By Robin GOLDSWORTHY

Friday night was an evening of twirling skirts, yummy desserts and big band music. It was the annual Jazz Night at the Café, a fundraiser benefitting the award-winning Crescenta Valley High School jazz band and music department.
The Falcon Café (the school’s cafeteria) was transformed into a jazz club where guests heard dynamic live music and had the chance to learn basic swing dance moves courtesy of David Blood.
You could say that it was dance that brought together David and his wife Dena.
“We met and fell in love … with dancing and with each other … while at BYU,” said Dena said.
That love of dance was passed onto their six children, many of whom were at Friday night’s festivities.
“We have a Christmas Eve party for the family that is a dance party,” said Dena. “Who does that?”
Attendees to jazz night spanned the generations, from those middle-agers who attended the high school in their youth to current students. One of these was Carsten Sondergaard, 16, who needed little instruction in how to swing. He’s a regular at Pasadena Ballroom Dance.
“My sister [a CVHS graduate] does the Lindy over there,” he explained. “She invited me to go with her. I’ve been going there about six months and I love it.”
Dressed in red wingtips, a red bow tie and suspenders, Sondergaard looked the part of an experienced swing dancer.
John and Irene Ortega have children who graduated from CVHS in 1988 and 1995. They also love to dance and, after reading about the evening’s plans, decided to come to the high school to trip the light fantastic.
“It’s fun to be at our kids’ alma mater,” Irene said.
Even those a little shy about taking to the dance floor were guaranteed a good time. Access to gooey desserts – including a chocolate fountain – was available for all ticketholders.
Jazz Night at the Café was a night of satisfaction – whether of listening to live big band music, dancing with joy and abandon or satisfying a sweet tooth – and no one left unfulfilled.

Photos by Robin GOLDSWORTHY