There’s something about swing music and a city skyline. Sure, there’s nothing wrong with country swing – that whole ho-down thing can be fun but still it isn’t for me. I like walking the pavement – for some reason it’s always just rained whenever I’m having this particular daydream – under a big marquee with the sound of a swing band leaking into the darkness. A few happy couples are making their way out of the hall, maybe pulling their collars up against the night air as they wend their way home.
Last night we visited Riolo Dance. It’s a relatively new (opened almost exactly a year ago) venue located on the second floor of an unassuming building at the corner of Capital and Michigan in downtown Indianapolis, just off the IUPUI campus. The atmosphere around the building certainly fits my nior fantasies, it’s firmly ensconced in an urban setting complete with a weathered brick alley between the studio and (what looks like) an abandoned warehouse. Even the weather cooperated – a blustery wind, low clouds, and occasional rain squalls to keep the gutters filled and the pavement damp.
Unlike my fantasy ballrooms, though, The Riolo’s entry way is unassuming – a nondescript door with a tacked up sign directly off somebody’s printer. Inside there were a series of similar signs and arrows directing us down a hallway, to an elevator, up one story, around a corner, down another hall, and finally to another utilitarian door with the Riolo sign affixed. But that’s where the plainness ended.
The Riolo is owned and operated by Marie Riolo Roach – a woman whose Italian heritage comes out in the warm colors and décor of her studio. I’ve never danced in a place that was painted rich red – the Indiana Roof may emulate a Spanish plaza through its use of elaborate facades and a simulated sky but The Riolo is something totally different. The floor is good sized and in great condition owing to its relative newness – but what makes the place really special is the view.
On two sides The Riolo’s windows look out over downtown Indy, offering a view of the AUL building’s iconic roofline to the southeast and the setting sun to the northwest. I’ve never danced in a venue that offered a view let alone had one worth offering until last night. I hear they’re having a 4th of July dance and with their location it’ll be worth the price of admission!
So, the venue’s great but what about the people, you ask? Well, we all know that a wonderful evening can be spoiled by a bunch of dancing dolts who don’t have dance floor manners. I’m happy to say that The Riolo seems to have a quality crowd, many of them familiar from our visits to the Starlight Ballroom, Indiana Roof, and other venues around the city. The DJ played a wide variety of music – everything from swing to tango – cha-cha to foxtrot. In fact my only complaint would be that they didn’t play a full song – just about half, instead…an interesting decision that allowed for more types of music but didn’t allow us to settle into any one dance very well. Still, I’d recommend The Riolo without hesitation.
Last night we visited Riolo Dance. It’s a relatively new (opened almost exactly a year ago) venue located on the second floor of an unassuming building at the corner of Capital and Michigan in downtown Indianapolis, just off the IUPUI campus. The atmosphere around the building certainly fits my nior fantasies, it’s firmly ensconced in an urban setting complete with a weathered brick alley between the studio and (what looks like) an abandoned warehouse. Even the weather cooperated – a blustery wind, low clouds, and occasional rain squalls to keep the gutters filled and the pavement damp.
Unlike my fantasy ballrooms, though, The Riolo’s entry way is unassuming – a nondescript door with a tacked up sign directly off somebody’s printer. Inside there were a series of similar signs and arrows directing us down a hallway, to an elevator, up one story, around a corner, down another hall, and finally to another utilitarian door with the Riolo sign affixed. But that’s where the plainness ended.
The Riolo is owned and operated by Marie Riolo Roach – a woman whose Italian heritage comes out in the warm colors and décor of her studio. I’ve never danced in a place that was painted rich red – the Indiana Roof may emulate a Spanish plaza through its use of elaborate facades and a simulated sky but The Riolo is something totally different. The floor is good sized and in great condition owing to its relative newness – but what makes the place really special is the view.On two sides The Riolo’s windows look out over downtown Indy, offering a view of the AUL building’s iconic roofline to the southeast and the setting sun to the northwest. I’ve never danced in a venue that offered a view let alone had one worth offering until last night. I hear they’re having a 4th of July dance and with their location it’ll be worth the price of admission!
So, the venue’s great but what about the people, you ask? Well, we all know that a wonderful evening can be spoiled by a bunch of dancing dolts who don’t have dance floor manners. I’m happy to say that The Riolo seems to have a quality crowd, many of them familiar from our visits to the Starlight Ballroom, Indiana Roof, and other venues around the city. The DJ played a wide variety of music – everything from swing to tango – cha-cha to foxtrot. In fact my only complaint would be that they didn’t play a full song – just about half, instead…an interesting decision that allowed for more types of music but didn’t allow us to settle into any one dance very well. Still, I’d recommend The Riolo without hesitation.
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