time as you explore our website...sit back and relax as we take you from the One-Step of the early 20th century to the Jitterbug of the 1950s and into the current day Swing Dance scene.
We want to THANK YOU for being here. For showing an interest in these dances and being a part of the continuously growing community of dancers that are "hep to the jive"!
1999
Joel starts his very first swing dance company with partner Valerie Salstrom
2001
Joel & Valerie start the first full weekend event devoted to Balboa
2002
Joel started to travel teaching at Swing Dance events in 12 countries around the globe with partner Alison Scola. He still travels occasionally.
2004
Joel creates Balboa Rendezvous (2004-2013) - a weekend long Balboa dance event focused on the history & honoring the Masters of Balboa
2007
Joel taught at and helped organize
a week long Swing Dance camp in Australia for 10 years
2010
26 miles across the sea...Joel put on the most magical Swing Dance event in the Casino Ballroom on Catalina Island for 4 years
2011
Joel is inducted into the Camp Hollywood Hall of Fame.
Camp Hollywood is one of the largest & longest running Swing Dance events
2012
Joel & Jackie Plys created a Swing Dance company in San Diego offering classes, events, performances & more!
2014
Joel is inducted into the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame.
2017
Joel had the honor of dancing with legend Jean Veloz on NBC for the show "Forever Young"
2020
Joel & Jackie start a new swing dance
company in the Pacific Northwest.
2021
Joel & Jackie move to the Triangle are of North Carolina to start their new Swing Dance life! Check out our Events in NC page for the latest updates...