Behind the Ballroom

As many of you know, Intuitive Images will be opening a new studio space inside Atomic Ballroom in Placentia. The Placentia location is the second Orange County location for Atomic, with it's first flagship location still rockin over in Irvine. Both locations are owned and operated by Shesha and Nikki Marvin, both internationally acclaimed competitive dancers and teachers, and pillars of the dance community here in Orange County. They've been my clients, my friends, now my partners in business and new opportunities, and it's time I introduce you to them.

Here's a little Q and A with the taller half of the First Couple of Atomic, Shesha Marvin.

1. When and how did you get started dancing, and what's your background with the late Frankie Manning (one of the founding fathers of Lindy Hop)?

I started dancing when I was dragged out onto the dance floor at Disneyland one Saturday night Jan 1996. A few months later I took my 1st class from Frankie Manning and I was instantly converted from a spazzy swing kid to a lindy hopper with a clue.

2. How did you meet your beautiful wife, Nikki, and when did you two acquire The Atomic Ballroom?

I met my beautiful wife Nikki at dance class in the summer of love 2003. She was my student. We were married in 2006 and purchased ATOMIC Ballroom in 2008.

3. If you could be born in another decade, which would it be, and why?

I'm happy with my decade. If I had to play your game I would choose the 1920s so that I could see the true progression of charleston to lindy hop.

4. What drove you to open the second location for Atomic in Placentia?

Opportunity knocks and you open the door. I've known it was the next step for me for over 2 years.

5. What class or program is most exciting for you at the new Placentia location?

Argentine tango is ON! I've been trying to get into this personally for years. Friday nights, me, and Tango.

(The Argentine Tango series will be kicked off on Friday Jan. 28th - click here for more info on a stellar night of Tango, including basics, musicality, and workshops.)

6. Favorite thing to eat at home, and favorite thing to order at a restaurant?

Spaghetti and Spaghetti. Why fight it.

7. Do you hope your beautiful daughter, Anjali, will take over the Atomic empire when she gets older?

Anjali might just hate dancing. We could sell it and retire, who knows. I think of the ATOMIC empire as a small stepping stone in my life.

8. What are your hopes for the future of social dancing?

I need to keep pushing my basics and fight for more freedom.

9. You're somewhat infamous for your 101 Hat Tricks. Any plans to teach others via class or workshop?

Teaching hat tricks to geeks has been a long standing activity for me. I'm sure I will continue as requested.

(Here's a little taste of Shesha's Hat Trick Magnificence)

10. What would you say to someone who wants to get into social dancing, but has no experience?

I can't imagine living a life without social dancing. It fulfills so many human needs at once while also being fun. Any hopeless, clueless dancer can achieve competency starting at any age.

Thanks Shesha!

For more info about any classes Atomic offers, visit http://atomicballroom.com/ , and look for more articles in the Behind the Ballroom series, as I introduce you to more of the friends of Intuitive Images.

~Steph