Our Story
The YVSCE was incorporated in March 2009 after being in operation for about 3 years. It all started with two groups: a group of enthusiastic swing dance "kids" down in Zillah and another group of friends in Yakima who would dance on First Fridays at the Terrace Heights Civic Center. When the two groups joined up, a scene was born and has been operating non-stop ever since!
-
1st Friday Dances
2006 - 2007
First Friday dances were everything. A big, successful dance brought in about 60 people; we thought THAT was crowded!
-
3rd Friday Dances
2008
Lindy Friday was kicked off even when no one knew how to lindy.
-
Name Change
2009
Our name changed from the Yakima Swing Dance Society to The Syndicates, which made room for the Music Syndicate, the Theater Syndicate and the Culinary Syndicate as well as our dance scene, all housed under the YVSCE. Also in 2009, our group created and filmed the Easy Thriller Dance, which has been used by groups all over the world since!
-
Our 1st B&B
2010
The very first Banquet and Ball took place from December 29-31. There were about 20 attendees and 30 volunteers! The Grand Syndicate Ball
-
Small Groups
2011
This was a big year for The Syndicates! It was the start of our Small Group curriculum that launched with the Black Ops group which performed on stage with the Yakima Symphony Orchestra. Since then there have been more than 20 small groups with projects as varied as the young men and women who participate. We also received our 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service.
-
2nd Fridays
2012
Middle Friday was born, bringing the scene back to the jazz roots of the 1940s and 50s. It also runs until midnight, which means an extra hour of dancing!
-
IKE Swing
2013
The Dance Syndicate ran a swing club at Eisenhower High School, which culminated in a ground-breaking video project that trumps all. See it here (warning: zombies)
-
4th Fridays
2014
4th Fridays began and were catered to dancers about ages 40-60. Some called it "Old Friday", but it soon turned into "Lesson Friday". The board also developed it's mission, vision and values for the organization along with help and direction from an international business coach and the original founders of the YVSCE.
-
Growth Groups
2015
The Syndicates launched their community platform known as Growth Groups and later referred to as Cells. See the launch video here. These growth groups focused on our members reaching goals and setting their life direction.
-
3rd Floor Swing @ Hop Nation
2016
Third Floor Swing kicks off at the Hop Nation Brewery! We also celebrated our 10th Annual Christmas Dance!
Mission: To use the arts to create effective discipleship communities that build leaders who prevail in every sphere of their lives.
Vision: To be the dominant creators of Kingdom culture in every community.